Ruger LCR 357
Ruger have finally deliver the revolver that fans have been clamoring for since the original Ruger LCR was launched last year. The new LCR-357 is chambered in .357 Magnum, giving it a lot more punch (no doubt both to the target and the shooter) than the previous .38 Special LCR.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .357 Magnum |
| Capacity | 5 |
| Barrel Length | 1.88" |
| Finish | Blackened Stainless |
| Front Sight | Replaceable, Pinned Ramp |
| Rear Sight | U-Notch Integral |
| Width | 1.28" |
| Weight | 17.10 oz. |
| Twist | 1|16" RH |
| Grips | Hogue Tamer |
| Overall Length | 6.50" |
| Height | 4.50" |
| MSRP (Price) | $575.00 |
| Available | June |
Wow. I’ve never “heard” so much crying in my life. Get with it people! Toughen up!! I own several different calibers in handguns. Some are more of a pleasure to shoot than others. But I practice shooting them ALL!! Who cares if one gun has a little more recoil than the next. I own a Ruger LCR .357, and I like it a lot! Of course, it’s not as easy to shoot as my MARK 111, but I didn’t buy it to plink around with. I bought it for self-defense purposes. I know one thing, if a “crackhead” is close enough to me to be threatening my life, I’m gonna be happy to know that I’m on the grip end of my .357 magnum! Regardless on how bad it “hurts” to shoot it! Just point and shoot. You have five tries to hit him. Good luck.
Hey Shawnna, you will have no problem with the .357 LCR. The trigger is nice. I have the .380 LCP also and the trigger on the LCR is exponentially better than the LCP.
I enjoy shooting my .357 mag LCR, but I also enjoy shooting my .44 mag super redhawk. My hands form to the tamer grips perfectly and the recoil is negligible as I have x-large hands and would be considered a large frame man.
Shawnna, hard to say. From purely antedotal reports, I’d pick a Ruger over a Taurus, period. That said, you have one, it works–why change?
I’m sure you’ve read of the opinions why it’s a bad idea to carry one’s gun in a purse (easy to leave behind someplace and forget, easy to have it ripped from you by a passerby, etc), so I won’t comment on that. Obviously, a lighter gun will weigh less. And an LCR is light, not sure what a Taurus weighs though. I found the weight difference between the 38spl-only version and the 357 to be very noticable in the pocket. For you, in a purse, either might “feel” the same.
Myself, I had the 38spl LCR, and I kinda wished I had kept it: very light, hardly notice in a pocket (but being a guy, stuff dissapears in my pockets, unlike for a typical woman). I wound up trading for the 357 version, not so that I could shoot 357′s but so that the recoil was lower while shooting 38′s. I much prefer shooting the 357 version over the 38 spl-only version–much of the “sharpness” of the recoil is tamed.
I do not shoot 357′s in this gun, just 158grn +P’s. I definately notice the recoil over 148grn WC’s. This is not a range toy, though–but one ought to be able to fire more than a few rounds a month, so as to feel comfortable–and to be competent.
Anyhow, I think the best advice you can get, is to go try one. Go to a firing range that rents guns; or find a local who has one (preferably both LCR’s).
Get the LCR; its design is better suited to transferring recoil better since your hand is closer to the barrel (up higher) and the grips do an amazing job of making it a more comfortable gun to fire. My hunch is trigger pull will be lighter or at least felt lighter in the LCR.
Ok guys, a woman here with a question. I currently carry a taurus 357 hammer less(before that my conceal carry was a 44 special). I basically bought a purse so I can conceal my gun when shopping. But after walking around awhile it gets heavy. The bulk of the weight is the gun, I’m NOT a suitcase purse woman LOL only gun, wallet,pen, change,mini notebook.
Held the lcr and it is much lighter to me. Considering replacing my 357 taurus with the lcr. My husband almost bought it the other day! Is it worth it? is the recoil really as bad as some say on here?!?! I mean ive shot a smith & wesson 500 just fine and 44 mags no prob for me… sooo, should i get the lcr or stick with my taurus?!
