Ruger LCP II 22: Pocket Pistol Reviewed

Ruger’s massively popular pocket pistol has gotten both a facelift and a new caliber. Today we do a big write-up for a pint-sized gun. Read our Ruger LCP II 22 review.

LCP II: The Wee Fella’s Background

Concealed carry permits became much more common in the mid-2000s, and with this surge, more people began taking personal self-defense seriously. As the saying goes, “concealed means concealed,” and smaller guns became more desirable. Ruger recognized this growing market and, in 2008, introduced the tiny Ruger LCP. This original LCP was a pocket-sized, double-action-only .380 ACP pistol.

In 2016, Ruger updated the gun, releasing it as the LCP 2. This newer version featured a new grip texture, a slide lock, and a significantly improved trigger. They also added a .22LR caliber option. While a .380 ACP pocket pistol can be quite a handful to shoot, like a “miniature bronco” trying to jump out of your grip, the .22LR version offers a much milder shooting experience.

While the little .22LR isn’t optimal for self-defense, it is capable. The right ammo can penetrate deep enough to strike something vital. With significantly less recoil, you are likely to be more accurate with the gun and be capable of firing faster follow-up shots. It’s worth noting that the LCP 2 holds six rounds of .380 ACP but ten rounds of .22LR.

They did change the way the gun worked in .22LR. It’s no longer a short-recoil design. Instead, it’s a direct blowback gun. The barrel is also made from stainless steel, which helps keep the dirty .22LR a bit cleaner. Is the Ruger LCP 2 in .22LR the best pocket pistol out there? Let’s find out.

Ruger LCP II 22

1 Literack slide

Possibly the easiest slide to rack on any production gun.

2 Manual thumb safety

This is a ????for some folks – be sure to train with it as part of your drawstroke.

3 Magazine disconnect

For additional safety – though not everyone will like it.

4 Stainless steel barrel

Helps mitigate how dirty the .22lr cartridge is.

Models and Variations of the Ruger LCP II 22

Ruger LCP II 22 –  Our Take

Ringing Steel With the LCP 2

Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How accurate can a gun this small be? It might surprise you. I did make a little alteration to the gun’s sights. They are integrated into the slide, and you can’t swap them around; they are all black. I used a Birchwood Casey Paint Pen to paint the front sight red to make it easier to see and utilize. This made it easier to focus on and much faster to find between the rear sights.

My wife and I went to the range and shot our guns. We used a mix of cheap bulk ammo and some higher-quality CCI and Federal Punch loads. We started shooting from seven yards and then moved further back. My wife is new to pistol shooting, and small pistols are challenging to shoot. But with a little practice, she was hitting a 10-inch gong at 10 yards.

I took it back to 25 yards and kept the gong swinging. On paper, it was possible to do a 10-10-10 drill and keep all ten rounds in the black zone…most of the time, and I did use all ten seconds to achieve this. It’s not as easy to shoot as a CZ-75, but it’s perfectly acceptable for self-defense shooting.

I won’t brag about the trigger. It’s not heavy, but long and kinda gritty. It’s not smooth or crisp but nowhere near as bad as the older LCP triggers.

Controlling the Little Bugger

From day one, this little pistol has been a consistent hit with both my wife and me. Its minimal recoil remains its standout feature. We can shoot all day without fatigue, hand pain, or any form of slide bite. There’s a gentle “poof” between shots, a far cry from the snappy LCP in .380 ACP. It’s genuinely one of the few pocket-sized pistols that remains enjoyable to shoot over the long haul. The lack of muzzle rise and the fact that the sights consistently snap back on target translate into fast and accurate follow-up shots.

We’ve fired a pile of drills, ranging from fundamentals like the Double Tap to more complex scenarios like the Bill Drill, and this pistol has consistently delivered. Its performance has been nothing short of exceptional. The fact that my wife will now go to the range by herself and practice is a good testament to the gun’s ease of use. When I suggest range trips, there is no sight, just a willingness to shoot. Its reliable, user-friendly nature makes it a practical and highly effective tool that she trusts and doesn’t mind spending time with.

The design features that initially impressed us have proven their worth over continued use. The magazine’s slight extension is enough to provide a secure, full grip, making handling intuitive and comfortable even after hundreds of presentations. While the initial observation of a subtle “chunkiness” at the rear, between the frame and the slide, remains true, it has never impacted the shooting experience or overall functionality. Similarly, the grip texture, though initially praised, has proven almost superfluous given the consistently low recoil.

A manual safety sits below the slide, but it is an interesting design. It presses forward or rearward instead of up or down, and pressing it forward takes it off safe. It’s actually very intuitive and easy to do. You can take the weapon off the safe as part of your draw.

