LCR Range Review

[Skribs]

Back in June, I got myself a shiny (well, Polymer isn't shiny, but) new Ruger LCR. I was fishing for the .357 version, but after several stores said "good luck getting one", I decided to get the .38 model.

As a point of reference, this is my backup backup gun. I have a Ruger LCP which is my primary pocket pistol, but I wanted something to have in the safe in case my LCP breaks that I can carry until my LCP is fixed. This is a philosophy I adopted after my SuperNova broke and required a new stock, and I went out and immediately bought a Mossberg 930. So I will be comparing the LCR to the LCP in this post, as that is the most relevant comparison for me.

I ordered the boot grip after reading several people complain about pocket carrying with the rubber grip and I painted the front sight with 3 layers of sight paint: white, yellow, and orange. The result is something that is comfortable to carry and draw, and a front sight that is a very bright orange and easy to pick up.

I carry in a DeSantis Nemesis, which is IMO the best pocket holster on the market. I've tried other brands and I've tried DeSantis' other products, the original Nemesis is king.

Range Report

Today I fired a total of 45 rounds of .38 and 5 rounds of .38 + P. I'm guessing any inaccuracies were shooter error and not on the fault of the pistol, but the combination of my ability and the revolver were "good enough" at the ranges I'd expect to need it.

While the math suggests that this gun would have more recoil than my LCP (Genitron estimates 6.6 lb. for the LCP and 7.4 for the LCR), the LCR doesn't sting as much. I think it's because the boot grip on the LCR offers more purchase than the LCP's skinny little grip. I would imagine the Hogue rubber grip would sting even less, because there is more grip surface and an extra half ounce of material.

You definitely notice the difference between .38 and .38 +P, though. While I wouldn't want to go through thousands of rounds of either, I could probably do 100 or 200 of the .38, but wouldn't want to do more than 10 or 20 of the +P rounds. Those stung.

The trigger of this thing is amazing. I let someone else shoot it, and he said "that's a great action." The reviews I'd read saying "best DA revolver trigger" were a big reason I chose the LCR over competitors options, and I am not disappointed.

I only have one complaint regarding the design: The boot grip has a thumb cut that's designed for a right-handed shooter. Would be a bit more comfortable for me if they had a left-handed version.

Will this take over my LCP as my primary pocket pistol? No. My LCP holds an extra round, reloads easier, and takes up significantly less space in my pocket. However, I am not disappointed with my LCR, and I'm glad I have it as a backup or even an alternate choice.

 

[riceboy72]

Good write up, Skribs. Glad you enjoy the new, uh, iron.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Give it time. Your LCR will indeed replace the LCP.


IT just shoots and carries so nice, offers a little more in terms of penetration and being a wheelgun is so easy to live with day to day. (No bullet setback concerns from unloading expensive carry ammo)


I don't have a LCP but I have it's direct predecessor the P32 and my LCR put it into the "gun clock" full time.

 

[Skribs]

For the purpose of being in the pocket and hoping to never be used, the LCP does it better

I have no doubt that the LCR is a nice gun, like I said. But it's kind of like picking a cheese. Yes, provolone is better than cheeze whiz, but cheeze whiz makes better nachos.

 

[riceboy72]

But it's kind of like picking a cheese. Yes, provolone is better than cheeze whiz, but cheeze whiz makes better nachos.

Skribs, Skribs, Skribs. I need to take you out for real nachos.

Are you carrying speed strips or any reloads, and what ammo did you wind up with in the gun?

 

[Skribs]

Yes, I have speed strips. I find I like speed strips > no reload > speed loaders > loose rounds in the pocket.

I have some PDX1s. I wanted Gold Dots or XTP rounds, but the store didn't have them when I bought the gun, and I figure these will probably work just as well.

 

[Schwing]

Since I purchased my LCR, the lcp hasn't left the safe

 

[Skribs]

Update: the web on my left hand (my shooting hand) is sore.

 

[Haywood]

I have the LCR357. Full house 357 ammo stings and is not fun for me. Midrange including several Self Defence loadings are easier on the hand. +P 38 and regular 38 are way more fun. After about 2500 rounds of the mid range 357 I switched to shooting mostly 38 and 38+P. I carry this gun every day. Either main gun or backup.

 

[Skribs]

My hand is feeling mostly better today. The nice thing about the 357 model is it weighs a few more ounces, so it handles .38s better than the .38 model. However, the .38 model had 3 distinct advantages for me, in ascending order of value:

1) The .38 model won't gum up when shooting .38s
2) The .38 model being lighter also makes it easier to carry
3) Stores actually had the .38 model

 

[antiquus]

I bought them in reverse order, the LCP was to replace an LCR the wife absconded with.

I could and have shot the LCR all day with WWB level ammo. 25 rounds with +P ammo is enough though.

