Ruger LCR 38 Special Revolver
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
Winelover
North Central Arkansas
Have the 357 version. Just a couple of ounces heavier than the 38 Special and more expensive. Almost the same size as 642 S&W J-frame................fits in same holsters. However, better out of the box trigger with much better sights. I prefer it over the S&W offerings.
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Rick H
Well-Known Member
I have the 38Sp. LCRx-3. The three inch version. It has been a reliable accurate little kit gun for me. Mine has the hammer and longer barrel, not for pocket carry. Mine will not fit a J-frame holster. The weird trigger guard shape precludes that with any form fitting holster. Perhaps a pouch style?
I also love the trigger and sights on mine. I got the small hogue bantam boot grips, which hide and carry very well, but you want to put the factory grips back on after one cylinder at the range. Four of the cylinder throats are a little over 0.3585 and the fifth one is north of 0.360. Doesn’t seem to affect my accuracy at 7 yards though.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I don’t own one, but I know several people that do own them. I’ve shot them and they’re decent little revolvers. Pretty much on par with the S&W J-frames in terms of size.
The “out of the box” trigger on the LCR is better than the S&W. I did see one lock up due to the extractor rod backing out, but that’s not a failure specific to Ruger.
The “out of the box” trigger on the LCR is better than the S&W. I did see one lock up due to the extractor rod backing out, but that’s not a failure specific to Ruger.
I loved mine. Great trigger, easy carry, fun to shoot with 3.0 gr. of Bullseye and a 140 gr. HP from my Cramer mould.
The only reason I don't still have it, is because my Mom's friend needed a personal protection firearm to replace the Walther PPK that she could no longer cycle the slide on. This was just after the Covid shut down, and LCRs were impossible to find.
She loves the shooting the LCR, and I provide ammo for her.
The only reason I don't still have it, is because my Mom's friend needed a personal protection firearm to replace the Walther PPK that she could no longer cycle the slide on. This was just after the Covid shut down, and LCRs were impossible to find.
She loves the shooting the LCR, and I provide ammo for her.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
The Ruger LCR is what I should have gotten instead of the S&W 642, but I couldn't get a straight answer from my old shop's Admin about Rugers being re-authorized for carry or not--so I got the S&W. I found a Glock 43 to serve that niche, so it's moot now.
LCR is one decent little roller-pistol for the money. They seem like what Glock would come up with for a 2" 38 Special snubby.
LCR is one decent little roller-pistol for the money. They seem like what Glock would come up with for a 2" 38 Special snubby.
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I have an LCRX, which has adjustable sights and a 3" barrel. NOT one you'd drop in your pocket as it's very bulky, but light. I paid almost $400 for it new, but it's bee a while. Today, under $500 would almost be palatable.
Overall, if it were 2/3 or half the price of an SP101, I'd say yeah. It's accurate, has a very good DA trigger and respectable SA trigger - better than any other out-of-the-box Ruger DA I've owned, and very light-weight.
They ARE good guns, but ugly. I'd be OK with ugly if it were a consequence of making an inexpensive, light and accurate gun, but all the features which make it LIGHT (and ugly) are features which make it a lot less expensive to make than the traditional Ruger DAs, but the prices I've seen lately don't reflect that.
If I buy another "pocketable" DA, it'll be another Charter Arms. The design precedes and parented the traditional Ruger DAs, is very light, accurate and mine have been durable as well, but I could get two of them for what Ruger wants for one. Go for an older Stratford or Bridgeport gun.
If patience is low and the cost not a factor, the LCR, I think, is actually a good gun for the purpose.
Overall, if it were 2/3 or half the price of an SP101, I'd say yeah. It's accurate, has a very good DA trigger and respectable SA trigger - better than any other out-of-the-box Ruger DA I've owned, and very light-weight.
They ARE good guns, but ugly. I'd be OK with ugly if it were a consequence of making an inexpensive, light and accurate gun, but all the features which make it LIGHT (and ugly) are features which make it a lot less expensive to make than the traditional Ruger DAs, but the prices I've seen lately don't reflect that.
If I buy another "pocketable" DA, it'll be another Charter Arms. The design precedes and parented the traditional Ruger DAs, is very light, accurate and mine have been durable as well, but I could get two of them for what Ruger wants for one. Go for an older Stratford or Bridgeport gun.
If patience is low and the cost not a factor, the LCR, I think, is actually a good gun for the purpose.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Not going to live long enough to have patience.
Elpatoloco
Active Member
I purchased one when they forst came out. Carried it a bunch and shot it very little. I gave it to my son last year. It fit right in my front jeans pocket.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Snubnose revolvers are self-defense tools. Their strength is their small size.
The type falls into 2 categories, ones suitable for pocket carry and ones suitable for holster carry.
In the pocket carry category – hammer spurs are verboten.
Snubnose revolvers in the holster carry category are probably better off without hammer spurs.
The LCR checks all the boxes for a pocket carry snubnose revolver: Slick -snag proof design, lightweight, overall compact gun, rust resistant finish & materials, chambered in an adequate cartridge, reliable, double action or double action only.
These are not hunting guns. These are not target guns (but they can be accurate). These are not plinking guns or kit guns. These are concealed carry fighting tools.
The type falls into 2 categories, ones suitable for pocket carry and ones suitable for holster carry.
In the pocket carry category – hammer spurs are verboten.
Snubnose revolvers in the holster carry category are probably better off without hammer spurs.
The LCR checks all the boxes for a pocket carry snubnose revolver: Slick -snag proof design, lightweight, overall compact gun, rust resistant finish & materials, chambered in an adequate cartridge, reliable, double action or double action only.
These are not hunting guns. These are not target guns (but they can be accurate). These are not plinking guns or kit guns. These are concealed carry fighting tools.
Thumbcocker
Active Member
A good short barrel revolver can be surprisingly accurate. I have had 2 that shot very well at 25 yards. The first was a 3" heavy barrel Chief's special. It was nickle plated and had laid in a drawer so long that the nickle was worn off on one side. It was butt ugly but shot to sights with wadcutters at 25 yards. The second was/is a pre model 10 k frame Smith born in 1948. It has Franzite fake stag grips and a 2" barrel. If you do your part it will group 125 grain bullets into what the front sight covers at 25 yards. I personally feel that there is an ongoing conspiracy my gun makers to limit range to 7 yards with crappy sights.
As to the Ruger, I had a .357 version and it struck me as a Glock revolver. It was dependable but the fixed sights just didn't do it for me. For a purely defensive gun it was fine, but with .357 loads it was very "spicy ". I traded it off not because it didn't work but because I have a different mindset on what a handgun should do.
As to the Ruger, I had a .357 version and it struck me as a Glock revolver. It was dependable but the fixed sights just didn't do it for me. For a purely defensive gun it was fine, but with .357 loads it was very "spicy ". I traded it off not because it didn't work but because I have a different mindset on what a handgun should do.
Elpatoloco
Active Member
All my carry guns are hunting guns when you live smack dab in the middle of Hawg country. We are infested. My LCR loaded with 178gr as cast Keith slug has accounted for more than one feral swine.
Its not a primary hunting gun, but I'll sling lead at them cockroaches with anything I have on me
