I wanted to post an update to this a year later. After shooting and carrying the 442 for a while.
My 442-1 is great and it is my EDC carry in the summer. I haven't had an issue with it at all. I have thousands of dry fires (with snap caps) and a little over 2500 rounds through it. Mostly 130 or 135 gr +P reloads pushing 850-900 fps depending upon the weather ( hotter is faster). It is accurate and I have yet to short stroke it. I have done two point shooting/shoot on the move classes with it to date. One being a night class. It handled itself well.
Other than putting some glow on paint on the front and rear sights, some grip tape on the back-strap to help my busted and recovering hand, and the altamonte wood boot grips, I haven't upgraded it at all internally. It is just beginning to show a turn line
I am dropping it off with Nelson Ford tomorrow so he can perform his trigger magic on it. I decided to do so because these old revolver smiths aren't getting any younger and will be retiring soon and I want to get the work done now before I regret not doing so. It will have company in the form of my 29-2 which is in need of a go over so it will not be alone.
The 357 LCR will be my carry gun this summer for the next 30 or so days while it is in the shop. It kind of got pushed out by the Charter 44 for winter carry. You have all read before that it is well over 6.5K in round count and thousands of dry fires ( with snap caps). I still love it and it handles 357 great but the long trigger caused some serious short stroking, especially when I run pistol classes that require drawing from concealment, moving, and firing quickly. Something I have yet to experience with my 442 due to the shorter travel and reset. That and 357 reloads just don't work in the speed loaders due to length, you have to stick to 38's so the grip doesn't become a factor.
The mods I have done to it are putting some glow on paint front and rear sights and the extensive boot grip modifications I made with a dremel and addition of some grip tape, again to help my busted hand.It shows a little more wear due to more carry and more shooting. I have done five point shooting/shoot on the move classes with it.
To date the only breakage was that dust cover on the trigger pivot pin that you can see in the photo and Ruger sent me a replacement no questions asked. It really have been a great little revolver.
My conclusion still stands after a year:
Where the K-LCR excels over all others is it's ability to absorb the recoil of 357 magnum rounds traveling 1000 fps + out of it. For that reason alone it is superior to all others in it's class. It has no equal in it's size and weight range.
When we are talking 38+P only, the 442/642 air weights are the cream of the crop for lightweight j frames. They are plain better than both LCR's and are my choice for lightweight 38 carry.
Glow on paint for the 442 below in case anyone was interested. Pretty much applies with a toothpick, allowed to dry, then sealed with some clear nail polish. One quick hit with a tac light and the sights glow for 2-5 minutes which is a good amount of time. Hit them again to reset it. I like it. Inexpensive and practical. Worked well in a night course I ran with it.
I'm gonna miss this girl while Nelson has her but I am sure she is going to come back with a much better trigger that I will appreciate like I do on the model 19 he took in a while back.