I was really unhappy with the LCP's grip, since my LCR was the original Hogue gelpack and the LCP felt very slippery and hard in comparison. Fortunately Hogue sells a wrap for the LCP which helps things a lot, and with a Gallway Precision trigger guard, a Pierce Grips grip extension for the magazine and a belt clip from Techna Clip it's now my first choice for nearly naked carry, it's light enough no gun belt needed, and almost no belt at all, it can be hooked inside whatever I'm wearing safely. I usually hook it next to a belt loop UNDER the belt so as near nothing shows as possible and tie the loop on the trigger guard on the belt loop so it's removed in a draw.

OTOH, the LCR only needs a pocket holster, and the draw is much faster and putting my hand on it is unobtrusive. Given a situation where I need either, they both have advantages, but I'd take knock down power over capacity, as every stat I've seen for self defense shootings including surprised LEOs are overwhelmingly less than four shots, most less than two. Also the LCR gets the nod for very close quarters protection, the LCR being very difficult to render inoperable, while the LCP does have an eject button for the ammo (but fortunately no missing mag block), won't fire if the slide is pushed out of battery, and if fired with someone gripping the slide ends up with a FTE and then needs to be cleared.

So know you know why snubbies are still a thing.

I eventually got my LCR back, but I'd bought several snubbies by then and it's now in the rotation, and still my choice for pocket carry. The wife now bag carries an L frame 7 shot airweight, that woman is dangerous.

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

I think that the "thumb cut" is there to allow use of a speedloader.

What specific ammo did you fire through it?

 

[moxie]

I like the Nemesis too, but is a bit too wide for some pockets, especially shorts and jeans. For those I use an Uncle Mike's #3.

For ammo I prefer the 125 +P Golden Saber. I get better accuracy than with the GD short barrel. Here's a good deal:
http://www.ammunitiondepot.com/Remington-38-Special-Golden-Saber-125-Grain-P-p/gs38sb.htm

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I love my LCR! It's really stealing a lot of CCW time from my full sized autos. In the summer it's hard to justify strapping on my HK P30S since it's so easy to carry the LCR. I carry it IWB in a Garrett Industries holster. Right now I do have one pocket holster but I don't carry it that way.

It's a great shooter! You're right on- the trigger is fantastic. I'll probably never buy another J-frame, the Ruger is awesome.

The only very minor thing I've kind of waffled on is the whole hammer/hammerless issue. I got the one with no exposed hammer on purpose. Over the years I've had five or six snubbies, all with exposed hammers. And invariably when I'd go to the range I found myself thumb cocking before every shot! If I ever needed the gun in a defensive situation there'd be no chance to work SA. With the LCR there's no SA option, so I'm forced to get my practice DA.

But now there's a version with a hammer, the LCRx. Despite my deliberate decision to get a gun w/o an exposed hammer I find myself lusting for the new version. Although one would rarely "need" the ability to fire SA it could be useful in limited situations. The main one that comes to mine would be an active shooter situation. If forced to take a longish shot at a gunman with superior armament the ability to take a single action shot could save the day, possibly. It would also be useful for hiking/camping if I had to shoot an animal (either for survival hunting or to save a dog from a rabid coon, something I have had to do while camping before).

 

[oldcelt]

I have had an LCRx for about 4 months and the more I shoot it the more I like it. I shoot it mostly d a because its so easy. Plus P sessions are only 20 rounds, standard 38s, I do about 50 rounds at a session. This is a great snubbie out of the box.

 

[RustyShackelford]

LCR .38spl with Lasermax Crossfire.....

My good friend purchased a NIB Ruger LCR .38spl with a Lasermax red laser for $500.00 total(FFL transfer included).
The Ruger snub included a Davidson's Lifetime service plan, .
We shot about 200 JHPs thru it with no issues. Our other friend didn't care for it, but he likes pistols more.
I was impressed with the LCR. The factory grips were okay(I'm left handed) but I might opt for the Crimson Trace lasergrip, www.Crimsontrace.com . I owned a CT lasergrip in the early 2000s for my snub Taurus Ti Protector .357magnum. It worked well but to get the best marksmanship, you may need to adjust the point of aim/point of impact. The same points go for the LCR format Lasermax units.
My friend uses www.mpro7.com LPX for cleaning/gun care & loads the LCR with Corbon DPX .38spl +P; www.Shopcorbon.com for home protection. He does not want to store it in his SUV nor does he want a valid CCW at this time.
I saw a source for low cost Ruger LCRs(like super low). I might get a .357magnum myself or I might buy a NIB LCR with a red dot laser in .22wmr .
Video host & 2A supporter Gunblast(who's also left handed) gave a + review to the ".22magnum" LCR and said it could do well for CQB type concealed uses.
Watch Gunblast's clips on Youtube.com .
As for defense loads in the LCR, Id buy the Speer Gold Dot 135gr JHP +P, the Corbon DPX, the Winchester Ranger T/T Series(.38spl), the Critical Defense .38spl round, the Buffalo Bore 158gr lead semi wad-cutter HP +P, Glaser Safety Slug silver, MagSafe SWAT.

