By Graham Baates
YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video and photo break down of the Ruger LCP II Pistol vs Ruger LCP Pistol .
USA – -(Ammoland.com)-The Ruger LCP handgun has been out for several years and wildly popular for several reasons.
Fans of the little-bitty gun boast of its conceal-ability, slick snag-free design, and light weight while critics complain about a long and heavy trigger, snappy behavior, and nearly invisible sights.
This month Ruger released the LCP II handgun.
Is it an improvement, a replacement, or an alternative? Having shot a sample of each side by side it appears the answer is, “yes”.
Ruger LCP II Pistol vs Ruger LCP Pistol
After nearly 10 years in production the variety and availability of accessories for the original LCP make it nearly impossible to deny continued success of the Ruger weapon. The LCP handgun’s unique size and shape mean a plethora of discreet carry devices have been made and likely will continue to be made. Some of them might fit the slightly-larger Ruger LCP II, but certainly not all.
If the original gun was so successful because of its size why is the Ruger LCP II bigger?
The new Ruger LCP II was widened to give a more comfortable grip for larger-handed shooters, and the slide grew to accommodate forward serrations and taller sights. All in response to feedback from customers and almost-customers who let this factors deter their purchase.
The biggest difference in LCP vs the LCP II though is the trigger. Gone is the long and heavy revolver-like pull of the LCP original. That has been replaced with some slack followed by an actual break instead of mush-to-click. There is actual reset now too without having to extend the trigger all the way out. Although Ruger had the best intentions with the LCP’s panic-resistant trigger many shooters found it difficult to be accurate with. Accuracy of course require practice and a gun that isn’t fun to shoot often gets left behind when it’s time to go to the range. The LCP II remedies this by being more comfortable to shoot and having a trigger more like your range gun yet still appropriate for self-defense.
Taking all of these into consideration the LCP II seems almost more of a cousin with a lot of similar features than a true sister of the original.
The next time you hear someone asking if the LCP II is an improvement, replacement, or alternative to the original LCP you can smartly answer, “yes”.
For a complete visual walk-around of the guns see the video above or here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl9Vm0uuarI
Ruger LCP II Pistol vs Ruger LCP Pistol Comments:
Moving the Rear Sight further back makes for a slightly longer sight radius.
Ruger gave the LCP II a more modern appearance.
Note the changes in pistol grip textures.
The Ruger LCP II is slightly thicker in the palm than the first gen LCP handgun.
The sights of the new LCP II are much easier to pick up.
Note from trigger guard serration on Ruger LCP II on right.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel and blog on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
I bought the original soon after it came out… expressely because my Smith J Frame was a tad to big/heavy to carry in my jersey pocket when out on my road bike (push bike) The LCP was small enough to fit “upside down” in the pistol rug that comes with, and the whole disappeared into that back jersey pocket, ready to hand, yet “prints” like the typical tool rool most road cyclists keep in that same pocket. That is the ONLY situation where I carried that gun… I’ve a more serious one for EDC. Yes, its a mouse gun, but… Read more »
I bought the original soon after it came out… expressely because my Smith J Frame was a tad to big/heavy to carry in my jersey pocket when out on my road bike (push bike) The LCP was small enough to fit “upside down” in the pistol rug that comes with, and the whole disappeared into that back jersey pocket, ready to hand, yet “prints” like the typical tool rool most road cyclists keep in that same pocket. That is the ONLY situation where I carried that gun… I’ve a more serious one for EDC. Yes, its a mouse gun, but… Read more »
I have owned the original since it first came out and don’t have a problem at 10 yards putting 2 center torso and one in the cranium consistently in less than 3 seconds… That being said I am 61 years old and a retired LE officer and weapons instructor. I shoot this little pistol nearly every time I go to the range because it is almost always in my front pocket in a holster that covers the trigger. It is NOT my primary conceal carry pistol, but a backup should my primary firearm malfunction or run dry. I personally won’t… Read more »
Well, I have long thought that no company could possibly make a gun uglier than a Glock. Ruger has accomplished the impossible! Recently, Ruger has produced many fine handguns, which not only performed well, but looked fine, compared to their offerings from the last millennium. The problem with polymer is that, the flexibility in creating complicated, ugly lines is unlimited. The LCP II is an example. In contrast, the LCP is one of the most attractive handguns available. Anyone with a minimal aesthetic sense can see that the LCP II violates every rule of design. Apparently, the main advantages are… Read more »
Well, I have long thought that no company could possibly make a gun uglier than a Glock. Ruger has accomplished the impossible! Recently, Ruger has produced many fine handguns, which not only performed well, but looked fine, compared to their offerings from the last millennium. The problem with polymer is that, the flexibility in creating complicated, ugly lines is unlimited. The LCP II is an example. In contrast, the LCP is one of the most attractive handguns available. Anyone with a minimal aesthetic sense can see that the LCP II violates every rule of design. Apparently, the main advantages are… Read more »
The LCP 380 prior to the LCP ll is a fantastic carry when a bigger pistol would be out of place. I personally can hit the 10 ring at 10 yards consistently
With the LCP 380. I am glad it doesn’t have the long trigger pull the original did makes it more accurate to shoot. For those that can’t, hopefully the new LCP ll
Can help solve that issue, and yes it takes a lot of
Practice just like anything else. So get the one that works for you and go the the range.