Author Topic: just bought my carry weapon (Read 1742 times)

Mike Mercury · « **on:** April 22, 2009, 02:32:20 PM »

after a 3 week frantic search, I finally was able to bring one of these little .380 Ruger beasties home.

Comparison to my Glock model 20 10mm:

and compared to Yvonnes Phoenix Arms .22LR:

yep; doesn't look that smaller than the .22; but here's the serious benefit the Ruger has over the Phoenix for CCW

Glock's weight:

Specs compared to the popular Kel-Tec .380, and 1911

Ruger LCP .380
5.16" length
3.6" heigth
0.82" wide
9.6oz

Kel-Tec .380
5.20" length
3.5" heigth
0.77" width
8.3oz

1911
8.5" length
5.5" heigth
39oz

I really like the Kel-Tec; shot one a couple weeks ago. But the Ruger has some contours to it that fit my hand better, I still might buy a Kel Tec anyways.

Was only able to pop one cap out in the yard; but Yvonne will be taking the LCP to her CCW shjooting class. If she likes it better than her Phoenix .22 - I'll need to get put on a waiting list again !!

STA · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2009, 03:06:50 PM »

Congradulations on the find.

I have been trying to find one of these in North Carolina and everyone laughs at me when I ask. One gun shop told me I could find a white elephant quicker.

bluedevil · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2009, 04:28:15 PM »

Very nice

I always liked the .380 My wife wants one

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2009, 04:36:16 PM »

Quote from: STA on April 22, 2009, 03:06:50 PM

I have been trying to find one of these in North Carolina and everyone laughs at me when I ask. One gun shop told me I could find a white elephant quicker.

this may now be easing.

I talked directly with Ruger about the LCP about a month ago. They said they doubled the production of the LCP and the LCR... and were nearly caught-up on back orders.

Then about a week ago, my dealer said that they just received 10 LCP's in the latest shipment - when they had only been receiving 1-2 per shipment since the first of the year.

UPDATE to my earlier post:
Yvonne shot 45 rounds through it. Says she likes the LCP better than her stainless Phoenix .22LR

Her instructor (city police officer that's also the lead guy on their swat team) uses the Kel-Tec as his conceal carry weapon; he shot the Ruger and said it was every bit as good as his Kel-Tec.

So I guess I'll need to get another one. Though, I will have Yvonne do as I did ... hold both the LCP & Kel-Tec and determine which one feels better in her hand.

As far as length and heigth; they are almost exact to each other. But the Kel-Tec is a tad thinner and slightly lighter - by 1.5 oz.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2009, 08:02:34 PM »

Looks like a nice concealed carry sidearm. I've got a Star Ultrastar 9 mm that I bought in 1994. I've only shot about 300 rounds through it but I love it. It's only slightly larger than a .380 and it shoots great. I've thought about getting a concealed carry permit but don't really feel like I need one. You can legally carry locked & loaded & concealed in your vehicle in Missouri.

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2009, 10:24:33 AM »

I thought the difficulty was over once I made the purchase; but then discovered the very short supply of .380 ammo.

Seems for smaller carry weapons, the .380 has become the caliber of choice. Yvonne needed around 50 rounds for her shooting class; I bought one box of 25 at the dealer that sold me the LCP. He told me they tell people they don't have any .380 ammo... but they keep a few boxes in the back so that those purchassing a weapon can take some loads home with them.

On the way back from the gun shop, I called Gander Mountain "out of stock", and another local gun shop "dont have any right now"... and then Dick's Sporting Goods. Guy at Dicks says "I just checked in two boxes... that's all we've received for weeks"; I said "hold em for me; I'm about 1/2 hour away.".

So I was able to secure 75 rounds; but now that's down to less than 30 due to the wifes shooting class last weekend.

has anyone purchased rounds from AmmoDirect.com ?

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2009, 12:29:45 PM »

I also have a Ruger, P89, 9MM, Stainless. I haven't had to purchase any ammo lately but I'm told the 9MM ammo is getting hard to find, any truth in that?

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2009, 01:08:54 PM »

Quote from: Fowlhunter on April 23, 2009, 12:29:45 PM

I also have a Ruger, P89, 9MM, Stainless. I haven't had to purchase any ammo lately but I'm told the 9MM ammo is getting hard to find, any truth in that?

from everything I've either heard or read; all ammo is scarce right now. It's due to three main reasons:

1. Americans are reacting to socialism.

2. Justice Department, and some state gvt's, have plans to impliment coding of all ammo made with unique serial numbers for tracing. This includes both the bullet and the casing. Also, part of the plan is to outlaw older pre-coded ammo, and make it illegal to load your own.

