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

642 for me

I have carried the same 642 for the past ten years. I have never found it lacking except for capacity and reloading speed when shooting it against people carrying full-sized auto pistols in competitions. For practical use, not games, I leave my big guns at home and carry this one, 90% of the time in a horsehide pocket holster.

If I get another little revolver, I'll probably get another 642. It fits me, or I'm used to it, and I can't imagine switching at this point. I have looked at the LCR. Didn't like it in the store, wouldn't spend money on something that didn't get my attention before I bought it.
 
I've owned a 640-1 (hammerless J frame 357) for many years and recently bought an LRC in 22. This makes it very apples to oranges but I learned a few things.

J frame is dependable, powerful, heavy, and uncomfortable. So, if you can stand carrying it, that is my rec. I do not recommend using 357 magnum ammo. The report is too loud, the flash too bright, and the recoil too stinging. Better to use 38 or 38+p

The LCR 22 is lightweight and has eight shots. Unfortunately, powder builds up quickly to the point of total malfunction. Maybe the 38 special is better, but I am skeptical.

I would rather carry the Ruger LC380 over the LCR. I would rather carry my Kahr P40 over the J frame. My j frame is my night stand gun. I also have an ankle holster for it but never used it.

A revolver is extra special when, for some reason, you don't want to pick your brass off the ground. Might make a good armrest gun for the car. For me, revolvers are just too bulky for carry. If I wanted to carry a revolver, I'd carry either my 686 plus or TRR8. I believe they make a snub nose version of the 327. My favorable experience with the TRR8 makes it worth a look. I have a Crimson Trace grip on my J frame. Typically I loathe lasers and people who use them, but I despise the sights on the J frame worse. The LCR sights are no better. The LC9 is probably a step up from my LC380.

The Glock 42 is worth a look, but I expect them to have a single stack 9 and 40 at next year's SHOT show - just a wild hunch.
 
I have a model 60 J Frame in 357 with a 3 inch barrel and I have an LCR in 38. I prefer to carry the LCR when carrying off duty in the summer with an IWB holster. It is very light and I just wear a loose shirt over it. I do some PPO work and then carry the model 60 in regular holster under a sport jacket. I shoot both of them well. I guess in the end I would never choose to fight with a snubby. But small and light is important in Tesas in the summer.
 
think about the weight

If you're set on carrying with 357 loads your going to want a heavier frame to help with recovery for a second shot. I had a 360 PD, which was beautiful and easy to carry at 11.5 oz empty. However when I put some 157 gr 357 rounds through it the felt recoil was so uncomfortable that I decided I needed more weight if I was going to use full power magnum loads. I've learned my lesson, and now only shoot 38 special loads in all my J frame 38s, and reserve all 357 loads for my model 66. I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.
 
LCR is a great handgun

It is very interesting all the 'opinions' and advice you get when you ask a simple question.
I have both, and really enjoy shooting both! But... lets be realistic about what the guns are designed for. Self defense.! Will one be more reliable than the other? I doubt it. Aside from going to the range and getting VERY comfortable with it, I really dont think there is any reason to take a snubby out and plink or target shoot for accuracy. The LCR .357 with laser grip is my preferred daily 'carry' for many reasons, primarily for being lightweight. The trigger leaves much to be desired compared to S&W (I know someone else disagreed with that, but on my 2 specimens, it is true). It is very stacked compared to the J, but very useable for self defense. I shoot many rounds of .38spl through it for practice, then finish up with a few rounds in .357mag just to make sure in real life panic mode everything works. Have had zero issues with either. Aside from the initial 'jump' from the chamber to the forcing cone, I cant see any reason not to practice with .38spl rounds. The .357 is a bit punishing and muzzle blast is humbling, but if someone were shooting it at me, I think I would probably decide to leave rather than see if it will penetrate my clothes.
Thats my $0.02. Either way you go, it wont be a bad decision! (you can NEVER have too many American made guns!)
 
Either gun would do the job, but never could understand why anyone would want to carry a 5 round gun. I've had a 6 shot Colt Detective for many years; a smooth accurate gun in single or double action mode. A "J" frame feels good in the hand, but the Colt fits just as well, if not better. If you feel you need a .357. the .38 can be loaded to near .357 levels, but in a 2" gun, no mater what the brand, it might be a bit much. There are a lot of great defensive loads for the .38.
 
