Revolver For EDC/Concealed Carry

[North Country Gal]

Mark, I shot a friend's Ruger LCP 380, an older single stack Ruger 380 and, have to say, it was an absolute delight to shoot. I know a lot of people knock the 380, but you can still use this new 380 as a back up gun if you go back to 9mm or just keep it as your main carry gun with that 15 round magazine. Either way, a 380 is also a great fun gun to shoot at the range. I may pick one up at some point.

[markiver54]

Mark, I shot a friend's Ruger LCP 380, an older single stack Ruger 380 and, have to say, it was an absolute delight to shoot. I know a lot of people knock the 380, but you can still use this new 380 as a back up gun if you go back to 9mm or just keep it as your main carry gun with that 15 round magazine. Either way, a 380 is also a great fun gun to shoot at the range. I may pick one up at some point.

Thank you, Joanie! Was hoping you would chime in. Your words breed confidence in me. Hey, for the price and considering what I've read and seen about this pistol, I don't feel like I can really go wrong. I will probably proceed with this purchase barring any unforeseen issues.

[BigAl52]

Well I went to do some load testing today with my Blackhawk and my 686.I went to the local gun store not far from where I shoot. I looked online and their website said they had a Ruger Security in stock. So I was curious to compare it to some of the other guns in stock that I already new they had. Ruger LCP Max Sig 365 S&W CSX and a couple others. I can say for me I like to front pocket carry. The 380 Security is to big to pocket carry. Its a bigger gun as I heard mentioned on another YT video I watched. It functions fine and the trigger was just ok for me. I have no personal issues with the 380 just the gun size. I havent put a Springfield Hellcat in my hands but Im betting its larger than one. Of all the guns I looked at today I would lean in the direction of a Sig 365 with a 12 round magazine. Yup its more money has a better trigger holds 12 rounds of 9mm and feels good for front pocket carry. Even fit in my existing holster. Id like to shoot one sometime maybe this winter in Texas USA

[markiver54]

I hear you Al. Yes, the Security 380 IS larger than the Hellcat. The Ruger was designed to mitigate recoil, hence the size. Also, my reason for even considering any new pistol is because of my hand injury. I need the light slide on this model. This one is supposed to be quite easy. Specs show that it is about the same size as my Springfield XDs which I have no problem concealing. I personally do not want to pocket carry. I won't even go IWB. If I was simply shopping for a new pistol out of desire and nothing else, then yes, I probably would try to spend a bit more on something like the 365. Right now, given the price, it's kind of a 'get me by' gun. We'll see how I feel after I handle one. Who knows, thoughts could change entirely.

[BigAl52]

I hear you Al. Yes, the Security 380 IS larger than the Hellcat. The Ruger was designed to mitigate recoil, hence the size. Also, my reason for even considering any new pistol is because of my hand injury. I need the light slide on this model. This one is supposed to be quite easy. Specs show that it is about the same size as my Springfield XDs which I have no problem concealing. I personally do not want to pocket carry. I won't even go IWB. If I was simply shopping for a new pistol out of desire and nothing else, then yes, I probably would try to spend a bit more on something like the 365. Right now, given the price, it's kind of a 'get me by' gun. We'll see how I feel after I handle one. Who knows, thoughts could change entirely.

Yup I knew what you were after. Not in anyway trying to deter you away from the gun at all. Different strokes for different folks that's why they make different models. You mention Springfields. Ive owned them and sold them. That is one gun that is not user friendly for me.

[markiver54]

Update: I ended up purchasing the Ruger Security 380. It is very easy to rack the slide. (two fingers). This will be my EDC for now.
Thanks to GunnyGene I will still be able to enjoy my 9mm which had become very difficult to rack, however, he so generously sent me the " EZ-Rack" tool that make it a breeze to do.
I am happy with my purchase so far and I'm looking forward to some range time at the cottage later this week or next.
Thanks to all for your input on this thread.

[BrokenolMarine]

Glad to hear it's going to work out for you. When you can go back to your 9mm, you can always carry the 380 as a backup. I have been known to carry more than one gun when the situation might call for it, and was unavoidable.

[BrokenolMarine]

Aka, New York reload.

[Hatchdog]

Sounds like a winner there. Enjoy the new (and the old) pistol.

