LCR or 442?

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FishyOne

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I want to buy a snubby revolver for concealed carry. I've decided not to go with a semi-auto and am looking at a Ruger LCR and a S&W 442.

Can you guys recommend one over the other or another snubby that fits the bill?

Any input is appreciated!
 
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Just went through a similar search, and ended up with a Ruger SP101 (hope I made the right decision). But I handled and dry fired both the LCR and the 442, and don't think you would go wrong with either choice. If you can get out and handle each of them, you might find one has a grip that fits your hand better. Both I would guess are going to feel pretty snappy with +P rounds, given that they both weight in around a pound. Both have 1 7/8 barrels, and have almost identical OAL's, and both will conceal well. Another one in the same category as the LCR is Smith's Bodyguard, which I found their cylinder release a little intriguing, being mounted on the top. Good luck in your decision, I know it's a tough one given the number of great carry revolvers available.
 
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While both are good I prefer the 442 b/c the selection of after market grips will be wider, allowing for everything from belt to pocket carry. From what I've seen the LCR has a rubber grip that is a comfort at the range, but could pose a problem if you want to pocket your gun. The LCR does have a slightly better trigger, but I'm used to the J S&W's.

MY EDC has been some sort of J (a 442 now) for a long time so my opinion my not be unbiased.
 
While I don't have either one now (I opted to go with the Shield when it came out) I have had both revolvers in the past. My personal preference would be the LCR in .357, loaded with .38 special (such as Hornady Critical Defense.) The LCR is a little bigger and heavier, but I found it to be more comfortable, and the trigger is so much better. I carried mine in a Mika front pocket holster.
 
I wanted to add a smaller, easier to conceal revolver and I too looked at the Ruger LCR, in .38 and .357 and the M442 and M642. In my opinion, the LCR had the best trigger. The LCR is also a little different looking, and I liked the way it looked. However, I went with a M642 for a couple of reason. As was mentioned earlier, a vast selection of grips are available for the M642, so I was able to pick up some nice CT laser grips at a very reasonalbe price to help in my target acquisition. Secondly, I acutally shot the M642 more accurately than the Ruger, even without the CT grips. So, I went with the M642.
 
FishyOne,

If your plan is to shoot 38+P's, why not just purchase the standard LCR 38 which is +P rated.

Shooting 357's in snubby type revolvers is BRUTAL, +P's are bad enough.

357's can OVER PENETRATE and leave you with legal issues in a defensive shooting situation.

Snubby's are EXPERT type revolvers and as such require a great deal of continuous practice to remain proficient with them.
 
I chose a 442 because it's a long established design, has a lot of aftermarket support and I'm not too hip on the idea of a plastic revolver. The weight savings is minimal and it seems as if a polymer was used just to make it "new" and "modern."
 
Fondle both, see which feels better to you.

I have a 642. When the LCR came out, I was surprised how much better it felt in my hand. If doing it over, I would buy the Ruger.

But it's about how they feel to you.
 
Thanks. Im leaning to the 357 chambering because it's a slightly heavier/beefier revolver that should make the P+ rounds more manageable. Am I right? That's just my thinking. It's only $50 more and dropping $400 for a 38sp P+ vs. $450 for the 357 isn't that big a deal.

I handled the LCR and 442 at a local shop today and the LCR's Hogue grip was really nice. 442 is a sweet little revolver though and I am a Smith guy at heart.
 
Moonman said:
FishyOne,

If your plan is to shoot 38+P's, why not just purchase the standard LCR 38 which is +P rated.
Click to expand...

I know you didn't address this question to me, but since I bought the .357 model vs the .38 model, I'll give my answer. I bought the .357 model since it is about 3 oz heavier than the .38 model, which didn't significantly impact the way it felt to carry, but I thought it might help with recoil and durability. Also, the .357 model has a steel frame versus the aluminum frame on the .38 model, which should help reduce flame cutting.
 
The 442 is great, but I have to say that the LCR has a better trigger is more comfortable for me to shoot even with the smaller Ruger Hogue boot grips.
 
Either will work well. If I was a brand new shooter, I would probably go with the Ruger because of the trigger is fantastic right out of the box and it's easy to put a good front sight on the Ruger.
 
I've had two 642s and a 442. I bought an LCR and fired about 30 rounds thru it before realizing the recoil was terrible. The trigger was better until you put the Apex kit in the Smiths and then there's NO comparison. Get the Smith and if you do go for the LCR, get the .38.
When considering a gun, I will look at how many people are selling theirs pretty quickly. Try that,it may help you decide.
 
I agree the LCR has a better trigger out of the box, but I did the Apex trigger job on my 642 and that improved things a lot. Also, grips can be changed on the S&W Airweights, although not on the BG38. I owned one but sold it and kept the 642.
 
