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September 14, 2024, 05:46 PM | #1 |
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thoughts on LCRX .357 3" barrel
I'd like some input from anybody who owns or has fired a LCRX .357 with a 3" barrel. My wife, who is an accomplished ATA trap shooter, has expressed a desire for a purse handgun. She not acquainted with the many semi auto for sale and insists on a revolver. The wheel guns I have are either too big or require too much hand strength, or of a bigger caliber than she wants to fire. The Ruger ads say the double action requires little hand strength and single action is good. The problem is that none of the local gun shops or ranges have one on hand, they must be ordered. Any thoughts on this revolver would be appreciated.
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September 14, 2024, 06:42 PM | #2 |
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I own 2 LCR's a 2" and 3" 38 spl. They have wonderful triggers and are supremely easy to carry. The 357 is a bit heavier. More weight than I'd want for a 38 spl only gun but not enough weight for a 357 full power gun.
The only revolver that has a better trigger is the Kimber series of revolvers. They have a light weight 6 shot wheel gun and also an all steel version. Even the all steel isn't pleasant to shoot with full power mags. If I need that kind of power I need to step up to the SP101 3" which has just enough heft for me. All things considered I think the 38 spl guns are the best all rounders. |
September 14, 2024, 06:51 PM | #3 |
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would like the .357 model for the extra weight. Planning on shooting +Ps.
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September 15, 2024, 08:59 AM | #4 |
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i have a ruger lcr-x 38sp, 3”, not 357. i think it maybe too large for typical purse carry. you might find a specially-designed ccw purse that would suitable. it is lightweight thus i prefer to load it with 38sp wadcutters for lower recoil impulse. i bought it at a low price to see if it works for me as a hiking or car gun. it’s ok, but jury is still out.
i had a dao lcr in 38sp and 22wmr, and still have one in 22lr. im not a fan. the trigger pull is necessarily stiff on the 22lr, flashbang on the 22wmr was fantastically distracting, i simply prefer the geometry of the s&w j-frame for a 38sp snubbie. i tried a cousin’s lcr 327mag, it’s actually fun to shoot in 32long, so i recommend a look-see. i also suggest a dao s&w 442/642 and swap the grips to something more substantial, which is one of my ccw. my sister’s ccw is a steel taurus 85 with exposed hammer, she is accurate and happy with it, pink hogue grips and all. |
September 15, 2024, 10:54 AM | #5 |
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I think I better look at all the above mentioned.
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September 15, 2024, 12:06 PM | #6 |
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I have the 3" LCRX .38 Special, rated for "+P" loads.
So light weight, it's a joy to carry. The ugly black grips become beautiful once you light off a hot .38 special round. It's MORE THAN SNAPPY! The gun weighs ONE POUND on my postal scale. Recoil.. I've got a .44 Magnum Blackhawk and went through the whole Hand Cannon phase.. including .454 Casull. No way would I want to launch a stout .357 Magnum out of a small handgun weighting just a few ounces over one pound. May as well hold a firecracker in your mitts, it would hurt less. Anyone who thinks .38 Special is some sort of weak sauce, please stand in front of one. No, don't. Someone is always "That Guy" and wants to get on Youtube. As a field gun, the 3" LCRX .38 special is spectacular. So light you really forget it's in your jacket pocket. Barrel long enough to be aim reasonably. .38 Special loads up to more power than you'd care to light off. The cam in the Ruger gives a nice single action pull. I am not at all a concealed carry person. I speculate for a purse gun, the 2" LCR .38 would be a better choice. The exposed hammer is going to catch on things. And the LCR could be fired from inside the purse. I am not about stuff like that. My main concerns are pinecones, tin cans, and maybe a rabid raccoon or something in the fields.
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September 15, 2024, 12:47 PM | #7 |
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That's is why I'm looking for the 21 oz. .357 using .38s. Recoil should not be an issue. Thanks for your input.
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September 16, 2024, 03:10 AM | #8 |
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In the LCRs, I have owned a .38 and own a .357.
Strongly recommend getting a .357. The extra ounces make a real difference in felt recoil. The build is a bit more stout also, of course. Shoot.38s out of it, though. The trigger is light. |
September 16, 2024, 05:57 PM | #9 |
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Another option is the LCRX 9mm 1.87" barrel. I have one and like it a lot. Trigger is excellent in both DA and SA. Recoil is not a problem. Comes with 3 moon clips which allows for quick reloads.
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September 17, 2024, 04:56 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
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September 17, 2024, 02:43 PM | #11 |
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1. It's your wife's gun. If you're getting the .357 to shoot 38 specials out of it, I understand. Putting a .357 though it... that's he-man manly stuff I won't do. 21 ounces is still a very light handgun.
If it's too big and too heavy, it's not going to stay in the purse for long. I assume you have handguns suitable for the range already. 2. A .327 Fed Mag 3" lcrx would be an awesome field gun! I'd stick to .32 H&R Mag and .32 Long level power, but wouldn't that be a joy? Only for us handloaders, the rest of you can wait on the sidelines.
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September 17, 2024, 03:00 PM | #12 |
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I suspect the 3" LCRx steel frame .357 with the factory Hogue "Tamer" grip would not be abusive to shoot with .38+P. I have the 3" LCRx steel frame 9mm version. Factory 9mm generates more recoil than "most" .38+P, but the Tamer grip actually does moderate felt recoil. And if using .357 in one of these little revolvers, I think the Tamer grip would be much appreciated.
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September 17, 2024, 04:46 PM | #13 |
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The Ruger LCRX . 357 with a 3” barrel looks like something perfect for your wife’s purse gun. The Nitro Pistols are very light, it has a splendid trigger and what’s more; the extra weight of the. 357 model should prove quite handy when shooting +P loads and especially the amount of recoil that results from shooting such loads.
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September 21, 2024, 04:22 PM | #14 |
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the only real ansswer to this question is to have the wife try one out. My wife skipped asking me all together, went to the gun shop/range and tried several different types and calibers. She wound up with a S&W 442 in .38 Special.
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September 22, 2024, 12:48 PM | #15 |
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See what your wife thinks of the Taurus 856 line - whether steel or the Ultra Lite versions.
I just recently picked up an all stainless Taurus 856 just for fun. Quality is decent and could be a good option for 'carry a lot and shoot a little' revolver. |
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