Gentlemen, I doubt anything I say here will be new, but here goes. Been wanting to try an LCP. I've owned a couple Keltek's. So I order one, go to pick up my Ruger LCP I from my FFL. I got the stainless slide model, I have seen a lot of rusted blued LCP's. First thing I notice is the extra serrations on the slide up front. Sweet. Mine also has an aluminum trigger (non-adjustable).
Last week I take it to the range to try out a few loads consisting of the Lee 105 SWC and Reddot. I fire 3 rounds. No eject. I manually eject empty case. Let slide slam forward. Pull trigger, bang. Failure to eject. I pull slide back to manually eject. NO Go. No eject. I pull slide again. Look at slide. No ejector, spring, or plunger. My ejector launched into space, I don't know about you guys, my range is in the desert. I looked for about 30 mins for missing parts. Big time failure. I call Ruger (on a Friday).....Closed.
So I have to wait all weekend to call Ruger Service dept. Monday rolls around, called Ruger reps. Nice as everyone says. Say parts are on the way. I figure I''ll be waiting a week or so for parts. I break down and buy a Lee DC mold (95 RF_380) off of EvilBay. Fifty Bucks shipped, Man they are Pricey. I only paid the price because no legitimate vendor has any in stock, no backorder. In the future I may pony-up for an Accurate 120 GR FN mold.
Ed Harris has written about sizing 380 cases with a carbide 38 SPL die for cast 380 loads. He also states that a carbide 38 SPL die with decapper removed can re-profile loaded 380 cases that are slightly bulged from 380 cast bullet seating. I can attest it WORKS!
So, Monday, 8 days later I had my parts from Ruger, 2 different bullets, Reddot powder to load seven different 380 loads with.
Today is Friday. Fun day at the range........... Many were promising. All rounds fired with the 95 FN were as cast. My molds throws them about ,3584" in my mix. Still have not found a load for the Ranch-Dog clone. 2.9 grs Reddot is promising though. Next time I'll try different Reddot loads and some Vectan AS.
Here are the results, 25' with the Lee 105 SWC. And a home-brewed pocket holster too.
Surprisingly as low as 2.0 Reddot functions in my gun. Anemic, empty cases sometimes falling in my shirt pocket. Just gonna show my best 5 shot load. Lee 105 SWC, AS Cast, and 2.5 grs Reddot.
I tried sized 358'' and "as Cast". "As Cast" most accurate in my pistol.
Thanks for looking, Randy.