Would Anyone Rather Carry a Ruger LCR than their J Frame??

[frankcr]

I am a Smith fan and enjoy them, but with that said, this discussion has become a Chevy/Ford fan boy game.

No one has discussed actual failings with the Ruger or a reason why it is inferior. As a result, I would take a long look at one if contemplating the purchase of a new pocket gun.

As far as elastomer vs metal goes, that is not as important as dependability and shoot ability. Cost definitely favors the Ruger in addition to flexibility of sights.

 

[66 shooter]

Either/or...I have a few Rugers and they are fine guns.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Depends on my mood. I've got several J Frames, my favorite being a 60-14 2" in .357 Mag, but it's a little heavy. I've got a Ruger LCR in .22 WMR that I really like as a pocket gun in the winter. Both have CT lasergrips. Unlike a lot of others on the forum, I change my carry guns around about like I change my shorts. Keeps life interesting.

 

[Rhetorician]

Count me in!!!!

Hey all,

I've looked at and handled a couple of the LCR's and they seem like a pretty nice CCW piece. The 357 seems to be the one that is most popular.

As I was thinking about small carry style revolvers I thought about whether there are many Smith lovers and collectors that have either went with the LCR as their first carry revolver instead of the J frame, or if anyone has put their J Frame back in the safe and started carrying the LCR.

What do you guys/gals think? Would you ever consider carrying the LCR instead of a J Frame? Why or why not?

You know the way things are these days with gun sales and availability, one could easily make the case that the LCR is the best and most economical choice, especially if you are on a budget. I also think that the LCR has a better grip that seems like it would soak up recoil better than the standard, stock grips that come on the 357mag J Frames. Those are the 2 things that I would consider when I finally do go and get my first carry revolver later this year.

I still want a J frame, a 640, 640 Pro or a 649, but I wouldn't feel totally dejected or less protected if I had to go with a Ruger LCR 357.

What do you all think of the comparisons?

Thanks for your time.

Nalajr

Dear Sir,

I started off with a Ruger 357 LCR. I learned to shoot with it. The no hammer only was a bit hard to learn now it is one of my favorite range toys. I ran across a Smith J Frame 360PD 357 for a song. Bought it for it was so cheap. But the trigger pull is horrendous. I seldom shoot it and am always comparing it to the Ruger. It is lighter and it is and will be worth more. But the Ruger is a better shooter and carrier IMHO.

My two cents worth.

rd

 

[djw54]

My only dislike is the very vertical grip angle. I prefer the "GLOCK-like" grip angle of the S&W J frames.

Bob's your uncle!

Edmo

That vertical grip was introduced on the 3" model, but is interchangeable with other grips available for the LCRx, because the grip frame is the same. The only thing to look out for is if the grip says it will work for the "x" model, since that requires a little more clearance than for the hammerless models. There are several options available through shopruger.com, as well as aftermarket grip makers like Hogue.
Hope that's helpful.

As to the original topic, I have a 442, but am looking seriously at the .327 LCR, although I'd like to see it in the 3" also.

 

[Louchia]

I own and some times carry a S&W 442. To improve the grip and reduce felt recoil, I changed to a Hogue grip. Works well for me.
I will say that the Rugar trigger while about the same weight, is a bit smother. Rugar CS is fantastic. But never had a problem with my S&W.
Tough choice.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My son-in-law has a Ruger and a 642 for the wife, that are both light weight 38 specials. They shot them and can do pretty good at hitting their targets with the 16 oz. +/- weight weapons.
However his wife Chris, did state that there was a lot of recoil for her with the factory standard loads of 148 and 158gr lead ammo.

I have two M49 all steel frame 38 specials and I gave one to my daughter-in-law, after adding some Hogue "Pink" grips, to make her happy, and she then went and qualified for he carry license.
She did not complain with any standard ammo and even did well with the factory Remingtom 158 FBI and the factory Speer 135gr SB loading with the heavier +P recoil.
Holding 21 oz. of steel can make a BIG difference to some and she liked the 135gr the best for a SD load, since it hit at POA.

I do not know if Chris has found a SD ammo load as yet.....
They have been busy and we have not been in the field for over 60 days.

A 16oz. weapon is ok for a all day carry but if you can do it with 21 oz. it is a little easier on the shooter with a J frame.

Good shooting.

