Will the .357 LCR Render the .38 Version Obsolete?

[CDR_Glock]

It is best to try the 357 with that ammunition. If one can handle it, then it's a perfect fit. I shoot 357 in my snubbies: Taurus 605 and Ruger SP101. Both tame the 357 for me, with the Taurus edging out more accuracy.

I really like the LCR. It has a place for EDC. At 38, it's a great backup gun or even primary. At 357, the versatility and additional weight for more control will not make your 38 obsolete by any stretch of the imagination.

The 357 LCR is built heavier than the 38.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I'm wondering if there's still a place in this world for the .38 version now that the .357 has hit the shelves.

Will Ruger be mothballing the .38 version soon?

No more than the Smith 340 .357 made the 642 obsolete!

Most people find .357s from such tiny guns way to much to handle.

Deaf

 

[Big Bill]

I'd never buy either LCR. I'll keep my SP101 instead. IMHO, the LCR won't hold up to 357 mag ammo. And, I doubt it will handle 38 special +P either. I guess I'm just cynical.

 

[Floppy_D]

Armed > unarmed. Easier to carry = more likely to carry. SD = unlikely. 38spl meets my "good enough" criteria. 38spl it is.

 

[RevDerb]

I couldn't think of why I should buy the .38 when I could shoot .38 out of the .357 so I bought the .357.

 

[duns]

The Gold Dot Short Barrel 357 Magnum cartridges are nice. They are significantly more powerful than 38 Spl +P while still being manageable (just about). I have a S&W M&P 340CT. I practice mainly with 38 Spl or 38 Spl +P. Each range session, I shoot 5 of the 357 Short Barrel Magnum rounds; they sting my hand a bit and tend to abrade the skin on the web of my thumb but I can tolerate this for 5 or 10 rounds and my accuracy and speed of fire seems the same as with 38 Spl +P. I can't imagine using full house 357 Mag in a lightweight snubby.

I don't see any reason NOT to use the GD Short Barrel 357 Mag rounds when carrying. In a self-defense situation, I'm sure I won't notice the recoil.

 

[akadave]

I have an M&P 340 and an LCR. I have shot full house 357 out of the M&P. Not fun, but do-able. I would rather carry something I shoot a lot of and I would only shoot a lot of .38 SP in either gun.

 

[Diggers]

What most everyone else said.

.38 is here to stay. Interestingly the LCP .357 is the same basic price as the .38.

So the real difference is 4 oz of weight i.e. 13oz vs 17 oz--ish.

I know the S&W version is pretty expensive. The S&W .357 price tag and the knowledge that I am not going to shoot .357s out of such a light gun lead me to buy my 442.

.38+P with good ammo, such as the Gold Dot 135 grain short barrel ammo I found today, is plenty enough for me.

Its pretty close with the Rugers but I could see 4oz being enough to sway some folks to the .38 if they know they are not going to shoot .357s.

 

[skoro]

Doubtful, considering the advantages the 38 has for concealed carry.

 

[tinygnat219]

S&W makes the J-Frame in .357 Magnum, yet their .38 SPL J-Frames still remain strong sellers. I don't see how the introduction of the 357 LCR will change that at all.

 

[gmh1013]

nope

I like .38s for very small frame revolvers...
My SP 101 snub is painful enough with 357's...and it has some weight

 

[GreenMTNLife]

not likely

I'm in the market for a pocket carry gun. Looking at LCR's and J-frames. I will not be buying one in .357. I want something light weight, with manageable recoil. I can't afford a whole bunch of guns, so want a carry piece that will work In all seasons with pretty much whatever clothing I'm wearing. If more money becomes available, then I might look at a .357 for IWB carry during the winter, but even then it'll probably be an sp101.

 

[Prosser]

360PD, from bud's VERY cheap right now.