Why the hate for LCI
- Thread starter TennJed
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Luger_carbine
New member
I have no problem with a LCI from the point of view that it is a tool that I can use if I wish - and it's better than pulling the slide back a bit to peek, IMO. Although I sincerely doubt I'd ever use it. I'm just not training to use it and probably would forget.
What I do object to however is the the LCI being used as part of a safety check - it has no business being used in any way to "ensure" a firearm is safe.
I also object to it being some sort of manadatory feature imposed by anti-gun politicians. It's either done by antis who don't know anything about firearms or it's done by antis who purposely want to throw up an impediment to gun ownership.
What I do object to however is the the LCI being used as part of a safety check - it has no business being used in any way to "ensure" a firearm is safe.
I also object to it being some sort of manadatory feature imposed by anti-gun politicians. It's either done by antis who don't know anything about firearms or it's done by antis who purposely want to throw up an impediment to gun ownership.
sigcurious
New member
LCIs seem to come in a variety of forms, from a small hole viewing ports to bits that stick out. In some cases I would say its just cause they're plain ugly and obtrusive
In others like early Ruger MK IIIs they actually posed a safety issue(the gun could fire if the LCI was struck). I do not know of any currently made LCIs that impair function or pose safety issues.
In others like early Ruger MK IIIs they actually posed a safety issue(the gun could fire if the LCI was struck). I do not know of any currently made LCIs that impair function or pose safety issues.
Technosavant
New member
If you're too foolish to check the chamber in a traditional manner, you're quite possibly too foolish to check the LCI before doing something stupid.
All of the guns I own that have such things just have a simple cutout in the chamber hood- nice, unobtrusive, and it's easy to tell if there's a round in there... it's no easier than doing a press check, but whatever. The ones that require some kind of lever/bump/whatever to protrude seem to me to be overthinking things- just another collection of parts that serves no useful purpose. Sure, the one thing they may bring to the party is the ability to confirm a loaded chamber in the dark, but I've not found that to be a needed item- any guns I'd need in the dark I can tell you the chamber status of right this moment. If you wait until it's dark to check that status, you waited too long.
I wouldn't avoid a gun that had such a thing for this reason, but they just seem to be the answer to a question asked only by people who didn't know what they were talking about in the first place.
All of the guns I own that have such things just have a simple cutout in the chamber hood- nice, unobtrusive, and it's easy to tell if there's a round in there... it's no easier than doing a press check, but whatever. The ones that require some kind of lever/bump/whatever to protrude seem to me to be overthinking things- just another collection of parts that serves no useful purpose. Sure, the one thing they may bring to the party is the ability to confirm a loaded chamber in the dark, but I've not found that to be a needed item- any guns I'd need in the dark I can tell you the chamber status of right this moment. If you wait until it's dark to check that status, you waited too long.
I wouldn't avoid a gun that had such a thing for this reason, but they just seem to be the answer to a question asked only by people who didn't know what they were talking about in the first place.
I have a Ruger SR9c with an LCI that will make some folks angry just reading this post. It is a very simple device that works well and does not impair the action of the pistol. And yes, I know the status of every weapon I own without looking, yet I still like that I can tell in the dark that I have one in the pipe without doing a visual check. I understand it is not for everyone, but that I like mine does not make me foolish, careless, or unknowing.
sigarms228
New member
In my case I really don't care with my SIG SP2022 other than the fact that I can't get a replacement barrel for it that will accomadate the LCI and would have to have a gunsmith or such modify it. But that is a concern that is a long way down the road and mucho dollars in ammo spent first. 
Hate? I'm not aware of any hate for a passive, benign LCI... but as most will tell you, they are of little value to an experienced, civilian handgunner. If you use the golden rule that "all guns are always loaded all the time", and you personally follow that rule... then they are rather pointless.
There are law enforcement and military requirements where not having a round in the chamber is commonplace... in this instance, I can see where a LCI might be beneficial.
In "sigcurious" excellent photo example, that's a gun I would not consider buying solely for the "lawyer speak" printed on the slide. Pandering to the lowest common denominator may be popular these days, but guns that tell me to read the owners manual and which end is the dangerous one is just plain irritating.
C
LockedBreech
New member
My favorite LCI type is on the M&P - clear view hole with no moving parts
Not that it matters much. All my guns are always loaded.
Not that it matters much. All my guns are always loaded.
Hate may be too strong a word, but there are people that will not buy a gun solely because of the LCI. That is what I am curious about
Because it's ugly.
It stopped me from buying a new Ruger Mark III. I instead searched and bought a used Mark II because of it.
That said, I won't buy a S&W with the lock because I find it ugly also.
They are unnecessary parts that take away from the otherwise clean lines of the gun.
Jim
It stopped me from buying a new Ruger Mark III. I instead searched and bought a used Mark II because of it.
That said, I won't buy a S&W with the lock because I find it ugly also.
They are unnecessary parts that take away from the otherwise clean lines of the gun.
Jim
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Gotcha. They don't bother me one way or the other because most are mechanically nothing more than a visual or slightly tactile indicator that would not create a failure to feed or fire if it was to fail. When I'm looking at a new gun that has one, I do look to see how the LCI is designed to make sure that's the case.
It's the "lawyer-speak" printed all over a gun that puts me off right away. I'd put, what might be, an otherwise excellent gun back in a case if it's covered with warnings. As I said, "sigcurious" photo is a good example of this. I don't know what brand or model that gun is, but I won't be buying one.
One could say, "yeah, but maybe that warning can be removed"... then I say, "yeah, but now if you shoot someone, you may have incurred additional liability because you removed a manufacturers "permanently marked" warning".
Cheers,
C
I removed mine from my Ruger Mk111 because it was made of cheap plastic and ugly(to me) That wasn't enough to remove it, though. One day I had a stove pipe jam that could be directly tied to the LCI. Happened more than once.Dirt and grit had built up in the small recess it rides in. That was enough for me to remove it. I built a filler out of polished aluminum and fit it in the open recess. Looks great and no more jams. I think it was added mostly for lawyers, anyway. I also removed the magazine disconnect and installed a bushing to fill the space left . It interfered with the trigger pull unnecessarily. More lawyers! Much better weapon now.JMO
Palmetto-Pride
New member
For some guns with LCIs they can be removed with a roll pin punch, but I really don't see the big deal either way. I have two XDMs that have them and they have never caused a problem nor can I see how they ever would.
I don't like them for the same reason I don't like safeties on lever action rifles. They are a pointless add on that complicate the mechanism and ruin the looks of any firearm. If I really like the gun most LCIs won't stop me from buying it, unless it's really ugly. I live with the one on my Gen 3 G19 but don't pay any attention to it.
Maybe it's just me but I sure am tired of keeping the lawyers happy.
Maybe it's just me but I sure am tired of keeping the lawyers happy.
Both of my FNP40s have useless LCIs. The indicator is flush on the right side when unloaded and should protrude and show red when loaded but neither do more than come out just enough to catch a finger nail on- far too little to see or feel with a fingertip.
I use a press check every time anyway so have all but forgotten they are there.
I use a press check every time anyway so have all but forgotten they are there.
I've passed on several pistols because of the LCI. I particularly despise the obnoxious pop-up types used on the XD's and similar.
They're a distraction that my eye picks up when using the sights. They also mess up the looks of the gun for me in general.
Every gun should be considered loaded until proven otherwise by anyone who touches it - LCI's are completely pointless if the gun is handled properly.
They're a distraction that my eye picks up when using the sights. They also mess up the looks of the gun for me in general.
Every gun should be considered loaded until proven otherwise by anyone who touches it - LCI's are completely pointless if the gun is handled properly.