Need some Ruger LCP ammo? According to Michael Bane’s blog, a major ammunition manufacturer will bring a new .380 loading to the market that is specifically designed for the Ruger LCP. This is exciting, as two current problems exist with the current crop of ammunition and the LCP.
The first problem is the .380 ACP cartridge is an underpowered chambering. Generally, the .380 loads are weaker than what is available for the .38 Special. For self-defense, you need all the bang you can get.
The second problem is I have been getting some reports that the LCP is ammunition sensitive. Some popular cartridges are not feeding properly. This, of course, is a HUGE problem if it extends to the entire line of LCP’s and not just a few examples. One of the reports was posted as feedback here (scroll all the way down).
Time will tell who brings what to the market. However, Bane has a lot of good contacts and I expect this information is very reliable. I expect we will see a variety of Ruger LCP ammo loads in the near future.
There are a number of smaller ammunition manufacturers who are producing .380 ACP ammo and I imagine they are testing the loads in the LCP. Â They might not market the loads as “Ruger LCP ammo,” but I suspect that they are definitely testing it since it is such a popular handgun. Â After all, if your ammo doesn’t work in one of the most popular concealed carry pistols, why would anyone buy it?
Update – November 2008: Hornady has introduced a new line of ammunition: Critical Defense. The Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is designed for self-defense from small handguns like the Ruger LCP. I’m not sure this is the ammunition that Bane was hinting at, but it certainly fits. More information about the Critical Defense ammo can be found here.
36 replies on “Ruger LCP Ammo”
I have fired over 250 rounds through my LCP with no feed problems. So far, I have shot Winchester FMJ FP and Remington FMJ RN. With the Winchester FP I could see a bit of drag when I released the slide but during firing it was flawless. There was no drag with the Remington RN. I have since polished the feed ramp and the chamber. Drag issues are totally resolved. By the way, I CCW qualified with these loads out to 15 yards and was able to keep all in the 9 ring or better on a reduced B24.
Purchased my LCP 02/10/11. Fired 300 rounds of ammo thru it. Pistol ftf Russian 91 gr about 25 times out of 100 rounds but ran 100 gr range loads not a single ftf. Fired Speer Gold Dot 90 gr no problem. Fired 100 rounds UMC 95 gr no problem. I believe this to be a good weapon. Accuracy was amazing cut holes @ 10 yards filled the chest square @ 15 yards rapid fire. Cleaned pistol no brass or shavings into chamber. Cleaned mag found heavy oil in it. Fired this right out of box by the way.
Lcp 380 jamed almost every shot using 91 grain Tul Ammo Russian made ammo, never had that problem with other types of ammo, once in awhile I would get a ftf, but the Tul Russian, jams every round, don’t use it.
So I got mine and went to shoot some 80g frangible. FTF. I am wondering if it is the bullet weight? Seems like no one is complaining that is dropping the 100+ grain bullets. But the 80-95 g is somewhat unreliable.
Mine will fire the first bullet every time. It;s the second one that will never fire. Strikes the primer, but obviously not hard enough. Put the round back in…fires. With a DAO it is perplexing….???