Ruger LCP Field Strip and Cleaning

Field stripping and cleaning the Ruger LCP is easy and straight forward and in many ways is similar to field stripping and cleaning Glock pistols (which is really easy to do). Here are step by step instructions for field stripping and cleaning your LCP.

FIELD STRIPPING The RUGER LCP
Ruger LCP	FIELD STRIP TOOLS A small coated screw driver is all you need to field strip the pistol. It is used to remove the takedown pin without scratching the frame. If you have strong fingernails you may not need the screw driver.
Magazine	FIELD STRIP PREPARATIONS Verify the gun is unloaded. Remove the magazine. Inspect the chamber and the magazine well to ensure the weapon is clear and safe.
Takedown Pin	REMOVE THE TAKEDOWN PIN Pull the slide back about ¼" until the take down pin is loose. Pry the take down pin out with a small screw driver. Be careful not to scratch the slide while you are doing this. A small screw driver covered with tape or rubber tubing will ensure that you do not damage the slide of your gun.
Takedown Pin	TAKEDOWN PIN REMOVED
Slide Assembly	REMOVE THE SLIDE Slowly pull the slide forward until it comes completely off of the frame.
Recoil Spring Assy.	REMOVE THE RECOIL SPRING Remove the recoil spring assembly from the slide assembly.
Barrel	REMOVE THE BARREL Pull the barrel out of the slide.
Field Stripped	RUGER LCP FIELD STRIPED PARTS The Ruger LCP is now field stripped.
CLEANING THE RUGER LCP
Recoil Springs & Guide Rod	Cleaning The Recoil Spring Guide Assembly Disassemble the recoil spring guide assembly. The spring comes in two pieces, an inner spring and an outer spring. The small spring goes inside the larger spring. Separate both springs from the recoil guide rod. Wipe down and clean the rod and the both springs. Be careful not to stretch or crimp the springs. Apply a thin coat of gun oil to the guide rod and springs as a protectant, then wipe off.
Slide	Cleaning The Slide Pick up the slide and apply a gun solvent to the inside rails and surfaces. Clean the slide with a nylon bristle brush followed by a cleaning with a Q-tip. Clean the outside the same way.
Barrel Chamber	Cleaning The Barrel Clean the barrel of the Ruger LCP. Apply solvent to a patch and clean the inside of the barrel. Make sure the barrel is soaked with solvent. Then use a bronze or nylon bore brush and clean the inside of the barrel. Do not reverse directions with the brush while in the barrel. Push all the way through, then come back. Follow with a clean patch.
Frame	Cleaning The Frame Apply solvent the rails, down around the hammer and just above the trigger. Apply sparingly. Don use too much, just enough to get it wet. Clean these areas with a tooth brush. Follow with a Q-tip cleaning up all the nooks and crannies. Be sure to remove any excess cotton left by the Q-tips. Blow with clean compressed air.
Exploded View	Parts List

LUBRICATING THE RUGER LCP

Apply a light coat of gun oil to the following.

1. Recoil spring guide rod

2. Large recoil spring

3. Small recoil spring

4. Barrel and locking block

5. Take down pin

6. Back of the slide rail (each side)

7. In the middle of the side (each side)

8. Inside the hood of the slide

9. Smear it around with a Q-tip or your finger.

ASSEMBLING THE RUGER LCP

1. Install the barrel into the slide.

2. Install the springs onto the recoil spring rod to make up the recoil spring assembly. Insert the smaller spring into the larger spring. Note that the ends of the small spring are of different sizes. The small end of this spring is positioned such that it butts up against the flat head of the rod. Insert the rod through both springs.
   
   

   INCORRECTLY INSTALLED	CORRECTLY INSTALLED	CONFIGURATION

3. Install the recoil spring assembly. The "free end" of the springs point forward to the front of the gun. The head or "nail end" of the recoil spring assembly butts against the lip of the barrel cup.

4. Install the slide assembly onto the grip or lower unit.

5. Insert the take down pin into it's retainer hole. Take a close look at the hole. You will see a small spring sticking up when you look through the hole. When you install the take down pin slowly insert the edge of the pin into the hole and try to feel for the spring, then push down on the pin (and the spring) then push the spring all the way through. Pressing down at an angle often works well. It takes a little practice before you will be able to do it quickly.

