Shooting the LCP

LAH · November 23, 2018, 10:17 PM

I purchased this LCP in hopes of having an "always" gun. These are light & easy to carry. So far I have only one fault, the slide doesn't lock after the last shot.

Many complain about the trigger but having shot a DA revolver most my life I find the trigger just fine. The sights aren't much but for combat range they are plenty. I purchased a 1000 pieces of brass & the cheapest Mag-Tech bullets I could find & began the learning curve.

The video was sometime ago & my first time out with the gun. I'm shooting it better now, especially with both hands. I was holding the camera with my left hand then. Anyway hope you enjoy the video.

https://youtu.be/qETETrAJOx0

MisterCrabby · November 23, 2018, 10:32 PM

Yep, great little piece. The LCP II updates the family with the slide like. I think the trigger in the 2 is a bit better. Enjoy.

jclayto · November 23, 2018, 11:32 PM

Agreed that the LCP is a great little gun that can always be with you. I traded my LCP II for an XDS .45 acp a few months ago and quickly began missing the ease of carrying the LCP. I purchased another LCP II on Tuesday after considering that the .380 that is always with me is more effective than the .45 that I left at home.

USNRet93 · November 24, 2018, 09:03 AM

I have one and carry it when I can't carry the G42 or G19, like tighter shirts type gig. BUT it really ain't much fun to shoot. I shoot it occasionally to make sure it works..use the cheapest stuff I can find(along with a few carry ammo to make sure) and never had a failure. I now understand the trigger differences between LCP and LCPII and feel more comfy with the LCP..trigger always covered when CCW. The thing with the slide doesn't bother me.

Cheapshooter · November 24, 2018, 10:52 AM

I have never found the recoil of my ten year old gen 1 LCP to be objectionable. Just a little snappy. Although to improve grip, and fill the hand a bit better I added a Hogue Handall grip sleve a couple years ago. Resulting in a very pleasant shooting mouse gun.

peterg7 · November 24, 2018, 01:43 PM

I’ve had one since 2010 still shooting and carrying it, a lot of chirping about the negatives but for me it’s good enough and better than some options in certain situations.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

kenny53 · November 24, 2018, 04:27 PM

Looks a lot like mine. I carry it a lot, it fits almost anywhere, it is almost always a back up gun. I find it a little snappy. I know I would never sell or trade it . BTW that was pretty good shooting in the video.

DAKA · November 25, 2018, 08:20 AM

FINALLY, some people who realize that an LCP is an "always with you gun" not a range or target gun...

USNRet93 · November 25, 2018, 08:28 AM

I have a question..I carry mine often BUT I can't hit squat with it..always low, like 8 inches low at 5 yards...I painted the sights for these 68 year old eyes but yesterday..same gig. I have NO issue with G42/19/17 I have, just this thing..keep practicing? Which ain't much fun? Could the sights just be 'off'?

LAH · November 25, 2018, 10:47 AM

Sure the sights could be off. Mine hits pretty much on at 7 to 15 yards with 90 grain factory loads & also with my handload. 8 inches low at 5 yards is horrible. BTW I'm 68 also.

USNRet93 · November 25, 2018, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAH

Sure the sights could be off. Mine hits pretty much on at 7 to 15 yards with 90 grain factory loads & also with my handload. 8 inches low at 5 yards is horrible. BTW I'm 68 also.

Yeegads, if they are 'off', what do I do? Aim high I guess? Never been thrilled with this wee shooter. Small, way cheap, reliable, easy to carry when I can't carry anything else BUT...

MandolinMan · November 25, 2018, 09:19 PM

Quote:

I have a question..I carry mine often BUT I can't hit squat with it..always low, like 8 inches low at 5 yards...I painted the sights for these 68 year old eyes but yesterday..same gig. I have NO issue with G42/19/17 I have, just this thing..keep practicing? Which ain't much fun? Could the sights just be 'off'?

