The Ruger LC380 for this review was provided by The Kentucky Gun Company.
I’ve never had much use for small-framed handguns. I like large frames that shoot things with a minimum case length of 19mm. James Bond and his PPK weren’t favorites of mine. I much preferred Detective John McClane and his full-sized Beretta 92. No one seems to care much what I like, though, because despite my feelings about smallbore pistols in small packages, they get more popular with each passing day. Even Mother Teresa once said, “Be faithful in small things, because it is in them your strength lies.” So is there strength to be found in Ruger’s LC380? I honestly didn’t think so when I started this little adventure, but it turns out the little .380 had some surprises in store for me …
Much like its older brother, the wildly popular LC9, the LC380 is a looker. Nary a squared corner can be found on this gun and its sleek swooping lines exude a sexiness that make Kel Tecs hide in shame. Rollmarks on the slide aren’t garish or distracting and everything just blends together into a package that may be the best-looking pistol out there. Until you load it, that is, because that’s when that lovely billboard of a stainless steel loaded chamber indicator pops up and ruins it like taking brass knuckles to Gisele’s face. Ok, maybe it’s not that bad, but I really don’t understand a need for this feature.
Ergonomically, the Ruger fits comfortably in my medium-sized hands. While it felt on the small side, I wouldn’t characterize it as uncomfortably small. Initial annoyance with a dangling digit was easily remedied with the supplied pinky rest that replaces the standard magazine floor plate. The LC380 is well balanced and points quite naturally. All in all, the overall external design of the gun is spot on. So why did they go ruin it by slapping that tiny-ass safety on there?
You can straight up fugheddabout being able to hit that thing reliably in a stressful situation. It’s the size of a Tic Tac and about as slick as one that’s already been in your mouth. I could keep listing interesting analogies to describe it, but the Tic Tac thing and the way RF described it in his LC9 review, you probably have a good idea about TTAG’s views on Ruger’s inclusion of this feature.
The trigger on this gun is actually very smooth, but the trigger pull is as long as James May is slow. Throw in a phantom reset point before the actual reset — that’s right folks there’s two audible and tactile “reset” points — and you’re just better off treating this trigger like it’s attached to a Ruger LCR. It’s my one gripe about the actual function of this gun.
When I first took it to the range, I would try to ride the reset like I do on my EDC, but found myself trying to pull again after the first reset. Unfortunately, this led to much swearing, both from me and my coworkers who shot the gun. The shooting world is obviously aware of this issue, since kits already exist to rid the LC9 and LC380 of this affliction.
Eventually though, I found that when I stopped trying to find the reset, the gun and I started clicking quite well. The pic above shows the results of a full magazine at slow fire. At 7 yards, this frame size coupled with the low recoil of the .380 ACP round equals great accuracy. Rapid fire opened up the groups a little, of course, but an experienced shooter would have to try to not keep all the rounds well within center of mass.
Take down is straightforward. A small switch on the frame is pushed down and then the takedown pin is pushed out using the small tool Ruger provides (or anything else you have handy that will get the job done). After that, simply field strip as you would any full-sized pistol.
Reliability-wise, the LC380 is phenomenal. It has chewed through 300 rounds of Blazer like Adam Richman through a 5-pound stromboli. It had no problems with 100 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense either. Ammo aside, the pistol’s been in the dirt on the range, has never been cleaned and been fired by a variety of gun noobs. To date, it hasn’t malfunctioned once.
So, while I may not be a huge proponent of small guns or anything below 9×19 for self defense, I can now see the allure of this little guy. The LC380 conceals easily, recoils lightly (thanks in part to the dual recoil spring system), and shoots well. It’s reliable as all get-out and, quite honestly, fun to shoot. For those more recoil sensitive or who don’t like the snapiness that a small 9mm exhibits, it’s the perfect gun.
On another level, I found the LC380 is wonderful for training new shooters. During the weekly CWP courses I teach, it was a great carry pistol to help people gain confidence in their shooting without thinking they were being babied by shooting a .22lr while keeping them from being overwhelmed by larger calibers.