After purchasing a LCR in .357 magnum I can say it’s not for the amateur shooter who has limited experience; however, with that said after spending time at the range, it’s the perfect CCW for its intended purpose. It’s lightweight for all day concealed carry, not for competition or fun target shooting. It does kick as you may already know but it’s not that bad, besides hopefully you will never have to use it in a self-defense situation but if you have to, be assured you may have the best self-defense firearm possible.
OK What’s the secret? In the lest couple of days I’ve gotten notifications about a new post, one today 8/15/11 and the newest post available to see is 5/22/11; where did the last two new ones go?
Anyway the alleged new post was:
Author: Mike N
Comment:
Having just fired some of the Buffalo Bore .38 158 +P LSWC rounds this weekend (one cylinder only), I can honestly say, good luck on firing .357 rounds out of a 16oz revolver. The Hornady FTXs round are merely very unpleasant, but the BB rounds are like getting smacked in the hand with a hammer on every shot. I can only imagine a full .357.
My reply is:
You’ll be surprised, there’s virtually no difference between the +P and the .357 factory load.
Having just fired some of the Buffalo Bore .38 158 +P LSWC rounds this weekend (one cylinder only), I can honestly say, good luck on firing .357 rounds out of a 16oz revolver. The Hornady FTXs round are merely very unpleasant, but the BB rounds are like getting smacked in the hand with a hammer on every shot. I can only imagine a full .357.
I just put one on lay-a-way and can’t wait to get it on the range!! I have a GP161 and love it, and this little booger has got to be a blast!!!
RR
It seems most do not quite understand the intended use of the snub nosed revolver. If you are trying to put 100 plus rounds down range in a tight group, than yes, this is a miserable gun to shoot. However, if you are approached by an attacker and need to defend yourself from let’s say 12′ away and fire off a quick 2 or 3 rounds at high center mass, I doubt your first thoughts are “man this gun is a little too snappy for me” or “geeze, I wouldn’t want to shoot this all day.” I personally like the idea of a powerfull round in a small package. My personal preferance is a compact .40 and the same can be said for these.
Scott,
I’m not sure if your comment “as to the issue of petite people and trigger pulls…what a lame post.” was directed at my post but my .357 LCR has the lightest, smoothest trigger pull of ANY snub nose I’ve ever handled, and not by just a little bit. A friend asked me to sight in his laser on a S&W comparable snub nose and in order to pull the trigger such that I could stay on target off a sand bag, I had to use two fingers. That’s absolutely not true with the LCR.
As far as recoil; recoil management is much more an issue with how you hold the gun rather than being a big brute. The LCR’s grip naturally put the crux of your index finger and thumb high on the grip making that grasp just barely below the bottom of the bore. That means if you’re putting the gun in your hand with it being in a straight line to your arm, holding it high on the grip as is natural with the Hogue Grips, you’ll find recoil surprisingly manageable. Which brings me to Hogue Grips in general, they are simply a miracle when it comes to steady aim, recoil management and comfort; a wise choice for Rugers LCR’s.
As far as burning all the powder, magnum loads or any handgun load over 1,000 fps are using a slower burning powder. They gain their speed by a longer push from a slower burn so comparing a 5″ barrel to a 1.88″ LCR barrel, you can be assured all the powder isn’t being burned but so what, it does not all burn in a 3 or 4″ barrel either but still packs a punch at the target. There are definite advantages to snub nose guns; how many flakes of powder burning isn’t a deal breaker.
I’ve been told that .357 can’t even burn all of it’s powder …..
peopel will lie alot on the internet. sometimes the get into a bad habit of it instead of stopping lying and cimmitting fraud.
i dont know if that true or not.
i expect all the powder that burns is burned.
as to whether the bullet has left the barrel before the explosion has ended i dont know. or if thats the case with other revolvers
the gun is meant to be a short barrel gun with a slower velocity…and fire slower so if all the powder is burned or not it shouldnt mean much.
i have read that the hotter 357 loads can still get 1100 fps or so out of 2″ barrels. far in excess of any .38 spl.
as to the issue of petite people and trigger pulls…what a lame post.
woldnt a petite person have trouble wit a 357 anyway??? i belive comments about the trigger have been posted. simialr to existing snub .357.
go to your nearest gun store .
i pulled a lcr 38 (so labeled at the store) trigger and it was crisper that a SW centenial but not as smooth throughout the pull.
