Second generation Ruger LCP II improves already great CCH pistol

by Dick Jones | Contributing Editor

It’s amazing just how many excellent guns are available for the concealed carry citizen. As an instructor and gun writer, I’ve found it’s harder to find a bad gun in today’s market than a good one. Having said this, some are much more suitable than others. A couple of years ago, I wrote a guide for concealed carry handguns for Gun Digest and I tested three of what I considered to be the best sub-compact carry pistols, the Glock 42, Ruger LCP and Smith and Wesson Bodyguard.

To find out which won the laurels, you’ll have to buy a copy of the book, but suffice it to say, it was hard to determine which was the best of the three. All were great guns and the differences in them related more to the preference of the purchaser than to the accuracy, reliability or functionality of the gun. All had issues that might have discounted them from one person’s taste, but those same issues might have been positives for another. As an example, the Glock 42 was the least concealable of the three, but the easiest to shoot. A simple tradeoff that would make one purchaser discount the Glock, while making it more attractive to another.

So the trick to marketing success is to incorporate as many positives into the product as possible to make it attractive to the largest number of consumers, and that’s exactly what Ruger has done with the LCP II.

The original LCP, missing a few marks?

Only slightly larger and heavier than the original, the LCP II incorporates features that were missing on the original.

The original LCP was one of the most compact and lightweight guns I listed in my book. At under ten ounces, it’s hardly noticeable in a pocket holster, but a shortcoming of the earlier design was the lack of a slide lock on the last round. I’m sure Ruger engineers considered this, but the feature required additional complication and therefore more weight. The original LCP had a manual slide lock, and that’s a positive because not having this feature greatly complicates the process of clearing a malfunction should one occur. A slide locked to the rear allows the shooter instant information that the gun’s empty. The LCP II features slide lock on the last round. Score one for the new version.

Better Trigger

With a capacity of six plus one, the LCP II is in line with its competition. Modern .380 ammunition has improved enough in recent times to allow the .380 into a list of reasonably dependable stoppers.

Another common complaint for the original LCP was the trigger. I personally shoot a double-action trigger almost as well as I do a single-action, but most people have trouble with a long trigger stroke. Remember, most consumers of concealed carry handguns, especially the really small guns, are not experienced and highly trained. Even those with extensive double-action experience complain about the LCP trigger because completing the trigger stroke is difficult because of the tiny size of the gun.

Although the LCP II is a hammer-fired pistol, the trigger feels just like a modern striker-fired trigger. There’s a light, relatively long, stroke with a bladed trigger that transitions to a heavier second stage. Breaking at around six pounds, the reset is reasonably short and tactile. This isn’t a light trigger, but defensive guns shouldn’t have light triggers. In short, the LCP has the trigger most novice shooters expect, and this is a valuable improvement.

Better Sights

While it’s hardly a target pistol, accuracy is reasonable for a subcompact and lightweight pistol. This target was shot at seven yards.

Accuracy for subcompact defensive pistols is certainly limited by barrel length but easily discernable sights improve accuracy. While most defensive situations occur at less than three yards, sights that allow the user to shoot accurately help a novice shooter shoot better groups in practice sessions, and positive results boost confidence. Original LCP sights were best described as miniscule. They could be seen in good light, but in low light situations they were close to useless. In defense of the original pistol, the idea was that producing an unobtrusive gun and large, easy to see sights were a detriment to concealability. Sights on the LCP II are larger and much easier to see.

Tiny concealed carry handguns aren’t as easy to shoot as full sized service guns. In every aspect of life, there are tradeoffs. The light weight and compact size that make subcompact pistols so attractive for daily carry make them harder to shoot well and less easy to operate. Everyone who shot my LCP II test gun agreed it was easier to shoot than the original, but some still preferred the original. A close friend who’s an accomplished shooter and instructor prefers the original because he feels the long stroke double action style trigger is safer for a pocket gun, and guns this small are likely to find their way into their owner’s pockets.

The LCP II trigger has an internal blade and a long first stage followed by a reasonable second stage. The new trigger is considered by many to be a game changer.

On the original LCP there was a separate stage at the beginning of the slide’s stroke. On my LCP II test gun, the slide stroke was smooth all the way back. This can be a big issue for those with low hand strength, like some women and older shooters. In general, the LCP II is a much friendlier gun for the less capable shooter, and I’m sure this is the target market.

My test gun was capable of ragged hole ten-shot groups at seven yards, which is probably about as far as any LCP II will ever be fired. Recoil is certainly noticeable, but a firm grip allows fast follow up shots and I could empty the magazine without repositioning my hand. I experienced zero malfunctions, even when I used a light grip, and this is impressive for a ten-ounce pistol. The magazine release was easy to reach and I was pleased to note a magazine would drop without snagging my hand. Not a huge issue, but better than most little guns.

A Better Mouse Gun

With defensive loads, the LCP II delivers snappy but manageable recoil. Fast repeat shots may require the shooter to re-adjust his grip. This shot was late in a magazine dump and you can see my thumb coming away from the slide.

The LCP II’s MSRP of $349 is very competitive in the subcompact pistol market. Still, Ruger is keeping the original LCP in the catalog. I suspect it’s their idea that the $259 price and slightly lighter weight might attract purchasers who prefer the slightly lighter and cheaper version. If you had reservations about the original, it’s very likely the new LCP II version has corrected those issues. Had the test for my book been done with the LCP II, it’s likely the outcome would have been different and the LCP would have won because everything I complained about in that story has been corrected in the new version.

It’s amazing just how many excellent guns are available for the concealed carry citizen. As an instructor and gun writer, I’ve found it’s harder to find a bad gun in today’s market than a good one. Having said this, some are much more suitable than others. A couple of years ago, I wrote a guide for concealed carry handguns for Gun Digest and I tested three of what I considered to be the best sub-compact carry pistols, the Glock 42, Ruger LCP and Smith and Wesson Bodyguard.

The LCP II has sights that are a bit bigger than the original, but still small enough for excellent concealment.

To find out which won the laurels, you’ll have to buy a copy of the book, but suffice it to say, it was hard to determine which was the best of the three. All were great guns and the differences in them related more to the preference of the purchaser than to the accuracy, reliability or functionality of the gun. All had issues that might have discounted them from one person’s taste, but those same issues might have been positives for another. As an example, the Glock 42 was the least concealable of the three, but the easiest to shoot. A simple tradeoff that would make one purchaser discount the Glock, while making it more attractive to another.

So the trick to marketing success is to incorporate as many positives into the product as possible to make it attractive to the largest number of consumers, and that’s exactly what Ruger has done with the LCP II.