Ruger LCP
Encyclopedia
The Ruger LCP is a subcompact, .380 ACP
pocket pistol
announced by Sturm, Ruger
at the 2008 SHOT Show
. The pistol lacks certain features required for sale in California
or Massachusetts
.
The pistol has a glass-filled nylon frame, a two-finger grip, and a through-hardened blued steel slide. It is similar in appearance to the Kel-Tec P-3AT and uses a similar tension spring for the lightweight hammer
, identical locked breech mechanism, and similar takedown method. The main differences are the Glock
style extractor and the incorporation of an external slide stop. It is possible to tell if there is a round chambered by looking at the "view hole" next to the extractor. MSRP
for the Ruger LCP was $330, raised to $347, and is currently $364 (US).
that was menacing him and his daughter's Labrador retriever during a morning jog near Austin. Perry alleged that the coyote put him and his dog "in imminent danger" during a stare-down, and that he drew his weapon and fired a single hollow point round when it was clear that the coyote was not backing down. Perry is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and Texas law allows the use of deadly force against any predator that places the gun owner or his or her property in imminent danger. Neither Perry nor his dog were injured, and the governor left the dead coyote where it fell, stating that "he became mulch." Sturm Ruger has since released a "Coyote Special" edition of the gun to commemorate Perry's encounter.
.380 ACP
The .380 ACP pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since...
pocket pistol
Pocket pistol
A pocket pistol is an American term for any small, pocket-sized semi-automatic pistol or, less-popular, any other handgun of small caliber, suitable for concealed carry in either a front or rear pocket of a pair of trousers, or in an exterior coat pocket...
announced by Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated is a Southport, Connecticut-based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. Sturm, Ruger produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, full-automatic, and single-shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action...
at the 2008 SHOT Show
SHOT Show
The ' is an annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It is the biggest event of this type in the world together with IWA & OutdoorClassics , also taking place annually. "SHOT", besides being a general reference to shooting, is an acronym for "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor...
. The pistol lacks certain features required for sale in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
or Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Overview
Weighing less than 10 ounces (280 g) this is Ruger's first entry into the field of tiny, ultra-light defensive pistols. LCP stands for "Lightweight Compact Pistol" and was designed in direct response to customer requests for a compact firearm for use by police as a back-up, and as a defensive handgun for civilian concealed carry needs.The pistol has a glass-filled nylon frame, a two-finger grip, and a through-hardened blued steel slide. It is similar in appearance to the Kel-Tec P-3AT and uses a similar tension spring for the lightweight hammer
Hammer (firearm)
thumb|150px|Hammer with an integral [[firing pin]] on a [[S&W Model 13]] revolver The hammer of a firearm was given its name for both resemblance and functional similarity to the common tool...
, identical locked breech mechanism, and similar takedown method. The main differences are the Glock
Glock pistol
The Glock pistol, sometimes referred to by the manufacturer as Glock "Safe Action" Pistol, is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H., located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company's founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearm design or...
style extractor and the incorporation of an external slide stop. It is possible to tell if there is a round chambered by looking at the "view hole" next to the extractor. MSRP
Suggested retail price
The manufacturer's suggested retail price , list price or recommended retail price of a product is the price which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product. The intention was to help to standardise prices among locations...
for the Ruger LCP was $330, raised to $347, and is currently $364 (US).
Recall
On October 29, 2008, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. announced a recall of some of the LCP pistols due to the possibility of some of the guns discharging if dropped onto a hard surface. The recall announcement stated that Ruger would upgrade the hammer system, make other unspecified improvements, and compensate the owner by providing a grip extension, which may be attached to the provided magazine.Coyote Special edition
In April of 2010, Texas Governor Rick Perry brought further spotlight to the weapon when he used it to shoot a coyoteCoyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
that was menacing him and his daughter's Labrador retriever during a morning jog near Austin. Perry alleged that the coyote put him and his dog "in imminent danger" during a stare-down, and that he drew his weapon and fired a single hollow point round when it was clear that the coyote was not backing down. Perry is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and Texas law allows the use of deadly force against any predator that places the gun owner or his or her property in imminent danger. Neither Perry nor his dog were injured, and the governor left the dead coyote where it fell, stating that "he became mulch." Sturm Ruger has since released a "Coyote Special" edition of the gun to commemorate Perry's encounter.