Chances are there's no issue with the sights. The LCP is capable of surprising accuracy. But it can also be a very difficult pistol to learn to shoot well owing to its small size, poor sights, and heavy trigger. Practicing with snap caps can go a long way to overcoming these kinds of issues.

Cheapshooter · November 25, 2018, 10:00 PM

Quote:

I have a question..I carry mine often BUT I can't hit squat with it..always low, like 8 inches low at 5 yards...I painted the sights for these 68 year old eyes but yesterday..same gig. I have NO issue with G42/19/17 I have, just this thing..keep practicing? Which ain't much fun? Could the sights just be 'off'?

Considering the "sights" are a little bump in front, and a tiny groove in back I doubt they are off.
The guns you say you have no problem with are all, in essence single action triggers. According to the very useful trigger pull problem chart it is very likely you are breaking your wrist down when pulling the trigger.

Auto5 · November 25, 2018, 10:02 PM

My LCP gets almost as much carry time as my EDC, especially during the holidays when regular IWB carry seems to get a little tight, lol. As to the snappy recoil, the best advice I got was to "hold it like you're trying to squeeze it to death". I put a little bit of white appliance touchup paint on the front sight and MagGuts springs in my magazines to make it 7+1 without increasing the grip length.

hornetguy · November 25, 2018, 11:06 PM

I haven't shot an LCP, but I have, and summer-carry a Taurus TCP. I also found that putting a grip sleeve on it made a huge difference in the "hold-ability". The only failures to do anything were before I filed down the slide hold open tab. It was large enough that it would sometimes be "tripped" by the nose of a cartridge coming up in the magazine. Once I got that adjusted, it's been functionally flawless, with most ammo. I did find that it does not like Winchester white box stuff. Everything else I've tried feeds flawlessly.
It carries perfectly in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster in summer shorts. I find that at three yards, I can pull it and put a round in the head of a silhouette target in about a second and a half.
..... and the slide locks open after the last round.

USNRet93 · November 26, 2018, 09:32 AM

delete, dupe..

USNRet93 · November 26, 2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

According to the very useful trigger pull problem chart it is very likely you are breaking your wrist down when pulling the trigger.

I think that's it..moving my hand down anticipating the recoil..just gotta practice more, even tho the thing ain't fun. Certainly isn't a 'shoot it lots to get good at it', fun gun like my G42/17/19..

Thanks all, BTW-mine is the 'gen 2', with better sights.

HighValleyRanch · November 26, 2018, 11:59 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Load some random snap caps, and it will become evident if that is what you are doing!
Load various number of rounds with a snap cap in multiple magaines. Put them in a range bag and shuffle them up and grab one out of the bag. That way you won't know when the snap cap comes up. If you are anticpating and dropping your hand, it will happen.

Cheapshooter · November 26, 2018, 06:27 PM

Quote:

just gotta practice more, even tho the thing ain't fun.

Might want to try the Hogue Handall grip sleeve. Doesn't add a lot of bulk, but does help mitigate recoil.it also makes the gun feel better in my hand. That was the reason I added it. I never found the recoil all that bothersome. But the Handall certainly cushoned it some.
https://www.hogueinc.com/handall-hyb...p-sleeve-black

Ricklin · November 26, 2018, 07:18 PM

Very accurate, and not much fun for multiple rounds. My between shot recovery time needs more work.
That said the little sucker is accurate. For target fun I will bring other guns. The LCP is always in my pocket, and always gets at least a magazine through it on range days.

The always in my pocket is the important part.

USNRet93 · November 27, 2018, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapshooter

Might want to try the Hogue Handall grip sleeve. Doesn't add a lot of bulk, but does help mitigate recoil.it also makes the gun feel better in my hand.

Have it already..yep, it's 'strawberry'

, but in my pocket and maybe the guy I gotta use it on will fall down laughing..it was way cheap...

