Description
The Ruger LCP 380 Black Cherry pairs Ruger’s original Lightweight Compact Pistol with a deep black cherry colored grip frame and a black through-hardened steel slide. It is the same proven 9.6-ounce .380 Auto pocket pistol as Ruger’s model 3701, offered as a distributor color variant so it stands out from the usual all-black carry guns.
Ruger LCP 380 Black Cherry Overview
The LCP helped define the modern pocket pistol when Ruger introduced it, and it remains one of the most carried handguns in America. It holds 6+1 rounds of .380 Auto in a package 5.16 inches long and 3.60 inches tall, which disappears in a front pocket, a purse holster, or an ankle rig. The one-piece glass-filled nylon grip frame is checkered for traction, and only the frame carries the black cherry color; the slide stays black. A finger grip extension floorplate gives your little finger somewhere to go on such a small gun.
Trigger and Operation
The LCP uses a double-action-only trigger with a recessed hammer: every pull cocks and releases the hammer, and the pull is long and deliberate. That long pull is a safety feature on a gun with no manual safety that is often carried in a pocket, but it takes practice to shoot well. Dry-fire practice, safely and with an unloaded pistol, pays off quickly. The slide does not lock open after the last round on the original LCP design, so count your rounds during practice.
Sights and Shooting
The sights are small, fixed, and integral to the slide, built to snag-free standards rather than precision. The LCP is designed for close-range defensive use, typically within seven yards, and it does that job well. Its light weight means a snappy feel with .380 Auto despite the mild cartridge, and the short grip offers limited purchase for larger hands. Many owners find the LCP easier to carry than to shoot, which is the trade-off with every pistol in this class.
Carry Options
Because the LCP has been on the market so long, holsters are easy to find: pocket rigs, inside-the-waistband, ankle, and belly-band options from nearly every holster maker. Always use a pocket holster that covers the trigger guard and keeps the pistol oriented; never carry it loose in a pocket with keys or coins. The black cherry frame is purely cosmetic, so any holster made for the original LCP will fit.
Ammunition Choices
.380 Auto is a modest defensive cartridge, so ammunition choice matters. Choose a quality defensive load proven to expand and penetrate adequately from short barrels, and test at least a couple of boxes for reliable feeding. Ammunition prices for .380 Auto run a little higher than 9mm in many markets. Avoid +P loads unless Ruger states your pistol is rated for them.
Honest Caveats
Tiny pistols are harder to shoot accurately than compact or full-size guns, and the LCP’s capacity is limited to 6+1 with the included magazine. Larger hands may want an extended magazine for a fuller grip. Cosmetic finishes can show holster wear over time. If you want a slightly larger, easier-shooting .380, consider a gun with a longer grip and more sight radius.
State Laws and Ownership
Some states maintain handgun rosters or require additional permits, safety certificates, or waiting periods, and roster states may not list this color variant. Buyers in California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, and similar states should verify eligibility before ordering. Pennsylvania buyers complete the transfer through a licensed dealer with a background check, and carrying concealed requires a license to carry firearms or a valid reciprocal license.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger and Co.
- Model: LCP (based on model 3701), black cherry frame variant
- UPC: 688099403386
- Caliber: .380 Auto
- Capacity: 6+1
- Barrel: 2.75 in.
- Action: DAO, recessed hammer
- Frame: one-piece glass-filled nylon, black cherry, checkered
- Slide: black through-hardened steel
- Sights: fixed, integral
- Weight: 9.6 oz
- Length: 5.16 in.
- Height: 3.60 in.
- Width: 0.82 in.
- Includes: one 6-round magazine with finger grip extension floorplate
Before You Buy
Federal law requires handguns to be transferred through a licensed dealer, and buyers must be 21 or older and pass a background check. This pistol ships to your local FFL, not to your home.
Who It Is For
The Ruger LCP 380 Black Cherry is a great fit for concealed carriers who want a light, proven .380 pocket pistol with a distinctive color, and shooters looking for a backup gun.
Buy the Ruger LCP 380 Black Cherry at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Ruger LCP 380 Black Cherry online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Ruger.
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