[Legionnaire]

Got to the range with my LCP for the first time today. Also took my Kel-Tec P32. I was disappointed with the P32. Although it has functioned fine with Winchester Silver Tips, it didn't do so well today with WWB, with a failure to extract almost every other magazine ... sometimes more than one. Gave it a good cleaning giving particular attention to making sure the chamber and extractor were clean. We'll see how she works next time out.

In contrast, the LCP was great! I disassembled and cleaned it before heading to the range, and greased (lightly) the slide rails. Only had 100 rounds with me: 50 rounds of Independence 90 Grn FMJs, and 50 rounds of Fiocchi 90 Grn XTPs. On the second magazine of FMJs, I had one failure to extract. After that, no problems at all. Gun was controllable, and I was surprised at how accurate it was given the minimal sights. I only shot at seven yards, but had no trouble keeping seven rounds (6+1) in a three-inch circle. Probably could have done better if I had really been concentrating; I was more function testing today.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the LCP. Expect it will displace the P32 in the carry lineup in pretty short order.

 

[kraigster414]

I had good luck with my P32. Never gave me a problem but certainly the gain in power, going from .32 to .380 justifies the switch.

 

[Indy Man]

I am amazed with this pistol you were able to keep shots in 3" circle from 21' and you say if you concentrated more you could have prob done better, heck at 10' I do good to keep in 8" circle, I shoot low and to the right. Guess I need more practice. Good shooting...

 

[LCP_Dogg]

Indy Man,

I also noticed my LCP is going low and right. I try to overcompensate and then it goes where I want, so I know it is not just me not keeping my hand steady.

Either the sights are off or the barrel is off or something.

 

[Legionnaire]

I am amazed with this pistol you were able to keep shots in 3" circle from 21' ...

I'll admit that I was surprised myself. I figured the short sight radius would be a problem. I am more accurate with a full-sized gun, particularly if it's a revolver. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised at the accuracy. I don't find the P32 as accurate, even on a good day!

BTW, if I don't concentrate, my shots tend to shoot low and LEFT rather than right. Also, with a mousegun like this, I don't try and keep the typical sight picture with the top of the front sight even with the top of the rear sight. I allow a slight triangle, with the front sight a touch higher than the rear sight. It's easier to keep the rear sight from occluding the front sight that way. Try it. You'll like it. Especially when shooting rapid-fire.

 

[Ooben]

I know I'm going to sound like an equipment snob, but you guys (and gals ) need to experience the LCP with the CT laser attached. I'm not even going to tell you what kind of groups I got at ten yards, I want to keep the poo-pooing down to a dull roar, although, I have to admit I think I found "The Magic Handload" using Speer's Gold Dot HP's...

 

[Indy Man]

Yeah I have to agree with you there, I even painted my sights a bright fluorescent red and like you I know I am keeping my hand steady and right on center. I will try the compensating thing myself, maybe aiming higher and to the left. Would ammo have anything to do with this? I have never tried any other type yet. I have been using Rem umc. I mean could it be possible that the ammo could affect accuracy? I know not a range gun but I have been a bit dissapointed in myself that at 10' not doing as good as I feel I should. As I was typing I seen Legionnaire that you made another post. Thanks for the tip about the front sight being a little higher, I will try this. funny u mention being more accurate with the revolver because I noticed when shooting my friends 38 snubby I was more accurate with it.

 

[icl]

Funny, today was my first range trip too! I just got the hankerin' for an LCP after flitting through this forum and around the net.......was actually considering the KT. I cannot express how happy I am with my choice! The LCP is scary accurate at it's intended ranges. Right out of the gate, at 20-30 feet, it was consistently a 2-3" group. Considering the sights, this was stellar. For what I intend it for--as a BUG, it is way more than I expected. The other truly nice thing was it's ability to eat just anything. I ran a box of Mag Tech, WWB, El Cheapo reloads, and Ultramax. Then I hit a box of Hydrashocks and two boxes of SXT. SXT is the winner--it bucks a tad, but patterns well.......and I have the faith in it's ability to see me home again if I should ever need it. Thank you Ruger for an awesome gun! ;D

 

[ToddG]

A few points to consider:

• I don't know whether it's typical or I have a particularly accurate LCP, but I was hitting a 12x12 steel plate at 75yd with the iron sights consistently. With my Crimson Trace Laserguard, I can hit a 3x5 card at 15yd consistently.
• Shooting low left (edited, thanks LCP_Dogg) for a right handed shooter is most often associated with trigger jerk, recoil anticipation, or both.
• The trigger break on the LCP is so far to the rear it is easy to put some sideways pressure on the trigger during the press. Concentrating on a straight back trigger press will probably help.
• Purposely holding a POA offset from your POI to compensate for bad technique doesn't improve your shooting, it simply masks your mistakes when you are calm and at the range. Under stress, your errors will be magnified and even if you do remember to take the conscious offset, it won't be enough.
• Some good drills to improve marksmanship fundamentals, to be done in order: (1) Wall Drill, (2) Ball & Dummy Drill, (3) 3x5 Card Drill.

edited because I still don't know my right from my left

 

[LCP_Dogg]

I'm a lefty and mine were low and RIGHT though.