Cheapshooter · November 27, 2018, 10:46 AM

^^^^
Certainly qualifies for the "pocket pistol with style" thread!

railroader · November 27, 2018, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapshooter

Might want to try the Hogue Handall grip sleeve. Doesn't add a lot of bulk, but does help mitigate recoil.it also makes the gun feel better in my hand. That was the reason I added it. I never found the recoil all that bothersome. But the Handall certainly cushoned it some.
https://www.hogueinc.com/handall-hyb...p-sleeve-black

I tried the Hogue handall grip on my LCP Custom but I took it off. The grip made my LCP at least as fat as my Kahr CM9 and XDS 45. It made my LCP less pocket friendly in the jeans I'm always wearing.

K_Mac · November 27, 2018, 06:56 PM

Cheapshooter I agree that the Houge grip is a major upgrade. With it the gun doesn't move around in my hand while shooting like it does without the grip. It doesn't add enough bulk to change anything for me either.

LAH · November 27, 2018, 11:34 PM

Guys I have medium size hands. This little pistol is easy to hold with my middle & ring finger. It is very easy to shoot at ranges you'll be using it. The trigger pull is about the same as most DA sixguns unless altered. It is also easy to control. I carry it in the pocket holster which came with the pistol. It hides good & is easy to draw. I normally remove it from my hip pocket when entering my vehicle & place it in the pocket when exiting the vehicle.

Is it the best? Could something be better for my use? Probably as there are lots of options out there but I can't nor want to own them all so I'm happy with my choice so far.

November 23, 2018, 10:17 PM	#1
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,202	Shooting the LCP I purchased this LCP in hopes of having an "always" gun. These are light & easy to carry. So far I have only one fault, the slide doesn't lock after the last shot. Many complain about the trigger but having shot a DA revolver most my life I find the trigger just fine. The sights aren't much but for combat range they are plenty. I purchased a 1000 pieces of brass & the cheapest Mag-Tech bullets I could find & began the learning curve. The video was sometime ago & my first time out with the gun. I'm shooting it better now, especially with both hands. I was holding the camera with my left hand then. Anyway hope you enjoy the video. https://youtu.be/qETETrAJOx0

November 26, 2018, 11:59 AM	#18
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,140	^^^^^^^^^^^^ Load some random snap caps, and it will become evident if that is what you are doing! Load various number of rounds with a snap cap in multiple magaines. Put them in a range bag and shuffle them up and grab one out of the bag. That way you won't know when the snap cap comes up. If you are anticpating and dropping your hand, it will happen. __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

November 26, 2018, 07:18 PM	#20
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,392	A handful recoil wise Very accurate, and not much fun for multiple rounds. My between shot recovery time needs more work. That said the little sucker is accurate. For target fun I will bring other guns. The LCP is always in my pocket, and always gets at least a magazine through it on range days. The always in my pocket is the important part. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

November 23, 2018, 10:32 PM	#2
MisterCrabby Member Join Date: August 16, 2018 Posts: 90	Yep, great little piece. The LCP II updates the family with the slide like. I think the trigger in the 2 is a bit better. Enjoy.

November 23, 2018, 11:32 PM	#3
jclayto Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 2005 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 600	Agreed that the LCP is a great little gun that can always be with you. I traded my LCP II for an XDS .45 acp a few months ago and quickly began missing the ease of carrying the LCP. I purchased another LCP II on Tuesday after considering that the .380 that is always with me is more effective than the .45 that I left at home.

November 24, 2018, 09:03 AM	#4
USNRet93 Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2018 Location: Republic of Boulder, USA Posts: 1,475	I have one and carry it when I can't carry the G42 or G19, like tighter shirts type gig. BUT it really ain't much fun to shoot. I shoot it occasionally to make sure it works..use the cheapest stuff I can find(along with a few carry ammo to make sure) and never had a failure. I now understand the trigger differences between LCP and LCPII and feel more comfy with the LCP..trigger always covered when CCW. The thing with the slide doesn't bother me.