[Mags]

Update: I ended up purchasing the Ruger Security 380. It is very easy to rack the slide. (two fingers). This will be my EDC for now.
Thanks to GunnyGene I will still be able to enjoy my 9mm which had become very difficult to rack, however, he so generously sent me the " EZ-Rack" tool that make it a breeze to do.
I am happy with my purchase so far and I'm looking forward to some range time at the cottage later this week or next.
Thanks to all for your input on this thread.

Which ammo did you decide on?

[markiver54]

Just for starters I got one box of Hornady Critical Defense 90gr. FTX and for targets, one box of PMC Bronze 90 gr. FMJ. Heading to the cottage tomorrow so I'll see how the PMC's do before purchasing some more target/practice ammo.

[daytime dave]

Good luck Mark.

[markiver54]

Well..I finally tried the new pistol. I am both happy and disappointed.
I do really like it. Mild recoil, easy to rack and very comfortable in hand.
Shot from only about 10 yards and did not like where the POI was on the target. Looking at the sights the same way as I do on all my other guns, ( lollyop, target on top ), and I was hitting LOW!...extremely low IMO.

20240907_145824.jpg

I was aiming at the center of the head. I just shot randomly off hand. First about 5 shots and then emptied the 15 rd. Mag.
After that, I held the pistol so that the top of the rear sight notch was about even with the front part of the slide. Only then was I hitting at POI, or close.

I really like how this gun feels and shoots, however, I'm not sure what to think about the sights.

This was the next mag while aiming as described.

20240907_151521.jpg

[BrokenolMarine]

If, after shooting the gun a bit more, you are certain it's still shooting low, you might ask someone else to try the gun and determine if it's just you are if it's the gun. Ruger may offer a taller rear sight or may install it as well. If not your local gunsmith may know of an aftermarket taller rear sight. This should bring your group up and get it centered. You might also try a different ammunition... perhaps a different bullet weight. Before changing the sights.

I have had some guns that just hated a couple bullets/ammuntions and wouldn't shoot well with them but were tack drivers with others.

[The Wiz]

Taurus 856

[North Country Gal]

Looking at that model on the Ruger sight, marine is right. Your best bet is a taller rear sight. I think a call to Ruger would be the best approach. If they don't have a taller sight, they could at least tell you want dovetail they use for the rear sight so that you might go aftermarket and find a different sight.

[markiver54]

I bought some different ammo. Going up to the cottage next week and will try it again while up there. I just want to rule out ammo or myself before contacting Ruger. I will be so bold as to say though, I don't think it is me....

[BigAl52]

Remington makes a Defense ammo with a 102 gr bullet. Golden Sabre. Ive had good luck with it

[Mags]

... I will be so bold as to say though, I don't think it is me....

On mine it was me. I had been shooting 1911A and 45LC revolvers up to that point. I was used to compensating for the recoil of the bigger guns by aiming a little low. When I started out shooting my Ruger LCP, the shots were going low. Not as much recoil to compensate for. Took practice to get it right.

[BrokenolMarine]

I bought some different ammo. Going up to the cottage next week and will try it again while up there. I just want to rule out ammo or myself before contacting Ruger. I will be so bold as to say though, I don't think it is me....

A good way to check... pick up a couple spent pieces of brass, and load them randomly in the mag.
(Only works if the gun will chamber them) If not, you'll need a dummy round or two. You can order them from amazon.
Load them randomly in the magazine by loading the mag without looking. Shoot slowfire, and when the dummy round comes up, if you jerk off target when there is no bang, it's you.

When I had problem shooters, I used this technique to prove to the student they were...
* Anticipating the shots
* Flinching from the recoil (Anticipating the Recoil)
* Jerking the trigger to force the shot.

I told them the shot needed to be a surprise, and the trigger pull needed to be like a eye dropper. Squeeze too hard/fast and you squirt out too much, not a drop.

Play with the dropper and never apply enough pressure and the drop just hangs there, or worse yet, the drop goes back up in the tube.

Slow steady pressure until the drop (shot) falls.

In some cases, they were squeezing the full grip instead of the trigger finger.
Milking the grip, this pulls the shots down below the bull.
The hand grips the grip, the trigger finger fires the shot.

"I" do it sometimes and I know better.