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.
LCR or 442?
- Thread starter FishyOne
- Start date
baccusboy
Member
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
"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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imjin138
US Veteran
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.
chaim
Member
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).
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.
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.
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.
novalty
Member
Congrats! Ended up making the same decision myself, except my SP101 has the hammer. Took it out this weekend, here is the target of the 4 cylinder I put through it from 7 yards with some reloads I had made up--shot in double action. Not too bad I didn't think for my first revolver.
buck45
US Veteran
I've had all 3, Ruger 101, LCR and the 442. Still have the 442. 101 is too heavy. The LCR trigger isn't friendly and I don't need +P or 357 in a 2" barrel. WAY too much horse to use effectively. At self defense ranges, 10' - 30', I use target 38 ammo with full wadcutter bullets. Low recoil, accurate and fast follow up if necessary. Upgrades for the 442 are available anywhere and most 'smiths can do good work on them. Much like a small block Chevy if you're that old like me.
Thanks for the comments buck45. One question: Aren't you concerned with the limited power a standard pressure 38 load with a wadcutter would have? I'm not trying to be sarcastic but that sounds like a very weak self defense load with a solid bullet at around 700fps.
Please enlighten me if I'm wrong.
IIRC, some years ago the wadcutter was, due to bullet profile, considered a reasonable defense load for snubbies. With the advances in ammo that is no longer the case.
Of course smaller calibers like the .32 were also considered OK. Teddy Roosevelt even adopted them for the NYPD when he was police commissioner. But them back then the bad guys had enough sense to stop when they were shot.
Also don't forget, hits are most important so use whatever it takes to make them.
Of course smaller calibers like the .32 were also considered OK. Teddy Roosevelt even adopted them for the NYPD when he was police commissioner. But them back then the bad guys had enough sense to stop when they were shot.
Also don't forget, hits are most important so use whatever it takes to make them.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Based on that-hands down the Ruger SP101.
Whoops- I see you already took my advice. Good man!
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Moonman
Member
If one really WANTS A RUGER SP101,
GOOGLE Gemini Customs (Master gunsmith Marc Morganti in Kentucky).
He makes some Fabulous SP101's (looks and function) and his
wife produces some OUTSTANDING GRIPS ALSO.
Not Cheap, but then Quality Workmanship never is.
GOOGLE Gemini Customs (Master gunsmith Marc Morganti in Kentucky).
He makes some Fabulous SP101's (looks and function) and his
wife produces some OUTSTANDING GRIPS ALSO.
Not Cheap, but then Quality Workmanship never is.
imjin138
US Veteran
I am carrying an SP101 right now and love it.
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