Ruger LCR

MatthewBerman · April 20, 2010, 10:07 PM

Anyone have any good or bad comments on the LCR I'm thinking of buying one and just wanted to get some info before I shell out some clams.

Don H · April 20, 2010, 10:39 PM

If you do a search on "LCR" you'll get a couple of hundred hits. That should provide you with a ton of information.

cpallen · April 20, 2010, 10:48 PM

I bought the model with the Crimson Trace grips about a month ago. I've shot about 200 rounds of generic range ammo and 25 or so +P defensive rounds over two outings. . It feels very different from the S&W J frames I have shot. I feel like it has less recoil, although still pretty stiff with the Speer 135gr GDHP. More of a push than a flip.

Good trigger with a definite transition point to where the hammer falls. You can almost shoot it as if single action. Laser is nice especially when dry firing and learning trigger control. I could see it be an advantage for point shooting. You should check out the Crimsontrace.com web site.

Very light and I like the stainless steel + aluminum alloy + polymer and the dark color.It should be very corrosion resistant. The SW 642 is it's closest competitor in stainless and aluminum, but I don't particularly care for the silver. The blue/black SW 442 is carbon steel not stainless.

I hope this helps. You might check at firing ranges in your area to see if they have a LCR to rent.

Huskerguy · April 20, 2010, 10:49 PM

Just got mine and tried it this weekend. It is actually my wife's but she lets me shoot it.

We really like it. I had it for our C&C class and the instructor really liked it as did several who shot it. It is very nice to handle, doesn't recoil as hard as one would think. The CT laser is very cool. If you want great patterns, it will take some practice. We have just under 6 in ours. Seems to be a fair price.

GojuBrian · April 21, 2010, 02:55 AM

Mine is great. Great trigger, weight, for carry,etc........

farmerboy · April 21, 2010, 04:22 AM

I've been thinking of getting either an LCR or a S&W 642 for my wife. Have talked to many and it's about 50/50 from what I hear about the two. Tomorrow planning to get a 642 for the wife (Bryan, Tx.) for $655.00 with crimson trace. I've dealt with S&W in the past with their warranty and I can say their SECOND to none in my opinion but it seems like most love their LCR's as well

TinyDee · April 21, 2010, 08:34 AM

I have three, one to my wife with laser and one of each, laser and not for me. I love the LCR and I think you will too.

katana8869 · April 21, 2010, 12:37 PM

I consider my LCR to be one of the best purchases that I have ever made in a 5 shot snub nosed revolver. It is quite an improvement over the S&W J-frames IMO. The trigger is smoother, the sights are better and the Houge grip on the standard non-laser model do a great jub of soaking up the recoil of even +P loads.

Here is a pic of what I did in 5 seconds at 5 yards with the first 5 rounds that I ever fired from mine.

cpallen · April 21, 2010, 01:58 PM

that you were pretty good to begin with. But still a pretty good, qualified endorsement of the LCR!

11Z5P · April 23, 2010, 02:55 AM

I am really not a big 38 Special fan, but the need to have something small and light to carry drove me to buy 2 LCRs. One for me and one for the wife. Hers has the crimson trace, mine is without. The wife and I took them to the range twice, and we both got hooked on them. I am still a little skeptical of the 38 spec round, but people I know and trust tell me that with good self def +p ammo it will do the job. I still would rather carry my nightguard 325 (45ACP) or my XD45 because I am a big bullet fan. But more often than not now I carry my little Ruger. Bottom line, I like the gun.

EdInk · April 23, 2010, 09:04 AM

I like the LCR. I wouldn't get rid of a j-frame to "upgrade" but it is a good gun. Everything else I own from Ruger is great and I will probably get at least one other Ruger gun for my collection.

My only complaints on the LCR is that I find the grip to be a bit large for ccw. Second, I don't like the cylinder release button, I like a S&W/Taurus style cylinder release. The last is not so much the gun but the (lack of) holsters available, which will be remedied over time.

If you're not in a rush maybe wait and look at the new S&W polymer revolver. Although, I think between those two; I would go with the LCR. the new S&W has a built in laser (and I don't care for laser sights) and the cylinder release is in a "different" (read: strange) location above the grip.

xrmattaz · April 23, 2010, 10:56 AM

I truly love my J-frame S&W's, but the trigger on the LCR is head and shoulders above, IMO. The Ruger is a bit larger, with stock grips, thus working best for belt carry, again IMO. It does fit, and works well, in the same ankle (Renegade) and shoulder holsters (Null) that I use for my other snubs.

