Friday, November 1, 2013

Soft-Shooting .380

Ruger's LC9 gets toned down to a .380 version for the recoil-sensitive. 

What separates this gun from the run of the mill pocket .380 is that they kept the locked breech action unchanged from the 9mm version, necessary in more powerful pistol calibers like the 9mm and higher to keep spring rates at a low enough resistance to allow the pistol's slide action to be cycled by hand without calling in the Incredible Hulk. It also has the effect of lowering felt recoil by keeping the action locked closed until just-fired cartridge pressures fall below a certain level. .380 caliber guns are normally of the blowback variety, which means snappier recoil and stronger spring rates.

Ruger LC380

$449.00

At the usual bullet weights of 90 grains, velocities range from approximately 850 to 900 fps, excepting the Corbon load at 1,100 fps. While it's not the pocket blaster the 9mm version is, it will still get the job done at close range self-defense situations. Gun magazine reviews say, "accuracy is good to brilliant". "The LC380 worked reliably with all ammo tested". 

If you need a mild-mannered, affordable, concealable and well made pistol for discreet carry, look no further than the LC380 from Ruger.

What are they saying around the web about the LC380 so far?

  • The stainless steel loading indicator ruins the lines of this pistol when it pops up.
  • Points naturally, well balanced.
  • Tiny safety may be hard to find in stressful situations.
  • Long trigger pull and it clicks twice on return, once early, before it's actually reset.
  • Straightforward take-down/field stripping.
  • Super-reliable.
  • Light recoil.
  • Fits even large hands nicely.