Having trouble shooting LCP

[TruthTellers]

I hit the range today because it was decent out and I wanted to do some shooting. One of the guns I brought was my LCP and the same thing happens every time I shoot an LCP.

I'll shoot a few mags worth and I'll be fine, but what happens is about 20 rounds in, I get the shakes. Now, my LCP is the Custom and the trigger is better than an LCP because it's a metal trigger and I do shoot better with the Custom, but be that as it may, I get the shakes no matter what.

And the issue is that once I've shot the LCP, I'll have the shakes for the rest of my time at the range, which is why I usually wait until the end to shoot the LCP.

Part of what's causing it is I believe I have a torn rotator cuff or something because when I shoot pistols offhand, after enough time with my arm extended, I get weakness in my shoulder. When I shoot larger handguns, like Ruger Redhawks, cap and ball revolvers, Glocks... I don't have the shakes after any amount of shooting. After enough time, my shoulder will get tired, but a few minutes of rest and it will be okay.

That's not the case with the LCP.

When I take my shoulder out of the equation and I shoot off a rest, the shake is in my hands/wrists when I grip and squeeze the trigger, so even if my shoulder was 100%, there's still an issue in the shaking.

So, is there any special trick to shooting the LCP that can limit my shakes?

 

[peterg7]

Yeah only shoot a couple of mags at a time, my limit is 4 mags but since I shoot in my backyard I prefer to shoot all my guns with fewer rounds but more often.

I have some nerve damage in hands and wrist and I find the LCP to be a sharp recoil compared to .40 or .45 so if I’m going to carry it I limit the pain as much as possible.


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[HighValleyRanch]

sharp recoil is from a lightweight gun. Try using a padded glove like a bike glove, weight lifting glove or shooting glove to soften the shaprness.

 

[tallball]

It's beating your hand up, and your body is reacting normally to the abuse. I don't shoot more than a couple of magazines at a time through mine. It's a short-range SD handgun, not a sniper rifle. Shooting a couple of magazines at a time through it every once in a while is plenty enough for practice, IMHO. If you're expecting a longer-range gun fight against hordes of enemies, you need to be carrying something else. It's plenty good enough for an attempted mugging or carjacking, and you don't need to shoot thousands of rounds through it to be ready for that.

 

[Rangerrich99]

I had the same issue and for the longest time I thought my shakes were due to an old wrist injury. Discovered by accident that it was due to the butt of the backstrap kicking a nerve bundle in my palm.

I added a Hogue beaver-tail Hand-all LCP grip sleeve to my gun to move my thumb joint a couple millimeters away from the slide to eliminate my chronic issue with slide bite (got tired of bleeding on my LCP), and unexpectedly my shake issue went away.

Might be worth the $8 to see if the grip sleeve eliminates your shake problem.

 

[Cheapshooter]

Was going to suggest the Hogue Hand-All. I have one on my LCP, but not for recoil mitigation. Rather it gives the tiny grip a better feel in my hand. But I can see where it might help with your problem.

 

[Zeroed]

It may sound strange, but cut a 20" bicycle inner tube, angled and cut to the size of the frame/grip. Clean the powder off before putting it on the pistol grip/magwell/frame. (I usually turn it inside-out). See if this can't help you out a bit. It'll give you a little extra padding, better grip control and the sweatier your hand gets, the stickier your grip will be. When you holster, your hand will not be sticky.
I started doing this back in the early 80's with a S&W .357. I told everyone, posted it years later on my G27. Someone picked up on it, now they have pre-formed ones mostly for Glocks. But theirs don't work like a $3 bike inner tube will. It wasn't my original idea back in the 80's, so no hate here.
I also cut one and put on my Detonics Mk1 .45, very snappy when firing, but the tube keeps it tight in my hand without the fear it's going to pop-out of my hand. Kind of gives you the feeling it's glued to your hand.
Give it a try, nothing to lose but about $3 for the inner tube. g/l

 

[cw308]

I feel your Pain , I blew out both rotator cuffs doing bench presses years ago , first the left then 8 months later when I thought I was getting better I blew out the right . Didn't have them operated on , now years later I can't lift my arms level with my shoulders without pain an the shakes . I just bought a 1911 with laser grips to shoot without raising the sight to eye level.

