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Pocket
Protector:
The perfect pocket pistol
would be small, light, thin,
chambered in an effective
caliber for self-defense,
completely reliable, and
inexpensive. After spending
some time with Ruger’s
new and much talked about
Light Compact Pistol (LCP),
I think it comes very close.
All carry guns are a compromise
of sorts, and that is especially
true for pocket pistols. But the
Ruger LCP seems to make all the right
compromises to be small enough and
powerful enough, while remaining very
affordable.
Gun Details
A true pocket pistol, the LCP is one
of the smallest guns available in what
A tiny gun with a
slim profile means
less printing when
concealed.
The Ruger
many consider to be the smallest viable this type. The LCP also has a traditional
round for self defense: the .380 Auto. As magazine release located on the left
you can see from the specs, this gun is side of the frame just behind the trigger
small, light and flat, while still packing guard.
seven total rounds. This gun will almost One somewhat unique feature of the
disappear in a pocket, and will print Ruger is a slide hold-open lever. This is
much less than a wider J-frame revolver not a standard slide lock, and the gun
or a heavier steel pocket auto. The polymer
frame is molded to a hardened steel zine. However, when held to the rear,
does not lock open on an empty maga-
slide, resulting in an unloaded weight of the slide can be locked open by pushing
less than 9.5 ounces. Add seven rounds up the lever. This can be useful in handling
an unloaded weapon, or in clear-
and a pocket holster, and it is still less
than one pound! That is a lot of firepower
for such a light carry package.
Fit and finish on the LCP appears
ing difficult jams.
The LCP’s manual of arms is quite to be very good for a gun in this price
simple. The gun is a double action of range. The polymer frame, which Ruger
sorts, but the recessed hammer is partially
tensioned by operation of the Filled Nylon,” has a nicely finished look
describes as “High Performance Glass
slide, so there is no repeat strike capability.
The result, however, is a relatively checkering. The style of the grip gives
with the Ruger logo and appropriate
light eight pound trigger pull that is the LCP a family resemblance to Ruger’s
easily managed. There is no external or other new polymer framed pistols. The
manual safety, but the long trigger pull hardened steel slide is finished in a
provides adequate safety for a gun of matte blue.
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USCONCEALEDCARRY.COM n CONCEALED CARRY MAGAZINE n JULY 2008