Ruger LCR sights are off?

[GregGry]

Hello, I just picked up a ruger lcr in 357 mag. Took it to the range and shot 120+ rounds out of it. It shoots 2 inch groups without a problem, but it shoots 3 to 4 inches low and to the left by one inch. I thought it was just me so I shot my glock 17, sp01, and xdm 40 and all of them hit exactly at point of aim with nice bullseye group. Had a friend shoot it and the same thing happened for him.

It's the only gun I have ever owned (besides a heritage revolver in .22) that doesn't shoot point of aim. I didn't shoot any 158 grain bullets (only 125 grain 38, 38 +p, and .357). I laser bore sighted it and noticed the laser pins a dot exactly where it hits, low and left. I don't see how stepping up to 158 grain bullets will bring it up to point of aim or even close. Is this typical? I emailed ruger and am awaiting a response.

 

[35 Whelen]

Heavier bullets spend more time in the barrel and cause greater muzzle rise, both of which contribute to a higher point of impact. Try it.

35W

 

[rcmodel]

+1

It is likely factory sighted with 158 grain ammo.

125's will shoot low for the reason 35 Whelen said.

Look at the sight line on a hard kicker compared to the bore line.
That is to make up for the recoil while the bullet is still in the barrel.





rc

 

[GregGry]

I am curious as to why they would sight it in for 158 grain ammo if that is fairly uncommon in defense ammo across the board? I went to cabelas, dunhams, gander, and a couple other places and the only 158 grain I found was hard cast lead. I will have to try a actual gun store and see what I can get.

Also, I realize the bullet will spend more time in the barrel since its velocity is lower and will require more time before it gets moving/gets out of the barrel. Which as the muzzle rises during this time it will print higher. I just don't see adding 4 inches to the point of impact to get it "dead on". I have shot 115 to 147 grain bullets out of my 9mm guns with a minimal difference in poi. I guess I will find out for myself.

 

[rcmodel]

Revolvers have a fixed breech, and a lower point of rotation in the hand then auto-loaders.
So when the bullet starts to move in a revolver, the whole gun starts to move.

The recoil spring and moving slide takes the initial movement while the bullet is still in the barrel of an auto-loader.

I think most revolver manufactures sight fixed sight guns with the standard bullet weight for the caliber.

In .38 & .357, that is still 158 grain.


Which would you rather have.
A fixed sight gun that shot POA with light bullets, and very high with standard weight for caliber bullets?

Or one that shot low with light bullets and POA with standard weight bullets?

If you intend to only shoot light bullets, you can easily file the front sight down to sight it in.

But if it already shot high with standard weight bullets, you can't easily add some more front sight on it!

rc

 

[Haywood]

Mine shoots point of aim with 357 0r 38. Let Ruger fix it.

 

[Murcielago]

I am curious as to why they would sight it in for 158 grain ammo if that is fairly uncommon in defense ammo across the board?

FBI load is a .38 spl +P 158 gr. LSWCHP. I have boxes made by Remington, Federal (nyclad!), & Buffalo Bore. Lots of folks swear by it.

 

[savit260]

Why do they sight it in for heavier bullets?

Because you can easily file the front sight down to adjust for lighter bullets if you choose to. Making the front sight taller to dial in for a heavier bullet requires replacing the front sight.

It's easier to remove metal than add it.

It's a MUCH better situation to have the sights regulated to the low side than high.

 

[roadapples]

Hello, I just picked up a ruger lcr in 357 mag. Took it to the range and shot 120+ rounds out of it. It shoots 2 inch groups without a problem, but it shoots 3 to 4 inches low and to the left by one inch. I thought it was just me so I shot my glock 17, sp01, and xdm 40 and all of them hit exactly at point of aim with nice bullseye group. Had a friend shoot it and the same thing happened for him.