Chris

 

[TruthTellers]

Thanks for the replies. I'll cap it to 3 mags when I practice with it and at 10 yards max. Been trying to do 15, but it's tough. I'll also think about the Hogue grip sleeve.

As for my shoulder, I can lift it and move it without pain or discomfort, but it's when I lay on my right side it's uncomfortable and for fine motor skills at extended periods of time with my arm extended when the discomfort and weakness shows up. Docs have told me it's nothing, but when I have good insurance next time, I'm gonna stress to them that if it is a torn rotator cuff, it's better it be MRI'd now then to let it deteriorate as I age until I can't move my arm.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

So, is there any special trick to shooting the LCP that can limit my shakes?

I've only shot an LCP once in my life, and my recollection is that the trigger was atrocious. My diagnosis is that your trigger finger and hand grip are getting fatigued. I would buy a grip strengthener and start doing grip exercises.

 

[Carmady]

So, is there any special trick to shooting the LCP that can limit my shakes?

Replace it with a Pico.

 

[FITASC]

The LCP is NOT a range gun - why are you shooting it like it is one? I have one, and two mags is practice enough..........

 

[Carl the Floor Walker]

Replace it with a Pico.

I know your pain must be a frustration for you. I have owned 4 lcp's since they came out and shot thousands of rounds through them. My guess is that the LCP with such a harsh snap of recoil is causing nerve damage. Or at least aggravating the nerve. Not sure if any kind of grip is going to help. The LCP is hard on the hand for sure.
I also agree with Carmady, and think about getting a Pico if you want to shoot a lot of 380. It is a very mild shooter and none of that SNAP of the LCP. The Kahr,Sig 238 are also very mild.
Also change the way you shoot. Too many people shoot the small pocket guns like a target gun. They take the proper stance, take their time, and slower squeeze the gun. Wrong!
These are guns made for fast, quick shooting. Pull the gun out, and quickly shoot to mass target. Learn good point and shoot skills. No need to keep the arm extended like target shooting.
Hope things work out for you.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

That's why I carry a P32.

 

[kymasabe]

Same thing used to happen to me when I shot my old Kel-Tec P3AT which is very much like the LCP. I used to describe shooting that thing like trying to hang onto an exploding credit card. Sold it and bought the P32 instead...no problems since.
Oh, and if you're sold on .380 and are looking for another gun, I've had and highly recommend the Remington RM380. I've had two, and never had a problem with either, ate everything I stuffed thru them, never had a single failure with those guns.

 

[TruthTellers]

That's why I carry a P32.

I'm starting to see the benefit to that, but as others have said shooting 2 mags worth is fine enough for practice and if I ever have to shoot it defensively, the first magazine will probably be all I shoot.

 

[SonOfScubaDiver]

Do you absolutely have to go with the LCP? The reason I ask is because I have a Glock 42. It's still small enough to pocket carry, and it handles the recoil quite nicely for as small as it is.

 

[Cirdan]

My first thought is welcome to the club. The LCP is great for concealability, but horrible to shoot. Cut the round count.

I replaced the spring on mine. Got a stiffer spring from Brownells, and it really tames the recoil.

 

[TruthTellers]

Do you absolutely have to go with the LCP? The reason I ask is because I have a Glock 42. It's still small enough to pocket carry, and it handles the recoil quite nicely for as small as it is.

Because I have two LCP's, the Gen 2 LCP and the LCP Custom, and I have 8 or 9 magazines... yeah, kind of. Since 2016, it's been the only .380 that I like because it has a lot of great features, after market accessories, and a great price.

I'm not a fan of the G42 or any of the single stack Glocks in general. I find the LC9s/EC9s to be a better choice because they're thinner and I think just as reliable.

I'm also not a fan of Kel-Tec triggers, I don't like the Beretta 3032, and I've been told the NAA Guardian is not a soft recoiler either.

I'm willing to give the P32 a chance because a .32 ACP pistol has been on my mind for various reasons, but if I cant get hits at 10 yards do to the DAO trigger and crappy sights... idk.

I'd prefer to stick with the LCP. If lowering the round counts is the ticket, I'll do it.

 

[cw308]

After reading your post again I don't think it's your shoulder giving you the shakes . Shooting your other handguns your fine until you grab your LCP. Remove the bullets just point an dry fire you won't shake . Need I say more .