The Ruger LCP Pistol

Overview and Technical Specifications

The video focuses on the Ruger 3701 LCP, a compact pistol chambered in .380 ACP. The pistol ships with a single metal magazine offering a 6+1 capacity and features a 2.75-inch barrel. It uses a polymer grip frame paired with a steel slide, resulting in a very small and lightweight package. The overall width is listed as 0.82 inches, overall length as 5.16 inches, and overall height as 3.6 inches. Unloaded weight is given as 9.6 ounces. The barrel has a 1:16 right-hand twist rate. The host notes how small the pistol appears even in relatively small hands and explains that the video will cover specifications, a front-to-back feature overview, and verification of the manufacturer’s stated specs.

Sights, Slide, and Hammer-Fired Action

The Ruger LCP 3701 uses integral sights, with both the front and rear sights formed directly into the slide rather than being separate bolted-on units. They are simple blacked-out notches or divots, designed to be durable and low profile. The slide carries the LCP logo and has rear slide serrations to aid in racking and chambering a round. Moving to the frame, the pistol is identified as hammer-fired. The hammer is enclosed within the rear of the slide and frame, so it cannot be manually cocked with the thumb. Instead, the slide must be cycled to cock the action. The host demonstrates the internal hammer movement on a cleared pistol and notes this as a detail that may not be obvious at first glance with this LCP variant.

Trigger Travel, Reset, and Shooting Characteristics

The trigger guard on the Ruger LCP 3701 is relatively large compared to the overall size of the pistol, providing room around the trigger. The trigger itself has a noticeable amount of initial take-up before reaching a wall. After the wall, there is additional travel before the break, which occurs just past a 90-degree angle relative to the trigger guard. The reset is described as soft and somewhat long, with two distinct tactile clicks. After the first click, the trigger cannot be pulled again; only after the second click does the trigger fully reset and allow another shot. The host points out that this is something users should be aware of and train with. Despite the heavier pull and longer reset, the pistol is characterized as a small, easy-to-conceal .380 ACP that remains a good shooter for its intended concealed carry role, with low-profile sights that are still easy to pick up.

Grip Design, Texture, and Reload Considerations

The grip of the Ruger LCP 3701 has subtle contouring to guide the firing hand. There are slight swells and inward curves intended to position the fingers and thumb, depending on the chosen grip style. The side panels feature moderately aggressive texturing, while the front strap has horizontal texturing and the backstrap repeats the side pattern. This combination is meant to help maintain control on such a small pistol. Because of the short grip length, the shooter’s pinky typically hangs off the bottom of the grip when using the standard magazine. The host notes that this affects reload technique compared to a full-size pistol. Instead of keeping all fingers tightly wrapped during a magazine change, the shooter may need to open the grip slightly to allow the magazine to drop free smoothly, and different shooters may develop their own preferred method.

Included Holster and Magazine Baseplate Options

The pistol comes with a simple soft holster intended for concealed carry. This holster is designed to be tucked inside the waistband and held in place by belt tension. It does not have a hook or clamp, but the material allows the pistol to slide in and out easily, which should make drawing straightforward. The included magazine is fitted with a baseplate that has a small extension to provide a pinky rest, improving grip comfort on the short frame. The box also contains an additional flat baseplate. Users can remove the extended baseplate and install the flat one if they prefer a more compact profile for deeper concealment, sacrificing the pinky support in favor of reduced grip length.

Verifying Weight and Trigger Pull

To confirm the manufacturer’s claims, the host measures the unloaded weight of the Ruger LCP 3701 on a scale. The reading comes out essentially at the stated 9.6 ounces, with only a negligible difference. Emphasis is placed on weight being an important factor for a concealed carry pistol, since it affects comfort and daily carry practicality. The trigger pull is then tested using a trigger gauge. After stabilizing the pistol and zeroing the gauge, the first measurement registers 6.76 pounds. A second test is performed to verify consistency, yielding 6.87 pounds. These results place the trigger pull at roughly 7 pounds, which aligns with the host’s impression that it feels heavier than 6 pounds and matches expectations for a small defensive .380 ACP pistol.

Closing Thoughts and Community Feedback

In closing, the host invites viewers who have experience with the Ruger LCP, specifically the 3701 variant in .380 ACP, to leave reviews and comments. Viewer feedback is described as valuable for answering questions and helping others who may not be firearms experts. The comment section is presented as a place where owners and prospective buyers can exchange information about the pistol’s performance and carry characteristics. The video concludes with a brief sign-off emphasizing safety and an expressed interest in taking the Ruger LCP 3701 to the range to see how it performs in live fire.