I carry my 642 pretty much daily. I handled a LCR today, and I am contemplating purchasing one. I am having a hard time deciding which snub to use as my everyday carry. Can you guys give me your opinions on the 642 and LCR, and help me to decide. Should I even buy the LCR? Let me know.
Ruger LCR vs 642
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jessegpresley
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What makes you want to buy the LCR? Weight? Laser? I guess those really are the principle differences. You could always put a pair of Crimson Trace grips on your 642 if you wanted to. Weight difference is only 1.5 ounces. I don't know how much weight the CT grips would add.
What about the Bodyguard? It's S&W's version of the LCR. It's only .7 ounces lighter than the 642.
What about the Bodyguard? It's S&W's version of the LCR. It's only .7 ounces lighter than the 642.
I daily carry a 649 or a 442.
I have played with the Ruger LCR and found it easier to shoot, the standard grip and overall design made it a slightly more "pointable" gun for me. I shot it faster and more accurately than certainly the 442 and to some extent the 649. It seemed a perfect design for me. Have I bought one? No.
There is something about it that verges on toy like and I'd be hard pressed to define that for others. But besides dealing with my own superstitions there is no denying it's very easy to shoot well, light and easy to hide.
I have played with the Ruger LCR and found it easier to shoot, the standard grip and overall design made it a slightly more "pointable" gun for me. I shot it faster and more accurately than certainly the 442 and to some extent the 649. It seemed a perfect design for me. Have I bought one? No.
There is something about it that verges on toy like and I'd be hard pressed to define that for others. But besides dealing with my own superstitions there is no denying it's very easy to shoot well, light and easy to hide.
Gamegrunt
Member
I carry a 642 and the day I strolled into an Academy Sports I had every intention of buying the LCR. But after hefting them both, I went with the Smith and I've been carrying it as much as possible for the last four months, with no regrets whatsoever. The slimmer, harder grip has better concealment qualities, but wouldn't be as comfortable to shoot a lot. I recently developed a blister on my right thumb after shooting it 50+ times, many of those were +Ps. You could put larger, spongier grips on your 642. I liked the looks and apparent quality of the S&W while the LCR seemed "chintzy" by comparison, although I'm certain they too are fine weapons.
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Dale53
Member
My daily carry is the S&W Model 642 with #305 CT grips. I am very satisfied with it.
That said, I doubt that I would be unhappy if I had the Ruger. I believe that they are both good concepts.
FWIW
Dale53
That said, I doubt that I would be unhappy if I had the Ruger. I believe that they are both good concepts.
FWIW
Dale53
I have had both, and I recently bought another LCR in .357 Mag. (I traded my previous model...no reason, just needed to have something to trade, and I didn't want to trade my others.)
I have a 642-1 (no ILS) and my wife has decided she wants it...so, I got another LCR. I think either one is great for CCW; both are light and easy to shoot. I like the trigger on the LCR a bit better, and while I do carry it with .38s, I can load it with .357 if I choose...and that was the difference for me.
I have a 642-1 (no ILS) and my wife has decided she wants it...so, I got another LCR. I think either one is great for CCW; both are light and easy to shoot. I like the trigger on the LCR a bit better, and while I do carry it with .38s, I can load it with .357 if I choose...and that was the difference for me.
Up until about about a year ago, I had a 442, two 642s, a 12 and a 60 (all pre-lock). I carried one (or sometimes two) of the 442/642s for regular carry or a .45 semi-auto when I thought the risk was greater. One of my favoite dealers got a non-laser LCR in stock. I looked at the LCR on my first visit, handled it on the second and bought it from him at a gun show about a week later. I liked the way the grip fit my hand and loved the trigger pull on the LCR. I pretty much fell in love with the LCR after about 100 rounds of practice. When my dealer got another LCR in stock, I bought it for my wife. (She liked the trigger pull on my LCR too.) As the LCRs became more plentiful, I bought a third LCR for my adult daughter who doesn't carry currently. I sold the two 642s to help pay for the LCRs and I sometimes carry two LCRs, one strong side IWB and the other weak-side pocket.
bennettfam
Member
It's hard to turn my back on my 642, I like it so much, and I have always disliked plastic guns. But I would love to try out the Ruger just to see...naaaaah. I'm stickin' with the Smith. 
