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Sidearms & Scatterguns Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

chaser_2332

Team copper creek
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Minuteman
Sep 27, 2009
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Campbellsville ky
A Glock 23 is my EDC, but there are time iwb is hard to pull off and I would like a small pocket pistol. I really like the smith 642 but I think it's a little big for what I'm wanting. Is the lcp the be all end all of the backup pocket pistol?
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I think so. I carried a Glock 23, Sig P220, Colt Mustang 380, and the LCP. There were many times when I passed up carrying my larger guns in the Arizona heat. Once I got a LCP, that sucker would go in any pocket especially cargo short pockets. The Mustang (Sig P238) was small enough, but it was a little too pretty and worth too much to me to subject it to everyday cary. I have a S&W Shield 40 on order that might replace the LCP.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

+1 on the S&W Shield being a huge step up

But if you like the Ruger design, are you considering the LC9?

Those would be better choices IF your pockets are accomodating. But since you mentioned the 642, it sounds like they would be.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

look into the sig 938. it's a 9mm, not much bigger than a sig 238 .380 and much smaller than a S&W shield. a bit more expensive tho, like twice as much. it is pretty much the same size as the rugers, but a lot better quality and trigger.

the 938 is my EDC over the springfield XDs and shield, which the XDs and shield are the same size.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

LCP is the shiz. I wear pants so figging tight that I am all man-toe and nothing else. I stuff the LCP in my back pocket and you still cant tell what it is. I also carry it when i am out pull 50+ miles on my tri bike. Not even there, until it needs to be there. You wont be disappointed.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Loved my lcp to death , untill I tested the 380 loads on hogs. wounds looked like 3" fang bites. None of the JHPs opened. Looked lile slow FMJs. Tested my 9mm, lets just say ill stick to 9mm
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

EDIT: Having not hunted enough hog, I'd have to start with a 44 and work my way down
smile.gif


It's a sacrifice going to 380 but I see on The First 48 that a lot of the gang bangers do themselves in with them.
I love my 642 airweight but it's still a far cry bulkier and heavier than the LCP.

However, should I end up over in the big city, Seattle lets say- the 642 is the choice.
More powerful load (129gr Fed Hyraschock +P), leaves no brass, and it will NEVER jam on me......

lcp.jpg

SW642.jpg

 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I take my LCP everywhere! Love it! Have an IWB holster and I can't even tell it's there. With shorts, I have a pocket holster. You won't be disappointed with it. No, it's not a .45 and every time I have someone joke about it, I ask them if they would like me to shoot them with it. You know what their answer is.....
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I like the LCP but the LC9, I like a LOT more. I can still pocket carry if I want and IWB is sooo easy, plus it shoots very well.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I rock he lc9 iwb most of the year, I also have a pocket holster for cargo shorts during the summer. I personally want more than 380 when my and my family's life depend on it
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

The LCP is junk: Cheaply built and built down to a price. It's better than nothing, but it's far from a serious carry gun.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Hold an LC9 before purchase. The trigger pull is heavy and long. Some can tolerate/get used to it, I couldn't. Kahr CW9 for me.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I tried the LCP and I just really couldn't get to liking it, the LC9 was a lot better and of the two I would get the LC9 over the LCP, however after much searching for a pocket pistol to use, the one I found I liked the best was the Ruger LCR in .357, that one had the best trigger of all of them (suprisingly the LCR in .357 has a better trigger than the LCR in .38 special).

The one advantage the LCR has is being able to fire from inside your coat pocket. (More than once).
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Been checking out most of the various models of pocket sized .380s and 9mms over the last week, haven't picked one yet, but definitely hold and try the trigger and any other controls, very different feels. Allot of very long trigger pulls, the Rugers' in particular, which isn't terribly likely to be noticed if they ever need to be employed for protection but may play hell with practice and confidence building. Many also have controls that are simply to small, or akwardly placed, and most likely some just won't fit your hand.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Beef ,
Ive taken my Lcp hunting. Drawimg and firing with that trigger pull isnt the greatest. Rapid fire, meh~ . And aiming and accuracy is "natural point". I will say I doesnt make.my ear ring if im not wearing ear pro (shame on me). But honestly for the damage it does (effect on target [tested on hogs]) id rather carry a 22wsm. (seen about the same damage slightly bigger diameter entry)
(for better damage and effect on target..
Ive had great success and aim with my wifes s&w 9mm shield, and were currently looking at glow / night sights. (probably xs big dots). The lcp is great to carry light as a cellphone, many pocket shot style holsters. But i personally have no confidence with its aim or stopping a threat.

