Curiosity Regarding Ruger LCRx .38 spl +p

[Jake38]

I have been looking at this model for a while but I'm curious about it's trigger pull weight and recoil control with +p ammo. It's weight unloaded is 15.7 oz. I'm open to any advise/suggestions.

https://ruger.com/products/lcrx/specSheets/5431.html

 

[Jack B.]

I don't know about trigger pull weight but recoil is very manageable in 38+P loads. I shoot 38+P's with an LCR all the time. What's really nice is you can practice with lower power 38 special loads. With my gun they shoot to the same point of aim. I've carried mine in a pocket holster for years and the finish doesn't really show any wear. I just practice a lot so hopefully all 5 shots will count if I ever need them.

 

[Johnny Reno]

It acts like a light handgun with powerful loads should but is helped immensely with the good finger groove grips. Trigger pull is pretty typical of DAO revolvers in my opinion. I've carried mine for years and like it quite a bit. If you can, find a range that has one and go shoot it.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

Light weight revolvers are not range guns.

I have the 3" LCRx. The large Hogue Grip helps with grip and recoil. The gun will handle +P but you may not find hundreds of rounds pleasant. A heavier All Steel gun will be better at the range for shooting hundreds of rounds. If your goal is to shoot 50 +P's then you will never notice much problem.

I replaced the front sight with the one for the 22 caliber version to get 158 grain SWC bullets to shoot higher. I like the 158 grain bullet weight and the SWC paper punch ballistics... Speer makes Hollow Point SWC that are swaged and shoot straight but slow.

 

[Jake38]

I don't know about trigger pull weight but recoil is very manageable in 38+P loads. I shoot 38+P's with an LCR all the time. What's really nice is you can practice with lower power 38 special loads. With my gun they shoot to the same point of aim. I've carried mine in a pocket holster for years and the finish doesn't really show any wear. I just practice a lot so hopefully all 5 shots will count if I ever need them.

It acts like a light handgun with powerful loads should but is helped immensely with the good finger groove grips. Trigger pull is pretty typical of DAO revolvers in my opinion. I've carried mine for years and like it quite a bit. If you can, find a range that has one and go shoot it.

I will definitely shoot this one soon. Thank you for posting.

 

[Fiv3r]

The cammed trigger make it feel lighter than it is. It's got a long firm pull but doesnt really stack much. You can stack it once you learn where it breaks, but honestly I shoot it much better with a full pull through.

The chunky grips on the gun are great for making it more pleasant to shoot. They are a tad grippy/tacky for smooth pocket draw. I prefer the boot grips for that.

The .38 lcr is a nice carry gun, but I honestly found that the heavier 9mm shot better for me. I didn't notice that much difference in recoil. They both kinda suck to shoot bunch. Not painful but not fun-fun.

I'm LCR-less right now as I've traded mine off. I've nearly picked up this x model a couple of times when Rural King had them on special. I dont shoot .38 lightweights very well, though. I think I would personally be better served getting the .357 and shooting .38 through it.

 

[Tallball]

I have the LCR version and like it very much. The trigger is excellent. It is my most-carried handgun. My hands are XXL and the LCR grips didn't work for me. I put the LCRx grips on it, which are slightly larger, and now it works fine.

I own lots of handguns, but after I shot my friend's LCR, I knew that I wanted one. Luckily my LGS had a used one soon afterwards.

A 22lr LCRx is getting near the top of my wish list...

And FWIW, a little bit of weight can apparently matter a lot more than you might expect. My friend has the 357 LCR with the small grips. I can shoot 357 out of it just fine, and 38 special is NBD at all. I bought the 38 special version, which is only four ounces lighter, and had a lot of difficulty controlling it with the original small grips. I absolutely did not expect that. Luckily the LCRx grips solved the problem for me.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I can't speak for the LCRx 3" .38...I do however own a LCR .357 that weighs in at 17.1 oz. that I carry as my EDC. I shoot Remington 125 grain .38 Spcl + P's regularly with no ill effects. Dont know whether it's the extra 1+ ounce or just the way I hold it. It also has a rather light trigger pull that gets better each time I shoot it.

I suffer from severe arthritis in my hands but find LCR a comfortable shoot. I would imagine the 3 "LCRx with the larger grip would be more comfortable yet.

I do own an LCRx 3" in .22WMR which I changed out the grips to the Pachmayr Diamond Pro's which fit my hands better...of course recoil is non-existant on this model.

 

[Fiv3r]

I can't speak for the LCRx 3" .38...I do however own a LCR .357 that weighs in at 17.1 oz. that I carry as my EDC. I shoot Remington 125 grain .38 Spcl + P's regularly with no ill effects. Dont know whether it's the extra 1+ ounce or just the way I hold it. It also has a rather light trigger pull that gets better each time I shoot it.

I suffer from severe arthritis in my hands but find LCR a comfortable shoot. I would imagine the 3 "LCRx with the larger grip would be more comfortable yet.

I do own an LCRx 3" in .22WMR which I changed out the grips to the Pachmayr Diamond Pro's which fit my hands better...of course recoil is non-existant on this model.

