Originally published in November 2016. Updated May 2026.
Back in 2009, I had the opportunity to test the then-new Ruger LCP: an ultra-compact, double-action, 6+1 capacity .380 ACP pistol designed for deep concealment.
Weighing only 10.4 ounces unloaded, the sample I tested came equipped with a Lasermax laser sight mounted on the front of the trigger guard.
I really liked — and still like — the original LCP. The double-action trigger pull provides an adequate amount of safety while still being easy enough to manage.
The sights on the original LCP were very small, but the pistol was still accurate enough to pass our standard police qualification course. The groups were not pretty compared to full-sized handguns.
For shooters wanting more capacity in a compact pistol today, Ruger also offers larger carry options like the
Security-9 Compact.
The Original LCP Built a Strong Following
The original LCP quickly became a popular pocket pistol. A lot of law enforcement officers bought one for backup and off-duty carry.
However, officers struggled to meet departmental qualification standards with the original LCP. That eventually led Ruger to introduce larger pistols like the LC380 and LC9, which provided officers a larger but still compact pistol to shoot more accurately.
With the LC380 and LC9 being the same size and weight, most shooters will choose a 9mm over a .380. The LC380 has not proven to be a popular handgun option.
The Ruger LCP II
Ruger looked to improve the LCP for both law enforcement officers and civilian concealed carriers. The result was a new .380, the LCP II.
The new pistol only gained about 0.2 ounces over the original LCP, but several of the changes were immediately noticeable the first time I handled it.
I received my sample right around the same time the Ruger LCP II started showing up on dealers’ shelves in 2016.
Ruger LCP II Grip Frame and Texture
The first thing I noticed was the redesigned glass-filled nylon grip frame.
Instead of the older checkered pattern found on the original LCP, the Ruger LCP II uses a stippled texture that feels a little like skateboard tape without being abrasive.
The texture wraps around the sides of the grip, the front strap, the backstrap and even the magazine extension. It does a very good job of helping to maintain control of the pistol during recoil.
Ruger LCP II Trigger Changes
The LCP trigger is probably the biggest change between the original pistol and the Ruger LCP II. I would not necessarily call it better because I never disliked the original LCP trigger, but the newer system is definitely different.
Instead of the long double-action pull of the original LCP, the Ruger LCP II uses a single-action-style trigger with a center safety lever similar to the
Glock pistol series.
There is still a good amount of takeup — almost ½ inch — before the actual trigger pull begins, which I don’t mind. It adds another margin of safety when carrying a gun in a pocket holster or an inside-the-waistband holster.
Once the pull weight stacks up, there is roughly a 1/4 inch of travel before the sear releases the small pivoting hammer. Pull weight felt like it landed somewhere around 5 pounds.
Last-Shot Hold Open and Magazine Changes
One of the best improvements made to the Ruger LCP II is the last-shot hold-open feature. The original LCP did not lock open after the final round, so adding that feature was a smart move by Ruger.
There is also a decent-sized magazine release and slide release on the LCP II. The magazine itself is made from blued steel and includes numbered witness holes.
The pistol ships with one magazine, although I still think most buyers would gladly pay a little extra for a second mag.
Ruger LCP II Slide and Sights
The Ruger LCP II has a taller blued-steel alloy slide that is much easier to grasp and rack than the original. There are front and rear slide serrations.
The barrel measures 2.75 inches and is also made from blued alloy steel.
As much as I appreciated the improved slide serrations, the best improvement may actually be the sights.
The front sight and rear sight are still plain black, but they are noticeably taller and wider than those on the original LCP. Both sights are serrated to reduce glare and ramped to avoid snagging during pocket carry.
Some shooters may still want to paint the front sight for better visibility, but the sights are much more usable than before.
Shooting the LCP II at the Range
I took the Ruger LCP II to the range with two different .380 ACP loads:
- SIG Sauer 90-grain V-Crown JHP
- Doubletap 95-grain Controlled Expansion JHP
SIG rated the V-Crown load at 980 feet per second and 192 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
Doubletap rated its load at 975 feet per second from a 2.5-inch barrel, and those numbers turned out to be pretty accurate.
Accuracy Testing
I started shooting the LCP II by firing six-shot groups from 21 feet using a two-handed standing position.
Groups from both loads stayed in roughly the 4.5- to 5.5-inch range, which is perfectly acceptable for a micro pistol designed for close-range defensive encounters.
The Ruger LCP II is not a target handgun, but it is easy to shoot well enough for the role it was designed to fill.
Velocity, Recoil and Ammo Performance
The Doubletap load had noticeably more snap than the SIG V-Crown load.
Average velocity came in at 1,060 feet per second, which was nearly 100 feet per second faster than advertised. That yielded roughly 237 foot-pounds of energy.
The SIG load averaged around 840 feet per second and generated about 140 foot-pounds of energy. That softer-shooting load was much easier to control during follow-up shots.
If you are an experienced shooter and want one of the hottest .380 ACP loads available, the Doubletap ammo is hard to ignore.
If you are newer to concealed carry or more recoil sensitive, the SIG V-Crown load is probably the better choice.
Reliability with both loads was flawless, and I did not experience a single failure to feed during testing.
Carrying the Ruger LCP II
Ruger includes a basic pocket holster with the pistol, and it actually works pretty well.
The little pocket holster keeps the gun oriented correctly and breaks up the outline during concealment. That is one reason the Ruger LCP II became such a popular pocket pistol.
The size and weight make it extremely easy to carry in light clothing where a larger compact pistol or Glock 19 would be difficult to conceal.
The Ruger LCP II also works well as a backup gun, especially for people who spend all day carrying a gun. Even with newer options like the LCP Max on the market, the LCP II still fills a role for people who want the smallest possible carry gun.
Ruger LCP II 22LR and the Platform Today
Ruger has since expanded the lineup with the Ruger LCP II 22LR, giving shooters another option for training and recreational shooting with cheaper 22LR ammo.
While the LCP II can still be found online, Ruger updated and modernized the .380 pistol, which resulted in the LCP Max, offering a 10+1 capacity.
Final Thoughts on the Ruger LCP II
The Ruger LCP II fixed several of the complaints shooters had with the original LCP while still keeping the same basic size and deep-concealment role.
The improved trigger, better sights, enhanced texture and easier-to-rack slide all made a noticeable difference.
More importantly, Ruger improved the pistol without making it much larger or heavier. If your priority is deep concealment, pocket carry or simply carrying a gun comfortably every day, the Ruger LCP II still deserves a serious look.
For more compact carry options, see our guides to the best concealed carry handgun choices and modern pocket pistol designs.
