Double Action Shooting, Ruger LCR VS S&W Model 64 (pics)...

[canoeguy]

I picked up a Ruger LCR in .38 Special the other day, a local shop was having a Ruger Sale, offering 25% off selected Rugers, one being an LCR. Price was $349, not a bad deal I thought, so one followed me home along with a dandy Ruger cap....

I shot it as soon as I got home, and was impressed with it's accuracy. The trigger and sights made it easy to get hits on steel at ten and 25 yards. Sights were regulated dead on too...

Here's the results, five shots on steel rabbit at ten yards, a careful two handed hold, no rest:

Eight inch steel at 25 yards. same careful two hand hold, no rest:

Ammo was a 158 grain cast lead hand load, loaded to 900 FPS according to the loading manual. Recoil was a little snappy, not bad though.


The little Ruger impressed me with it's ability to fill the role not only of a self defense revolver, but a field revolver as well. With it you could hit small game, soda cans, etc. as a companion to a shotgun or rifle in the field.

Thinking about field revolvers made me shoot the same drill the next day, double action shooting at ten and 25 yards with my best shooting field revolver, a Model 64 I have owned for the last ten years or so. It is probably the most accurate handgun I have ever owned. I have shot a lot of IDPA and PPC competition with it, all double action. I have put at least 5,000 rounds through it in practice and competition, and have gotten pretty good at hitting with it.

So, here's the results, five rounds at ten yards, careful two hand hold on steel rabbit:

Eight inch steel target at 25 yards, same two hand hold:

I think the groups were a little smaller than with the LCR, and the group at 25 yards was more centered, so this test of double action shooting goes to the Model 64. More shooting with the LCR will make me get better with it as did shooting the Model 64 a lot.

One last picture, an eight inch steel target shot at 40 yards with the Model 64, single action though. Careful two hand hold, no rest. This Model 64 is one accurate revolver!

Now looking for a belt holster for the LCR, already got an Uncle Mikes nylon pocket holster for discreet carry....

 

[Sixgun100]

Nice!

Nice shooting! Really like my LCR. Recently thought the 3 inch version would make a great lightweight field revolver. I have some extra LCR holsters. PM me if you are interested. Thanks

 

[Mister X]

My biggest complaint with the LCR was managing the trigger in rapid fire. I imagine I could adapt to it, but I didn't really see the point, so it was a no-go for me in a defense role.

 

[dubshooter]

I really liked everything about the LCR except the grip and trigger reset. Could live with the trigger, but not the grip. If they had a grip that exposed the back strap like my grips on my J Frames, I would definitely pick up another .38 version!

Good shootin!

FWIW, I liked the sourdough pancake from Simply Ruger for Belt holsters for revolvers. The LCR fit into my SP101 holster just fine. Don't know if you ordered one for an LCR if the SP101 would fit, but I would think it would.

 

[malph]

For me, the K frame is the gold standard for DA triggers. The LCR is shootable, and I own one but it still falls short od the trigger qualities for a good K frame. Thats just my opinion though.

 

[GeoJelly]

Good report and great photos sir! I especially envy the fact that you have an outdoors place to shoot. I'm stuck with $20 an hour here - standing elbow to elbow with someone else ... I have an LCR but it's a .22LR - I really like it and I think it prolly has a heavier trigger than your .38.

 

[CajunBass]

I carry my LCR in a Don Hume J.I.T belt slide. The one I've got was made for a J-frame, but the LCR fits just fine. The J.I.T. can be had for about $30.00 on Ebay.