Ruger LCP Max .380 ACP
13-Shooter Pistol

Ruger jumped into the .380 pocket pistol fray with the introduction of the LCP at the 2008 SHOT Show. At the time a very small handful of contenders were duking it out for supremacy. In typical Ruger fashion though, they were able to meet a price-point (around $250), while offering rugged reliability and keeping the supply pipeline filled. The result was a groundswell of happy customers and a huge fire lit under the concept of a pocket .380. The LCP soon became the darling of both casual and serious daily carry customers.

As things are won’t to do, Ruger upgraded the basic set-up a few times, finally announcing the LCP II in 2016. While both handled 6+1 rounds, the LCP II changed the action format into a sort of “cocked” hammer design, fixing complaints of a difficult to manage trigger on the LCP. I’ve owned and shot both and can definitely say I like the LCP II better. As a matter of fact, an LCP II with an Apex trigger upgrade has lived in my right front pocket for the past several years and gets fired regularly. It’s never let me down.

But what did I hanker for? Better sights, for one, and maybe an extra round or two if possible. I always carry a spare magazine for the LCP II but starting with a couple more rounds would be nice. As Clint Smith always said, having more rounds in the gun just means you don’t need to reload as often, right?

They Listened

Just recently, Ruger introduced the LCP MAX, based on the LCP II system. They must have had some secret meetings where they looked into my brain because the new MAX is pretty much what I’d been wishing for. With my exposure to the LCP II, I got over my hesitation with the idea of a .380 for defense and the reliability of the platform. In the bad, old days, .380 pocket guns were infamous for being jamma-matics. Some of that was ammo-related but some was simply because they needed modern design ideas and today’s engineering like CNC machining, to get things to work right. Also, modern ammo designs have ramped up the effectiveness of the .380. It’s a sort of perfect storm of great ideas, great products and a hot market ready for it all.

The MAX offers 10 rounds in a sort of “mini” wide-body magazine looking dangerously like the old Savage 1907 magazine. Ruger also offers a 12-round mag with just a tiny bit protruding at the bottom of the magwell for your little finger to perch on. Suddenly, I have 13 rounds in the same basic size when I had seven before.

The sights are several levels better than the LCP or LCP II. Made of steel, my test gun has a tritium dot front, serrated and angled rear and both are in dovetails so you can adjust for windage — finally. If you crave after-market sight options, Bodyguard style sights will fit.

Shooting Proof

0 rounds through the LCP MAX, bobble-free. It just runs like a champ. At 15 yards shooting off-hand fairly carefully, I got 1.5″ to 2″ groups with the Black Hills HoneyBadger. This load has proven to be a solid performer, with great results on gel mirroring 9mm penetration. My chrono shows an average of 1,120 fps (current production ammo) for the 60-grain solid copper fluted bullet out of the MAX’s barrel.

I can hit my 80-yard torso gong quite easily with the MAX and I attribute the decent 5.5-lb. trigger pull, good sights and great grip ergonomics and texture for helping. These little guns can shoot, but like a J-Frame, it takes practice, and these aren’t good “first guns” for a new shooter. Learn trigger control, gun-handling and skills, then transition to something like the MAX.

Just so you know, the MAX has taken the place of my LCP II for daily pocket carry. And in all honesty, I can’t endorse it more strongly than that. It’s a lotta’ little gun for $449.

For more info: Ruger.com. Check out Roy’s video on YouTube at our FMGPubs channel.

Subscribe To American Handgunner

Purchase A PDF Download Of The American Handgunner Jan/Feb 2022 Issue Now!

RELATED ARTICLES