Welcome everyone to the 53rd edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale (most of the time) and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or does it only have Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you the readers, decided the Whitney Wolverine was a VERY hot gat. 

HGFC – Space Blaster or 22 Disaster – Poll Results

At this time the original auction has ended, and sadly the Whitney Wolverine did not sell.  The pistol has not been re-listed on GunBroker, but we hope it has found a suitable home.  

In this week’s special edition of HGFC, we take a break from the normal routine and look at a pair of reader-submitted Ruger LCP’s from reader and frequent commenter Valorius.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Valorius or Stolen Valor?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Valorius Optimized or Victimized Ruger LCPs?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“”extendo’s” with laser says it all” – Mike R.

“When Grandma’s bingo hall is full of rapscallions… Pack these.” – Adam S.

“If someone tried robbing a gas station I was at with those I would ignore it and continue to try to pay for my beef jerky and gas.” – Sam S.

“Dual wielded?” – Matt M.

“This is yet another reason why cousins shouldn’t marry.” – Will P.

“I can hear a banjo twanging.” – Nick C.

“This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.” – Giorgio O.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Valorius Optimized or Victimized Ruger LCPs?

Of course, these particular LCPs aren’t up for sale like most items featured here on HGFC. Val did, however, go into detail about the modifications he’d made to them.  

Pictured are 2 Gen 1.5 LCPs. The silver model is the 10th Anniversary edition, the red trigger model is a Ruger LCP custom edition. The defining feature of these models is the anodized aluminum trigger with greatly refined geometry. This allows for a significantly reduced trigger stroke and much shorter reset, while still giving a true DAO margin of safety. Factory pull weight is 7lbs, but both pistols have been equipped with a 5.5lb Fort Wayne tactical spring kit, which replaces the factory hammer, return and firing pin springs. The result is an outstanding and crisp trigger that is a whole world better than other 1st generation models. The LCP 10th anniversary and Custom model also feature a stainless steel guide rod from the factory.

The 10th anniversary LCP has a Tandemkross high strength carbon steel takedown pin, and Wolf 13lb recoil spring, to go along with a stainless steel frame and trigger pin set. These upgrades are for increased durability with hot +P ammunition.

For sighting options, both pistols feature Crimson Trace laser guards. The Red trigger custom model also sports factory interchangeable iron sights. The front sight has been replaced with a Glock 26 Night Fision tritium sight, while fits just fine with minimal modification by a competent gunsmith. Each pistol is equipped with a new Hyve anodized aluminum baseplate. The 10th-anniversary model being equipped with a +1, and the red trigger Custom model a +2. The +2 base plate yields a full 5 fingered grip on the pistol, and really transforms it’s capabilities to that of a full-sized gun. I have had great success with all the mods listed here, and highly recommend any or all of them. For ammunition, both pistols are loaded with Underwood 90 grain +P Xtreme penetrators, which are fired regularly in the beefed-up silver slide model without any issue. With the +2 Hyve magazine base the Custom model weighs in at 14.3 ounces fully loaded (9rds). The 10th Anniv model weighs in at 13.6 ounces fully loaded with the +1 Hyve magazine extension (8rds). Both pistols also feature a polished feed ramp and MCarbo +15% magazine ejector spring.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Valorius Optimized or Victimized Ruger LCPs?

If you aren’t familiar with Valorius then clearly you’ve never read the comment section on any of our articles. In 2018 his chrome H&K P7 was featured here on TFB. Now here we are two years later he’s still sending us pictures of his custom creations.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Valorius Optimized or Victimized Ruger LCPs?

I’ll never forget the first time I shot a Ruger LCP.  Loaded up with a full mag of .380 defensive ammo, it was somehow able to instantly inflict a dull and exhausting pain I’ll never forget. Personally speaking, if I had to buy a .380 pocket pistol, the LCP would be my last choice.

Personal feelings aside, the gun did perform when I shot it and does seem to be popular in its market segment.  This is clearly the case, as Val has been able to source a plethora of aftermarket accessories for both of his LCPs.  Was all of that modification worth it?  You tell me.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Valorius Optimized or Victimized Ruger LCPs?

What do you think?  Are these modified LCPs a pair of Hot Gats or just overly modified Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if these Ruger LCPs are Hot Gats or Fudd Crap: