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.