A BGM member contacted SR to ask questions and Ruger stated that the shipping is 2-day UPS and since the purchase has been made an FFL is not necessary.  As of the phone call with Strum Ruger – the shipping containers have not yet been shipped while the retrofit parts are still being engineered and manufactured at the supplier. SR plans to begin shipping return packaging the week before Thanksgiving, looks like no Turkey for SR employees and just in time for the Holiday Rush on Shipping Packages.

Below is copied from the Ruger LCP Recall Website

Ruger has recently received a small number of reports from the field indicating that LCP pistols can discharge when dropped onto a hard surface with a round in the chamber. We are firmly committed to safety and would like to retrofit all older LCP Pistols. The retrofit involves installation of an upgraded hammer mechanism at no charge to the customer.

We want to remind gun users that, for maximum safety when carrying any pistol with a loaded magazine in place, the chamber should be empty, and the slide should be closed. Any gun may fire if dropped or struck.

How to determine if your pistol needs the retrofit: All LCP pistols bearing prefix “370” (that is, serial number 370-xxxxx) may be affected. Newly manufactured and retrofitted “370” prefix LCP pistols with the new hammer mechanism installed have been marked with a diamond in the flat portion of the slot just behind and below the hammer as shown to the right. Going forward, new pistols will be marked with the serial number prefix “371” (serial number 371-xxxxx). Pistols with the “371” prefix are not affected.

How to arrange to have your pistol retrofitted:
Step 1 – Contact us and provide your name, address, telephone number and LCP serial number.
To sign up for the FREE safety upgrade:
Click Here to sign up immediately using the on-line form.

You may also sign up by using any of these alternative methods:

E-mail:
LCPRecall@ruger.com

Fax: (928) 541-8873
Phone: LCP Recall Hotline
1-800-784-3701
(available Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EDT)

Step 2 – The new parts are being built and we will retrofit LCP pistols on a first-come, first-served basis as soon as they are available. When we are ready to retrofit your pistol, we will send you a shipping label and package with instructions so you can return your pistol to us FREE of charge.

Step 3 – We will install the new hammer mechanism, plus some other functional upgrades that we added since the LCP’s introduction, and return your LCP to you, all FREE of charge. When we do, we also will send you a FREE magazine with the new finger grip extension as a “thank you” for your patience and cooperation. We will make every effort to return your pistol within one week of receipt.

Thank you,
Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

To show off the LCP Bullet Boy put together a short YouTube video.  The first Video Clip is firing two rounds of Federal Premium Personal Defense HydraShock.  The second clip is 6 rounds rapid fire of target ammo.

[sniplet Ruger-LCP-Video]

In April we posted about the the Ruger LCP .380 and the Kel Tec. It seems to have been a long journey and waiting list but a member of the BGM Tactical Team has purchased one. Lucky’s Gun Store in Cropwell, Alabama had one in stock or at least about to hit the shelf. The price was slightly higher and a distant drive from our favorite Simmons Sporting Goods. The price and drive have proven to be worth it as the weapon is fun and exactly as expected.

The LCP 380 is not an everyday shooter as it is not a heavy duty service style weapon. It is however more comfortable than the Kel-Tec. If it wasn’t for the difference in the grip you wouldn’t be able to tell the Kel-Tec from the Ruger.

During the testing of the pistol we also had a Kel-Tec and the same ammunition, wolf full metal jackets with the standard wolf steel case. With the same shooter moments apart they both performed exceptionally well. Even at 100 yards they hit the target. 100 yards with a .380 is a long distance that is far beyond the practical usage of the weapon. After about 15 rounds through the Kel-Tec feed errors and ejector problems plagued the pistol. The Kel-Tec is about 1 year old has had almost 100 rounds fired through it and was probably due for a full break down and cleaning. None-the-less in this side-by-side comparison the Ruger LCP .380 outperformed the Kel-Tec P3AT.

If you have the opportunity to purchase the LCP 380 we highly recommend it. If price is the issue then the Kel-Tec P3AT is a good choice and probably easier to obtain. If you are going for style go for the Ruger. If you are looking just for a daily carry pistol or pocket pistol the choice is yours.

Ruger a few months back launched a new gun, the LCP. The new pistol is similar to the Kel Tec in size. It is a .380 caliber auto and meant for everyday carry. Beacuse of its size it is a lot more practical than that of the same caliber from periods before. It is the only competitor to the Kel-Tec. Jeff Quinn of gunblast.com put together a side-by-side comparison.

If you notice the Ruger is a few onces heavier and may be due to the so called beefier feel of the weapon. The Ruger is listed at about $50 more than the Kel-Tec the MSRP for the Ruger is $330. The Kel-Tec has been in development longer and many of the bugs worked out. For now the Kel-Tec is probably the best option. With the large R&D department and the Ruger name the LCP will quickly work out the kinks and make up the difference. The Ruger is now available but still remains as hard to get as the Kel-Tec.

If you are looking to purchase or would like to hold one in person talk to our friends at Simmons Sporting Goods. A quick note on Simmons they are having big sales right now in the off hunting season. Check them out especially for the great deals on Smith & Wesson

See the video for a quick look at the new Ruger LCP.