My significant other is analyzing a new revolver purchase and getting close to a final decision. After months (really) of looking in various gun stores in three states, handling multiple guns, surfing the net, creating spreadsheets, etc. it has come down to two potential choices:

1. Ruger LCR in .38 SP +P, short barrel, hammer (model 5430)

2. S&W model 637, also .38 SP +P, short barrel, hammer

Her intended purpose is as a nightstand gun, so it has to be small, light, & easy to use.

She is no stranger to handguns, already owning a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 mag and a S&W model 65-6 (Lady Smith) in 357 mag, in addition to multiple semi-auto pistols. There is no convincing her that one of her existing handguns will suffice, so a new one is on the horizon. As if I'm going to argue with someone who wants to buy another gun...

My question is, if you had to pick one of the above, which would it be & why?

I'd appreciate honest firsthand opinions from those of you who own one or the other, or both.

Thanks.

Go with the 637. I purchased one about 2 years ago as a carry piece. Have never been disappointed.

I have a LCR 357 and really like it. Use it as a carry gun.

I also have a 37 no dash 3" and it's good also.

This is one of those decisions where you can't go wrong.

I'd probably go with the Ruger. If she really wants an exposed hammer, then the LCRx in 38 would be great. If she will go with DAO, I'd get the LCR 357 as it's easier to shoot and a little heavier (which doesn't matter in a HD gun).

I recently purchased a new LCR 9mm and I was quickly impressed with it....

..... At first.

But....

It shot 5" low at 7 yards. Ok, I was able to adjust for that but it didn't have a natural feel to the aim. I tried shorter front sight and it helped a little. I still had to paint under the front dot and use that mark instead. Bullet weight didn't make a difference.

It was also a little larger from the bottom of the trigger guard to the top of the top strap. Just a few mm but surprisingly noticeable.

The hogue tamer grips that came with it were large, comfortable, but bad for concealment. They also provided a poor grip height for me. I couldn't grip as high on gun as I can my 642 and 442. Part of the issue is the middle finger rides too far down from the trigger guard.

I tried the boot grips, but the same issue was there, and I could barely get a two finger grip on it. No pinky involved whatsoever, which I can do with my j frame boot grips. It was a poor, insecure grip.

The trigger was ok. Light but a tad sloppy feeling.

Sooooo...... it will go down in history as one of my shortest owned guns.

My 642 on the other hand has been carried happily for 6 years or so.

__________________
- The Federalist #46 -

I've owned both, and the LCR357. If I were looking for a nightstand gun among the three I listed I would get the LCR357 and load 38+p, the extra weight over the LCR38 helps. If I were looking among these for the best carry I would get the 637. The LCR38 is kinda odd man out.

The LCR is now available as a 3 inch. Great guns.

I am a big Smith fan, but for concealed carry between these 2 guns I would choose the 38 Special +P Ruger LCR....out of the box, compare its trigger pull with that of the S&W...smoother and lighter. I wish Colt would bring back their "D" frame guns like the Detective Special....those were the best small SD revolvers ever made, in my opinion...with 6 shots instead of 5.

I used to own an LCR. It was an ok gun, but I much prefer my 637. To me the LCR had more recoil. I never cared for the push button cylinder release on the Ruger. I prefer the slightly smaller dimensions of the 637 for concealed carry. The 637 is more accurate in my hands than the LCR.

Here is a gal's prospective.
When purchasing my ccw a few years back, I had the choice of a LCR .38 +p or Performance Center 642. After a side by side comparison, my choice was the LCR because of the smooth trigger pull and the fit/comfort of the grip. Maybe she will want to consider something with Crimson Trace grips for the bedside. I didn't buy the CT as they weren't as comfortable as the Hogue Tamer grips.
Happy Hunting!

S&W... The lcr has a lighter trigger out of the box but the reset isnt that great imo. So a PC Smith or a simple rebound spring change will give the Smith lighter trigger.

I do think the Smiths come with too heavy of a trigger which is easily fixable but I dont get the not smooth. I think some folks might be confusing smooth with light.

Folks - Thanks very much for your recommendations & comments. I thought, this being a S&W forum, that the 637 would be the clear favorite, but it appears to about evenly split between the two; I guess that's why she has narrowed it down to the two guns in question and reached a temporary stalemate. I will pass along all of your thoughts on the subject, and I do appreciate your input.

For those that suggested going a bit bigger, and adding 357 capability, that is normally excellent advice. However, her current criteria are as stated: small, lightweight, with hammer, 38 Spl +P. There is no deviation from those requirements. Trust me. She kept her Ruger Blackhawk 44 Mag under the pillow when I first met her, and the S&W 65-6 357 Mag is currently in the nightstand. No matter, she wants a smaller gun, and a smaller gun she will have. Which one, I don't know yet.

Thanks again for all your advice.

