Ruger LCR

[Rustin]

I am set on getting a small, lightweight revolver for concealed carry. I've narrowed my options down to the classic S&W 642 and the newer Ruger LCR, but I'm leaning towards the LCR. From what I have read, the LCR has a better trigger than the 642 and is more controllable with the hogue tamer grips. I want to be able to go to the range and have fun shooting 100+ rounds or so in relative comfort, and I would like to become as proficient as possible with the little snub. Both guns are great, and I know the 642 is a bonafide classic, but I really would like to give the LCR a go. Does Anybody have any experience with the LCR? What are your thoughts?

[Stoley]

Most of the time when I'm carrying it's my LCR. Can't think of anything bad to say about it. The sights are really low but then again it's not a target gun. It's pretty light and even shooting 38 specials I don't know if I would do 100 rounds in one session. I love the trigger on it and I love the fact that I can carry it in my front pocket so easily.

[jakeg823]

I had an LCR. Definitely a better trigger than any smith. It wasn't bad at all with .38s....357s on the other hand were a beast but still manageable.

My advice:
Get a Ruger sp101. It's barely bigger than the LCR and you can shoot it all day with even the heaviest loads and not bother your hands. Yeah it's heavier but its a better gun for the money IMO.

I had my LCR357 to carry at my last job, I lost it and got a state job so no more carry at work and I sold it to finance a big boy revolver....and well then my now wife found a house so we bought that, and then the wedding came up a couple weeks later....and now a new revo is at the bottom of the list again

Her sp101 is by far our favorite handgun to shoot. And it carries very well in most of my pockets

[jupiter7]

The lcr is plenty nice, for a polymer gun. Trigger is better. The 642 is better looking. I've got the talo edition od green and the navy lcr's. Also have a 442 and 642. The 442 is easier to clean or at least it looks cleaner due to black finish and blued cylinder. The only reason I prefer the smiths are the size, they are physically smaller. Either way a fine choice.

Btw, 442/642 are the only s&w you can ge new without the internal lock on the frame. The way I like them.

[hi-powered]

I have the LCR .38 spec. w/CTC laser grips and would have bought the .357 magum if I could have found one a few years ago. A little more weight and a little more choice in ammo would have been nice.

A hundred rounds of full power .38s is about all I can stand for a practice session. I feel confident with it in and choose it for its price and features.

[sheepdog101]

Don't get me wrong, I love S&W and own 3 different 38s, but if you are looking for a "lightweight" revolver, the LCR trigger wins hands down IMHO.

I have the .357 version with the big dot night site on my ankle as I type. It is managable with .357 loads, but I typically carry 38 special +P in it.

[moxie]

I love the LCR. It's got better sights and a better trigger than the 442/642. Nice pocket gun in a pocket holster like the Nemesis.

I don't think any of the little light snubs, however, are much fun for 100+ rounds at the range, with even the lightest ammo. 30 rounds or so is tops for me.

[CDB842]

I happen to own both....the LCR and the SW 642. This being said....I wouldnt make either of them my main carry gun. Personally, if I was going to look at a main carry gun for that money or size, I'd go with a Glock 26 and use the 642 for a bug.

When I do carry a revolver it is because I cant properly conceal anything bigger. I like pocket or IWB carry for the 642. I dont carry the LCR due to the grips being larger and fairly tacky when it comes to grabbing clothing or sticking in a pocket. I can present the 642 quicker if need be. This is strictly my opinion and I'm sure other carry and love on their LCR's every day.

As far as shooting the LCR vs 642....the LCR has a lot better trigger and is WAY more comfortable to shoot. Both of them will smack the heck out of your palm and I rarely shoot more than 25-50 rds at a time.

[Rustin]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses. Seems like there is a lot of positive feedback on this lightweight, compact revolver. From what I have been reading, the LCR just seems right for me. I could care less about looks but for some reason I like the way it looks, but heck, I like the way Glock's look as well. I've already got a 26 btw, it's a great gun, but I only can really tolerate it in a nice OWB holster. The LCR will allow for more ways to carry. I'm gettin' one tomorrow hopefully. I will probably replace the grips with some boot grips to get it into and out of the pocket a little easier. And I'm definitely going for the .38 version, I don't want to fire .357 magnum rounds out of anything that light.

[kpw]

I just sold my 642 a couple months ago. The LCR just fits my hand better, I like the trigger better and, for me, it's easier to shoot. The 642 and LCR are both too big for my pockets but IWB or a hi-ride OWB it carries great.

