Tiny but Mighty: Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP
If you’re looking for an incredibly small and easy-to-conceal everyday carry pistol, you’ve come to the right place.
The Beretta Pico and Ruger LCP are some of the most popular 380 guns on the market, and for good reason. While they are both small and easy to conceal, there are a few key differences you’ll want to consider when choosing one for yourself.
Specifically, when comparing the Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP, you’ll see that while they are similar in size, the LCP is a single-action pistol while the Pico is a double-action, which makes a difference in recoil, among other things.
Keep reading to learn more about what sets these two highly concealable guns apart.
Products Mentioned In This Article
Beretta Pico
Marketed as the most concealable 380 on the market, the Beretta Pico pistol is a great option for anyone looking for a thin and lightweight home defense or concealed carry gun.
Weighing only 11.5 ounces, this double-action-only (DAO) gun has a low-profile, snag-free design. Chambered in 380 auto, the Pico comes standard with a 6-round magazine. While you won’t find an extended magazine for this firearm, you can find an extended grip.
Don’t let this gun’s small size fool you; the Pico features adjustable sights and a soft recoil with minimal barrel tilt. This small-framed pistol is an excellent choice for pocket carry, especially when paired with our high-quality Pocket Locker Kydex holster.
Looking for a Beretta Pico holster? Check out our Holsters by Gun Model page for custom Kydex holsters.
Ruger LCP
When the Ruger LCP 380 Auto was first introduced to the concealed carry market in 2008, it quickly gained popularity due to its lightweight and compact design.
This centerfire pistol is built with a through-hardened alloy steel slide and glass-filled nylon grip frame. The LCP is chambered in 380 Auto and comes standard with a 6-round magazine, though you can find extended magazines that increase its capacity to 7+1 or 10+1.
The LCP features a comfortable textured grip, fixed front and rear sights, a recessed hammer, and a finger grip extension floorplate that can be added to fit more hand sizes.
Overall, the LCP is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its lightweight design and affordability. Looking for a Ruger LCP holster? Be sure to check out our Holsters by Gun Mode page, where you can customize a Kydex holster for your carry gun.
Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP: Specifications
Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP: Size and Capacity
When looking at the size of the Ruger LCP vs Beretta Pico, you will find they are pretty comparable with only slight differences.
The Pico is 4” tall, 5.1” long, and .725” wide with a barrel length of 2.7”. The LCP is 3.6” tall, 5.16” long, and .82” wide. It weighs 9.6 ounces – about 2 ounces lighter than the 11.5-ounce Pico.
The Beretta Pico and Ruger LCP both come standard with a 6-round magazine. While you can find extended magazines for the Ruger, you won’t find any for the Pico. It’s also worth noting that the Beretta Pico pistol ships with two magazines, one with a grip extension, while the Ruger only comes with one.
Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP: Ergonomics
Frame
The Beretta Pico is built with an extra durable, sweat-resistant polymer. Its modular design allows it to be easily customized, whether that means changing out the grip or adding accessories.
The Ruger LCP, on the other hand, is built with a high-performanceglass-filled nylon textured grip frame and includes a finger grip extension plate that can be added to the magazine for improved comfort and grip.
Slide and Barrel
While the Beretta Pico features a stainless-steel slide with a double finish, the Ruger LCP has a black oxide alloy steel barrel and a through-hardened steel slide.
When it comes to slide serrations, both the LCP and Pico only feature rear serrations.
Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP: Sights and Optics
Both the Beretta Pico and Ruger LCP sights are fixed front and rear sights that are integral to the slide. Their low-profile sight design helps reduce snags during use. Many people find there isn’t much difference between the sights on these two firearms.
When it comes to optics, neither model come optics-ready.
Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP: Controls
Safety
While neither the Ruger LCP nor Beretta Pico has an external safety, the Pico does feature a few additional safety controls, including an ambidextrous magazine release and low-profile slide release lever.
Trigger
The main difference between these two highly compact pistols is their trigger. While the Beretta Pico features a double action only trigger, the LCP is single-action. But what does this mean as a shooter?
For these two guns, not much. Even though the Ruger LCP is a single-action trigger, it feels like a DAO, so you won’t feel much difference when shooting these two weapons.
Which is Right for Me?
While these two tiny but mighty gun models are very similar, there are a few key differences.
When comparing the Beretta Pico vs Ruger LCP in size, you will find that the Beretta is slightly heavier than the LCP. They both come standard with a 6-round magazine, but if you are looking for a higher capacity, the LCP might be better for you as it is compatible with extended magazines. Neither comes in an optics-ready model, but both have integral sights.
The Beretta Pico is a DAO pistol, whereas the Ruger LCP is a single-action-only firearm that feels like a double action only.
So, think about what you need out of a concealed carry gun. Now that you have a better understanding of the differences, strengths, and weaknesses of the two firearms, you can make the choice that’s right for you.
If you’re looking for belts or holsters for the Beretta Pico or Ruger LCP, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page. For all of our belt and holster options and for more information to help you choose the carry system that works best for you, visit our Vedder Holsters website.
Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.