Ruger LCR .357 Magnum

[contender]

After shooting an LCR 38 and an LCR 357 with identical 38 loads, the magnum frame LCR does make a difference and is more controllable for me.
i tried a few different 357 loads.....doable, but prefer the 38 especially for extended practices.

Same goes for the LCR 327......i much prefer the 32 H&R mag loads for carry and practice compared to the 327.

a little extra weight in the gun and a little bit milder round does wonders for old age.

the LCR magnum frames still pocket carry well for me.

 

[Thomas Traddles]

I bought a .38 LCR 6 years ago. It was my first snubby. I was not happy with it. With +P ammo it "kicked like a mule and bit like a crocodile." So I shot it rarely that first year. Even thinking about shooting the thing caused me to flinch! The second year I owned it, I decided that I was going to master the thing. And so I shot it almost exclusively. Becoming used to the gun's recoil, using proper hold and becoming comfortable with its eccentricities made all of the difference in the world. I would not part with it now. And recoil is not even something I think about now when I am handling it.

I often think of getting a .357 LCR, and should have 6 years ago when they were more affordable. But I went the CA Bull Dog and Mag Pug route. Though a bit heavier than an LCR, they are lively to shoot. I don't think I'd enjoy these guns as much as I do if it weren't for the lessons that LCR taught me.

 

[Buckeye63]

I bought a .38 LCR 6 years ago. It was my first snubby. I was not happy with it. With +P ammo it "kicked like a mule and bit like a crocodile." So I shot it rarely that first year. Even thinking about shooting the thing caused me to flinch! The second year I owned it, I decided that I was going to master the thing. And so I shot it almost exclusively. Becoming used to the gun's recoil, using proper hold and becoming comfortable with its eccentricities made all of the difference in the world. I would not part with it now. And recoil is not even something I think about now when I am handling it.

I often think of getting a .357 LCR, and should have 6 years ago when they were more affordable. But I went the CA Bull Dog and Mag Pug route. Though a bit heavier than an LCR, they are lively to shoot. I don't think I'd enjoy these guns as much as I do if it weren't for the lessons that LCR taught me.

The Charter Mag Pug is a good revolver.. frame size is basically the the same a SP101, Colt D frame .. they actually use the same holster ... it is just lighter than the SP101

 

[TTv2]

The best would be whatever expands from a 2 inch barrel, which if you don't mind paying $30 for a 20 rd box, get Buffalo Bore, Underwood, or Doubletap. If you want something more affordable, the Federal HST looks weird, but it works however it's standard pressure. Hornady has a +P Critical Duty ammo and it works.

As for .38+P being better than .357, well, it's a lot easier to shoot and that's better than shooting poorly with a more powerful .357. I personally don't think .357 is worth shooting in anything less than a 4" revolver.

The other issue with the .357 revolvers is the price is much higher than .38+P revolvers. I've seen .38 LCR's going for under 350, but the 357's are at least $200 more.

 

[Buckeye63]

The best would be whatever expands from a 2 inch barrel, which if you don't mind paying $30 for a 20 rd box, get Buffalo Bore, Underwood, or Doubletap. If you want something more affordable, the Federal HST looks weird, but it works however it's standard pressure. Hornady has a +P Critical Duty ammo and it works.

As for .38+P being better than .357, well, it's a lot easier to shoot and that's better than shooting poorly with a more powerful .357. I personally don't think .357 is worth shooting in anything less than a 4" revolver.

The other issue with the .357 revolvers is the price is much higher than .38+P revolvers. I've seen .38 LCR's going for under 350, but the 357's are at least $200 more.

I agree with your post .... you made some great points... And you mentioned a great round .. The Federal 130gr HST 38spl +P ... that is a impressive round.. passes Gel tests ... and is very mild ... shoots like a standard pressure... that round sheds new light on the LCR38 and other lightweight 38 snubbies .. I carry that round in my 856UL .. and it is extremely manageable...

 

[rugerman07]

How about the Ruger LCRx 9mm revolver? Anyone own one, shot one, any thoughts pro or con?

 

[TTv2]

How about the Ruger LCRx 9mm revolver? Anyone own one, shot one, any thoughts pro or con?

Basically is the same as .357 in terms of price and recoil. I don't see the point in buying one now with the shortage of 9mm ammo and even if it were normal times I'd have to think long and hard over that one.