I shoot pretty good with the Smiths, fabulously with the Ruger. It get's it's own Milt Sparks PMK holster next week, she's a keeper!

hulley · April 23, 2010, 10:16 PM

My LCR is far and away my favorite CCW. I carry it at 2 o'clock and it very comfortable. This is one gun that I would definitly buy again.

hickok45 · April 24, 2010, 07:25 AM

I like the feel of this gun, except the deal killer for me is the large grip. If standard size boot grips, like I keep on my 642, would fit it, I'd probably be in the market. It's always been my bias that grips can turn a J frame into a K frame, or a K frame into an N frame. If a gun is going to be for belt holster carry, it doesn't matter much, I guess.

Nice gun, though, and eventually there will likely be a wider range of aftermarket grips available.

cpallen · April 24, 2010, 01:08 PM

EdInk said: "Second, I don't like the cylinder release button, I like a S&W/Taurus style cylinder release."

I rented a 642 when I was shopping and the cylinder release actually gouged the webbing between my thumb and forefinger if I had too high of a grip. This doesn't happen with my Model 65, nor can it happen with the LCR. I prefer the push button style on the LCR.

MatthewBerman · May 1, 2010, 09:51 PM

Well I did it. I dropped the clams today and bought myself a brand new LCR for a steal at the gunshow. Will have to wait a few days to see how she shoots. Thanks everyone for all the input. This is one of the reasons why I love this site!!!

jephthai · May 2, 2010, 11:29 PM

I think you'll enjoy it. I was really scared when I bought it (couldn't try before I bought), since all my snubby experience was with a 23-ounce steel Taurus awhile back. I was sure I was going to have difficulty adjusting to the recoil on the 13-ounce LCR.

But I was pleasantly shocked by the low recoil. For those who complain and say it's just another plastic gun, all I can say is it really works well for me.

-Jephthai-

April 20, 2010, 10:07 PM	#1
MatthewBerman Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: Bethlehem, GA Posts: 32	Ruger LCR Anyone have any good or bad comments on the LCR I'm thinking of buying one and just wanted to get some info before I shell out some clams. Last edited by MatthewBerman; April 20, 2010 at 10:08 PM. Reason: spelling

April 20, 2010, 10:48 PM	#3
cpallen Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Posts: 48	Ruger LCR I bought the model with the Crimson Trace grips about a month ago. I've shot about 200 rounds of generic range ammo and 25 or so +P defensive rounds over two outings. . It feels very different from the S&W J frames I have shot. I feel like it has less recoil, although still pretty stiff with the Speer 135gr GDHP. More of a push than a flip. Good trigger with a definite transition point to where the hammer falls. You can almost shoot it as if single action. Laser is nice especially when dry firing and learning trigger control. I could see it be an advantage for point shooting. You should check out the Crimsontrace.com web site. Very light and I like the stainless steel + aluminum alloy + polymer and the dark color.It should be very corrosion resistant. The SW 642 is it's closest competitor in stainless and aluminum, but I don't particularly care for the silver. The blue/black SW 442 is carbon steel not stainless. I hope this helps. You might check at firing ranges in your area to see if they have a LCR to rent.

April 20, 2010, 10:49 PM	#4
Huskerguy Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 348	LCR Just got mine and tried it this weekend. It is actually my wife's but she lets me shoot it. We really like it. I had it for our C&C class and the instructor really liked it as did several who shot it. It is very nice to handle, doesn't recoil as hard as one would think. The CT laser is very cool. If you want great patterns, it will take some practice. We have just under 6 in ours. Seems to be a fair price.

April 21, 2010, 01:58 PM	#9
cpallen Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Posts: 48	I suspect... that you were pretty good to begin with. But still a pretty good, qualified endorsement of the LCR!

April 23, 2010, 02:55 AM	#10
11Z5P Junior Member Join Date: April 4, 2010 Location: Fort Worth TX Posts: 7	LCR I am really not a big 38 Special fan, but the need to have something small and light to carry drove me to buy 2 LCRs. One for me and one for the wife. Hers has the crimson trace, mine is without. The wife and I took them to the range twice, and we both got hooked on them. I am still a little skeptical of the 38 spec round, but people I know and trust tell me that with good self def +p ammo it will do the job. I still would rather carry my nightguard 325 (45ACP) or my XD45 because I am a big bullet fan. But more often than not now I carry my little Ruger. Bottom line, I like the gun.