Bottom line: No matter what the reason, if you’re in the market for a .380 in a larger frame size than your typical mouse gun, look no further than the LC380.
Specifications:
Action: Double-action only
Capacity: 7+1
Slide Material: Through-Hardened Alloy Steel
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Length: 3.12″
Grip Frame: Black, High-Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Slide Finish: Black Oxide
Barrel Finish: Black Oxide
Width: 0.90″
Sights: Dovetailed, high-visibility three-dot sight system with drift adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight
Weight: 17.2 oz.
Overall Length: 6″
Height: 4.50″
Grooves: 6
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Safety Features: internal lock, manual safety, magazine disconnect and patented loaded chamber indicator
Available in CA: Yes
Available in MA: No
UPC7-36676-03253-2
MSRP: $539.00
Ratings (out of five stars):
All ratings are relative to other similar guns, and the final score IS NOT calculated from the constituent scores.
Accuracy: * * * *
This gun isn’t hampered much by its short sight radius and diminutive size.
Ergonomics (Handling): * * * *
Fits very well in the hand, but the pinky extension is a must for total comfort.
Ergonomics (Firing): * *
Once you figure out the trigger, it works well, but the really long pull and phantom reset will lead to frustration at first.
Reliability: * * * * *
Never cleaned and still going strong after 400+ rounds.
Customize This: * * * * *
Holsters, grip extensions, trigger upgrades and lasers. What more could you ask for?
Overall: * * * *
It’s a very good that’s only held back from greatness by a couple of flaws.
More from The Truth About Guns:
Gun Review: Ruger LCP II in .22LR
Gun Review: GLOCK 43 9mm Pistol
Policing ones brass just took a whole new meaning for you folks in CA.
What would keep an unscrupulous law enforcement person, or any other person for that matter, from going to a range and collecting pistol brass from the ground, then planting them in a homicide crime scene?
“A Maricopa Sheriff’s Office spokesman said that no crime had been committed because the student had never taken the gun out of the backpack and never pointed it at anyone. Furthermore, the spokesman said that an airsoft pistol “does not qualify as a real weapon.””
Sane analysis from Law Enforcement. Well done MCSO.
If I made my point as Morgan suggests, “like a pile driver”, it would only be deleted.
So the politically correct version is: I disagree with Mr. Morgan and hope he doesn’t get another show. I don’t believe he loves America. He is here because he was driven out of his own country after making false allegations against his military and then creating props to make his fabrications more convincing. He saw America as a place to be exploited, where he could live in luxury and be surrounded by his own armed security.
My mother in law is looking to get into shooting and to get a CCW, I think this one might fit the ticket.
“President Obama, his face set with rage, stood in the Rose Garden surrounded by the families of Newtown and former Representative Gabrielle Giffords and asked how a measure to expand background checks for gun buyers … had slipped away.” – New York Times – April 17, 3013
HAPPY PLACE! HAPPY PLACE! SNOOPY DANCE!!!!
So is the running tally Yeas/Neas ?
That loaded chamber indicator is one of those things required by California. Despite the best efforts of the fvcktards running this state there is still a huge market for handguns here.
For what a pocket sized semi auto was meant for I would rather have a lightweight j frame. No chiclet sized safety and 158 grain hollowpoints instead of 95 grain.
I know its painful to read the muck these sheeple write, but they have posted a list of Twitter accounts for the Senators who voted NAY on the background checks amendment..
If any of you guys use twitter, send them a message thanking them for doing the right thing. A little positive reinforcement can go a long way..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/senate-background-check-bill_n_3104250.html
Kiss my ass Bloomberg, you little sh!t!!! It’s bad enough we’re even having a debate on gun control, but it’s insufferable when arrogant gas bags like you start talking!
This weekend I think I’ll buy a few big gulps from 7-Eleven and take the AK to the range with a few 70 round drums, just to piss you off you prick.