I spent a good 50 rounds practicing on trigger pull. Could spend some more time on it too, but I could clearly see how different parts of your finger would yield different pulls from side to side.

That is not my issue. Mine were low and right about 1" even at 3 feet away.. ???

I don't have a vice to test with but I am fearing my barrel is somehow slightly off from the sights.

 

[ToddG]

LCP_Dogg: the error is on my part. I put low right above, but I should have said low left. Shooting low and to the weak/support hand side is most often associated with trigger jerk. So for a left handed shooter to be shooting low right, it's probably trigger jerk which is easy to do with the LCP's trigger.

Just press the trigger slowly and consistently straight back, and let it "surprise" you when it goes off. Don't try to anticipate, predict, or force when the gun will discharge.

I'll see if I can edit my last post to fix my mistake. Doh.

 

[LCP_Dogg]

Thanks Todd. I still kind of believe you but I just guess I need to practice it more.

I did three different tests quite extensively, but I'm still what I would call a rookie shooter, so I will keep practicing nonetheless:

- Penny trick - Put a penny or other object on top of the slide and pull the trigger on some dummy rounds. You should be able to pull the trigger 100% w/out the penny falling off. Next time I try this I'm going to try something like a cigarette or otherwise something I can stand up on end and see just how good I am at this.

- Mixed up Snap Caps - Mix in some dummy rounds with some live rounds and go through some magazines. When you are in the midst of shooting live rounds and then all of the sudden pull the trigger and a dummy round was loaded, the gun should continue to be pointed dead on the target (where you were aiming) as there will be no recoil/fire. If not then you are anticipating the fire with a jerk/flinch and need to practice more.

- Moving around trigger finger pad location on trigger. Pulling it slowly like you said Todd, you can visibly see where the gun is pulled when you move your finger in different spots. If you go too close to the 1st (top) knuckle, you pull towards your firing hand (usually), and if you use the tip of your finger, the weaker hand, or else you lose enugh power to sufficiently pull the trigger back 100%

I also lately have been trying to squeeze my hand and "seat" it on the grip before firing, because I notice the trigger pull is so hard and long that your grip may change during application of hand pressure. So if you pre-pressurize your hand on the grip, it won't happen (as much).

So granted I have some more work to do, but I think I'm doing the right things and right now it just seems like it is the gun not me, but hopefully that all changes in time. In the meantime, I'd love to find a vice at a range and just confirm it is not the gun....

 

[HowardCohodas]

I have also found that dry-firing with a laser has helped me. It keeps my eye on the target and the distance exaggerates any movement I make. I am also working on keeping both eyes open when I shoot. Not so successful with that endeavor yet.

 

[LCP_Dogg]

Yeah, tell me about it..

Crimson Trace LG-143 is on its way, courtesy of Midwest Tactical Supply aka Elsie Pea Forum Storefront.

8)

 

[HowardCohodas]

Yeah, tell me about it..

Crimson Trace LG-143 is on its way, courtesy of Midwest Tactical Supply aka Elsie Pea Forum Storefront.

8)

You might get better results if you get an LG-431 rather than an LG-143. ;D

 

[Indy Man]

Yeah, tell me about it..

Crimson Trace LG-143 is on its way, courtesy of Midwest Tactical Supply aka Elsie Pea Forum Storefront.

8)

LCP_Dogg I am unable to get the crimson trace at this time but would love to hear back from you as to if this helps improve you accuracy, I too shoot low and to the right and if this improves your accuracy then I might have to work towards getting one also. I would also like to hear from others as to how the crimson trace is helping their accuracy.

 

[LCP_Dogg]

Howard: Doh! ;D

Indy Man: I will report back for sure. I'm really curious to get the laser lined up with the hole in the targets, say from even 4 feet away, and then see how far off the fixed sights are with the laser, or if they're spot on. I'm still unsure which is screwed up, my barrel, the sights (doubtful) or my hands and eyes..

 

[jocko]

Howard: Doh! ;D

Indy Man: I will report back for sure. I'm really curious to get the laser lined up with the hole in the targets, say from even 4 feet away, and then see how far off the fixed sights are with the laser, or if they're spot on. I'm still unsure which is screwed up, my barrel, the sights (doubtful) or my hands and eyes..

from owning a J frmed smith with CS grips on it,l I definitely shot it 100% more accurate than with just using the guns sights. I would think the CS on the lcp would make you far more accurate than the lcp sites.

 

[Legionnaire]

I've never shot a gun with laser sights. Any concern about extra complication under stress? Several have commented that one tends to forget the "front sight" under stress. What about remembering to turn on the laser?

 

[HowardCohodas]

If you are gripping the grip, the laser is on. No need to think about it.