Mark, I want to say it’s a 7# trigger pull but doesn’t seem at all like it, it’s a real smooth pull. I have recommended this gun for women to carry.
I keep looking up reviews on this gun but no one seems to want to list the weight of the trigger pull? That is important if a petite woman is going to be able to use it. How tough is it to add this information?
Nothing to it. i have one and i shoot critical defense 357 loads out of it. All the recoil is straight back instead of alot of muzzle flip. It is totally manageable. Surprisingly.
I had an opportunity to own the +P Model of this gun to fire then exchange if for the .357…long story but Ruger is an honorable company that takes care of their customers. I have to say I couldn’t distinguish the difference in recoil between the +P and the .357 and the first time I shot the .357 model with .357′s in it. I was shocked at how comfortable a gun it is to fire. Either those Hogue Grips really do their job or Ruger designed a very easy gun to manage or the combination of the two but this gun is a pleasure to fire compared to what you would expect. Shoots straight too; I fool around with it at the steel target range and people are amazed how manageable it is putting steel plates down.
Funny story, when I picked up the first one the guy handed me a box for the gun and when I got it in my hand I asked where the gun is? It was in the box. Loading it almost doubles it’s weight and empty you have to remind yourself it’s a deadly weapon because it’s so light.
I highly recommend it.
I have the LCR357
All I can say is, it has the best DA trigger I have ever felt in any snubby.
Before ammo price went crazy, my regular practice was .45acp, .357maf and .44mag.
Sure it is what it is. A defensive tool. It is not meant for range use.
I have fired many firearms at the range, and in practice, that just hurt like heck and back to shoot. However (having never fired a LCR .357 mag.), I venture to say that if you know how to handle the firearm and fire any firearm with your favorite big-game in its sight, or a bad-guy (and I am a combat veteran), you–more than likely–will barely hear the muzzle blast or feel the recoil. I am no fan of snubby .357 mags either (or any other hand-gun caliber that doesn’t begin with a “.4″ or larger); however, if this is your caliber of choice, there are no reasons that you can not use this firearm to shoot .38 spcls a little more comfortably than in the LCR .38 as it has a larger grip, and a little more heft.
I have never seen a Ruger firearm that was a bad fit for its intended purpose.
I just spent a few hundred rounds at the range with my 357, and it is a joy to shoot with 38 special. With 357, it has some serious teeth. For me, as a concealed carry weapon it will carry 38 special when indoors or around town, but if I am going in a deep woods hike Ill load it up with 357s. Its not about 357 all the time, its about flexibility to suit the pourpose. I did not find myself to be much less accurate with the 357 loads, but I certainly dont want to be shooting more than a few rounds of the stuff. That being said, if you need more than a few rounds of 357, you should have brought a bigger gun, and you are in a world of shit.
P.S. The Crimson Trace laser grip is a very worthwhile upgrade.
–Brian
bottom line:purchase something you can and will shoot regularly with confidence;and, practice,practice,practice!I own an LCR in .357 and shoot it regularly with no recoil problems;but,I don’t think my S&W .44 mag night guard kicks all that much either.I’m sure if you were all 6’3″,300lbs and had hands the size of baseball gloves as I do, recoil wouldnt be a problem for
any shooter.So, go get yourselves an NAA mini revolver (great little single action) or something along that line to tame that recoil.And by the way,muzzle flash coming from a short barrel magnum probably won’t matter if all you need is one shot………practice,practice,practice.
oops’bonafied’minus two for sp. Got the LCR357 today,stopped on the way home and shot it (+Ps and magnums), I’m impressed. It was almost half the price of the S&W counterpart. BOUGHT IT-SHOT IT-LOVE IT!!! It is now my EDC. Do not be afraid. Try it you’ll like it.
