LCP MAX Sight Problems - Shooting low and to the left

8882 Views 41 Replies 24 Participants Last post by pelican4544, 10 d ago

Rcreek

Discussion Starter · 11 mo ago (Edited)

Picked up an LCP Max recently as an upgrade to my LCP II. I’ve been shooting various pocket pistols for 17 years and can be pretty accurate with them. I like to engage targets all the way out to 25 yards. I have NEVER had a firearm shoot so far off POA like this one does, and I’ve carried 9 different firearms. This is my third LCP and Ruger has touted how great the sights are.

But when using proper 6 o’clock sight picture, it is about 6” low at 7 yards, and 3” left. What should be dead center chest shots turn into gut shots that miss the spinal column completely. When switching to combat picture (sight covering target), it’s better but not adequate by my book. Forget engaging targets at extended ranges. The windage is a non-issue, as the rear sight can be shifted right or left.

I have read multiple threads and discovered that this is a known and common problem with the Ruger Max. There are even videos of guys bench rest shooting this thing to prove it is not the shooter. It is the gun.

The crux of the problem is this - the front sight is too damn tall.

There are a few possible solutions I have read about so far that have been successful:
1) Lowering the FRONT sight - Replace with a low profile S&W bodyguard sight.
2) Raising the REAR sight - Glue colored plastic to the top to add height
3) Send back to Ruger and let them figure it out (do I need receipt for this?). Some have had improvement when Ruger sent new barrels and/or slides.

I will be trying #2 first, as I think it has the added benefit of increasing sight visibility. I do like the front site, it’s just not the right size for this gun.

What are others doing about this?

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dweis

· #2 · 11 mo ago

It might be best to send it back to Ruger. Obviously, it is the gun, and it is a complaint others have and have had. It’s a Ruger created problem. They should and will fix it. Trying to rig a solution is like trying to refine a defective product. Call Ruger to explain the problem. They may send you some new parts or a label to ship it back to them.

Reactions: 2

Scswolf

· #3 · 11 mo ago

+1
Give Ruger a chance first.

PhilBill

· #4 · 11 mo ago

Buy a Sig P365. Sorry, couldn't help it. This entire site seems to be awash with LCPMax problems of every sort.

Reactions: 4

mndoggie

· #5 · 11 mo ago

Ruger semi autos (and I have a bunch) are combat sights.

Try shooting it left handed and if it does the same thing (moves to the left) then its the pistol. If your groups move to the right, its you.

Reactions: 3

Talldog

· #6 · 11 mo ago

PhilBill said:
Buy a Sig P365. Sorry, couldn't help it. This entire site seems to be awash with LCPMax problems of every sort.

As is often said, you only hear from the people having problems. I have 2 MAXs, and there's nothing wrong with them. That said, I also own 2 P365-380s, and I prefer them because they're softer shooting and more accurate, due to the greater weight, longer barrel and longer sight radius. But when I need the smallest, one of the MAXs gets the nod.

Reactions: 4

Redhawk100

· #7 · 11 mo ago

I have to cover the bullseye with the dot on my front sights for a few of my handguns; specifically, the P365, P938 and G30SF. The first two came with tritium sights, and I added Trijicon tritiums to the last of the three. It seems that they are designed so that you can align the glowing dots to hit POI where the front sight dot is on the target if you shoot in low light. Your LCP Max might just be set up with a similar aiming convention in mind, even if it doesn't have night sights.

As far as your hitting to the left, I would have someone else shoot your pistol to see if that person gets the same results, or rest it on a bench. That way, you can make sure it isn't you. Personally, I have had to kick the sights to the right with more than a few of my pistols to get the most precise POI. Either I've had some consistently off sights from the factory, or something about the way my eye focuses affects things. I shoot with both eyes open, and I've noticed that I might be a bit left if I close my left eye with my Winchester. Different weapons' sights interact with the eye in different ways.

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Rcreek

Discussion Starter · #8 · 11 mo ago

I like the helpfulness here, but I know it isn’t me. It is not trigger control, flinching, or any such error on my part. I can shoot a smaller gun with a worse trigger better than this one. This is a known problem. Ruger really screwed the pooch with some of these LCP Maxes. See this video to understand what I’m talking about.

Mine is doing the exact same thing, but not as severe.

Also see prior thread(s): LCP Max shooting low

Reactions: 1

Rcreek

Discussion Starter · #9 · 11 mo ago

PhilBill said:
Buy a Sig P365. Sorry, couldn't help it. This entire site seems to be awash with LCPMax problems of every sort.

Funny you say this. I actually started looking at those sigs.

I feel brand loyalty to Ruger. The LCP line finally provided me with pocket pistols that I could stay with. That’s part of the reason I’m so shocked at the LCP Max issues.

Reactions: 1

Louie0406

· #10 · 11 mo ago

PhilBill said:
Buy a Sig P365. Sorry, couldn't help it. This entire site seems to be awash with LCPMax problems of every sort.