-my 0.02
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

MGD, thanks, had a decided lean towards 9mm anyway, not much of a size trade-off. Have read nothing but good about the Shield but it seems to be vaporware around here.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I like my LC9 for CC. The Galloway trigger mod really improves the pull and reset.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

The lcp is a pretty good pocket pistol, but if you live in humid climates I would choose something else. I couldn't keep enough oil on mine. It was always rusting, and I sold it for that reason.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

The LCP is the last gun I want to have on me if something happens. If you are only going to carry this in your pocket as last defens, sure. Im 5'10", 160 and the only time it gets carried is when I'm in dress clothes without a jacket and I have another gun in my truck or my wife is carrying. No sights, long heavy trigger. If you can fit a 9mm in your pocket go with that. 380 go with a Sig P238 if you can make it work. S&W body guard I feel has a nicer trigger and still close enough in price. Just my experience.
Good luck.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I like em. If you are worried about rust, spray some duracoat clear coat on it. Yes the trigger is awful, but this is a pocket pistol. I've been in the military and grew up poor. Im used to shooting with crappy triggers. These little guns are extremely light, thin, and small. I havent found any other gun, that I can carry in my pocket without some sort of aggrevation. Just dont expect a nighthawk quality piece for $290
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Well my little brother got a new lcp, I was excited to mess around with it and see how it felt in my pocket. All was good with the size and feel, then we took it outside to shoot. It wouldn't even start to extract the brass from the chamber causing a double feed. I'm sure ruger will remedy the problem but it doesn't set well for a defense pistol even if it is a last ditch option.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

So has anyone done a side by side of the S&W bodyguard compared to the LCP? Both in .380 and with lasers. I have not shot either but the Bodyguard feels better in the hand and on the trigger?
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I had the LCP for a while, and I really liked it. I was never really sold on the .380 as my caliber of choice, but it works. I just bought the Sig 938 Nightmare today, and have to say I love it. The size/weight difference is negligible in my opinion. I would like to do a side by side, but I no longer have the LCP. The LCP is not the end all be all, but it has a place in my heart simply because of the size. On a size note, I know of several respected Police Officers and Deputies that have and carry DAILY a North American Arms 22mag. You can't get much smaller in size, and it has plenty of power to do what it was designed to.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
However, should I end up over in the big city, Seattle lets say- the 642 is the choice.
More powerful load (129gr Fed Hyraschock +P), <span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-size: 20pt">leaves no brass</span></span>, and it will NEVER jam on me......

</div></div>[/size]

Ummm..., is there something you're not telling us about your trips to the city?
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

@chasser
Yes a lot of LCP jam with JHP, especially larger bullets like fiothci. Lucky for you rugers customer service is fantastic. They took care of me within a week and gave me tons of freebies.
with most semiautos please remember to break in the gun using fmj.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

His gun wouldn't even manualy eject the shells when racking the slide. Ruger did accept the return, so we'll see how it goes. Understand that this will be for the very few occasions I can't have my 23 on me. Thinking hard about the small revolver
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I had the the LCP first but sold after I bought the Taurus TCP. The TCP also has the slide lock back after the last round and the LCP does not. USA made also so I went with the better gun.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: drb5r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The lcp is a pretty good pocket pistol, but if you live in humid climates I would choose something else. I couldn't keep enough oil on mine. It was always rusting, and I sold it for that reason. </div></div>