NYC is heaading for a return engagement as the cesspool it was before Rudy Giuliani took over. The City will elect a standard left wing Democrat — it could be Anthony “the showman” Wiener –who will undoubtely abandon the City’s aggressive policing policies that have held crime in check. With those policies ended NYC will look lke Chicago inside of 18 months. When disarm your citizens and don’t keep the vermin off the streets they will take over and have free reign like they did in the past.
Fortunately, there are no “citizens” in NYC to worry about, just pathetic subjects. And they deserve everything they get thanks to their voting habits.
Okay… I’m taking just one victory lap on this one…
FOAD BloomB*tch, our freedom will not be taken… God Bless America!!!
I seriously haven’t felt this good since the election…. It’s far from over but this is good news…
As an Arizonian, I feel betrayed by McCain on this one. Any fellow Arizonians think its time for new representation?
My first thought after reading the good news the other day about the Senate vote was to look out for executive orders.
“If one child’s life is saved…” What BS.
For a brutally honest take on all the parents involved in this kabuki theater, try this:
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=219764
I was the opposite. I grew with games like Mario, Pokemon, and Zelda. My gun interest later shifted me to Battlefield and similar games. It’s cool to see at least simulate using the non-neutered versions of the guns you can get. I also like tv shows that have a certain amount of gun “porn” to them like Ghost in the Shell, even if it is an Anime, where you can tell what the gun is, see how it works, and is generally portrayed realistically. Incidentally my dream pistol is the one from Trigun, a six-o’clock break open with spring loaded ejection but preferably in .357 rather than the .45 colt.
Just purchased a Henry 22 lr and a 22 mag. Hope they work out well.
There were some republicans turncoats…the party should not be a winner. I will not vote for either in PA.
I did not nominate the Republican Party as one of the winners. Nor did I nominate the Democrat Party as one of the losers. But McConnell and Cornyn, along with young Turks like Cruz and Paul, clearly outplayed Reid and Durban.
Fellow TTAGers, I can see the fallout of this incident happening not only in the US, but also in Australia as well. If it isn’t used as a direct justification, it will certainly influence future legislation or restrictions to our sports. In the mindset of the local anti-gun groups, restrictions on firearms, ammunition, and components down under would have help prevent the Boston bombing. Don’t ask how. It is the hoplophobe mindset. I did ask on a talk-back radio show how would local laws prevent an incident happening overseas and the reply was “It would help”. I asked “How?” and was immediately cutoff from the call. Progressives don’t like their perspective from being challenged, no matter how illogical or unbelievable it is.
Some people and businesses are simply motivated by a central dumbness. Welcome to the jungle, it gets worse here every day.
We need mental health checks / IQ tests before people are allowed to publicly voice an opinion because some people (such as Ms. Duffy) clearly lack the mental stability and intelligence to have an informed opinion.
The more you know, the choice is clear. I choose the person (Gomez) who will fight for our rights…all of them. Gomez needs to fight back with an ad describing how Markey is systematically attacking the bill of rights…to make certain people in that slave state know what is at stake.
I bought a LC380 earlier this year. I am a novice pistol shooter. I put a Crmson Trace Laser on it. My first experience with it was no failures feeding or ejecting but felt it was firing low. As the sights on this have no adjustability for elevation and limited adjustability for windage, I wanted to know where it was shooting. I purchased a 380 boresighter form Sightmark. It was checked for alignment and the laser adjusted to the boresighter. Next I tried the iron sights to see where they were and found that they were at least 6 inches high and about 2 inches to the left. I called and talked to Ruger about this. The first thing they did was to discount the usefulness of a boresighter. They told me to use sandbags or a gun vice and they didn’t care were the sights said it was aiming as long as they could obtain a 2 inch shot group at 30 feet. I hope somebody is making adjustable aftermarket sights for this gun because if I have to shoot somebody in the stomach, I want to hit him there not in his nuts. If I have to compare this to my Bersa Thunder 380, The Bersa in much more enjoyable to shoot and the sights are fully adjustable.
don’t answer stupid questions, for stupid politicians, in stupid cities. Who wants to play russian roulette with sales for a couple of cops?
