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.380 LCP "problem"

5893 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  Big_John
hey all...my new LCP has failed to eject regardless of ammo brand used, although some (Lawman 1/19) are better than others...with certain ammo (Fiochhi 1/12) the rate is higher...it has only had about 80 rounds go through it and I'm wondering if any of you have had this problem...I called Ruger and they suggested I re clean and oil it...but also said a 1/19 rate isn't that unusual...and I should try different ammo till I find a reliable one that works well...also said it needs about 200 rounds to break in...it's my wife's gun and she has become uneasy about using it for carry...any advice would be appreciated...including ammo suggestions...thanks
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Two things.
Could be "limp wrist" shooting or a bad ejector.
Try holding the gun with a tighter grip.and check the ejector to see if it is chipped or broken.
You might even try polishing your barrel and ramp.
Being that the LCP is pretty much a clone of the Kel Tec P3at. My suggestion would be to follow these instructions on a Fluff and Buff. I've shown this to other LCP owners and it has worked for them. I might add I did a F&B to my P3at that was having stove pipe problems in the begining. Been 100% reliable ever since. Good Luck.
http://www.ktog.org/tecwerks12a.htm
Agree with all these comments...these small guns are not easy to shoot,

and demand a more determined grip and attention to detail like polishing the

feed ramp ( lightly ) as well as ammo choice. I find almost all of my firearms "prefer"

one brand over another...and each firearm will hit POA /POI with just one or two brands.
I have a Kel-Tec P32 that I was having feed and eject issues. I Fluff & Buffed it, per the instructions I found on the KTOG websight. It has been through 400 perfect rounds since. I also have an LCP that was unreliable, and F&Bed it extensively. Last time at the range, the LCP ran perfect thru 50 rounds. It would never do that before. My LCP never liked FMJ from Federal, and I have seen this comment from others. It does run well with Self Defense ammo. Hornady Critical Defense, and Remington Golden Sabers. This last range trip where it ran well... I was shooting Blazer Brass through it. F&B will really help. The link is a guide for Kel-Tec pistols, but the general knowledge works well on the Ruger LCP, and other autoloading pistols as well.

http://www.thektog.org/tecwerks12a.htm
RE: Advice...

thanks for the responses...cleaned it well last night...was surprised by the amount of dirt and grime after only about 80 rounds...I use KleenBore which is a solvent and a lube in one...rails look good but I had no grease on hand...what do you guys use?...I will stay on top of it...I'm off to the range to see if the problem is solved... will try a box of Hornady Critical Defense...will post my results...
thanks for the responses...cleaned it well last night...was surprised by the amount of dirt and grime after only about 80 rounds...I use KleenBore which is a solvent and a lube in one...rails look good but I had no grease on hand...what do you guys use?...I will stay on top of it...I'm off to the range to see if the problem is solved... will try a box of Hornady Critical Defense...will post my results...
remember the LCP is a wet gun, it likes plenty of oil.
hey all...my new LCP has failed to eject regardless of ammo brand used, although some (Lawman 1/19) are better than others...with certain ammo (Fiochhi 1/12) the rate is higher...it has only had about 80 rounds go through it and I'm wondering if any of you have had this problem...I called Ruger and they suggested I re clean and oil it...but also said a 1/19 rate isn't that unusual...and I should try different ammo till I find a reliable one that works well...also said it needs about 200 rounds to break in...it's my wife's gun and she has become uneasy about using it for carry...any advice would be appreciated...including ammo suggestions...thanks
1/19 isn't very impressive for a SD pistol. I wouldn't carry until it was 0/100 If that can't be achieved, get rid of it.
Lesson learned...

just back from the range...no problems...30 rounds...used Hornady and Fiocchi...this gun seems to be a dirt collector so I will clean it every time her or I fire it...I had fun today...next up ...the wife...I want her to feel secure and put it back in her bag...
My wife and I both had one and never had any issues with either.


Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk
One of the main things I retained and practice to this day from my days in the Army is to keep my weapons clean and properly lubricated. That will solve most problems before they happen.
my lcp had similar issues. at approx 400 rds i contacted ruger. the nice lady said shoot it some more , still being broken in. next range session at round four stopped completely. when i field stripped a frame rail fell out on the table. sent it back and ruger completely rebuilt the weapon around my serial number. flawless since returning. my thought is ruger will make any situation right. i have great faith in the ruger brand in any format. semi-auto, revolver, rifle---no matter which platform. best dollar for dollar purchase in firearms. that is why i own more rugers than any other.
Glad to hear yours is finally breaking in. At the 200 round area, it will start to feel and function much nicer. It will never be a range gun, but is a very reliable carry piece. Good ol' CLP works best for me when cleaning and keeping it lubed. I run 2 mags through it once a month to stay proficient and make sure it functions properly. Clean it monthly whether you shoot it or not. "Pocket" or purse guns collect a ton of lit, dirt, and random fluff.
Good Luck!
I've put at least 500 rounds through mine and only ever had one not eject fully. That was in the first 50 rounds and I was getting used to shooting it so it might have been my grip that caused it.

Since then it's done everything right.
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