Pocket Carry: Ruger LCR or S&W Airwieght Centennial?

[canoeguy]

I am considering getting another handgun, something for deep concealment, pocket carry in a trouser pocket, jacket pocket, etcetera. I was at the gun shop the other day and they had a Smith & Wesson 642 (with no lock!) and the Ruger LCR. Before buying one or the other, I'd like to see if any of you pocket carry one or the other, lessons learned, things to avoid...

The 642 was priced at $372, the LCR at $449, both .38 Special caliber.

I have looked at the LCP, but I'm not a fan of .380, plus it would be another caliber to buy. I have lots of .38 Special.

 

[haywood]

I have carried both. The LCR was 357 with Tamer Grip. That grip made it a little fatter for the pocket but it was great for 38 and 38+P. Recoil. With a smaller grip it would be perfect fit. The only reason I sold it was the trigger wasn’t good for me. The release was too easy and I double stroked it too often. Now my favorite, the Smith 442/642. It fits my pocket perfect with stock boot grips and not bad at all with th Hogue Tamer. The Tamer for the Smith is slimmer and a hair longer. I like the Smith Trigger better. It is a little heavier to pull but, it has a little more force on the return and I don’t double stroke in rapid double taps. If looks count I like the look of the no lock 442 better also. I always have a Boot Grip 442 in my off hand pocket with reloads in the Right pocket and today my second 442 with Tamer Grip is in my waistband. I forgot, the LCR has a replaceable front sight, but I just paint my Smith sights to see them better.

 

[GeoJelly]

I own both - but I'm not smart enough to add anything to what haywood posted!! That said, the LCR can be pretty easily upgraded to a night sight if that's important. I also own an LCP - all I can add is, based on what I've seen and heard, I wouldn't touch the new LCP II. The trigger pull is great but it really does look and act like a single-action auto. Final comment - there are things to loosen up on either revolver as a result of pocket carry. I think the LCR would be the first to suffer from this - the crane-to-frame is already slightly loose on mine. I think the cylinders on both will spring back into alignment once either revolver is drawn from the holster - but the whole concept makes me nervous!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Pocket Carry: Ruger LCR or S&W Airwieght Centennial?

I offside carry a S&W Model 642-2 in a pocket holster on duty. It’s dead bang reliable with an Apex Duty Spring Kit and a painted front sight. I’d like a Ruger LCRx 3” for hiking/bugout bag, otherwise very happy with the Centennial Airweight. It’s almost always with me unless I’m carrying my 2” M&P Airweight Model 12-2.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TomkinsSP]

As someone who has carried a J frame daily for about 40 years..

 

[Ray1970]

Over the years I've had and carried both. I had a 642, got a second 642 after leaving the first with my first wife when we divorced, later picked up an LCR in 38, ended up trading it for an LCR in 357, sold that and picked up another LCR in 38, then realized I preferred the S&W so sold the LCR and picked up a standard 442 without the lock, sold that because I favored carrying autos, then eventually ended back up with a Performance Center 442.

Anyhow, for me the main things that drove me away from the LCR were the lack of selection in replacement grips and what seemed like a larger footprint in the pocket versus the S&W. I don't like sticky rubber grips for pocket carry. They're obviously very nice for actually shooting but as far as getting the revolver in and out of a pocket I found the bulk and tackiness not to my liking.

Both are excellent choices and just because I prefer the S&W doesn't mean the Ruger wouldn't be the right choice for you.

 

[dubshooter]

I concur with the above. My LCR lasted only a few months. It was just a little bulkier. And nothing fits my hand better than a j frame with uncle mikes boot grips. So I may be a bit biased. But this is the SW board.

 

[eb07]

Own both, like both. Carried both. Shot both a lot.

Prefer the smith for the short trigger that is not as prone to short stroking. LCR trigger is longer and easy to short stroke under fast fire.

I currently carry the 442

FYI I modified my LCR boot grip to fit my hand better with a dremel and put some grip tape on it

The trigger on the LCR appears nicer when range shooting, but as soon as you start doing some high stress timed stuff, or classes where you are drawing from concealment and shooting on the run and such, the short stroking under speed and adrenaline becomes evident.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a couple 2'' J Frames, a Colt Cobra and a Ruger LCR (all 38s)

My constant companion for General use is the LCR. Its light, good trigger pull right out of the box. It is only carried in a pocket holster! Totally none detectable.

 

[Tater36]

being a smith and Wesson forum I'll give the obligatory vote for the 642...