The idea of lighting off a 357 in a bedroom screams sever hearing loss to me.

That's probably true. On the other hand, if someone has broken into the house and has gotten past the dogs and still poses the threat of death or grievous bodily harm to me or my wife, frankly I want a full house .357 mag and screw the hearing loss, thank you.

Or as George Carlin, the hippy dippy weatherman would put it "There's a line of thunderstorms on the radar, but radar is also showing a flight of Russian ICBMs, so I wouldn't sweat the thunderstorms."

Between the two, I'd prefer the Smith for the better feel (in MY hands, obviously).

As an aside, though, having done the behind-the-gun-store-counter schtick at one time, I'd offer that if it's only a nightstand gun my customer was looking for, I'd be directing her (or him) toward something with a bit more weight, barrel length, and sight visibility.

If it's a nightstand gun why does it have to be light and compact? A beater model ten would rock for that role. I've owned way more J frames than LCRs, but that's mostly because I found the J frame easier to carry. Without the carry aspect I find the LCR superior in every way, especially the trigger and recoil reduction.

Well, each of us has our own opinions about these two guns. But from experience in this particular situation, I say strongly that the lady should get the one she likes the very best! After all, it's going to be her gun, not ours. They are both quality made firearms and each will do the job well. So no real issue there.

Which ever one feels best to her in her hand, fits her hand the best, functions best and easiest for her in her hands, will be the best for her. I have definite opinions about handguns, and there are some features and conditions that I would advise strongly against, especially for a loved one who is trying to decide. But I don't really see any negatives here as long as she can hold the one she chooses correctly in her hand and operate the action on the best, especially in the double action mode. If she gets the one you (or any of us) choose, given no real negatives with either, and she's not satisfied with it, guess whose fault it will be!!! If she chooses and things don't work out, well, all of us have done that and we know how to handle that. That will be her decision IF she makes her own choice.

Be glad you have a lady who will take the responsibility for her own personal protection piece. If she's willing to keep and use it for a bedside protector, she's much more likely to also consider carrying it with her where ever she goes as well. I don't see much of a way for either one of you to lose here!!

__________________
So long ... Ken

Lets dive a little deeper than permanent hearing loss.

The magnum concision so close to ones head can cause disorientation so if first shot is a miss one might lack the bearings to get a good second shot off or if there is more than one bad guy.

The massive flash created by the magnum load in the dark could cause vision problems.

Lastly, many people that have these little revolvers will fire magnums once and then decide 38s are the load of choice.

As Confucius would say "strong as ox and dumb as bull"

Personally I'd much rather fire full house .357s in my LCR than .38 Spl +P in my j-frame. Others feel differently, of course. I do load my short barrel magnums with a fast burning powder which does reduce, but does not by any means eliminate, the muzzle flash.

So I'd prefer the LCR to the j-frame for a bedside gun. But the gun by my bedside is a 685 4".

Oh, and when the black bears are out and about, a 629 4" is added to the drawer.

The Ruger LCR is about the perfect carry revolver IMHO.
I carry the .357 LCR daily in the summer when temps are high and light clothing is the norm. For a night stand gun size is less of a concern so use what you like or shoot the best.

__________________
NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

It sucks that's for sure. I've fired a 357 magnum from a 4" barrel inside a hallway. My ears rang for hours. I was scared I'd done permanent damage to my hearing.

But back to the original question. I have several LCR's (22LR, 38 special, and 357 magn) as well as j frames. Both have their pluses, but think I'll sell off my LCR's and keep the j's. I just feel more comfortable with the S&W trigger reset.

Both excellent revolvers that fire the same caliber with unique mechanical differences...... win / win

__________________
NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Since the revolver is going to be on "nightstand" duty a Model 60, 640, or 649 might be a a better choice. The added weight of the Stainless Steal mitigates a lot of the "felt recoil" and, the newer production stainless options have a pinned front sights. So, tritium in the front becomes an option as well.

Good luck in your search.

She has finally reached a decision, and the winner is... the S&W 637. She picked it up today. In fact, she told me, over the phone, that she bought two of them! I filed that away for future use should she raise any questions on my gun purchases.

For all of you who provided input, thanks. For those that suggested upping the ante to a .357, she had already narrowed it to the LCR or the 637, and there was no changing that. As I noted earlier, she started with a Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag, and already has a S&W 65-6 Lady Smith in 357, but those simply wouldn't do, nor would any of the semi-autos she owns ranging up to .45. I have learned over the years when to stop trying to change her mind. She was on a mission and - mission accomplished.

So, if she bought two of them, is she willing to share one with you?

I have brought a LCR 9mm Early last month. I have already sent it back to Ruger two times. I am very disappointed with it! It is shaving off copper jackets filing. I have been hit twice in the face from these filings. I believed that Ruger will have to recall all of this models of the LCR.