LCP II vs. LCP MAX: Range Testing Shows Where Each Wins

GunsAmerica put Ruger's two pocket .380s head to head, and the comparison settles a question a lot of concealed carriers have been asking: does the LCP MAX's extra capacity and better sights come at any cost to the LCP II's snappy handling.

Snapshot

GunsAmerica compares the two Ruger pocket pistols on trigger feel, sights, accuracy at 21 feet, shooting speed and capacity, and finds little separating their groups. Its testers favor the LCP MAX for most carriers because it keeps the improved trigger and slide while adding usable sights and more rounds, even though the LCP II proved quicker on strings and reloads.

Key points

• Trigger and slide: the LCP II already fixed the original LCP's heavy trigger and stiff slide, making it noticeably easier to run.
• Sights are the LCP II's weak spot: GunsAmerica found its molded-in sights less usable than a proper sight setup, a problem the LCP MAX corrects with improved sights.
• Accuracy was close: at 21 feet, group differences between the two pistols were minimal.
• Speed favored the LCP II: testers found it faster to fire strings and reload, though recoil ran a bit sharper in hand.
• Capacity edge to the MAX: the LCP MAX holds 10+1 rounds versus the LCP II's standard capacity, with little added bulk or weight.

Quick take

GunsAmerica's testing suggests the LCP MAX is the stronger overall pick for pocket carry, since it keeps the LCP II's trigger and slide improvements while fixing the sight complaint and adding two extra rounds. The LCP II still has an edge in raw speed on the range, but for most carriers the MAX's sights and capacity will matter more day to day.

Read the full story: gunsamerica.com