I know a few years ago I was going to get a 9mm LCR and then I tried some 9mm in my Judge with adapters and realized that 9mm has a lot of recoil in a revolver that weighs over 30oz, put it in a 17oz revolver and... yikes. I'd rather pay the same price for the .327 LCRx, get the reduced recoil with .32 Mag, and the extra round in the cylinder.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I am not a fan of automatic cartridges in revolvers, particularly lightweight revolvers with heavy recoil. I've seen too many reports of crimp jump in 9mm LCRs to be interested in owning one. (Heavy steel revolvers shooting .45 ACP are a different story.)

 

[Kleanbore]

I am not a fan of automatic cartridges in revolvers, particularly lightweight revolvers with heavy recoil. I've seen too many reports of crimp jump in 9mm LCRs to be interested in owning one. (Heavy steel revolvers shooting .45 ACP are a different story.)

Agree.

I haven't really liked one since the 1917s and derivatives thereof

 

[rugerman07]

I am not a fan of automatic cartridges in revolvers, particularly lightweight revolvers with heavy recoil. I've seen too many reports of crimp jump in 9mm LCRs to be interested in owning one. (Heavy steel revolvers shooting .45 ACP are a different story.)

Crimp jump on the LCRx threw up a red flag to me as well. I've heard pros & cons on both sides of this issue. Pro's say, try a variety of different ammo brands to correct the problem. Con's say, It's too much of a risk to chance in a personal defense weapon.

 

[Confederate]

I like the way it feels in my hand, it's light weight and it's super lite, smooth DA trigger pull. On the downside I've heard it's recoil can be somewhat brutal shooting .357 loads. I've heard you'd be better off using .38 Special +P loads.

Why would people buy this gun in .357? Ruger sells one in .38 Special that will take +P, so why would one buy it in the more potent round? The barrel length is 1.82 which really ticks me off at Ruger. Why would anyone ever make a gun with a barrel length shorter than 2-inches? Does Ruger just love making stupid decisions that make no sense? Did someone ever go up to a Ruger rep at a gunshow and say, "I don't know. Those 2-inch barrels on guns made by S&W are just too long? We need something shorter!"

Why not 1.5 inches? Or better, why do were even need a barrel?

Why not have a gun with no barrel?

If someone needs a gun with that short of a barrel length, velocity can't be that important to them anyway, right? And yet people buy them just in case. I wonder how they told up to sustained magnum firing? If knucklebusting shooting weren't an issue, how many factory rounds would it take to start shaking the gun loose? And what's it like DA shooting 125gr JHP from a gun like this?

Do any of you with .38 Special versions of this gun wish they'd bought the .357 mag version?

 

[fxvr5]

Why would people buy this gun in .357? Ruger sells one in .38 Special that will take +P, so why would one buy it in the more potent round? The barrel length is 1.82 which really ticks me off at Ruger. Why would anyone ever make a gun with a barrel length shorter than 2-inches? Does Ruger just love making stupid decisions that make no sense? Did someone ever go up to a Ruger rep at a gunshow and say, "I don't know. Those 2-inch barrels on guns made by S&W are just too long? We need something shorter!"

Why not 1.5 inches? Or better, why do were even need a barrel?

Why not have a gun with no barrel?

If someone needs a gun with that short of a barrel length, velocity can't be that important to them anyway, right?

Why are you upset at Ruger because of their barrel length? Do you think they are doing it just to tick you off? Did you think they were building guns just for you, and you're upset that they didn't consult with you first because you know more about guns than they do? That's what it sounds like.

By the way, Ruger lists their barrel length as 1.87". Also by the way, S&W's 38 Special J-frames have a 1.875" barrel, and the 357 Magnum J-frames are 2.125". The longer 2.125" allows them to use a slightly longer ejection rod than the 1.875" barrels.

You should contact Ruger directly because you clearly know more about snubby revolvers and what people should or should not want than they do.

The right ammo will deliver good velocity, if that's all you're measuring. Super Vel's 38 Special 90 grain JHP produces 1300 fps from a 1.875" barrel. 357 Magnum ammo still does very well from a 2" barrel, and provides high performance from a short barrel gun. Check out the performance of Buffalo Bore ammo;
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=20

 

[TTv2]

I am not a fan of automatic cartridges in revolvers, particularly lightweight revolvers with heavy recoil. I've seen too many reports of crimp jump in 9mm LCRs to be interested in owning one. (Heavy steel revolvers shooting .45 ACP are a different story.)