I think the extra weight does help, which is weird. You wouldn't think it would.
I've been eyeing those .22 mag 3" models. I think i'd put on te same grip as you did. I don't need the big ol' chunky one for such a light recoil. I think the .22 mag is criminally underrated

 

[beag_nut]

My best advice is to find a range which offers rentals. No one else can predict your reactions. I have rented many handguns, and then settled on a very few, based on what happened at the range. And I have no regrets about that. Except for the piece of garbage I did not rent before I bought.

 

[ROD KLOMP]

The, LCRX handles 38 +p just fine in the 357 magnum version it's on the painful side, the LCR's are known for their nice trigger pulls, and I can attest to that, I own 4 in different caliber and think they are great, there are better small guns out there, but for the price the Ruger LCR AND LCRX are hard to beat...

 

[WheelGunMan]

...I've been eyeing those .22 mag 3" models. I think i'd put on te same grip as you did. I don't need the big ol' chunky one for such a light recoil. I think the .22 mag is criminally underrated

I looked at it for better than a year before I decided to get it. To be honest I was hoping Ruger would offer the 3" in .357 before I spent my discretionary fund.

The .22 mag is an amazing little high pressure round. I also have an LCR .22WRM that I love. I wanted the 3" barrel to take advantage of the increase in velocity that the extra 1-1/8" afforded. Surprisingly, the increase in barrel length over the LCR guiets it down considerably.

I have a Marlin 883SS that is chambered in .22mag that is a great varmint gun. The fast little round leaves a wicked wound channel.

The .22mag is a fun gun to shoot. I especially like the SA when I really want to zero in on a target. I find myself carrying it around the place as I do my chores, etc.

 

[JONWILL]

I have a S&W Bodyguard in 38. It soaks up recoil better than my 442.

 

[Buckeye63]

I do like my LCR357 ... It has a steel frame vs the Alumium frame of the LCR38 ... The added weight makes a difference with 38 +p .. The 357mag still bucks a bit ...
After the holidays, Im planning on getting a compact boot grip ...

 

[Jake38]

View attachment 816642
I do like my LCR357 ... It has a steel frame vs the Alumium frame of the LCR38 ... The added weight makes a difference with 38 +p .. The 357mag still bucks a bit ...
After the holidays, Im planning on getting a compact boot grip ...

Nice picture. Technical specs aside, I find the Ruger LCR to be very aesthetically pleasing.

 

[WheelGunMan]

Nice picture. Technical specs aside, I find the Ruger LCR to be very aesthetically pleasing.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[WheelGunMan]

View attachment 816642
I do like my LCR357 ... It has a steel frame vs the Alumium frame of the LCR38 ... The added weight makes a difference with 38 +p .. The 357mag still bucks a bit ...
After the holidays, Im planning on getting a compact boot grip ...

Totally agree with that assessment...the added weight helps some.

I added a boot grip to mine..I like that it doesn't grab my pocket when drawing...but...to be honest, I have more control with the original grip...I wish it was available with hard sides.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Like any light revolver, it is made to be carried a lot and shot a little. I have a LCR 38 and the trigger pull is very good.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

My best advice is to find a range which offers rentals. No one else can predict your reactions. I have rented many handguns, and then settled on a very few, based on what happened at the range. And I have no regrets about that. Except for the piece of garbage I did not rent before I bought.

I agree with this, especially for an airweight revolver.

 

[fordtrucks]

Totally agree with that assessment...the added weight helps some.

I added a boot grip to mine..I like that it doesn't grab my pocket when drawing...but...to be honest, I have more control with the original grip...I wish it was available with hard sides.

Yep. The boot grip works better for me as the all around grip.

Tried the original-too grabby. Tried a g10- too hard and big. Tried the crimson trace-scratches my skin if iwb, too big for pocket. Tried the old/original smaller crimson trace-too hard and hurts to shoot with it. Tried the long grip for the 3” lcr, fits good but just a bit too long for carry.

I keep going back and forth on various ones, but in the end boot grip with a high hold just works.

 

[SwampWolf]

Nice picture. Technical specs aside, I find the Ruger LCR to be very aesthetically pleasing.

I couldn't agree less. I like the LCR for a lot of reasons (an LCR chambered in .327 Federal Magnum is my favorite) but in terms of looks and appearance (obviously, entirely subjective opinion by definition), I think the LCR is one of the homeliest, butt-ugly revolvers ever made.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I think the LCR is one of the homeliest, butt-ugly revolvers ever made.

Even the starter pistol I use for dog training looks nicer than my LCR.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Even the starter pistol I use for dog training looks nicer than my LCR.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Sure it is. I guess you dog is a seeing eye dog. Obviously you are blind.

 

[Steve51]

I have the short barrel LCRx in .38+P and it is my conceal carry handgun. I am 67 yrs old and prefer .38 special defense loads. Most of my handgun shooting is with single action revolvers and most of my practice with the LCRx is single action. I did put a Crimson Trace laser grip mine and I like it. I also replaced the front sight with a XS Tritium sight.