[scubadad]

Originally Posted by Rustin

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses. Seems like there is a lot of positive feedback on this lightweight, compact revolver. From what I have been reading, the LCR just seems right for me. I could care less about looks but for some reason I like the way it looks, but heck, I like the way Glock's look as well. I've already got a 26 btw, it's a great gun, but I only can really tolerate it in a nice OWB holster. The LCR will allow for more ways to carry. I'm gettin' one tomorrow hopefully. I will probably replace the grips with some boot grips to get it into and out of the pocket a little easier. And I'm definitely going for the .38 version, I don't want to fire .357 magnum rounds out of anything that light.

if you are dead set on the lcr get the 357 version. it is steel reinforced compared to aluminum on the 38. you will not notice the extra few ounces. also you can fire hot +p 38 loads.

the lcr is a fine gun but if your main goal is target shooting i would go with the sp101. i have carried my sp101 for 13 years iwb and i love it. just my opinion but i feel that small polymer pocket guns are mainly for carry than 100 round range sessions. maybe im old fashioned and still waiting to see the longevity of polymer revolvers. everyone thought glocks would never last being plastic but they proved to be rugged and reliable

[scubadad]

just noticed you were in oh. im in sw oh just north of cincy. if you are anywhere close you are welcome to put a few rounds thru my sp101.

[den888]

I have a S&W 442 and love it. I shot an LCR and did not care for it.

[Rustin]

This gun is going to be for carry primarily. I just wanted to be able to put 100 or so rounds downrange in a practice session without feeling like it's too uncomfortable. I've never shot a lightweight .38. I am always reading that the shooting the J frame becomes a little painful after a couple dozen rounds and from what I understand, the Ruger has a gel insert in the grip that helps cushion your hand against the recoil. It's features like that, and the trigger system that Ruger has implemented into the LCR, that are making me want to try a Ruger LCR over the classic J frame.

I am going to need a lot of practice. I'm relatively new to revolvers and the lightweight one's take some skill to be able to shoot well. I'll take any advantages I can get for the most part, and I will consider the .357 version, but I'm still leanin towards the simple .38 version. Oh, and how do you guys carry reloads? I'm thinking some speed loaders in pouches or some speed strips, but reloading them is going to take some getting used to. Thanks for the replies

[executivetimemgnt]

go to a range that you can rent them both and see what you like. i have lcr with ct grips 38spl. and 442 pro with cz grips. i like them both but they aren't what i'd call fun to shoot. they have a low recoil 38spl. load that is easy on the hand for more rds. when i take my revolvers to the range, i force my self to take them to get practice in but 50 rds. is a lot out of these lightweights. you can't go wrong with either one but the sp101 or 686 is a lot more fun to shoot and i carry both.

[Capt. Methane]

If you want to get proficient with one of those snubbies you're going to have to reload for them-$40 for ammo each range trip.

If you reload you can use 148gr hollow base wad cutters with a light load for 80 rounds and 20 full power loads and get a good training session in but not hurt yourself or your wallet too badly...

I've got a S&W snubby and have never put +p rounds through it-regular .38 Spl is bad enough!

What I'd really like to find is a good price on a short barreled S&W 66, but people have discovered them it seems...

[waterman]

I've been carrying S&W snubbys since 1967. I'm now carrying the LCR 38+P.
Just as accurate, better trigger out of the box and absorbs recoil better too.

If you want to have long sessions at the range I would get the .38+P rather than the .357. Your hand will thank you. With the proper defense ammunition, the .38+P will get the job done. It's been doing so for many years.

W-M

[scubadad]

to the op. you said you are new to revolvers so i want to mention that if you get the 357 version you can shoot 38's in it. like i said earlier the 357 lcr has a steel insert instead of aluminum. it is stronger and will hold up better even if you never put a 357 round in it. its kinda like the old saying "i coulda had a v8"

[FXWG]

I used to own a S&W 638 and I hated to shoot it.
I now own both an SP101 and an LCR. Had them
both at the range today. Much more enjoyable to
shoot. IMO, the LCRis a great choice.

[misfit-x]

LCR wins no problem. I love mine and carry it most of the time. I do also run .357 mags through it. The Hornady CD 125gr is what I shoot. It recoils alright but it does straight back and it's very controllable. I also changed out my front sight to a Hi-Viz fiber optic sight and I love it.

[04DarkShadowGT]

I love mine, but imo the .357 version is pointless. When shooting 357 you get all of the flash and recoil but the ballistic advantage of 357 is lost in a snub nose. Plus in a self defense situation your follow up shots will be much more difficult. Combine that with the fact the 38 version is lighter, that is the way to go imo.

I can shoot it all day if I wanted to, but I do have the tamer grips so they are a bit bigger than the boot grip. Worth the extra size imo.

[Rustin]

Well, I got the Ruger LCR .38 special version. I am very pleased with my purchase. It carries so much easier than my glock 26. The ol' cliche "you forget it's even there" actually applies to this carry revolver. I haven't got a chance to shoot it yet but Ill probably hit the range today or sometime next week. I got it for $369, luckily it was on sale at the LGS. Right away I made sure I had a good holster, so I got the Desantis Nemesis. The holster features a very sticky surface on the outside so it stays anchored in a pocket.

I'm thinking about replacing the front sight with an XS big dot setup, and perhaps changing out the grips for some smaller boot grips made by hogue, or even some crimson trace grips eventually. The trigger feels fantastic and the little gun points naturally in my hands. Thanks for everyone's suggestions, take care.

[scubadad]

congrats on the new purchase. pics and a range report when you can.

[Rustin]

Originally Posted by scubadad

congrats on the new purchase. pics and a range report when you can.

Will do.

[executivetimemgnt]

let us know how the new grips with the gel pocket feel.