November 24, 2018, 10:52 AM	#5
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	I have never found the recoil of my ten year old gen 1 LCP to be objectionable. Just a little snappy. Although to improve grip, and fill the hand a bit better I added a Hogue Handall grip sleve a couple years ago. Resulting in a very pleasant shooting mouse gun.

November 24, 2018, 01:43 PM	#6
peterg7 Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2017 Posts: 316	I’ve had one since 2010 still shooting and carrying it, a lot of chirping about the negatives but for me it’s good enough and better than some options in certain situations. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

November 24, 2018, 04:27 PM	#7
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	Looks a lot like mine. I carry it a lot, it fits almost anywhere, it is almost always a back up gun. I find it a little snappy. I know I would never sell or trade it . BTW that was pretty good shooting in the video.

November 25, 2018, 08:20 AM	#8
DAKA Member Join Date: May 5, 2011 Location: S FL Posts: 61	FINALLY, some people who realize that an LCP is an "always with you gun" not a range or target gun...

November 25, 2018, 08:28 AM	#9
USNRet93 Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2018 Location: Republic of Boulder, USA Posts: 1,475	I have a question..I carry mine often BUT I can't hit squat with it..always low, like 8 inches low at 5 yards...I painted the sights for these 68 year old eyes but yesterday..same gig. I have NO issue with G42/19/17 I have, just this thing..keep practicing? Which ain't much fun? Could the sights just be 'off'?

November 25, 2018, 10:47 AM	#10
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,202	Sure the sights could be off. Mine hits pretty much on at 7 to 15 yards with 90 grain factory loads & also with my handload. 8 inches low at 5 yards is horrible. BTW I'm 68 also.

November 25, 2018, 10:02 PM	#14
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	My LCP gets almost as much carry time as my EDC, especially during the holidays when regular IWB carry seems to get a little tight, lol. As to the snappy recoil, the best advice I got was to "hold it like you're trying to squeeze it to death". I put a little bit of white appliance touchup paint on the front sight and MagGuts springs in my magazines to make it 7+1 without increasing the grip length.

November 25, 2018, 11:06 PM	#15
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	I haven't shot an LCP, but I have, and summer-carry a Taurus TCP. I also found that putting a grip sleeve on it made a huge difference in the "hold-ability". The only failures to do anything were before I filed down the slide hold open tab. It was large enough that it would sometimes be "tripped" by the nose of a cartridge coming up in the magazine. Once I got that adjusted, it's been functionally flawless, with most ammo. I did find that it does not like Winchester white box stuff. Everything else I've tried feeds flawlessly. It carries perfectly in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster in summer shorts. I find that at three yards, I can pull it and put a round in the head of a silhouette target in about a second and a half. ..... and the slide locks open after the last round.

November 26, 2018, 09:32 AM	#16
USNRet93 Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2018 Location: Republic of Boulder, USA Posts: 1,475	delete, dupe..

November 27, 2018, 10:46 AM	#22
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	^^^^ Certainly qualifies for the "pocket pistol with style" thread!

November 27, 2018, 06:56 PM	#24
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	Cheapshooter I agree that the Houge grip is a major upgrade. With it the gun doesn't move around in my hand while shooting like it does without the grip. It doesn't add enough bulk to change anything for me either.

November 27, 2018, 11:34 PM	#25
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,202	Guys I have medium size hands. This little pistol is easy to hold with my middle & ring finger. It is very easy to shoot at ranges you'll be using it. The trigger pull is about the same as most DA sixguns unless altered. It is also easy to control. I carry it in the pocket holster which came with the pistol. It hides good & is easy to draw. I normally remove it from my hip pocket when entering my vehicle & place it in the pocket when exiting the vehicle. Is it the best? Could something be better for my use? Probably as there are lots of options out there but I can't nor want to own them all so I'm happy with my choice so far.