I bought a 642 for the front pocket, but the cylinder bulge was too noticeable, at least to me. I decided on a LCP because it is much slimmer. Triggers on both are terrible, but I don't shoot either too often.
 
I sold the LCR and bought a 442. The wife thought the LCR was too snappy and hurt her hand. I prefer the LCR trigger, but the grip on the 442 is more comfortable. Same price range, both great guns.
 
I dry-fired my 642 a few thousand times. That smoothed out the trigger considerably. Also strengthened my off-side hand.
 
I liked my 442 best for pocket carry but, 357 was always my favorite caliber. I carried a SP101 IWB and my 442 in the pocket. I like the looks of the 442, if that counts, and it fits my hand well. Then along comes the LCR 357. My friend/Boss who owns the Store I work at new I was a 357 Fanatic and ordered me the LCR 357. It carries in the pocket almost as good as the 442 and handles 357 Defense Rounds OK. The Defense Rounds are rated to be very effective with low flash powders. If you shoot standard 357 125G. HP, it can get a little violent. I still carry the 442 at times but The SP101 AIWB and the LCR 357 in the off hand pocket is my 99% of the time carry. If you don't intend to shoot 357 then it would just depend on which gun you like better. The LCR 357 with Tamer Grip handles 38 Special +P like a dream. You could shoot it all day, no pain. My 442 with stock grip is not as comfortable but, you could change grips. I never herd anyone that enjoyed shooting the 357 out of a J-Frame.
 
I have dry fired both at the local shop and ordered up a 442. Sucks that it is on back order and has been for a while. I cant wait till it comes in so i can hit the range.
 
This may help:


"Ruger LCR, S&W 442 and S&W 342" shooting identical loads with live commentary. Just keep in mind that the 442 has the CT laser grips, which provide more padding than the base grips of the 442. He comments on that at the very end. With the base grips, the 442 used to hurt him, but the CT grips add a lot of padding. I lean towards the LCR, but the 442 with the CT grips would be a great gun.

Ruger LCR vs S&W lightweight Revolvers - YouTube
 
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I have had a carried both and now I have an SP101, I didn't like the LCR at all and the 442 was better but I am leary of light weight guns. So I went through a few changes and bought the SP101 and carry it every day.
 
You don't mention how you plan to carry.

If you plan to carry in your pocket, either will be a good choice. I have had a 442 for several years now. I love it for carry and it is the gun that most often comes with me when I go out of state (I can't carry in MD, the CCW is near impossible to get). At the range though it ranges from snappy to almost brutal depending upon the ammo used (.38+P out of the 15oz 442 is less comfortable than .357mag out of my 26oz Rossi 451 snub and magnums out of the Rossi are not exactly fun). The light weight that is uncomfortable at the range, and makes for slower follow up shots, is very helpful with pocket carry though: my 442 is very nice in my front pockets, my all steel Taurus 85CH is pushing the limits for pocket carry (though it is doable with a good holster).

I don't know how it compares in comfort at the range, but the Ruger does look interesting. Still, I'm not 100% sold on polymer for revolvers, but then, it took a while for me to be convinced on autos and now I love it (I have 4 polymer autos now and I'm in the market for another).

If you plan to belt carry or use an IWB holster, the low weight of the 442 or LCR go from advantages to disadvantages. The 20oz weight (+/- a few) of a .38spl snub carries quite comfortably in an IWB holster. If you weren't planning on pocket carry or just very occasional pocket carry, I'd go for a steel S&W 36 or 60 (or the Taurus equivalents) and sacrifice some pocketability for more controllable follow-up shots and more comfort at the range (more comfort = more practice = more familiarity and better accuracy with the gun).
 
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To add to the previous post with regard to carry methods, if you don't plan on pocket carry I'd think about something a bit larger than a 2" j-frame size gun. A short barrel, 2-1/2 or 3" sp101 would be as easy to conceal and a bunch easier to shoot.

As far as the two you mentioned I think I'd go with the 442 for the same reasons mention above.
 
Thanks chaim. You comments are well taken. I am also considering a Model 60 or an SP101 with a 2" barrel. This gun will only be pocket carried occasionally. It will primarily be in the console of my Impala. : )

I really want to pick up a good snubby because I don't own one at the moment. It doesn't need to be an Airweight or LCR.
 
Got to say I have (had) the sp101 DAO little extra heft helps with recoil. Even so after the wife tried it she took it from me for herself to carry. So will definitely be getting another one four myself.
 
chad03109 said:
Got to say I have (had) the sp101 DAO little extra heft helps with recoil. Even so after the wife tried it she took it from me for herself to carry. So will definitely be getting another one four myself.
Click to expand...

I went with the Ruger SP101 2 1/4" 357 DAO. I like the extra weight (25oz) and the ability to load 357 if needed. $499 out the door.

Trigger is pretty smooth right out of the box. Can't wait to get it to the range.

Thanks to all for the comments and advice!

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