I’m buying one tomorrow. I found your comments interesting and informing. I’ll let you know my feelings on the matter. I do strongly agree with the theory if you haven’t personally shot it,I don’t think you have a bonified opinion, period.
I just got back from the range where I fired my new LCR .357 for the first time. I shot .38 and full on .357 ammo. I was quite surprised that while the .357 was snappier than the .38 loads, it was quite manageable…not the wrist breaker that one would expect. Ruger engineers have done a good job designing a frame that absorbs some recoil and the grip helps, also.
I am quite pleased with its performance and short range accuracy.
Wiley;
Was in the shop yesterday where I bought my LCR357 in DEC, 2010 in Charlotte, NC & they had one in the case, with every version of the lcr38+P model as well.
As several owners have commented, Ruger did it Right with the trigger in the .357!
When I retired as a police officer carrying S&W Model 66 stainless .357′s nearly 30 years ago, and after 300 rounds per year for qualification, I can honestly state the lcr357′s trigger is on a par with the #66. After the initial DA pull, the SA spot is felt round after round etc. Well worth the money and so easy to carry all day. I am determined to NOT be a victim as a handicapped senior citizen.
Stay safe out there.
Where is the best place to purchase the LCR 357? My local gun shop is asking MSRP.
Thanks.
Had my s&w 6904(9mm semi-auto) stolen a few weeks ago. Been looking for a replacement cc weapon. Was down to the lcr or another s&w offering. My wife surprised me for my birthday with the lcr357! Decision made! I got it Friday morning and took it out Saturday morning. 120 rounds later I am overwhelmed with excitement! 38 spl rounds are really tame and the federal personal defense magnums were as stated before were easily managed. Shot mostly paper from 12 and 25 yards with 1&2 hand grip(no weak side yet)from standing position and had no problem getting 5″ or smaller groups. Easy to carry,conceal,load, and purchase ammo for. I’m a fan. BTW the fact that the arm is nearly corrosion resistant is a big plus for daily carry.
Well, I was down to the LCR and the S&W 642. Today I bought the LCR in .357. I feel the trigger on the LCR is much better, no stacking and smooth all the way through. I took it out and shot 25 rounds of full power .357 ( Winchester 145 gr silvertips and 158 gr JHP I shoot deer with from my Tracker 627) through it a couple hours after I bought it and was actually surprised at the manageable recoil when compared to other snubbies or small frame .357s I have shot. Now, I’m not going to lie to you and tell you it was pleasant, but it wasn’t horrific either. For comparison, its was nicer than my super blackhawk in .44mag is with hot rounds, I would say about like a light weight .40 S&W like the Kahrs; snappy with a little sting. Now if your used to shooting a full size semi-auto in .45acp or 9mm and switch to this you might mess your pants; but thats on you. I didn’t shoot groups but I was able to hit the pop cans I set up at 10 yards every time.
OK! My wishing days are over! i finally got my hands on an LCR .357 at the Fort Knox P.X. a couple of days ago and bought it. I LOVE IT!!!!! I tricked it out with a Meprolight tritium front sight and went out to shoot it today.
Because of all the recoil “horror stories” i’ve heard on this blog & others, i started out w/ some reloaded .38 Spl SWC’s. No problem, then i moved up to Hornady Critical Defense +P’s. They were a little “snappier” but no more so than in my light-weight S&W J-frame. Federal .38+P’s same-same.
Next came .357 Mag. 125 Grain SJ soft tips. There was a significant increase in recoil; it was not pleasant but it was completely manageable. I did notice an increase in muzzle flash and concussive force, (both of which real men enjoy!) So I moved up to a .357 Mag. with 158 Grain slugs. Still not pleasant but completely manageable. I was able to consistently obtain centered hits on a 10″x14″ steel plate at approx. 7 yards even in rapid fire.