Another feature I liked, but my wife loved, was the Literack design. It takes no strength to work the slide, and it is one of the easiest-racking slides I’ve ever handled. The serrations make it easy to grip and ensure anyone can work the weapon.

And that’s the appeal.

Plus, the gun isn’t going to blow your socks off with the price,. I purchased this model brand new for less than 350 dollars. After years of using dirty ammo I’ve come to appreciate the stainlless steel barrel and breach block. It’s really easy to clean. Just wipe the black carbon off and go! This is a smart decision made by Ruger to keep things easy to manage and clean.

In terms of reliability the guns been extremely reliable, especially for a .22LR. The rimfire nature of .22LR means its less likely to ignite and fire than centerfire designs. The somewhat heavy trigger of the LCP 2 .22LR seems purposeful. A heavy trigger helps create a purposeful blow of the hammer, which helps insure reliable ignition.

High quality ammo goes a long way. The good stuff from CCI and Federal seems to be the ticket for total reliability. The cheaper the ammo the more failures to fire you can expect. This isn’t due to the gun, just the rimfire nature of a .22LR. The gun does cycle well with most rounds, I haven’t found anything that won’t reliably cycle the gun.

It doesn’t need a hot load to keep the slide moving and the gun shooting. We’ve fired well over a thousand rounds from this gun, likely closing in on 2,000. There is no major issues and the gun doesn’t seem beat up or worn in.

The only micro-sized .22LR I know at this quality level that’s this inexpensive.

My Wife’s Defensive Gun Use

This gun quickly became my wife’s carry gun. It goes everywhere with her. We live in a rural county, and in the middle of nowhere, you’re your own first responder. One day, she had her LCP 2 in her pocket and was working on her garden when a pair of aggressive dogs entered the yard. The dogs beared down on her and began baying behavior.

They circled her, growling and barking, closing the distance quickly. She quickly drew her LCP 2 and fired a single shot. She didn’t have a clear backup to take a shot at the moving animals, so she fired a round into the dirt, and the dogs quickly changed their behavior. It’s not an exciting defensive gun use, but it proved that the gun you will carry is better than the gun you leave in a the safe.

Some other options, though!

If you’re not ready to pull the trigger (see what we did there?), and you’d like to see how the .22lr version of the LCP II stacks up against other rimfire pistols, check out our complete guide to the best 22lr pistols. If you are not sure on a 22lr version, there is a 380 version that made the list of our best 380 pistols.

Ruger LCP II 22 Pros and Cons 

These pros and cons are listed with the assumption that a) you’re okay with using a .22lr pistol, and 2) you don’t mind a magazine disconnect. If you’re opposed to using the little cartridge defensively and/or hate mag disconnects, you’re not going to agree with this assessment.

Ruger LCP II 22 22LR Ammo

Going bang! Rimfires can be hit or miss in the reliability department, especially when they are semi-autos. Luckily, that’s not a big issue with the LCP 2. We had a few duds with some of the bulk ammo, and a few failures to eject.

The gun ran 100% with CCI, Federal Personal Defense Punch, and even the Federal Automatch. Automatch is probably the best bulk ammo for this gun. The Remington Golden Bullet, Aguila .22LR, and Winchester stuff was more prone to failure.

The ammo is cheap, which makes it affordable to practice with.

Ruger LCP II 22 Accessories

The LCP II 22 is a pretty basic little handgun, maybe not one most people really want to invest a bunch of into, but we have some suggestions for ya!

LCP II/22 Accessories

1. LCP II 22 Threaded Barrel Kit		Any rimfire gun is 10x more fun with a can Full kit with cap Stainless Steel threaded 1/2×28	Check Price
2. Decibullz Custom Molded Earplugs		Great In-Ear option Custom molded – super easy and comfortable NRR: 31	Amazon
3 MakerShot Magazine Speedloader		360 degree rim for 1-hand or assisted push American made Each speedloader designed for a specific magazine	Amazon
4 Pineworld K3 Biometric Handgun Safe		Reliable Biometric Scanner Sturdy and Well Built Cheaper Than Most Biometrics	Amazon

I really enjoy the Ruger LCP in 22LR. It’s small, light, easy to shoot, and reliable with the right ammo. It might not be the best pistol for self-defense, but the .22LR in your pocket, which you can shoot accurately, is better than the 9mm you left at home.

Ruger LCP II 22 Maintenance

A reliable handgun requires regular maintenance and cleaning. We’ve found a great video on breaking down and cleaning your plinker. Check it out below!

Suggested Resources For You And Your Ruger LCP II 22

If you’d like to see the full breakdown about how it compares (and which 22 lr handgun might be right for you), you should check out our best 22 pistols for defensive use.

• Read the LCP II owner’s manual
• Ruger LCP II, Manufacturer’s Page