Can't Decide. Model 317 or LCP .22

[IllinoisCCW]

I need help deciding. I like both but hearing more negative about the Ruger than the Smith.

Thoughts?

 

[IllinoisCCW]

I need help deciding. I like both but hearing more negative about the Ruger than the Smith.

Thoughts?

Sorry. LCR not LCP. Typo.

 

[samwood]

I have a LCR and 317 (3").

LCR has a much better out of the box trigger action. However its has fixed sights and mine does not shoot to point of aim (about 5" Low and 5" to the left) at 25 yards. The elevation I could take care of easy enough with a file, but not the windage.

The 317 had a poor trigger and front sight. Had both remedied by Clark's Custom. Works great for me now.

If the LCR shot to point of aim (or had adjustable sights), I'd consider the LCR a much better value. It has a smoother action than the 317 and is much less expensive.

 

[jack the toad]

What do you plan to do with it?
I have a pre-lock 3" 317 (with spring kit) that I'd likely not trade for any .22 ruger that I'm aware of. Now whether I'd buy a new 317 over a LCR, it depends.
You may get an opposite answer especially if question was posted on ruger forums.

 

[IllinoisCCW]

I have a LCR and 317 (3").

LCR has a much better out of the box trigger action. However its has fixed sights and mine does not shoot to point of aim (about 5" Low and 5" to the left) at 25 yards. The elevation I could take care of easy enough with a file, but not the windage.

The 317 had a poor trigger and front sight. Had both remedied by Clark's Custom. Works great for me now.

If the LCR shot to point of aim (or had adjustable sights), I'd consider the LCR a much better value. It has a smoother action than the 317 and is much less expensive.

This helps. I heard some reviews on the LCR stating it marks up easily...gunks up after firing only a few rounds...casing expands after firing and hard to extract and misfires after several rounds.

I really like both. The Ruger is readily available. The Smith is not and won't be in production again until November with a huge back order. I haven't heard anything negative about the Smith so I'm wondering if I should just wait.

 

[IllinoisCCW]

What do you plan to do with it?
I have a pre-lock 3" 317 (with spring kit) that I'd likely not trade for any .22 ruger that I'm aware of. Now whether I'd buy a new 317 over a LCR, it depends.
You may get an opposite answer especially if question was posted on ruger forums.

I am a Smith person so going Ruger is out of my comfort zone but tempted. I wanted this for my wife to carry in her purse. She can't handle anything higher than a .22.

 

[jack the toad]

Does your wife have a preference between the two?

 

[IllinoisCCW]

Does your wife have a preference between the two?

She likes the feel and weight of the Ruger. I just dont want a piece of junk. I want it to be reliable.

 

[VaRecon]

Having shot the LCR I really didn't care for it.
I have not handled the 317 a lot but I like the action of the S&W better.
Wilson makes a good replacement spring kit for rimfire J-frames if it's not to your liking.

 

[CWH44300]

My little kitgun (317) is a honey, I've had less than a year and wouldn't trade it for any other rimfire

 

[chp]

Throw in the 43C for consideration too. Mine's the bee's knees.

 

[IllinoisCCW]

Throw in the 43C for consideration too. Mine's the bee's knees.

Didn't see that one. I like. Just don't know if they are available. Will check with my guy tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[IllinoisCCW]

Well it's official. Went with the Ruger LCR .22 with the Crimson Trace.

My wife and I handled both the Ruger and Model 43c. I am a loyal Smith owner, owning 15 total. But the Ruger, in my non-professional opinion, was a better firearm for the following reason:

1. Smoother trigger pull. Both have a 12 to 14 lb. pull but felt the Ruger was better
2. Ergonomics. Just felt better in the hand
3. Price. With the Crimson Trace I was able to get it for $640 out the door
4. Last but most important...my wife thought it looked cool.

Over last 24 hours I did a lot of research. Both guns had good and bad reviews...mostly good for both. Both are great companies that produce quality products overall. So it really came down to looks, feel, and price.

Please no trader comments.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I have had my LCR-22 for several months and I'm happy with it. The trigger was funky compared to many others I've tried, but it gets better with use and you can stage the trigger like a pseudo-single action, pulling it about 80%, then finalizing your aim before completing the trigger pull.

I still want to try it with a larger variety of ammo. Some people have reported difficult extraction and even cylinder binding with some ammo - CCI Velocitors are one culprit I've heard about. But each cylinder is a little different, and with rimfires especially it usually pays to find out which ammo works well in the gun, then lay in a supply of it. I've tried mine with Federal bulk, CCI SGB, and some Super Colibris, with no extraction problems and the CCI having the best accuracy. These are all standard velocity or less, so I'll try some faster stuff next time.

 

[ltxi]

Awww....kinda off post, but I just gotta say this.

I had this same problem. Basically a Smith guy looking for/needing a small frame .22 DA kit gun revolver but not particularly happy with what I was finding in new production stuff...Smith or Ruger.

Happened on a nice mid '60s High Standard Sentinel snub in my LGS gun case while picking up a different gun. Problem solved for under $200. And felt sorta dumb for not thinking of something like that before.

 

[IllinoisCCW]

I have had my LCR-22 for several months and I'm happy with it. The trigger was funky compared to many others I've tried, but it gets better with use and you can stage the trigger like a pseudo-single action, pulling it about 80%, then finalizing your aim before completing the trigger pull.

I still want to try it with a larger variety of ammo. Some people have reported difficult extraction and even cylinder binding with some ammo - CCI Velocitors are one culprit I've heard about. But each cylinder is a little different, and with rimfires especially it usually pays to find out which ammo works well in the gun, then lay in a supply of it. I've tried mine with Federal bulk, CCI SGB, and some Super Colibris, with no extraction problems and the CCI having the best accuracy. These are all standard velocity or less, so I'll try some faster stuff next time.

Keep me posted. I won't get mine until next week...3 day waiting period in Illinois. Plan on reporting back after a few trips to the range.

 

[mag318]

I have a 317 2" no lock, a 43c and and LCR and I'm a diehard S&W man. That said I like the LCR22 the best out of the three. The gun just feels better in hand and has a wonderful trigger and it shoots to POA with 40 grn Federal 710 solids. The 317 and 43c are a llittle smaller and thus better for concealed carry but I like the fact the LCR has a steel and not aluminum cylinder. You won't regret your decision.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I would go with the LCR. It's cheaper and better, IMO.
Someone said they they read where someone's 22lcr "gunks up" after a few rounds. Well, you can read plenty of reviews like that about $700 617s too. I'm not bashing as I love 617s. I'm just saying it happens with 22s. A lot of that is ammo dependent.

Samwood: Send it back to Ruger. They will make it right. I had the same issue. My 357 LCR shot 2 or 3" right at 20 yards. I wondered if Ruger would just laugh at me. After all it's a self defense piece made for hitting center mass 1-10 yards. But they returned it shooting to POA. And they did it in 7 days (including a weekend).

 

[samwood]

Jayhawk,

Glad to hear Ruger fixed the problem. I assumed I'd just have to use Kentucky windage.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

It's tough to find a good .22 LR revolver these days. The LCR is well-built and reasonably priced. It has good accuracy potential for a snub. And with the 1-piece cylinder and barrel frame, there is no chance for a canted barrel.

That said, I'd trade my LCR-22 for a shooter-grade M34 in a NY minute.