All Ruger for Self Defense?

Cal44

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I posted this on the Ruger forum.

Let's see if I get different responses here. :)

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I live in an area where you need to qualify for each gun you carry and list it's serial number on your carry license.

And there is a max of three guns.

Right now I have three Smith and Wesson revolvers on my license.

But I'm coming up on a renewal in a few months.

I'm considering going with three Ruger firearms:

LCR 357 - Maybe for woods carry.
LCR 327 - Probably will be the most frequently carried
LC9 - I figure I'll put on one semi-auto in case I feel, for some reason, I might need more shots than 5 or 6.

My LC9 is the old original version, but when I first got it I couldn't hit anything. Put it in the back of the safe and left it there.

But after 4 years of practicing with DA revolvers, now the LC9 DAO trigger isn't so bad and I can hit with it.

So, am I violating a law of nature not having a Smith and Wesson on my list?

I think Ruger is on a roll these days, and S&W is kind of running on momentum and going off on tangents like internal locks, cancelling all 327 Federal firearms just when the market finally seems to be accepting that caliber, etc.
 
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If I could only choose 3 guns for carry, I'd go for a little more variety.

something like:

1) S&W 649 J Frame for pocket carry / BUG
2) Colt 1911 for large bore easy concealment IWB
3) Beretta PX4 storm subcompact .40 (small for concealment, but accepts the large magazines for more capacity).

I'd want two big(ish) guns and a small one.
 
My current list is:

431PD - 32 H&R Magnum 6 shot
49 - 38 special
60-15 - Three inch 357 Mag.

I carry the 431PD the most just because it's light and convenient.

Second is the 49. I like it, but it's kind of heavy.

And the big M60, I almost never carry. Too heavy and bulky.

I only pocket carry, and it's pretty hard to pocket carry a 3" M60.

I've toyed with dropping the 60 and the 49, and then going with the LCR 357, the 431PD, and the LC9.

I also have an LCR 9mm, but it's harder to shoot then the LC9, weighs the same, and holds fewer rounds.
 
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I would want some bigger options too. Maybe a 3" SP-101 or K/L frame for 357 mag. I always liked the idea of a 327 LCR but that would be the smallest I would want. For woods carry I would go with a Model 69 44 mag or some variation of the Glock 10mm. I actually have an IWB for a G40 and it's not that bad.
 
I cant say anything except it seems I have taken a turn toward ruger in the last few weeks, buying a steel nightwatchman commander, and a sr1911full size that I really enjoy, also ordered and receive a trio of new steel revolvers by picking up a sp101 match champion, 4" in 357, a 4" Blackhawk in 357, and a 4" gp101 in 22,

id trust any of them
 
If you "only pocket carry" as you say, and that's all you're really interested in, I'd go with what you've already "toyed with", LCR 357, LC9, S&W 431PD. That gives you three effective, ez to conceal/pocket-carry pieces.
 
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(Glad I'm in AZ where I don't have to do this.) To answer your question - no violation of law of nature. I own the following Smiths - 66-2 with 4" barrel; 5904, 6906, 63-5, and a 39-2.

Based on current ownership, I'd go with -
Ruger SP101 .357 w/ 3" barrel
Glock 43
Glock 19

My 66-2 is just too big for practical carry. 63-5 - too small caliber. 6906 and 5904 - for whatever reason, I shoot the Glocks more accurately. Additionally the 43 is easiest to conceal; and both Glocks would be easier to part with if they ended up in an evidence locker or confiscated for any reason.
 
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Are these concealed carry only? Can you wear a full-size .357 openly in the woods? CA woods contain cougars...

I've worn my M-66-3 in a Bianchi Shadow holster under a short jacket and it concealed well.

If you must have a small, powerful gun for concealed use in the woods, I'd choose my three-inch .357 SP-101. But I don't pocket carry guns.

I'd want a S&W Model 60 snub as my primary carry gun in town..

