Ruger LCR .38 vs S&W 442

claydoctor · June 19, 2016, 10:35 AM

I have a nice custom 442 but am thinking about an LCR as it is a bit lighter . Anyone who has both and can compare the two ?

mavracer · June 19, 2016, 12:38 PM

I have a limited edition two tone magnaported 442 and a LCR both very good guns. The weight difference is minimal. I carry the LCR far more mostly cause it has a XS sight and crimson trace grips.

claydoctor · June 19, 2016, 05:27 PM

The one LCR I have shot was in 38spl and I thought the recoil was sharper than with my 442 but I think they may have changed the grip since then .

dgludwig · June 19, 2016, 05:36 PM

As much as I like Smith J-frames and as much as I hate the looks of the Ruger LCR, I'd still be the first to concede that the Ruger has the best da trigger pull between the two of them-by far.

lee n. field · June 19, 2016, 07:25 PM

Quote:

I have a nice custom 442 but am thinking about an LCR as it is a bit lighter . Anyone who has both and can compare the two ?

Do you really want something lighter than the 442?

Dave Chuppa · June 19, 2016, 09:51 PM

I have both. The LCR has the smoother lighter trigger and I probably shoot it a little better than the 442. That is practicing at the Range. Shooting a quick double taps it's easy for me to double stroke and skip a chamber. I quit carrying the LCR for that reason. I doubt I will ever have too pull a gun let alone shoot it. But it was in my mind that it could happen. I always liked the 442 better so it wasn't hard to carry it as my pocket gun. I never thought the lighter trigger of the LCR would work against me. Now I normally carry a 442 in my pocket and a model 36 AIWB.

FrankenMauser · June 19, 2016, 10:22 PM

I had a 642 (stainless 442) that I slicked up, did a quick trigger job on, and put some better springs in. It wasn't too bad.

I now have a .327 LCR.

The LCR is the better revolver.
It's nicer to carry.
It uses the same holsters (and other accessories if .38/.357).
And, even though my .327 Federal version of the LCR uses a stiffer main spring (.327 Federal uses rifle primers), the factory DA trigger pull is still better than the J-frame - even after I smoothed it up and lightened the springs.

The only negative that I can think of at the moment, is that I find the LCR to be more painful to shoot with frozen hands. The rest of the time, it's not an issue. And it wasn't as bad with the 642. But with ice-cold hands in the winter, this LCR isn't very pleasant to shoot. ...Not that it matters in a self defense situation.

tallball · June 20, 2016, 01:12 PM

I have an LCR in 38 special and an alloy-framed revolver similar to the 442.

The LCR is lighter and easier to carry. It has a better DA trigger.

The alloy-framed one isn't that much heavier, but is significantly easier to shoot.

It just depends on what is more important to you.

JAREDSHS · June 20, 2016, 06:51 PM

I 've had both, I'll keep my 442 thank you

June 19, 2016, 10:35 AM	#1
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	Ruger LCR .38 vs S&W 442 I have a nice custom 442 but am thinking about an LCR as it is a bit lighter . Anyone who has both and can compare the two ?

June 19, 2016, 05:36 PM	#4
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	As much as I like Smith J-frames and as much as I hate the looks of the Ruger LCR, I'd still be the first to concede that the Ruger has the best da trigger pull between the two of them-by far. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

June 19, 2016, 09:51 PM	#6
Dave Chuppa Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Posts: 448	I have both. The LCR has the smoother lighter trigger and I probably shoot it a little better than the 442. That is practicing at the Range. Shooting a quick double taps it's easy for me to double stroke and skip a chamber. I quit carrying the LCR for that reason. I doubt I will ever have too pull a gun let alone shoot it. But it was in my mind that it could happen. I always liked the 442 better so it wasn't hard to carry it as my pocket gun. I never thought the lighter trigger of the LCR would work against me. Now I normally carry a 442 in my pocket and a model 36 AIWB. __________________ TWO HANDGUNS AND RELOADS, EVERY DAY ALL DAY

June 19, 2016, 10:22 PM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I had a 642 (stainless 442) that I slicked up, did a quick trigger job on, and put some better springs in. It wasn't too bad. I now have a .327 LCR. The LCR is the better revolver. It's nicer to carry. It uses the same holsters (and other accessories if .38/.357). And, even though my .327 Federal version of the LCR uses a stiffer main spring (.327 Federal uses rifle primers), the factory DA trigger pull is still better than the J-frame - even after I smoothed it up and lightened the springs. The only negative that I can think of at the moment, is that I find the LCR to be more painful to shoot with frozen hands. The rest of the time, it's not an issue. And it wasn't as bad with the 642. But with ice-cold hands in the winter, this LCR isn't very pleasant to shoot. ...Not that it matters in a self defense situation. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 19, 2016, 05:27 PM	#3
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	The one LCR I have shot was in 38spl and I thought the recoil was sharper than with my 442 but I think they may have changed the grip since then .

June 20, 2016, 01:12 PM	#8
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I have an LCR in 38 special and an alloy-framed revolver similar to the 442. The LCR is lighter and easier to carry. It has a better DA trigger. The alloy-framed one isn't that much heavier, but is significantly easier to shoot. It just depends on what is more important to you.