Had the same problem, I Gunkoted mine, no more rust.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I have an LCP and love it. It has had zero issues after about 500 rounds (I know thats not a lot, just reporting). Its great in the front pocket when you can't dress for something bigger and is easily accessible. I have had no issues with Speer Gold dots, shot about 100 with zero malfunctions.
Two things you need to do if you get one:
Wolf 13# recoil spring. Improves reliability (so I hear) and helps with recoil management.
Hogue grip, the one that pins to the frame.
Those two things turned a difficult to shoot little bitch into a sweet shooting pocket pistol.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I'd recommend taking a look at the Sig 938 (or the 380 version if you don't want the 9 mm). Very nice pistol, much easier to shoot well than an LC9. My wife's LC9 had a major malfunction when she put the safety on after about 100 rounds - you could remove the mag and work the slide but that was it. Ruger fixed it, but did not inspire confidence. I was thinking about keeping the LC9 when we bought the 938, but then realized the LC9 isn't significantly smaller than a Commander 1911, and there is no question which I prefer.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I agree with twitch2120 i own a Kahr p380 with night sights and love it. It took a while to get it broke in but once it was no malfuntions at all and crazy accurate to be that small a gun. And I owned both the thing i liked alot better about the Kahr it actually has usable sights.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I have an LCP, wife has the TCP, sister and mom LCP's. I think I got lucky with mine, shoots well and has from day one, the other two shoot alright but not pure to POA. The TCP is a decent little gun as well, just doesn't fit my hand as well as the LCP. No function problems with any of them to speak of. I got mine for shorts/tshirt weather, directed the ladies in that direction so it was small enough for them to carry ALL THE TIME! There are nicer guns out there (Kahr MK40 comes to mind) but for a tiny pocket popper, they're hard to beat for the money.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I'm not a 380 guy, but undoubtedly, it provides a smaller form factor than 9mm. Me? I'll trade off that compactness and concealability for the larger 9.

If you need the 380 form factor, cool. It's better than nothing.

I suggest the Kahr. Much nicer pistol than the LCP.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: W54/XM-388</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The one advantage the LCR has is being able to fire from inside your coat pocket. (More than once).</div></div>

That's why I went a similar route, with the S&W M&P 340 CT
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

i personally find it silly to not just man up and keester stash a 1911 or 92f. nancies on here i swear
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Had a Keltec 380, shot the LCP and the Bodyguard, none of which hold a candle to the Sig P238. The trigger is superior IMO and have not had one FTF. I like the P238 for a quick dash into store or in shorts. The 1911 in a Milt Sparks IWB holster is hard to beat though, wear it all day with no problem.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I do carry a 1911 commander. But I have a hard time consistently carrying it depending on what I'm wearing. OP was talking about pocket gun so a PF9 is what I throw in my pocket - it's usually in my truck all the time
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

yup that is what im talkin about, the few times you cant carry your full size piece
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I have a Glock 23, Ruger lc9 & lcp, and a Taurus tcp 738. I carry the tcp about 75%, the lc9 25% of the time. I prefer the tcp over the lcp. I think it has the best trigger of the pocket pistols I've shot.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

When I wanted a pocket carry for during the Oklahoma heat instead of my HK P30, I went with the Kahr P380. I think this is a fantastic little gun. Just as light as the Ruger with better sights, IMO. I also liked it because just like my HK, there's no safety to fuss with in a high pressure situation. Granted it's DAO, but it is a very smooth pull with a predictable break. Didn't take too many shots to do pretty damn will with it for anything inside of 10 yards. FWIW, I use Hornady Critical Defense in it, with no feeding/ejection problems.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I like the Ruger LCP .380. The locked breech .380s are much nicer to shoot than the blowback .380s.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

My wife carries the LCP and loves it and is actually a dam good shot with it. I have taken her to the gun store a few times and let her handle other pistols trying to get her to upgrade, but she won't give it up. I personally hate it. It is to small for me to hold in my hand and it has the absolute worst trigger I have ever felt.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

Ruger just came out with the LC380 which I think is worth a look, it takes the best parts of the LCP and the LC9 into a pistol that seems to be a really nice package

New Ruger LC380
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I would have to say yes. What ever you do not get a Taurus TCP, it broke after the first round was fired off at the range today. Needless to say it is headed back to Taurus for warranty repair, it is my belief the firing pin broke after the first round. I should have waited for the Ruger LCP ( they were out, impluse buy I guess), I'll never make that mistake again. When the Taurus gets back from repair I will test fire it then sell to get a LCP or Sig 238.
 
Re: Is lcp the best option for pocket carry?

I have the Sig P238 and absolutely love it. I originally got it for my wife, but I like it so much that I think Im going to buy a second one for myself. Its a solid built little gun, comes with night sights, and shoots like a son of a bitch. The aluminum and steel construction handle the recoil much better than the Ruger LCP