3. Feds have already spoke of adding a high sales tax to ammo sales; sorta like what's already happened to cigarettes. It would practically double the price per-box.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2009, 02:42:59 PM »

I've looked around St. Louis some as well as on line and it is hard to find quantities of 9 mm ammo. Most of the websites I'm finding show their next anticipated shipments (of FMJ) ammo are scheduled to arrive in August. You can still find expensive ammo like the Glazers and top-line JHP. I'm going to order 1000 rounds.

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:02:14 PM »

Quote from: Mike Mercury on April 23, 2009, 01:08:54 PM

from everything I've either heard or read; all ammo is scarce right now. It's due to three main reasons:

1. Americans are reacting to socialism.

2. Justice Department, and some state gvt's, have plans to impliment coding of all ammo made with unique serial numbers for tracing. This includes both the bullet and the casing. Also, part of the plan is to outlaw older pre-coded ammo, and make it illegal to load your own.

3. Feds have already spoke of adding a high sales tax to ammo sales; sorta like what's already happened to cigarettes. It would practically double the price per-box.

That's a crock of _hit!!! The part about making the older ammo illegal and making the new stuff traceable back to the buyer.

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:24:56 PM »

Quote from: Fowlhunter on April 23, 2009, 03:02:14 PM

That's a crock of _hit!!! The part about making the older ammo illegal and making the new stuff traceable back to the buyer.

:iagree: 100%

it's time to bring this guy back:

and expose the socialists and communists that have infiltrated our government.

KY_BOB · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2009, 03:50:28 PM »

I've been wanting to see and shoot one of those but haven't had the chance yet. I have a Kel-Tec P-380 and a P-32. They have both proven reliable.

CmdrEd · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:20:00 PM »

Nice shootin' iron
You can't go wrong with a Ruger!
I have a GP-100, Super Redhawk, 10-22 and used to have a P89

Nice firearms that will last forever.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2009, 05:20:24 PM »

Very nice. I was in Wal Mart the other day and just happened to be there after their shipment came in so I was able to pick up 3 boxes of 9mm ammo. I still can't find any .357 ammo anywhere.

Bass Pro was completely out of hand gun ammo last week when I was up there.

INresponse · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2009, 09:47:29 PM »

Nice hideaway you got there.

As for the ammo, difficult to find all over. I have many people ask me when I am on patrol where they can get some ammo because most of the stores are somewhere between over priced or under stocked. The next question was where do I buy mine. The truth was that officers were also having a hard time finding any to shoot. I did eventually score though. After repeated requests by officers our department asked the wholesaler if we can place a group order from them. BINGO! They provided a list of what they sell and we got to order what we wanted at wholesale plus 10%.

Lets just say I took out a low interest loan using my first born son as collateral. The problem is it may be 2 or 3 months before they get the stuff from the manufacturer to fill our order and the last order they put in they haven't received yet.

Next week I will be in Phoenix for the NRA annual meetings and exhibits. I plan to ask reps from Winchester, Remington, Federal and the rest why there is a shortage and if/when they might be able to step up production to meet demand.

Sorry,

Did I mention that is a nice hideaway you got there?

MyBigToy · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2009, 06:16:24 AM »

From what I've read the shortage is because people are buying up ammo as fast as it can be made. The threat of "serialized" ammo is what is going on. The Obama administration is talking about requiring a serial number on every round of ammo manufactured to provide traceability. Talk about a crock! Once again, law-abiding citizens will take it in the shorts because of a few criminals. Not to mention that the lawmakers don't enforce the laws that are already on the books. OK, I'll step down off my soapbox now!

INresponse · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:18:57 PM »

Some day, hopefully soon, the law abiding citizens of this great country will start administering street justice on the bad guys they catch in the act and they and their friends and family will justify it by arguing the fact that the courts and the prisons are no help for the victims who watch the bad guy walk away with little or no penalty.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:40:20 PM »

Anyone else have a cc weapon they want to show off here?

tdybr27 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2009, 03:57:42 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on May 07, 2009, 01:40:20 PM

Anyone else have a cc weapon they want to show off here?

Yup

MyBigToy · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2009, 05:14:32 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on May 07, 2009, 01:40:20 PM

Anyone else have a cc weapon they want to show off here?

