J-Frame Centennial 642 vs Ruger LCR

[Karl in NY]

I have offered to buy my GF a light .38 DAO revolver, since it will be her first concealed-carry gun, and first gun of any type, and she has limited ability to withdraw a slide on a .380 semi-auto, due to wrist problems.

She handled both the 442 and the LCR....and was leaning toward the Ruger. I have personally owned close to a dozen J-Frames and know them well...the first time I handled an LCR was when she did, at a gun store.

I realize I'm on an S&W forum, but would like an objective comparison. She would likely be using reduced-recoil rounds (Hornady Critical Defense Lite?) and the gun would have a laser sight, like Crimson Trace.

Opinions?

 

[pineappleshooter]

Rugers has a better trigger (yes I own both) and excellent recoil absorbing grips. If you go the CT route you will lose the benefit of the nice grips - the Ruger CT grips are way smaller and firmer than the stock LCR grips. Both shoot great!

 

[Old cop]

If at all possible let her shoot both somewhere where they rent them. These are not guns for novice shooters b/c of the hard recoil, even w/standard pressure loads.

I have shot the Ruger and while the trigger is better I still prefer the S&W b/c the difference in trigger pull is slight.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Has she shot either of them?

Since this is her first I'd buy a all steel J-frame and put some Hogue tamers or Pachmayer compac or the .357 LCR (not to shoot .357 out of, just since it weighs more.) and buy a .22lr version for practice.

The best way is for her to try shooting different handguns to see what she likes.

A .32 H&R magnum J-frame would be very good as well.

 

[g8rb8]

......since it will be her first .....gun of any type......

She handled both the 442 and the LCR...

Opinions?

If at all possible let her shoot both somewhere where they rent them. These are not guns for novice shooters.....

Either gun has too much recoil for a beginning shooter.

..look at buying her a used ... .22 .......... After she's mastered that, then I'd take her to the range and let her shoot the light weight .38's. That's what I did with my wife. She quickly decided she wanted no part of the .38's. I ended up splitting the difference and bought her a .32 mag J frame. It may not be the ideal caliber, but six in the 9-10 ring will do the job. She can shoot that well, so I feel comfortable she can defend herself with it.

JMO

Karl in NY,

I will echo the above advice. If she is a novice then introduce her to shooting with a .22, either borrowed, rented, or bought. After she is very comfortable with that then let her shoot a full size .38 special before progressing the lightweight snub nose .38. It's important to build confidence and make it an enjoyable experience. After safety issues trigger control is the most important fundamental IMO and it's easier to master if there is no flinching. Slowly progress up in caliber and slowly down in size and weight.

On the other hand if she's already experienced then go with the advice from Old cop and see if she can try both out at a range where they rent them or by some other arrangement.

I have no experience with the Ruger but as best I can tell, from examining it and reading about it and hearing a few other's experiences, the Ruger is a good item. S&W J-frames are good items from my experience.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[Karl in NY]

My thought was to start her off on light target .38 handloads, and gradually move-up to heavier loads as she progresses. I have doubts about her ever being able to master iron sights, thus the laser, which will also teach her trigger discipline while dry-firing.

She shot my Ruger LCP .380 and was basically afraid of it, so we moved to the GP-100 with light loads...but, a heavy gun with little recoil or blast with light loads. Her demands are light weight, concealable, reliable, and something that will stop an aggressor, without shooting becoming a hobby for her.

Most of the petite females in my previous agency started out training with 9mm +P+, having never shot a gun before in their lives. But, this lady needs something more intuitive than a 9mm auto, hence my revolver recommendation...easy to render safe and obvious when it is.

 

[shouldazagged]

Her insistence on light weight naturally carries with it the certainty of sharper recoil. Unavoidable tradeoff, though it can be mitigated somewhat. A steel J-frame in .38 Special will weigh in at only about 21 ounces, just half again the weight of the 642. Would that be too heavy for her to consider? I have no experience with the LCR, but I trust steel Smith J-frames implicitly.

 

[Doug M.]

Putting aside all the excellent advice about new shooters, small revolvers, and the like already posted, there is really nothing wrong with a standard velocity wadcutter or semi-wadcutter in a snubby. I tend to think that at least finding a .22 LCR and having her try it, and work from there, has a lot of value.

 

[eveled]

The only advantage I have ever seen to the Ruger is the cost of the .22lr version. The same cost as the .38 special version. I like to have a .22lr version of a carry gun for training and plinking. .22 j frames cost too much money IMHO.

I would start her with the .22 lcr, then after she shoots it for a while graduate her to the .38, no harm in having a cheap to shoot trainer gun exactly like her primary. Ed

 

[Rick_A]

A 22 mag might be a good compromise. Ammo availability is just spotty right now.

 

[eb07]

I did a long term on the ruger here:

Ruger LCR 357 Long Term Review | The Desert's Edge


I like it very much.

 

[javbike]

I would have her get the j frame put a Wilson combat tune spring kit and she is good to go

 

[petepeterson]

I would have her get the j frame put a Wilson combat tune spring kit and she is good to go

Hopefully, they're not still on the fence after 8 years....

 

[crstrode]

I did a long term on the ruger here:

Ruger LCR 357 Long Term Review | The Desert's Edge


I like it very much.

Is your review available elsewhere?
Or did you change your mind . . .

 

[stansdds]

Wow! This thread died 8 years ago.