I'll put my .02 cents in. I carry a Ruger SP101 357 magnum. I originally wanted a 340 PD S&W heck I still want one but I could buy 2 SP101's for what the 340 costs. The SP 101 is too big for pocket carry so I am left still wanting a lighter snubby for pocket carry in the summer. I have fired the LCR and the trigger is nice and recoil is not as bad as expected. I do think the LCR is ugly but I consider it a tool. I intend to purchase an LCR in 357 when I get a chance. I still want a 340 PD but over $800 is a lot to pay for a pocket gun. Also if I spend that much for a gun I won't want to carry it.

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LCR VS -------

Wife bought a 357 LCR for intial CCW class. Easy trigger, easy recoil, straight shooter. Over 500 dry fires learning, over 500 rounds .38spl practicing. Two boxes Remingtion 125gr 357GS, then cylinder would totally lock up. Back to Ruger twice for the lockup problem, never fixed, would lock up on the first cylinder full of Rem 357's each time back. Too bad, if it wasn't for that she'd still have it. Recoil was not a factor with the LCR 357 GS ammo, in fact the grips were very effective in taming the recoil.
She now has a 342ti with DPX 38spl and CT boot grips. Shoots great, never a malfuntion. Light enough that you can forget you're carrying it.
In your decision you have to remember the intended purpose, neither are target pistols, you just want a snub to never fail to go bang.
 
I have to say WEE HOOKER sums it up well for me. In all honesty the J trigger IS tough, however, once tuned to YOUR liking, the entire package is difficult to beat. I carry 642s 24/7 one on each side in Mernickel leather as my work dictates I carry. With 10 rounds & C.T. 105 grips, I do not feel under gunned & have run this rig in matches with surprising success. An LCR...no thank you
 
Rudi2 said:
Either gun would do the job, but never could understand why anyone would want to carry a 5 round gun. I've had a 6 shot Colt Detective for many years; a smooth accurate gun in single or double action mode. A "J" frame feels good in the hand, but the Colt fits just as well, if not better. If you feel you need a .357. the .38 can be loaded to near .357 levels, but in a 2" gun, no mater what the brand, it might be a bit much. There are a lot of great defensive loads for the .38.
Click to expand...

If anyone made a 6 round j frame sized 38 or 357, I'd be all over that!


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340 pd 90% of the time and 625-10 10% of the time. Nothing wrong with the lcr but I like the s/w a little better.
 
J frame or ruger SP101 over the plastic guns every time. I shoot all of the j frames from .22 to 357 mag and all are good. SP101 is heavy but built like a tank and I carry that with federal 125 gr H.P. more often than not
 
I am 72 and carried Js for many years. Now I use an LCR with 38+P ammo and I love it! IMHO, many of these comments are made by folks who feel they are hurting S&W and really haven't tried the LCR. I also use the Crimson Trace grips and laser sight. Remember, these revolvers were designed to get you out of a tight spot, not replace a service gun.
 
I sold my 340 in favor of an LCR 38 +P. WAY more pleasant to shoot IMHO and the best action available in a snubbie (again IMHO)
 
If someone gives me one...

I'd be glad to carry an LCR every once in awhile.

Otherwise when like me you've spent years getting use to J-Frames, what's the point? I believe in the KISS principle and even if the LCR trigger pull is a little better, I got the J-Frame down by now.

If I was 20 years younger I might be more open to switching.

And of course, although it really shouldn't be a factor at all when considering a life-saving tool, those LCRs definitely are on the ugly side!
 
For a lighter pocket gun

S&W1006 said:
I'll put my .02 cents in. I carry a Ruger SP101 357 magnum. I originally wanted a 340 PD S&W heck I still want one but I could buy 2 SP101's for what the 340 costs. The SP 101 is too big for pocket carry so I am left still wanting a lighter snubby for pocket carry in the summer. I have fired the LCR and the trigger is nice and recoil is not as bad as expected. I do think the LCR is ugly but I consider it a tool. I intend to purchase an LCR in 357 when I get a chance. I still want a 340 PD but over $800 is a lot to pay for a pocket gun. Also if I spend that much for a gun I won't want to carry it.

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Click to expand...

I'd just buy a 442 or a 642 .
 
smithman 10 said:
I'd just buy a 442 or a 642 .
Click to expand...

I agree, with S&W1006 that the 340 cost more than I want to spend on a pocket gun. The 340 is the perfect snub, and is far better than the LCR.

The 442 is near perfection, in my opinion for a reasonable price.

The only thing I like about the LCR better is the rimfires can be had for the same cost as the .38. Why does S&W think the .22lr or magnum should command a premium price? When Ruger doesn't?

As far as including the SP101 in the conversation, it is apples and oranges. For me the SP101 needs a belt and hoslter, and if I am going to go that way, I want more than 5 shots. Ed.
 
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