Shot the LCR this afternoon...hand still hurts...

[Skribs]

I've been to the range every week for the last month or so. Which is probably more times than I've been to the range total in the last 5 years. By a lot.

Up until today, it's been full-size guns, including a couple of new ones. Today, it was the LCR. Totally different shooting experience. Not even +P ammo. I got through 15 rounds, was already starting to feel the pain. Switched to a full-size .45 and had a pleasant time shooting 100 rounds. Then back to the LCR for another 10.

By the last cylinder, I had developed a flinch. Not because of the "boom" or the flash. But because my hand was in pain, and every shot was more pain. My hand is still a little sore.

Is this something that gets better over time? If I take the LCR with me to the range every week for a few months, would I likely be able to get through a whole box without much trouble? Is there something I might be able to do technique-wise to lessen the felt recoil? (Most answers on a google search are more about setting up follow-up shots). Or is it pretty much "if you take the LCR, expect to do 10 shots and then put it away"?

 

[stonebuster]

That's why I wouldn't buy a 13.5 ounce(38+P) or 17.1 ounce(357) LCR. Great trigger & easy to carry but not a gun I'd enjoy practicing with. Opinions will vary greatly but I choose 25-35 ounce revolvers I can conceal, enjoy at the range and are easier on the hands/wrists. Although my under 3" snubs aren't "range guns" I want to be proficient out to 20-25ft at least and that's where the range time comes in. I've no experience with the LCR but quite sure my 73 year old arthritic hands would object to shooting it much.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

What caliber is it? I have trouble shooting 40s. I haven't shot 357 mag loads in quite some either, mostly stick to 38s. I do have a broomhandle Mauser that gets painful after about the second magazine.

 

[P Flados]

I shoot a 3" LCRx 38 SP. I really like shooting it and put a lot of ammo through it. Shooting very low recoil handloads (110 gr at 600 fps) is zero pain. Shooting 120 gr at 700 fps has just a smidge of "smarts".

It did not take long for me to figure out that I wanted nothing to do with "full power" 158s for range shooting.

If you do not reload, look for some Winchester or Remington 130 FMJ ammo. These two combine a low bullet weight and a low velocity (800 fps advertised). This will be about as "low recoil" as is easily obtainable.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

These are belly guns, made for across the card table distances at best. There is little use in range practice with them as they’re meant as bad breath distance pieces only. Made to carry often and shoot seldom.

 

[jdc1244]

Is this something that gets better over time? If I take the LCR with me to the range every week for a few months, would I likely be able to get through a whole box without much trouble?

No and no.

Of course, these aren’t range guns – they‘re for self-defense.

They need to go off only once, maybe twice.

 

[Pat Riot]

What cartridge and ammo are you shooting?

I have an S&W 442. I refuse to shoot +P ammo from it.
I have wrist pain and arthritis from abusing my wrists through work and shooting hot handgun loads years ago. It truly is limiting on what I can or will shoot now.

What I did was use the Lucky Gunner website to determine what standard velocity rounds had the best performance. I then bought a variety of good performers and for factory rounds that I could shoot accurately and those are what I carry. Hornady Critical Defense or Federal HST.

Check this out:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

Good luck. I hope you can find a way to enjoy practicing with your LCR.

 

[Skribs]

What caliber is it? I have trouble shooting 40s. I haven't shot 357 mag loads in quite some either, mostly stick to 38s. I do have a broomhandle Mauser that gets painful after about the second magazine.

38 special, but it's a 13.5 oz gun.

What cartridge and ammo are you shooting?

38 special (not +P), just what I had lying around. Magtech 158-grain flat-nose FMJ.

 

[Skribs]

If you do not reload, look for some Winchester or Remington 130 FMJ ammo. These two combine a low bullet weight and a low velocity (800 fps advertised). This will be about as "low recoil" as is easily obtainable.

I think part of my theory is that I was going to be carrying a heavier bullet. But I'm also planning on changing that up. I ordered some Underwood Xtreme Defender for my LCP. If it manages to eat everything I feed it (which it hasn't really done with hollowpoints), then I'm planning on switching to that brand as my go-to SD brand. 100 gr bullets I feel might be better.