My EDC is a Ruger LC380. It’s easy to shoot well, and easy to conceal. I’ve heard all the negativity about the .380 round. I have no doubt I can stop whatever is coming at me with my little Ruger. Thanks for an honest and interesting review.
Your review is accurate, but I thought the trigger was not so bad. I shot my LC380 just today for the first time. Since the only other 38 Auto I’ve shot was a Bersa Thunder 380, that is all I have for comparison. With that said, I found the LC380 superior to the Bersa. Not a single hiccup. I was ecstatic with the Ruger’s accuracy and super-low recoil. After spending time at the range with both, I can honestly say I did not feel beat up by the LC380 as I had with the Bersa. The Ruger’s recoil can be likened to, maybe, what one feels when shooting a .22 magnum load. I LOVE THIS GUN!
Most reviews on the Bersa say it has less recoil. The recoil stats also verify less of a recoil on the Bersa. Of the Bersa, the LC380 and the Bodyguard 380, the Bersa has the least recoil, then the LC380 and then the BG 380.
Just wanted to post additional information about where I got the recoil stats:
http://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Bersa/Pistol/Thunder-380/380-Auto/Variant-3
you can search for all three guns (Bersa, LC380 and BG 380) and it will give the recoils.
mine has the easiest slide to rack of all the mini 9’s and mini .380’s that I have ever owned
mine has over 400 rounds thru it and still the action is smooth and quick. love the little bugga!
Shipped my LC380 to the factory for the feeding problem, they replaced the magazine latch and magazine latch spring and repaired the barrel (no explanation on this repair) then function fired 28 rounds of Black Hills 100gr FMJ and 28 rounds of Speer Lawman 95gr TMJ without any malfunctions. I made a trip to the range with 6 different brands of ammo firing over 200 rounds. What I found out there was no problem with round nose rounds, the problem occurred with hollow point and flat nose rounds. mSo I will try the brands they tested the gun with and see what happens. Keep you updated
Wow – I too had the explanation that they did a repair to the barrel, but the replacements to my pistol were the grip frame and loaded chamber indicator and its spring. Also used Black Hills ammo and said all 6 of my mags functioned fine after work on pistol. FYI: I have had FTF’s with round nose ammo.
This being the second time to Ruger and about two years since the first, I assumed by now they had figured out the problem and that I would be like others who have reported failure-free performance, but sadly that’s not the case. More FTF’s on my next range visit, even if it was fewer.
My LC380 has never functioned flawlessly since day-one, Spring 2013, when I originally thought I just needed to put it thru a break-in period. Finally sent it back to Ruger, only to have more FTF’s upon return, but thinking maybe it was my ammo (being a newbie and all). With some more experience, firearms, and ammo under my belt, here is the latest on my LC380’s performance:
3 weeks ago: 14 FTF’s out of 250 rds., five brands/types of ammo used, American and various other countries of mfr.
Last week after second trip to Ruger: 5 FTF’s in 250. An improvement, but certainly not an acceptable performance.
At wit’s end here.
@NewGunAddict – do the FTFs occur on particular magazines? If so, disassemble them and see if the springs are different lengths. I have two magazines in which one frequently causes FTF on the last cartridge. Comparing its spring with the magazine that doesn’t cause FTFs, the length is different (length meaning number of coils that make up the spring).
I have the LC9S. Love it. Me, my wife and daughter in law bought my son the LC380 for Christmas. He and I’ll be heading out to the range in the next couple of days to poke holes in paper with both of them and my XD40.
Like the article says I had to put the pinky extension on the mags of my LC9S if for no other reason but to keep my hand placement where I like it. The reset was a bit awkward at first but I got used to the false reset fast and am very comfortable with it now. I’m anxious to see how the 380 compares with the 9mm. I actually like the more compact size of the 380 over my 9mm but both conceal very well. The LC380 that I got for my son came with a pretty decent pocket holster as well. I had to buy a (Hunter’s) pocket holster for LC9S. My LC9S came with a funky ITW holster much like those I carried my duty weapon with back in the 70’s through a couple of years ago when I retired. Bottom line, I read the review and am looking forward to trying out the 380. Thanks.