6. Wipe it off, work the slide a couple of times and pull the trigger to make sure it clicks and you are ready to go.

RUGER LCP .380 AUTO DESCRIPTION

ref: http://www.ruger.com/products/lcp/index.html?r=y

WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED IT. The Ruger® LCP™ is a compact .380 Auto from the industry leader in rugged, reliable firearms. From backup firearms for law enforcement to licensed carry for personal protection, the LCP is the perfect choice.

Designed with both male and female shooters in mind, the LCP is as affordable as it is reliable. At just 9.40 ounces (with an empty magazine), the LCP is lightweight and ideal for all-day carry - ensuring you have it when and where you need it. COMPACT, the LCP is designed to fit a variety of holsters and conceal-carry options.

RUGER LCP CARE AND CLEANING

(From page 23 of the Instruction Manual)

Make sure gun is unloaded. Before cleaning, be certain the pistol and its magazine contain no cartridges

At regular intervals, or whenever the pistol has been exposed to sand, dust, extreme humidity, condensation, immersion in water or other adverse conditions, disassemble, clean and oil it. Periodic maintenance is essential to the reliable functioning of any firearm.

To clean the pistol, proceed as follows:

1. Disassemble (fieldstrip) the pistol to the extent described on pages 18-20.

2. Using a cleaning rod, run a solvent-wetted patch through the bore several times. Then attach a solvent-wetted bristle brush to the rod and run it back and forth the full length of the bore as many times as necessary to remove grease and dirt from the bore and chamber. Clean bore with dry patches and examine. Bore fouling can contribute to reduced accuracy, and grease accumulation in the chamber can interfere with proper feeding of cartridges from the magazine.

3. Using powder solvent on a clean patch or bristle brush, remove powder residue from all components of the mechanism. After cleaning, run a dry patch through the bore, then follow with a patch this is very lightly oiled. Wipe all surfaces clean with a cloth then wipe all surfaces with a patch or cloth that has been very lightly oiled.

4. Note: Only a light application of oil is needed to provide adequate lubrication of moving parts and to prevent rust. Excess accumulations of oil tend to attract particles of dust and dirt and may congeal in cold weather, which can interfere with the safe and reliable function of the pistol.

5. Before firing, remove all oil and grease from the bore.

RUGER LCP LUBRICATION WARNING

Firing a pistol with oil, grease or any other material even partially obstructing the bore may result in damage to the pistol and serious injury to the shooter and those nearby. Do not spray or apply lubricants directly on ammunition. If the powder of a cartridge is affected by the lubricant, it may not be ignited, but the primer firing may push the bullet into the bore where it may be lodged. Firing a subsequent bullet into the obstructed bore may damage the pistol and cause serious injury of death to the shooter and those nearby. Use lubricants properly. You are responsible for the proper care and maintenance of your firearms.

RUGER LCP MAIN PARTS

1. Integral front and rear fixed sights

2. Slide

3. Takedown pin

4. Flush profile hammer

5. Frame

6. Single strike double action trigger

7. Magazine latch

8. Magazine slide hold open

9. Pistol grip

10. Extractor

11. Loaded chamber indicator (view port)

12. Checkered back and serrated front straps for secure grip

13. Magazine

Feedback

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Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011
Subject: Ruger LCP Small Recoil Spring

The Small Spring in the shot of the springs and Pin in your hand is Backwards. The larger end of the small spring needs to be forward. this is an area many get confused about and can cause a malfunction. Please note the exploded view in the manual. I love my LCP!
Dave


Response - Dave,

Sorry for the delay in responding to you. My computer's hard drive went belly up and it took me a little while to recover from it. Thanks for the correction.

I just checked the manual then I checked my LCP and found that my small spring was installed backwards (see picture). It still worked, but the large end of the small spring was riding up over the head of the pin. I can see where this could cause problems.

Spring Installed Incorrectly

Thanks again for pointing this out.

Best regards,

Tanner

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