Ruger LCR vs. S&W snubbies

[CurtisC]

Some people are fine with the LCR trigger reset. I, however, have had major problems with short-stroking it when simply trying to shoot it quickly. Under extreme duress, I am not confident it would go boom every time I pulled the trigger.

I ruled it out on that basis alone.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Has a LCR that locked up while dry firing before I ever put ammo in it. Sent it back and Ruger replaced the entire guts of the gun. Swapped it with some boot for a stainless Colt Series 80 government model. Done with both the Ruger and Smith plastic revolvers. Stick with a century old J frame lock work. It works. Found a nice pre lock 638-2 and am quite happy with my small revolvers. If it's steel I want nothing is better than an SP101 snub-maybe a K6 but for light weight alloy revolvers ya can't beat the S&W's.

 

[Old cop]

I own both. I have about 6,000 rounds through my LCR 357. I would say about 60%, 357 and the other 40% plus p38



The trigger on the LCR is not better than the Smith & Wesson. It has a very long reset and is prone to short stroking under pressure. Whilt it seems like it's better when you first start shooting it, when you start working it in draw present and fire, and in high stress time situations, And on the move one handed, you start to see it's shortcomings.



I much prefer the Smith & Wesson trigger that has been properly broken in by just shooting it for a thousand or so rounds or a nice trigger job by a master like Nelson Ford or Frank Glenn.



That being said, what the Ruger LCR has going for it is recoil is a lot better with plus p and 357 rounds, and the ability to change the front sight is also a plus.



Not all speed loaders work with the LCR that work with the j frame, The LCR has a limited grip choice, And the LCR is a little bit bigger when it comes to pocket carry even with the boot grip.

I rented the LCR and repeatedly had the trigger short stroke experience. While this is a training issue I've been shooting J Frames for about 50 years and handling one comes second nature. I own both an older Model 60 & a 340PD and the latter is the one carried daily. Hard for this old dog to learn new stuff.

 

[inspcalahan]

I've carried J frames for years and years, out of convenience because honestly, they are about as difficult to shoot at anything more than contact distance as it would get.

Then I met the new Colt Night Cobra (not so new now..) and I haven't looked back. It isn't quite as small but you sure can shoot it better. The extra round is a bonus but simply put, it's a fighting handgun if you need one. I'll trade up a few ounces in weight and a bit in size, which is easy as i'm 6'4" 230, for a gun that you can shoot hard, fast, reload and do it all again, all while getting hits and not destroying the bones in your hand.

I call it progress for revolvers.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I own a LCR, shoot it in our IDPA Back up Gun matches- it simply works for me so am happy with it and see no need to replace it w/ J frame.

 

[seldon14]

No one has tried to put a lock on an LCR (and I've had a lock fail on a J-frame and don't want one on my gun - please don't make this about the locks; I mention it only because it's a consideration of mine and it's why I bought the LCRs instead of the Js I could find at the time). Equivalent gun for gun, the LCRs are marginally lighter than the Js.

LCRs have had internal locks actually. Not sure when they started, or stopped for sure, but there are LCRs with internal locks, you have to remove the grips to access them.

 

[Radny97]

LCRs have had internal locks actually. Not sure when they started, or stopped for sure, but there are LCRs with internal locks, you have to remove the grips to access them.

Yes they were very early in production. I had one, ended up selling it because it would shoot without the cylinder being all the way closed causing a safety issue. That safety issue was somehow related to the internal lock and I think that's why they got rid of it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mikeruns]

I bought a used like new condition LCR hammerless 2" in .22 lr...
The trigger is HEAVY...but with practice it is pretty accurate...the .22 is more expensive usually and when I spotted it at a show marked $300 I just went for it. 8 shot capacity and as a kit gun it is very handy and keeps a cherry model 34 snub from gettingbounced around and I just don't worry about bumps and bruises on it. I hear the centerfire versions have better triggers but I've got a 642 in .38 and a 2.25" SP101 .357 that cures that itch already...cheers! Love the 642 fwiw... The gun is very light and the difference between 11 or 14 ounces can't be any different feeling in my pocket or holster...maybe if a person weighed 70 lbs or is very weak, then they could see a big difference in either fly weight gun fwiw...

 

[BigBill]

I am currently testing a Ruger SP-101 .357 with 2 3/4" inch barrel.
So far I am impressed.

Ive owned a ruger Police servicesix 357/2 3/4" barrel since'76.its been awesome but I dont care for snobbiest

 

[twodog max]

I got my LCRx out a shot it some after this thread started. It always went boom and at 7 yards was certainly adequate for defensive purpose. It is one revolver that if someone comes by and want to buy it there will be a new owner and I will go back to carrying my 19-5 2 1/2 incher. Yes it is heavier but mine had the pretty off it years ago by honest use and I shoot it much better. Much better.

 

[message_board_expert]

If one believes in the 32 H&R MAG, Ruger and Charter are the only sources of handguns of that caliber. Nuff said.

Except to say the resurrection by Smith of the 631PD and 632PD
J frames remains the holy grail of pocket revolver aficionados.