Luckily I have a GP100 to eat the rest of the 158-grain bullets.

 

[SterlingBullet]

We own a titanium Taurus snub-nose revolver in 38 special that induces a high level of pain in the palm of your hand so that 10 rounds is the absolute maximum for me. I assume that the very low weight and exposed metal back strap drives that felt recoil.

But I read a few papers and studies that discuss that explosive shockwaves travel and dissipate through metals differently based on the composition, elasticity, compression ability and their granular nature. I’m sure that titanium and steel handle shockwaves differently. Likely, plastic polymer also exhibits different abilities to moderate explosive shockwaves.

We need a physicist, mechanical engineer or other smart person to
give us answers that are better than my guesses about recoil based on gun frame materials.

 

[Tallball]

My friend has a 357 LCR. I liked it so much that I bought the 38 special version when I saw one used at the LGS.

The 357 version is about four ounces heavier. Shooting 38's out of it isn't bad. My friend will normally shoot maybe a dozen rounds of 357 and a couple dozen rounds of 38 through it every session, in between his other pistols (and hogging my K22 Masterpiece). The 38's are NBD. The 357's are an experience.

No offense, but this is not a "bad breath" distance revolver if you do your job. The sights and trigger are excellent. If my friend can't put five into a tiny group very quickly at seven yards, he gets pouty. It doesn't happen often. He's younger than I am and his eyes are better.

I had trouble with the 38 version. My hands are the size of Hickock45's, and the light weight plus small grip made it difficult for me to control. Not only was it mildly painful, my accuracy wasn't acceptable for SD. Maybe I could do better now that I'm a more experienced shooter.

My solution was to put the slightly larger grip on it, the one that used to be sold on the LCRx. It solved the problem. My control is fine now, and I have no problem putting a couple of dozen rounds through it without pain. My accuracy is about the same as with most other snub 38's.

For some reason I can control the S&W 642 with a small grip, Something about the shape and balance of the two different revolvers and how they relate to my hands, I suppose.

I can shoot a whole box of ammo through my steel 38 snub NP. A couple of dozen rounds through the LCR or 642 is enough. With range loads it doesn't really hurt, but it's physically and mentally more fatiguing.

Here is my 38 caliber LCR with the slightly longer grip. The 642's grip is more like the original Ruger grip. The ugly $200 Taurus is for extended practice that won't make me tired and put so much wear on my actual CC pieces.

Taurus Model 85 38 special DAO

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2022

 

[LeftyRed]

I shot my 327 and 357 LCRs Friday. I used 38 WCs and 32SW Long SW, and my 32SWL reloads, and hand feels good. No way I could handle the full Magnum loads, hands too far gone.

My best shooting was with a heavy Taurus 856. Heavy guns just soak up more recoil. My 3” 357 LCR was ok, but nothing like the all metal 3” 856.

 

[Ethan Verity]

My little S&W Model 642 is the only gun I own that actually hurts my hand! I have no problems putting 100 rounds of 44 Mag through my Model 29, but my hand is feeling sore after just 1 box of 38Spl +P out of that little J-frame! Standard pressure is a little more bearable, but still not comfortable.

I tried one of those S&W airweight 357Mag revolvers once, holy cow that was torture! I don't know how people get good with those without developing a massive flinch... more power (literally) to you if you can do it.

 

[Hartkopf]

I know someone who sold a 38 Spec LCR because of a bruised hand. I believe that was before the LCRx was released so changing to the longer grip was not a possibility. That's the route I would recommend now, (as Tallball posted above) the LCRx grip.

 

[cslinger]

This is a super easy, albeit rather expensive fix.

-Step 1 buy a Smith scandium framed .357 J frame.
-Step 2 buy the smallest box of .357 you can find. Preferably from another Scandium smith owner as there will only be a round or two missing from the box.
-Step 3 Load up your new smith and fire.
-Step 4 unload and put 3 remaining unfired rounds back into box.
-Step 5 Shoot your brand new super light recoiling and pleasant LCR and be happy…….I mean after the carpal tunnel surgery of course.
.