Here's the Ultrastar next to a SigPro 2009.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #20 on:** May 07, 2009, 05:18:26 PM »

Quote from: tdybr27 on May 07, 2009, 03:57:42 PM

Yup

Quote from: MyBigToy on May 07, 2009, 05:14:32 PM

Here's the Ultrastar next to a SigPro 2009.

Now those look to be interesting. I'm guessing that both of those are yours. Which one do you favor between the two?

MyBigToy · « **Reply #21 on:** May 07, 2009, 05:23:36 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on May 07, 2009, 05:18:26 PM

Now those look to be interesting. I'm guessing that both of those are yours. Which one do you favor between the two?

I actually pulled the picture off the 'Net. I have the Ultrastar but you can't buy it anymore except used. I love it; it's a 9+1 capacity, polymer frame pistol. It shoots right where it points and it points really well. It's only slightly larger than most .380 pistols so it would conceal pretty easily.

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2009, 10:02:13 AM »

Quote from: INresponse on May 07, 2009, 01:18:57 PM

Some day, hopefully soon, the law abiding citizens of this great country will start administering street justice on the bad guys they catch in the act and they and their friends and family will justify it by arguing the fact that the courts and the prisons are no help for the victims who watch the bad guy walk away with little or no penalty.

you got it all backwards. Instead; we're to put the bad guys in homes they can't afford - pay their mortgage & utilities for them, along with free college.

Oh; I almost forgot.... free cars with free maintenance, insurance, and AAA membership (I'm not kidding here):
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/2009_05_07_Free_cars_for_poor_fuel_road_rage/srvc=home&position=also

Mike Mercury · « **Reply #23 on:** May 08, 2009, 11:10:43 AM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on May 07, 2009, 01:40:20 PM

Anyone else have a cc weapon they want to show off here?

Yvonne just bought her Kel-Tec .380 two weekends ago:

UPDATE:
Drove Yvonne to Target World tonight to look at the Kel-Tec .380. Since she shot my Ruger LCP last week - it was great timing when this dealer called about receiving an order of the Kel-Tec .380's.

After holding it in her hand - she said it was as comfortable as the LCP... and she was able to pull the slide back with less effort on the Kel-Tec.

For me, the slide on the KT didn't feel that it required any less pull than the LCP; but I believe she was able to get a better grip on the KT.

So she bought it.

Can you tell one from the other ?

how about now:

although only a little more than one ounce less... both of us could truly feel the weight difference.

As to who gets what will come down to Yvonne shooting. If she's just as satisfied with the KT as she is with the LCP - I"m certain she will stay with the Kel-Tec.

here are the spec again:

Ruger LCP .380
5.16" length
3.6" heigth
0.82" wide

Kel-Tec .380
5.20" length
3.5" heigth
0.77" width

Donnie1 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2009, 03:52:12 AM »

I just got back from my dads in Va and let's just say I am set for a little while. We reloaded a bunch of .357 and .38 ammo for me. I never knew until he told me that I could use .38 ammo in my .357. Just a little slower down range. So it should be good to teach the wife and kids with.

I also stopped in at Cabela's a couple of week's back and they have changed the way you buy handgun ammo. You have to order it in bulk at their counter. I checked on .357 Magnum and I would have to order either 250 or 500 rounds at $138 and $240 respectively. They call you when it comes in and you get it in an ammo box that is yours to keep. Whatever comes in on top of what is ordered goes on the shelf, which they said isn't much.

MyBigToy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 09, 2009, 06:36:04 AM »

Quote from: Donnie1 on May 09, 2009, 03:52:12 AM

I just got back from my dads in Va and let's just say I am set for a little while. We reloaded a bunch of .357 and .38 ammo for me. I never knew until he told me that I could use .38 ammo in my .357. Just a little slower down range. So it should be good to teach the wife and kids with.

One thing you need to be aware of when you start shooting .38s in your .357 - clean the chambers of the revolver really well. If you don't, a powder/copper/lead ring will start developing in the chamber where the .38 brass ends. If you don't stay after it it eventually will cause you to have difficulty loading the longer .357 rounds.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2009, 09:01:26 AM »

Quote from: MyBigToy on May 09, 2009, 06:36:04 AM

One thing you need to be aware of when you start shooting .38s in your .357 - clean the chambers of the revolver really well. If you don't, a powder/copper/lead ring will start developing in the chamber where the .38 brass ends. If you don't stay after it it eventually will cause you to have difficulty loading the longer .357 rounds.

Thanks. That's the same thing my dad said.

johnrichard · « **Reply #27 on:** May 03, 2011, 04:01:18 AM »

Then the matter can be easily managed.