I think the potential for crimp jump is greatly overblown. It can happen, but I've seen enough evidence that 9mm in the LCR, so long as you're not shooting the 9mm without a moon clip and doing tactical reloads where you shoot 3 or 4 rds, then load 3 or 4 rds, and the ammo that didn't get shot the first time gets shot last.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with any tactical reloading with a 9mm revolver, If I had shot 3 or 4 rounds and wanted to reload, I'm dumping all the rounds out and putting a fresh 5 in.

 

[Project355]

I've had one for a few years. As noted above, "lively" is a good word for the recoil. I've also used the term "brisk," and several other terms not suitable for a family-friendly site like THR. That said, recoil with .38s is pretty tame, so that's what I carry in mine. It's a great little gun, though.

I have two of em. Got em to shoot 38s in as I figured they'd last next to forever that way. The LCR 38 is not as heavily constructed.

However.... I could not resist trying 110g and 140g full house .357s in it - one time only, and that was more than enough.

Verbiage suggests the recoil is akin to one who has engaged in incestuous intimacy with one's female parent.

 

[TTv2]

I have two of em. Got em to shoot 38s in as I figured they'd last next to forever that way. The LCR 38 is not as heavily constructed.

However.... I could not resist trying 110g and 140g full house .357s in it - one time only, and that was more than enough.

Verbiage suggests the recoil is akin to one who has engaged in incestuous intimacy with one's female parent.

Hahaha, I like that one.

I can't imagine what 158's must feel like and yet I hear about people who stuff 180s in their lightweight .357 snubs. IDK about others, but I like to be able to shoot a few cylinders full or magazines full of ammo when I'm at the range and not just, you know, 5 or 6 rounds. After probably a dozen or so .357 Mag in a snub, I don't think I'm going to be able to shoot anything else the rest of the day.

 

[Buckeye63]

I have fired a few 357 out of my LCR357 .. with the stock grip and compact boot grip .. The compact grip is a experience... If I had large hands it would have been hard to hold on to ... stock grip not as bad ... but in a SD situation.. I sure you wouldn’t notice the recoil.. but physically it would be extremely difficult to recover for a close to accurate follow up shot ...at least for me ..

The 327 is a jewel.. the 327 fullhouse recoils like a 38+P in the 357lcr ... the 32h&r less than standard 38spl .. and 32 Long .. like alot less than that .. maybe 22 mag or less ...

 

[WheelGunMan]

Why would people buy this gun in .357? Because you can't get it in .44 mag..lol..no really because the magnum version has a heavier frame which helps in mitigating recoil. Ruger sells one in .38 Special that will take +P, so why would one buy it in the more potent round? Because some folks prefer a more potent round.. The barrel length is 1.82 which really ticks me off at Ruger. Why would anyone ever make a gun with a barrel length shorter than 2-inches? Actually it's 1.87. Why, because people want smaller, shorter guns for concealment. So the manufacturer's provide the consumer with what they want so they can sell more guns. What a concept. Does Ruger just love making stupid decisions that make no sense? Apparently it makes sense to their bottom line. Back to the concept of giving the customer what they desire. Did someone ever go up to a Ruger rep at a gunshow and say, "I don't know. Those 2-inch barrels on guns made by S&W are just too long? We need something shorter!" Probably.

Why not 1.5 inches? Or better, why do were even need a barrel? 1.5" has already been done. I'm guessing you need a barrel so the projectile goes somewhat in the direction you aimed it.


Why not have a gun with no barrel? See the previous answer.

If someone needs a gun with that short of a barrel length, velocity can't be that important to them right? If your objective is to stop a threat with a small easily concealable weapon, velocities roll becomes secondary. Carefully selecting the proper ammo is important.
And yet people buy them just in case. I wonder how they told up to sustained magnum firing? The firearm is designed to handle magnum loads. If knucklebusting shooting weren't an issue, how many factory rounds would it take to start shaking the gun loose? And what's it like DA shooting 125gr JHP from a gun like this? DAO is standard on the LCR. I have shot 1,000's of 125 gr JHP as practice rounds with no ill effects.

