How hot of handloads are safe in the new Ruger LCP 380ACP?

I think we can make book on how soon Wolff comes out with some heavier slide-return springs (1 pair) for the LCP!

This question is about speculation, and I cannot yet buy an LCP in California, as they still aren't approved here, being so new. I think if Bill Ruger was alive he might turn over in his grave at all the paranoid put-downs of his company which traditionally conspicuously overbuilds things (such as the locked breech on the new LCP 380ACP) supposedly now making wimpy guns! True, anything is possible, but I often know a good thing when I see it, and I'll speculate that 20-30% pressure increases will turn out to be safe and reasonable for the LCP, after judicious testing results are in. As a sidenote, I am as guilty as anyone for answering questions without having read all the current answers to avoid duplication or insult, but I find it AMUSING how many ethanol-powered stations don't even read the questions, as I do come here also for the merriment! Have another! And I did anticipate a lot of put-downs, and paranoia being substituted for knowledge, as the price of being in here. ~Larry.

It has been pointed out to me that most shooters don't know that these various plastic/fiberglas-filled frame handguns also have a tempered aluminum alloy inner frame, doing the "heavy lifting". The LCP is one of these. It is also pointed out to me that after a century of use and general distribution, most shooters also aren't as clear as they might be on what a "locked breech" is. I feel it's similar to the difference between a shovel and a bulldozer, but that may be overstating the case. Anyway, the LCP is also one of these. MSRP $330? That's the real mystery!

Yes Travis, when I met Elmer Keith as a young man, he as an old man was still explaining that he blew up those guns on purpose, to determine exactly what power levels would do that. Somebody had to, and he published the results in his gun column. Today many people are still howling that he was a wild-eyed fool who blew up guns. We also quickly agreed and spit-shook on it that 800 ft-lbs was plenty for deer in either 44 or 45 caliber, with good hits. He had asked S&W for both an 825 ft-lb deer load, AND an 1100 ft-lb dangerous game load, but S&W only supplied the big load, one can only speculate why, as it chilled police interest, and most of the expected market. All that faded with "Dirty Harry" and the factory couldn't make them fast enough for years! Anyway, clearly the locked breech of the LCP is an overbuild, the question being how much of one. I'm sure we have stirred the thinking of many handloaders who didn't want to get hooted at here, and are doers rather than talkers.