Rusty
www.shopcorbon.com www.brownells.com www.sgammo.com www.natchezss.com www.grafs.com www.buffalobore.com www.uscav.com

 

[Skribs]

Well, I am a semi-auto guy myself. I like the revolver primarily because I decided a diversity of ammo is good if one type is unavailable or unrealistically priced. The difference between a J-Frame and a pocket auto is small, but gets bigger as you get bigger (i.e. 5 .38 vs. 6 .380 is a small difference, 6 .357 vs. 15+ 9mm is a bigger difference, and I vote magazine size over power in a pistol).

With that said, I think this poster best captures my thoughts on revolvers:

 

[Water-Man]

After carrying a Smith J-frame for 43 years, I switched to the LCR in 2011 and never looked back. It has the Hogue Tamer grips and XS Tritium sights.

It rides in either a Galco Stinger belt holster or a Mica pocket holster. After experimenting with different loads I settled on the CorBon DPX 110gr.+P.

 

[moxie]

Corbon DPX must be magic. Cost twice as much as the Rem. GS at Amm. Depot.

 

[Water-Man]

Corbon DPX must be magic. Cost twice as much as the Rem. GS at Amm. Depot.

Magic? If you get shot by them they may make you disappear. For good.

 

[HankR]

OldCelt: Following up on Phadreus's question (statement?). Any reason to get the LCRx? I kind of like the idea of the option of SA, but with my shrouded hammer versions I have concerns of excessive pocket lint getting in and gumming up the works. My pocket knives often need blown out with a compressor in order to fully open and close. Yet several times I've gone to the fun store to get a DAO and ended up bringing home the same gun with a hammer at the last minute. In fact, I don't think I own a DAO revolver.

Am I better off with the LCR? Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

ETA: My local guy has both in stock for the same price. The fact that it has an actual exposed hammer instead of a shrouded nubbin' is pushing me towards the DAO. Are the "Trijicon night sights" worth an extra $35?

 

[moxie]

I like the LCR. Works one way and one way only. Simplifies training.

Never had a problem with lint. I pocket carry in a pocket holster that helps with that, I think. Wouldn't consider carrying it without a holster. Clean and lube it occasionally, always after firing. It's about as simple and maintenance free as a gun can be.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Tips tricks & knick-knacks......

I'd add that the new US(made & produced in Florida USA ) firm; www.stickyholsters.com is cool. You can quickly convert the rig from IWB to pocket to ankle & even a body armor add-on, . They offer several models in different sizes for many firearms. The price is nice too.
I would agree that the DeSantis Nemnesis & the Mika pocket holster are good. I owned & used a Nemnesis a few times with my Protector Ti .357magnum small frame snub. This was in 2004.
Another tip is buy the 5 round .38/.357magnum orange Quik Strip from www.tuffproducts.com . I like the safety orange color so you can quickly see it in low light or at night. A critical incident is stressful enough . You don't need to fumble to lose extra rounds when you need them.
Quik strips also come in many different calibers & colors(pink, black, safety orange). Id use them for a .44spl snub revolver if I ever get around to buying a DA only Bulldog, Ruger AK snub or S&W Backpacker.
Tuffproducts.com also sells a few ammo holders & holsters. One includes a space for a Quik Strip. Id still get a Sticky Holster or Nemnesis.
Another suggestion is to conceal 2 speed strips or 5 shot Quik Strips in a old Altoids candy tin.
You can keep it on a restaurant table or office desk by your tablet or smart phone and no one will look twice. I did it a few times with my revolvers while concealed & on a few security jobs. If you pick soft lead HPs or bullets with cavities the tin keeps lint/grit/crud out of the handgun rounds.

I'd add that FrogLube, www.froglube.com is a top gun care product. It's not cheap and it might be hard to buy from a local source but it's well engineered. FrogLube was T&Eed by a ex-SEAL/specwar operator. It's even sold in the gift shop of the SEAL-UDT museum, Fort Pierce Florida USA.

 

[Skribs]

I tried a sticky holster-like product (Remora, I believe it was). As an IWB, the gun kept popping out, so I didn't want to use it for that. As a pocket holster, it was bulkier and less comfortable than a Nemesis.

Granted I was using it for a bigger gun than a LCR, but I wouldn't trust a IWB holster without clips or loops.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I think $35 for Trijicon sights a no-brainer; go for it! Hard to say whether the DAO or the LCRx is the best way to go. When I got mine they only made the DAO and that's what I wanted anyway. If you only have one...hard to say. Ultimately I think I made the right call for me but I still might get the LCRx, too. It would be a good truck gun if nothing else.