April 20, 2010, 10:39 PM	#2
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	If you do a search on "LCR" you'll get a couple of hundred hits. That should provide you with a ton of information.

April 21, 2010, 02:55 AM	#5
GojuBrian Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2009 Posts: 303	Mine is great. Great trigger, weight, for carry,etc........

April 21, 2010, 04:22 AM	#6
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I've been thinking of getting either an LCR or a S&W 642 for my wife. Have talked to many and it's about 50/50 from what I hear about the two. Tomorrow planning to get a 642 for the wife (Bryan, Tx.) for $655.00 with crimson trace. I've dealt with S&W in the past with their warranty and I can say their SECOND to none in my opinion but it seems like most love their LCR's as well

April 21, 2010, 08:34 AM	#7
TinyDee Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 351	I have three, one to my wife with laser and one of each, laser and not for me. I love the LCR and I think you will too.

April 21, 2010, 12:37 PM	#8
katana8869 Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Posts: 355	I consider my LCR to be one of the best purchases that I have ever made in a 5 shot snub nosed revolver. It is quite an improvement over the S&W J-frames IMO. The trigger is smoother, the sights are better and the Houge grip on the standard non-laser model do a great jub of soaking up the recoil of even +P loads. Here is a pic of what I did in 5 seconds at 5 yards with the first 5 rounds that I ever fired from mine.

April 23, 2010, 09:04 AM	#11
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	I like the LCR. I wouldn't get rid of a j-frame to "upgrade" but it is a good gun. Everything else I own from Ruger is great and I will probably get at least one other Ruger gun for my collection. My only complaints on the LCR is that I find the grip to be a bit large for ccw. Second, I don't like the cylinder release button, I like a S&W/Taurus style cylinder release. The last is not so much the gun but the (lack of) holsters available, which will be remedied over time. If you're not in a rush maybe wait and look at the new S&W polymer revolver. Although, I think between those two; I would go with the LCR. the new S&W has a built in laser (and I don't care for laser sights) and the cylinder release is in a "different" (read: strange) location above the grip.

April 23, 2010, 10:56 AM	#12
xrmattaz Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2006 Location: lovely Prescott, AZ Posts: 205	I truly love my J-frame S&W's, but the trigger on the LCR is head and shoulders above, IMO. The Ruger is a bit larger, with stock grips, thus working best for belt carry, again IMO. It does fit, and works well, in the same ankle (Renegade) and shoulder holsters (Null) that I use for my other snubs. I shoot pretty good with the Smiths, fabulously with the Ruger. It get's it's own Milt Sparks PMK holster next week, she's a keeper!

April 23, 2010, 10:16 PM	#13
hulley Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Location: Hoschton, Ga. Posts: 726	My LCR is far and away my favorite CCW. I carry it at 2 o'clock and it very comfortable. This is one gun that I would definitly buy again.

April 24, 2010, 07:25 AM	#14
hickok45 Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2000 Location: Nashville, Tn Posts: 212	I like the feel of this gun, except the deal killer for me is the large grip. If standard size boot grips, like I keep on my 642, would fit it, I'd probably be in the market. It's always been my bias that grips can turn a J frame into a K frame, or a K frame into an N frame. If a gun is going to be for belt holster carry, it doesn't matter much, I guess. Nice gun, though, and eventually there will likely be a wider range of aftermarket grips available.

April 24, 2010, 01:08 PM	#15
cpallen Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Posts: 48	LCR EdInk said: "Second, I don't like the cylinder release button, I like a S&W/Taurus style cylinder release." I rented a 642 when I was shopping and the cylinder release actually gouged the webbing between my thumb and forefinger if I had too high of a grip. This doesn't happen with my Model 65, nor can it happen with the LCR. I prefer the push button style on the LCR.

May 1, 2010, 09:51 PM	#16
MatthewBerman Member Join Date: August 4, 2009 Location: Bethlehem, GA Posts: 32	Well I did it. I dropped the clams today and bought myself a brand new LCR for a steal at the gunshow. Will have to wait a few days to see how she shoots. Thanks everyone for all the input. This is one of the reasons why I love this site!!!

May 2, 2010, 11:29 PM	#17
jephthai Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Posts: 463	I think you'll enjoy it. I was really scared when I bought it (couldn't try before I bought), since all my snubby experience was with a 23-ounce steel Taurus awhile back. I was sure I was going to have difficulty adjusting to the recoil on the 13-ounce LCR. But I was pleasantly shocked by the low recoil. For those who complain and say it's just another plastic gun, all I can say is it really works well for me. -Jephthai-