 

[ContinentalOp]

I don't have a LCR, but when I was first buying a snub I did handle one. As some others have mentioned, I didn't like the trigger because it had a rather weak reset. I like a stronger reset when shooting DA quickly. I went with the 642-1 and have not regretted my choice. I rarely pocket carry, but it is a nice option to have.

Mine has Spegel boot grips, which are compact but hand-filling, which gives good control. Eagle, VZ, and Hogue also make boot grips. I've tried Ahrends J-frame boot grips, but they didn't work out for me; they might for you. PGS Hideout grips are a good, compact, inexpensive option (around $20 at Brownells), but they won't work with speedloaders unless you modify them. Or you may find the factory stock boot grips meet your needs.

I use a target-focused approach to aiming, so sights are less of a concern for me. I see night sights (see what I did there...? ) as a nice option, but not necessary. I did end up painting my sights black, though. My needs/wants/methods may not be the same as yours.

If I were in your shoes, between the trigger and the price difference I'd go with the 642-1.

However, either will serve you well in the intended role. Pick the one you like better.

 

[SuperMan]

Snub wise, I've owned a 42, 642, 38, 60 and 649 plus LCRs in .38, 9mm and .327... Favorite seems to be the LCR in .327. Just clocked some Federal 85 grain Low Recoil PD loads last week and they ran almost 1200 fps...and recoil isn't bad.

I do however find snubbies bulky for pocket carry and much prefer a Kahr P380. Mine has been perfectly reliable and I shot the same qualification score as my Glock 19...

Bob

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I have a 442, 642 and an LCR9. The 442/642 is lighter and easier to carry in a pocket or holster. My 642 is a pro and so I can use mooners or speed strips and I really like that, wish my 442 had the same. I would trade my LCR9 for a 940 if I could get a deal on it. I like the LCR9 a lot, but I really like the old S&W hammerless design the best. It points, balances and shoots well, with practice of course. I will say that the LCR trigger is much better, but not a deal breaker for me. If I grab something quick to take a walk or run to the store, it's nearly always my 442 or 642. The 442 would be the favored one if I would just get off my lazy you know what and send it to TKS to get the cylinder cut for moon clips.

 

[TomkinsSP]

Dry fire the 442/642 2000 times or so and it will really smooth out . At least that has been my experience. (I like to fill the lockwork space with 3in1 before I start.)

 

[canoeguy]

Lots of good feedback and info, I think I'll go back and take a close look at the S&W 642. I was really surprised to see that it didn't have the lock, I have been dismissive of modern S&W revolvers that have the lock, didn't know S&W offered the Centennials with no lock.

I also like the variety of pocket holsters and other holsters available for the S&W J frames, they have been making them for a long time so there is a lot available.

I'll let you know what I pick, and post pics of it...

Thanks.


Canoeguy

 

[TomkinsSP]

At the risk of irritating the powers that be, my issue with the lock is not cosmetic (plugs are avalible) or the tiny possibility that it could engage unilaterally (blue locktite), I dislike the fact that the frame has been machined and weakened creating the rectangular slot (not the hole) for the lock.

Maybe its just me, little alloy frames keep popping up in my path at too good to ignore prices. Maybe folks just don't realize a 17 ounce gun delivers far more felt recoil than a 24 ouncer. But you know a 148 grain LHBWC at 750 fps beats any 90-102 grain .380 hands down. Anyway my grandkids will thank me (or think of me) one day.

 

[eb07]

I have tried many different pocket holsters and the inexpensive little desantis nemesis is by far my favorite. Fits both the LCR and the Smith

 

[haywood]

I forgot to add in my earlier post. I have only found one thing that may be a problem with the J-Frame or any Snub Revolver. ADDICTION !!!!!

 

[Bill In Texas]

I pocket carry the 642's brother, the 640 all the time in a Mika holster, unless I'm wearing jeans.

My backup pocket carry is the 642's cousin, a 637 with a bobbed hammer spur. It carries very easily in a DeSantis Superfly holster.

I love the deep concealment pocket carry offers, especially in a front pocket. I can have my hand on the gun to draw if needed and no one knows.

 

[Whitwabit]

You might like either the Sig P238 or its big brother Sig P938 ..

Mini 1911 style pistols .. I have the 238 its in 38 ACP while the 938 is in 9mm and just slightly larger .. both easily carried in a pants pocket or jacket pocket as I do ..

I've even carried it in a soft holster in a snap shut shirt pocket