 

[Officerblue]

Just bought my daughter the lcrx... she likes it because it's easier to pull the trigger... but then again she's only 15.

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

As I was thinking about small carry style revolvers I thought about whether there are many Smith lovers and collectors that have either went with the LCR as their first carry revolver instead of the J frame

What do you all think of the comparisons?

I wasn't a Smith lover in fact I had never even own a Smith. My first handgun for CCW after my permit courses was the .38 special LCR. I had bought into the hype and I'll say right here and now it is a revolution in ways and a good revolver.

But what I discovered about the hype was polymer does not work the same way on a revolver as it does on my Glock.
(and those Hogue tamers didn't work worth a darn)

Suffice to say I never even got through 40 rounds the first time out,,,Pure Brutality... Sold it and bought a 642 J-Frame, weird thing is it only weights 1.5 oz's more but shooting it is like night and day.

Ruger may know a thing or two but S&W are the masters for a reason.

 

[rwt1405]

No thank you, I'll stay with my J frames. Now if you want to talk about my Security and Speed Sixes, that's ANOTHER story!

 

[JLM]

I wasn't a Smith lover in fact I had never even own a Smith. My first handgun for CCW after my permit courses was the .38 special LCR. I had bought into the hype and I'll say right here and now it is a revolution in ways and a good revolver.

But what I discovered about the hype was polymer does not work the same way on a revolver as it does on my Glock.
(and those Hogue tamers didn't work worth a darn)

Suffice to say I never even got through 40 rounds the first time out,,,Pure Brutality... Sold it and bought a 642 J-Frame, weird thing is it only weights 1.5 oz's more but shooting it is like night and day.

Ruger may know a thing or two but S&W are the masters for a reason.

Everybody's different. I love the grips on my LCR but the only J frame I've ever shot was a 638 that belonged to my son and I hated it.

 

[snowman.45]

It would be a cold day in Hell before I'd carry the Ruger over a J-frame. I have a 340 M&P, a 640-1 and am about to get back an old 60-1 I owned in the early 80's. The LCR, which I've handles, but not shot, doesn't feel right to me. The trigger is smooth, but that's not enough for me to give up my J-frames, all of which have pretty damn good triggers, too. I bought a .38 Bodyguard for my wife, and she likes it, but I'll keep my metal J-frames.

 

[steelslaver]

Being used to S&W and their triggers, cylinder latches and the like if I want to carry a sub caliber I have a model 36 and a airweight body guard.

I don't think the LCR is a bad gun and Ruger makes some great revolvers. I will just stick with what I am familiar with. I do have a couple Ruger 22 auto pistols and one of their 1911 Commanders, plus 3 model 77s and a mini 14.

 

[dubshooter]

Have an LCR 9mm that's my BUG at work.

The new 640 will be taking it's place as soon as I qualify with it. LCR grips just don't feel right

 

[RichCapeCod]

Have an LCR 9mm that's my BUG at work.

The new 640 will be taking it's place as soon as I qualify with it. LCR grips just don't feel right

I own a number of S&W J frames (442/642/60/several 36s) and a Ruger LCR. The LCR is a good, reliable handgun. The grip just does not feel "right" for me as well. I have, beside the stock grip (which is very comfortable to shoot) the "boot" grip, which is too small for my hand, and a wood grip that's the same dimension as my stock rubber LCR grip. The stock grip is too large for pocket carry and the small grip is just uncomfortable in my hand.

As I said, nice gun but it needs a more comfortable grip for me to use the revolver.

Rich

 

[hoc9sw]

Old thread, current discussion, it seems. I bought the LCR 38, and it is collecting dust in a consignment shelf. It went back to get some issues sorted out, and then out for sale. If someone will just bite.

 

[jringo8769]

Well with all the great guns out there the Ruger would not be the one for me
U can not beat a j frame


Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

 

[Pdxrealtor]

I had an LCR. The moment I held a j-frame I knew the LCR was history. The J-frame just feels better to me.

I have a 649 for days when I do contractor work, and a 340 m&p for days I'm wearing workout shorts and thin shirts, or just want to run down to the store and not 'suit up'.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

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[haywood]

Update from my post in October. I decided I like my J-Frames better than my LCR357. In practicing with both guns I found it easy for me to not let the LCR trigger reset. Seems in quick double taps I wasn't releasing the trigger far enough. I don't have the problem with the J-Frames. I quit carrying the LCR.