Ruger LCP vs. LCP II

The violent crime rate in the United States was at an all-time high and rising. Many law-abiding citizens were concerned for their safety in conducting their day to day activities.  This was also a time when many state legislatures passed new open and concealed carry laws in many states.  

Ruger responded to the public outcry for a safe, effective, and discreet self-defense weapon and released the first LCP in 2008.  Though very popular and receiving much praise, the LCP did have its critics.  Most of this criticism centered around how comfortable they were when shooting the LCP, accuracy at the range, and dealing with the recoil of such a small firearm.  

In addition, these critics were shooting a large number of rounds.  None of these major criticisms really mattered to the end users of the LCP because the ultimate end user was not shooting long range, evaluating for accuracy, or worried about recoil.  They were worried about their life and being in close proximity to a perpetrator.  After listening to many of those critics and making some design modifications, Ruger released the LCP II in 2016—the need for the safe and discrete tool was still ominously present.

In the side-by-side comparison, both the Ruger LCP and LCP II are two of the most popular newly developed Ruger products and are small–designed primarily for concealment and self-defense purposes as they can slip easily into a pocket or disappear into a hand for that matter.  

We know about compact pistols—then we have the LCP and LCP II. They are often referred to as Ruger’s micro-pistols.  Slip one into the back-pocket of your favorite blue jeans—and no one would ever know. The only way that someone would know that another person was carrying one is if they were told about it.  The frames and grips of both are very small and designed for close-quarters, short-range shooting.  Both are chambered in .380 caliber (aka: the short 9 mm).  

You would not notice that the LCP II is slightly taller and wider compared the LCP.  Both do have enough of a grip for a female or a male with average sized hands.  Both can hold six rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. Considering the size and caliber, a seven round capacity seems very good!  The Ruger LCP was a uniquely designed compact semi-automatic pistol with one purpose: concealment for self-defense.   It handles both standard and self defense ammunition extremely well.  

With the Ruger gunsmiths staying true to the original purpose and design, they were able to address some of the concern critics had spoken about with the LCP. Shooting the LCP II is not too different than shooting the original LCP.  However, one has to take notice of the improved trigger in the LCP II.

Recoil and muzzle flip are about the same. Considering the size of these pistols, these concerns should just be considered normal.  The LCP II handles all standard factory and critical defense ammunition very well and is built as well as the LCP.  There is not much difference in muzzle velocity of good critical defense ammunition (891 ft/sec for the LCP vs 893 ft/sec for the LCP II).  Most of the changes that are seen in the LCP II are largely cosmetic.

The retail cost to purchase and LCP is $259 USD, while the cost of the LCP II is $299 USD.  Other specification may be slightly different.  The weight of the LCP II is 1.1 ounces heavier, 0.01 inches longer, and 0.11 inches taller compared to the LCP.  The barrel length and ammunition capacity are the same in both versions of the pistol (2.75 inches).

Considering attempts by other manufacturer to produce a reliable and discrete pistol for self-defense, the LCP and LCP II capacity is very adequate. The magazines for each of these pistols are interchangeable. However, if one uses an original LCP magazine in and LCP II, the internal slide lock will become non-functional. 

It is only when studying the differences in the triggers and sights do differences in the LCP and LCP II become more apparent.  The LCP has a resetting two-stage trigger.  It resets in a unique way where there is a distinct click before a subsequent tick when the trigger is actually reset. 

Also, the LCP trigger is quite heavy (7.2 lb. pull) which likely affects accuracy at the range.  Compared to the LCP, the LCP II trigger is smoother and has a lighter pull (5.9 pounds). Unlike the LCP, the LCP II has a single and predictable trigger reset that was a much-needed improvement.  Both the LCP and LCP II come with factory front and rear adjustable sites that are adequate.  The LCP II has a ramp type post, while the original LCP has a standard post.  

Both the LCP and LCP II are trustworthy firearms for self defense because they are both so easily concealed.  Both have survived the critics; and ultimately, it does not matter what the critics say if you are using them for the purpose of self-defense, especially when you know that there is no other pistol on the market that has the quality, functionality, and reliability as the Ruger LCP and LCP II. Both of these firearms are well built and sturdy weapons that are highly popular because of their size and effectiveness.