Thinking about this more, the Ruger has a design that simply lets you shoot it accurately. Kind of like a Browning Hi Power or a 1911, they fit your hand and they seem to hit what your aiming at repeatedly. My Smiths require me to practice more (which I enjoy) to shoot accurately.
This may not be true for everyone. It's what struck me when I tried the Ruger and no, as I said, I haven't bought one and most likely won't.
This may not be true for everyone. It's what struck me when I tried the Ruger and no, as I said, I haven't bought one and most likely won't.
chp
Member
I have J Frames and a LCR. The LCR is great, but has a weak trigger return spring - which lead me to short stroke the trigger when shooting fast. I don't short stroke my J's.
Too bad, because I otherwise love the LCR. I could train around the issue, but I'll just stick with the J Frames. YMMV
Too bad, because I otherwise love the LCR. I could train around the issue, but I'll just stick with the J Frames. YMMV
Hello folks- new to the forum here and thought I would share my LCR experience. I picked up a new LCR about two months ago. So much has been written about the lcr that I need not comment on it. I really liked it- although, I must admit I had to get over two hurdles. 1) It wasn't a Smith and 2) It was a 38; 357 is my preferred round. Anyway, after about 300 rounds I noticed the trigger pulled differently one time. I emptied the cylinder, took a look at it and the firing pin was stuck out. I tried the trigger once again and this time it froze- solid. I think there is a price to pay for such a superb trigger and that price is possibly a very weak return spring. It's been back at Ruger for about a month now and they are taking care of it. I haven't heard exactly what the problem is or got it back yet, but I'm thinking busted spring.
So, my confidence has been shaken a bit in the LCR. But, it did give me the opportunity to buy what I wanted in the first place- an M&P340: Lord willing, it should arrive at my dealer's shop tomorrow
.
I don't want to come off against Ruger here, just sharing my experience. Ruger is a class act, and they are handling it completely under warranty.
So, my confidence has been shaken a bit in the LCR. But, it did give me the opportunity to buy what I wanted in the first place- an M&P340: Lord willing, it should arrive at my dealer's shop tomorrow
. I don't want to come off against Ruger here, just sharing my experience. Ruger is a class act, and they are handling it completely under warranty.
spruce98lx
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I'm so used to the J-frame trigger, It would be difficult to get comfortable with the LCR's. I'm with CHP and will stick with my J!
madstabber
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642
i had the same problem deciding the lcr is a nice gun and i was going to buy it til i found a 642 for the same price and it was supertuned by smith so i went with the 642. you can never go wrong with a smith revolver although the lcr does have a nice trigger pull on it. reminds me of a smith.
i had the same problem deciding the lcr is a nice gun and i was going to buy it til i found a 642 for the same price and it was supertuned by smith so i went with the 642. you can never go wrong with a smith revolver although the lcr does have a nice trigger pull on it. reminds me of a smith.
I thought the LCR was a great idea, a reliable polymer .38 snub nose for 200 bucks! Then I found out they cost just as much as a highly refined and proven J-frame. There is no way poured polymer should cost as much as machined steel.
Hello folks- new to the forum here and thought I would share my LCR experience. I picked up a new LCR about two months ago. So much has been written about the lcr that I need not comment on it. I really liked it- although, I must admit I had to get over two hurdles. 1) It wasn't a Smith and 2) It was a 38; 357 is my preferred round. Anyway, after about 300 rounds I noticed the trigger pulled differently one time. I emptied the cylinder, took a look at it and the firing pin was stuck out. I tried the trigger once again and this time it froze- solid. I think there is a price to pay for such a superb trigger and that price is possibly a very weak return spring. It's been back at Ruger for about a month now and they are taking care of it. I haven't heard exactly what the problem is or got it back yet, but I'm thinking busted spring.
So, my confidence has been shaken a bit in the LCR. But, it did give me the opportunity to buy what I wanted in the first place- an M&P340: Lord willing, it should arrive at my dealer's shop tomorrow
I don't want to come off against Ruger here, just sharing my experience. Ruger is a class act, and they are handling it completely under warranty.
excellent post, this is why I began to visit forums in the first place. truthful, unbiased opinions on firearms...TY
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