In all seriousness any J frame sized revolver in a martial sized caliber will require both technique and an understanding that mamma physics lays down the law end of story.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I have a number of LCRs and really like them. My EDC is a .327 Federal or a 38 special depending on my mood or what's handy. I only shoot mild reloads for practice but hotter ammo for carry. I will admit the .327 can be a miserable little SOB with hot .327 ammo.

 

[Skribs]

My solution was to put the slightly larger grip on it, the one that used to be sold on the LCRx. It solved the problem. My control is fine now, and I have no problem putting a couple of dozen rounds through it without pain. My accuracy is about the same as with most other snub 38's.

For some reason I can control the S&W 642 with a small grip, Something about the shape and balance of the two different revolvers and how they relate to my hands, I suppose.

I can shoot a whole box of ammo through my steel 38 snub NP. A couple of dozen rounds through the LCR or 642 is enough. With range loads it doesn't really hurt, but it's physically and mentally more fatiguing.

Here is my 38 caliber LCR with the slightly longer grip. The 642's grip is more like the original Ruger grip. The ugly $200 Taurus is for extended practice that won't make me tired and put so much wear on my actual CC pieces.

I know someone who sold a 38 Spec LCR because of a bruised hand. I believe that was before the LCRx was released so changing to the longer grip was not a possibility. That's the route I would recommend now, (as Tallball posted above) the LCRx grip.

The problem with the large grip is, as others have said, I got this to be a CCW gun. I can shoot with decent accuracy for about 10 shots, which is more than enough. After that, I'm anticipating the pain, and I pull my shots a bit. Still hit a silhouette at 5 yards.

In all seriousness any J frame sized revolver in a martial sized caliber will require both technique and an understanding that mamma physics lays down the law end of story.

Do you have any technique advice on making it less painful?

 

[jstert]

airweight snubbies need fuller grips and low-recoil ammo to get a meaningful amount of practice.

the only fuller grip option for the ruger lcr makes it difficult to conceal. s&w (and taurus) j frame revolvers have a huge variety of aftermarket grips to choose from. covering the rear backstrap is essential. for its limited grip choice alone the ruger lcr is a miss for me.

i get reduced-recoil 38sp ammo at cavalry ammo for $22/50, with free shipping as a veteran. https://cavalryammunition.com/collections/reduced-recoil-cartridges.

also, the lcr’s feel in my hand is less pleasing to me than that of the j-frame.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

Hogue bantam boots work great on the LCR.

Small, but have a blue rubberized insert to absorb shock recoil forces.

 

[Pat Riot]

38 special (not +P), just what I had lying around. Magtech 158-grain flat-nose FMJ.

Yeah, Magtech 158 grainers can be a bit “warm”. Especially in a light revolver.

 

[drobs]

I'm just not a fan of light weight snub nosed pocket revolvers and currently don't own any. I'm not accurate with them nor do I want to put in the round count to become accurate with them. I too find them uncomfortable to shoot.

I can shoot these short barrel full frame / full grip revolvers with 357 magnum - accurately all day long:

 

[lincen]

The 327 LCR’s are pleasant to shoot when loaded with 32 magnum but not so much with the 327 rounds. These do have the advantage of being 6 round cylinders.

 

[JERRY]

My LCR is .327 fed mag, that's more than plenty for me. If I want a J frame .357 I'll use my MagNa-Port'ed 640.

 

[drobs]

My LCR is .327 fed mag, that's more than plenty for me. If I want a J frame .357 I'll use my MagNa-Port'ed 640.

I had a standard 640 briefly, 20+ years ago. I would shoot a box of 50 158gr JHP 357mag and call it day after the flinch developed. Good way to save $.
That's one gun, I sold, and don't miss.

 

[Styx]

I have owned my 357 LCR for over a decade now. It's a little heavier than the 38 LCR. I have never had any complaints about shooting 38 or 38 +P out of it. With the stock grips It's light work. I could shoot the gun all day. Shooting 357 mag out of that gun hurts and I flinch from the fireball and the impending pain to my hand.