Introduced in 2008 by Sturm Ruger©, the Ruger LCP is their first entry into the super small self-defense handgun arena. LCP is an acronym for "Lightweight Compact Pistol", and the weapon is just that: a very small, lightweight pistol. Chambered for a .380 round, the LCP is designed to compete with other pocket guns like the Kel-Tec P3-AT and Beretta Tomcat .32. The LCP features a hardened nylon frame, blued steel slide, and six round magazine. It also has some features that set it apart from the competition like a slide stop and internal extractor similar to a Glock©.

If you are lucky enough to have been able to acquire an LCP (current production and distribution has been limited), you are now faced with another problem: where to find a holster to fit it? As the LCP is so new to the market, most gun holster manufacturers are scrambling to get an LCP holster out on the market.

However, there may be an alternative that you might consider. When the LCP first hit the market, Ruger posted a blurb on their web site reporting that early testing indicated that the LCP would probably fit a holster designed for the 1st generation Kel-Tec P3-AT. Unfortunately, depending on the gun holster manufacturer, this proved to be somewhat incorrect. In reality, the LCP looks to be holster compatible with the Kel-Tec P3-AT 2nd generation. I had the opportunity to test fit an LCP in a Don Hume pocket holster for a 2nd generation Kel-Tec P3-AT holster and it fit like a glove.

Now that a little bit of time has passed and some LCP weapons have made it into the marketplace, there are some semi-custom holster makers who are now producing holster specifically for the LCP in a variety on configurations including front pocket models, rear pocket models, IWB holsters, and ankle holsters. As soon as the aluminium mold companies can produce an aluminium mold of the LCP, mainstream holster makers like Galco and DeSantis won't be far behind with a variety of LCP holsters.

On a personal level, I've found the LCP to be a near perfect front pocket weapon. Mine weighs a whopping 13 ounces fully loaded and is ultra thin. It's the perfect size for a go everywhere pocket pistol.

Grant Jordan has authored a number of articles and publications on gun holsters
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