It's the only gun I have ever owned (besides a heritage revolver in .22) that doesn't shoot point of aim. I didn't shoot any 158 grain bullets (only 125 grain 38, 38 +p, and .357). I laser bore sighted it and noticed the laser pins a dot exactly where it hits, low and left. I don't see how stepping up to 158 grain bullets will bring it up to point of aim or even close. Is this typical? I emailed ruger and am awaiting a response.

I have one which came with Crimson Trace already installed. Both the lase and iron
sights are right on.

 

[Dr_B]

Heavier bullets spend more time in the barrel and cause greater muzzle rise, both of which contribute to a higher point of impact.

That's been my experience with snubbies.

I also had an LCR that shot really tight groups. But they were always up and to the left at 7 yards. They're neat carry guns. I sold mine; couldn't get use to all the plastic.

 

[JERRY]

their LCR-22 sights are rediculously off for up and down.

 

[GregGry]

I picked up some ammo in 158 grain today. I am going to give it a shot and see how it shoots on friday. I am thinking a trip back to ruger will be in the works. I would be shocked to see a impact point come up that much. To bad it doesn't have a mini adjustable rear sight. My other revolvers all have them and have no problem

 

[rcmodel]

Try it before you pass judgment.

And don't jerk the trigger.

That will also make it shoot low.

rc

 

[GregGry]

I hope the new ammo works better. I will also rent the same gun at the range to see how that shoots to verify its the gun and not just how they all shoot.

The trigger is different then my other guns, but I have no problem shooting my cz 75 or 44mag in DA mode and punching bullseyes right out.

 

[ralph2]

I have an LCR in 38 spl and 22lr. The 22 shoots right on best I can tell with such a short sight radius but the 38 spl is 2-3 inches low at 20 feet. It does this with 158 and 125 grain bullets. Looking at the front sight I can see the 38 has a higher sight than the 22. One of these days when I am ambitious I want to put a 22 sight on it to see how much it helps.

 

[rcmodel]

But that begs the question.
With what bullet weight??

And for a short range snubby belly gun.
Why does it matter anyway??

The top three shirt buttons, or the two shirt pockets are 6" apart.

If you put your shots somewhere in the spaces between them, the result will be exactly the same.

If you want 25 & 50 yard match accuracy?
You bought the wrong type of handgun.

rc

 

[ralph2]

rcmodel -- The only living thing I have ever shot with my snubby is a few rattlesnakes and an inch can make a difference. Mostly I shoot cans and etc with the goal to be as good as I can and it helps if the sights are on.

 

[Remllez]

Gotta go with RC on this one. And because your shooting low left I'll hazard a guess you're right handed. Too much finger in the trigger or you're snatching the trigger. I may well be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, just offering my opinion.

You didn't mention if you were shooting at 25 yards which may well be where the sights are regulated with 158 grain ammo. Try the classic, load 3 live rounds and 2 spent rounds, close your eyes and rotate the cylinder a little, close her up and see what happens when you hit the duds.

Best of luck figuring it out.

 

[GregGry]

Tomorrow will be the day to try the other ammo. It was shooting 4 inches low at 7 yards. At 25 yards it wouldn't even be in the ballpark. I can shoot every gun I own within 2 inch group right on the bullseye at 10 yards, including a ww2 pocket pistol in .32. The LCR does the same grouping, just way low.

I understand the theory 4 inches low doesnt matter, but at the same time it's the only gun I own that does. This is a critical problem to me, and one that I will fix if it means a trip to ruger or filing of the sights. If it has sights on it they should be accurate.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I didn't get the distance you are shooting, but if it were my revolver I would be completely satisified. You can try different ammo which will move the poi around, but why bother?

 

[CZF]

Anyone run a KLCR with the XS front sight and the Speer 135 gr. SB .357 magnum load?

I think it would be ideal for POI and also recoil control.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Unless you have a rest that will take out the human factor try to make sure it's really the gun before you send it back.

 

[Remllez]

So GregGry,

Did you have a chance to shoot your gun? If so how did it go? You can't leave us hangin in the wind...

It's always nice to hear if a problem has been resolved, and if not why. Did you send it in for warranty, or sell it?