I have to agree. The LCP Max is currently selling for around $400 out the door. For a little over $100 more you can get a much higher quality and reliable pistol. I had both. The p365 is a far superior pistol.

I have since sold my LCP Max. From day 1 I have had nothing but issues with it. Failure to feed, failure to lock back on last round, unable to eject a round in the chamber by racking the slide, recurring jams, and the thing rattles like a maraca.

Reactions: 1

Higgy Baby

· #11 · 11 mo ago (Edited)

Well....this is a VERY common complaint...and almost always the issue is the shooter. (NOI)

You know the drill- shoot from bench rest at a close target (7yds?). If you can hit close to the bulls eye that way...then you need to learn how to hold the gun. Shorter barrels, smaller grips, different triggers always change things.

If it turns out that the issue is actually the gun...it will be a rare event.

EDIT: I do not remember that video above!

Reactions: 5

rode2rouen

· #12 · 11 mo ago

Welcome to the forum!
Whining about your issues is always a scintillating method of introducing yourself!

Rex

whittsailor

· #13 · 11 mo ago

Louie0406 said:
I have to agree. The LCP Max is currently selling for around $400 out the door. For a little over $100 more you can get a much higher quality and reliable pistol. I had both. The p365 is a far superior pistol.

I have since sold my LCP Max. From day 1 I have had nothing but issues with it. Failure to feed, failure to lock back on last round, unable to eject a round in the chamber by racking the slide, recurring jams, and the thing rattles like a maraca.

Did you send your Max in to Ruger for the issues?

PhilBill

· #14 · 11 mo ago

rode2rouen said:
Welcome to the forum!
Whining about your issues is always a scintillating method of introducing yourself!

Rex

And a belated welcome to you as well, relative newbie! Sarcastic responses to an experienced small pistol shooter who is having problems out of the box with a new Ruger model (a model that is experiencing many problems) are always a sure-fire way of becoming popular.

Reactions: 3

PHolster

· #15 · 11 mo ago

Rcreek said:
Picked up an LCP Max recently as an upgrade to my LCP II. I’ve been shooting various pocket pistols for 17 years and can be pretty accurate with them. I like to engage targets all the way out to 25 yards. I have NEVER had a firearm shoot so far off POA like this one does, and I’ve carried 9 different firearms. This is my third LCP and Ruger has touted how great the sights are.

But when using proper 6 o’clock sight picture, it is about 6” low at 7 yards, and 3” left. What should be dead center chest shots turn into gut shots that miss the spinal column completely. When switching to combat picture (sight covering target), it’s better but not adequate by my book. Forget engaging targets at extended ranges. The windage is a non-issue, as the rear sight can be shifted right or left.

It is very common for people to shoot a small pistol low and to the left. Shoot it from a rest before doing anything. I know you say you didn't shoot your LCPs like that, but it is not exactly like the LCP.

Line Font Parallel Circle Diagram

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Reactions: 3

Louie0406

· #16 · 11 mo ago

whittsailor said:
Did you send your Max in to Ruger for the issues?

No. I sold it to someone who was willing to work on the gun and “fix” the issues. Too have that many issues on a brand new firearm turned me off to the gun and I had no desire to keep it.

Reactions: 1

Rcreek

Discussion Starter · #17 · 11 mo ago (Edited)

PHolster said:
It is very common for people to shoot a small pistol low and to the left. Shoot it from a rest before doing anything. I know you say you didn't shoot your LCPs like that, but it is not exactly like the LCP.
View attachment 172904

Thanks. I know this and used it years ago when I first began training with handguns. I am 100% sure this is not what it is, as are so many other shooters of the LCP Max who seem to be getting real lemons.

Reactions: 2

PHolster

· #18 · 11 mo ago

Rcreek said:
Thanks. I know this and used it years ago when I first began training with handguns. I am 100% sure this is not what it is, as are so many other shooters of the LCP Max who seem to be getting real lemons.

I would still shoot it from a rest. I shoot all my new guns from a rest before making any other judgement. Hope you get it figured out.

Reactions: 1

squanto0823

· #19 · 11 mo ago

From what I have seen on the LCP MAX you want to use a "combat" hold rather than a 6'oclock hold. Basically you want to put the tritium dot on the target, not below it. A lot of tritium sights on self defense pistols are set up that way.

Reactions: 5

Nomadic Paladin

· #20 · 11 mo ago

I agree that assuming a 6 o'clock hold is the only correct sight picture is a bad practice. In fact, there is no single correct sight picture for ANY handgun. Handgun ammo is mostly low velocity (compared to rifle ammo) and you might need a combat sight picture at 7 yards; a 6 o'clock picture at 15 yards, and a target picture at 25 yards.

You say that you have a great deal of experience with smaller firearms, so this is not new info to you. A sight picture is a line; trajectory of a bullet is an arc beginning on a higher trajectory than the sight picture and ending (depending on range) below it. A gun can only be zeroed for one range. At any other range, you have to make adjustments

Reactions: 3

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