I won't own a .327. It's a fad round that won't endure, in the main. It's loud and not all stores sell the ammo. This is especially likely of stores out in the sticks.
 
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Even with a CCW, we can't open carry in the woods.

So, I'd carry one of my three concealed weapons when hiking.

I do have a 60-9 357, but it really has no clear advantage over the LCR 357 -- and it's much heavier.
 
Even with a CCW, we can't open carry in the woods.

So, I'd carry one of my three concealed weapons when hiking.

I do have a 60-9 357, but it really has no clear advantage over the LCR 357 -- and it's much heavier.


Does the LCR have a three-inch bbl.? Big difference in a small .357, and the weight helps with .357 recoil.

I don't feel the weight of my M-60-4 or SP-101 with good holsters, inside waistband or not.
 
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Ruger has been doing well....

Ruger has been doing well for a good many years now. I have nothing against them at all. In fact, I'd like to own a Security Six. But I can afford only to be picky and I don't have any Ruger's yet.

In handguns I've got 3 S&W revolvers, 2 S&W semis, A Sig, a Kel tec, a Taurus and a Springfield.

In rifles I have Savage, a Kel tec carbine and a Mosin Nagant

In shotguns I have a Browning and an Akkar.

But no Rugers. Other Rugers I would like to have are would be the Blackhawk or Redhawk in .44 magnum, their new 9mm carbine, and a 10/22.
 
I'm no fan of Ruger autos. I think they make much better wheelsman's pistols (revolvers).
 
For several reasons the current Smith & Wesson revolver product is diminished in my opinion. I've never liked Ruger products though. Since I have no need for brand new guns from either company I'm in the happy place of using older, more traditional, classic Smith & Wesson models (and a Colt Detective Special) for serious personal defense duties.
 
If you are restricting yourself to a light pocket carried gun only, either the 431PD or LCR 327 as one on your license, with the LCR 357 and the LC 9 as the other two. presuming you are equally confident and competent with all three choices. Good luck in your decision.
 
Whichever guns you shoot the best and fit into your carry routine. I'm not sure why selecting all from 1 manufacturer would be necessary.


Depending on the model selected it looks like a model 60 weighs about 4 ounces more than a LCR in .357. Unless I'm out running a marathon, I'm not sure I'd notice that difference on my waist.
 
Ruger has been doing great work lately, and have been introducing some killer new revolvers unlike S&W.

In your shoes, I'd keep the LCR327 on the list for sure.

I'm not sure if this is allowed in Cali, but if it is I'd list two 38/357 J frames to fill both front pockets or maybe front and a cargo pocket. That way if you are going someplace very sketchy, you have a BUG/NY Reload that uses the same ammo as your primary. I guess for that matter you could get another LCR327 and just carry them both.

Personally, I much prefer revolvers, but I like to carry an auto if I'm only carrying one gun due to the intrinsically quicker reloads. So if carrying two guns is not allowed, I'd keep a belt carried auto on the list. Personally, that would be a 1911 Commander, but you might prefer to add something like a Glock 30s that has a larger capacity.
 
Wow....just wow. I can't imagine limiting myself to three. At various times for various reasons (y'all figure that one out ;)), I carry a NAA .22 and I can't imagine reserving a spot for it. Other times it's either a 337 or a 638-2 but sometimes I want a lot of shots so I have my M&P9. Unless I am in court, I am usually seated somewhere where I have instant access to various stainless steel large bore snub revolvers not ordinariily suited for pocket or concealed carry, but when ya gotta go concealed sometimes ya gotta go deep
 
Even with a CCW, we can't open carry in the woods.

So, I'd carry one of my three concealed weapons when hiking.

I do have a 60-9 357, but it really has no clear advantage over the LCR 357 -- and it's much heavier.

Living in Kalifornia would suck too much for me for many reasons.
Can't open carry in the even in the woods?
JEEEZZ!!
You gotta' get outta' that damned place.
It isn't going to get better.
 
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