Do any of you with .38 Special versions of this gun wish they'd bought the .357 mag version? I certainly can't speak for the .38 Spcl owners, but from what I've read there are many who wish they did.

 

[contender]

why did Ruger build the LCR in 357?

for the same reason Smith builds magnum J frames....market demand. Even though those mag j frames probably have a much higher round count of 38's vs 357, the magnum frame is more accommodating or versatile to the shooters' needs or wants.

 

[YoSamTHR]

I have an LCR .38. I’m not a big guy. I have enjoyed it with target loads. It’s stout with strong loads. While I enjoy shooting it at a range, to me it’s a defensive gun. Same comments apply to my LCP.

That means I don’t think they are intended to fire many thousands of rounds, the trigger should not be like a target gun, and the sights are mostly insignificant. I didn’t buy it for its range qualities.

From my experience hunting, if I get into a social situation I won’t be noticing the stronger loads. But at the range, I’m not going to punish myself with them. I stick to soft loads for fun. Other than maybe 5 quick shots with the strong stuff just to be sure about them and myself. Given all that, I personally wouldn’t want the extra bulk of the 357.

 

[Buckeye63]

I have an LCR .38. I’m not a big guy. I have enjoyed it with target loads. It’s stout with strong loads. While I enjoy shooting it at a range, to me it’s a defensive gun. Same comments apply to my LCP.

That means I don’t think they are intended to fire many thousands of rounds, the trigger should not be like a target gun, and the sights are mostly insignificant. I didn’t buy it for its range qualities.

From my experience hunting, if I get into a social situation I won’t be noticing the stronger loads. But at the range, I’m not going to punish myself with them. I stick to soft loads for fun. Other than maybe 5 quick shots with the strong stuff just to be sure about them and myself. Given all that, I personally wouldn’t want the extra bulk of the 357.

The Hornady 90gr and 110gr FTX standard pressure loads are good and the Federal HST 130gr +P load recoils like a standard pressure...

 

[bassjam]

I don't have an LCR, but I've had my share of j-frames and both an SP101 and Kimber k6s.

In the snubby SP101, which is a much heavier steel frame, I carried Buffalo Bore .38sp +p's in it. Based on meat of the hand feel, they were much more stout than normal +p defense ammo you get from the usual suspects, but still more manageable than .357mag. I actually keep the same thing in my 4" S&W 66 which is the "bump in the middle of watching TV" gun.

 

[KevininPa]

How about the Ruger LCRx 9mm revolver? Anyone own one, shot one, any thoughts pro or con?

Yep, I have one. Same weight as the .357. I shoot 115s out of it. It can be a little frisky in the hand. Moonclips are easy to load because of their design. Ruger sells a pretty cool moonclip holder for the belt. Takes a little practice getting used to the system. But once you figure it out, it's simple and sturdy. I put a Pachmayr Guardian grip on mine. Carries well in the pocket but gives you that extra pinky when you press the button. This grip is what brought me back to the pocket revolver.. The draw is easy to learn with it. My thumb is kept over the hammer while pocket drawing. No snags. Over all now is my most carried firearm. I also put a strip of Talon Grip material on the Backstrap area of the Pach grip. Keeps it from rolling in a possibly sweaty palm. Always keep some of that stuff around for various uses.

 

[KevininPa]

Verbiage suggests the recoil is akin to one who has engaged in incestuous intimacy with one's female parent.[/QUOTE]

Now that's just plain funny! Lol!

 

[Maia007]

I keep Specials in my Model 60 3", SP101 3", and K6s revolvers.

I would not shoot a magnum load indoors without hearing protection. Not even once.

Me too. Absolutely

I have an LCR in 38. Wish it were in 357, which I have shot and was more impressed with

The extra few ounces in weight of the 357 model really makes the difference in both comfort and in accurate shooting over the 38 model

 

[KevininPa]

I new I wanted the heavier LCRx right from the get go. Had a Smith Airweight in .38 at one time. Didn't care for it. Even after it was broken in, the trigger still wasn't as good as the LCRx out of the box.

As for 9mm, I have a lot of it. After reading up on it, it seems like a good choice between standard .38s and .357s. Turns out that 9mm and .45 ACP are actually good performers out of a revolver.

It was a win-win for me.