My only complaint about the gun is typical of all snubbies and that is the short extractor forces me to “pick” the empties out of the cylinder. Also, the cylinder is a little stiff opening and closing, but I assume that it will loosen up with use. Overall, I am extremely happy with this gun.
By the way, Scott T and others who don’t see the “point” of this gun, I have a three word answer for you. “Trigger, Trigger, Trigger!” The LCR has the best double action trigger on any revolver. Stiff, stacking triggers have been the Achilles heel of hammerless revolvers until now. The LCR is now my new best friend and will go everywhere with me!
Nice piece. Now why can’t they do a .45 ACP with full moons in the GP format or such????? Drives me crazy Ruger can seem to do a revolver in every caliber known to man save for the .45 ACP
I purchased the LCR and I love it! Went shooting for the first time in 20 years, 100 rds, 2 days in a row, and my wrist and arm feel great! No problems at all!
They are out there, but not many. I bought mine at a local gun show here in Portland Or.
I keep hearing that they’re not shipping to any of my local providers. I can find .38′s but no .357′s. Where are you getting your .357′s???
I had the .38 version and sold it as soon as found out about the .357 model. The .38 kicked a little but it only really bothered the girls! My reason for going with the mag. model was for the longer chambers, so that i could carry Grizzly Cartridges reversed hollow based wad cutters as they had to be forced the last little bit into the chamber of the .38. Also I like the extra margin of strength and weight for the heavy loads. By the way, there is no better grip design out there for controlling recoil of this size on a J-frame sized revolver in my opinion. I had an air weight S&W and HATED IT.
Now off to shoot my new .357!!!
about these light wieght snubbies in .357 mag, from a survival / scrounging stand point…the way our current climate is , (economic and gun / ammo control) it’s nice to know that i have an option of either .38 spl cases or in their absense .357 mag case, can be used to reload and keep feeding my gun.
Ok, traded in today. The cylinder and cylinder latch feel much different; not sure if it’s a wear-in item or if my version has issues–the other one in the shop was identical. Basically, any pressure on the cylinder before fully depressing the latch results in binding–did not have on the 38spl version, nor the SP101 that I just got. Also, the cylinder has more endplay out of the gun (none when in the frame). Just feels more sloppy, not sure why.
Anyone else notice this, in comparing the 38spl version against the 357LCR?
““the revolver fans have been clamoring for”
and just WHO exactly are THESE fans?
(then again, let’s ask owners of other .357 snubbies out there…)”
I’ll bite as I carry the snub SP101 .357. I am getting one of these as a backup – NY reload. That’s it.
I just bought the klcr,my wife and I fired 20 rds each of .357,yes, it packs a punch but we both could take it.
We both will practice with .38 rounds and keep it ready with .357,I’d much
rather put a .357 in the bad guy than a .38 or +p.
I’ve owned an LCR357 combined with CT laser grip and carried it for a few months. Like most who own one say, 357 ammo is manageable (although not painless) in the LCR357. The reason I bought the 357 version is because of its increased weight and strength when compared to the 38 version. I knew it would be more controllable with 38+P but would also accept 357′s (nothing wrong with that). 357 is definitely felt more so than the 38+P but nowhere near enough to prevent me from firing 5-10 rounds in a self defense situation. One round on target would likely be more than enough in most cases and accuracy has proven to be exceptional.
Although the CT laser grip is a cool and effective option, I prefer the feel of the OEM installed Hogue Tamer especially with 357 mag’s. At common self defense distances, the laser isn’t necessary at all but the CT grip conceals a little better. As previously stated, the trigger pull is nothing less than a joy.
Even though I’d like to own just about one of everything on the market, this is a great revolver and I am VERY happy to own one. Another fantastic revolver from Ruger!! What a great period for self defense handguns! The “bad guy” occupation is finally getting tougher every day!
I have found the 110 gr. Critial Defense .38+P loads are quite manageble at 7 meter targets with my 3 week old LCR .357. Having tried several types of rounds, the Critial Defense rounds are the carry loads for this concealed permit carry.
Jim
I have the 38spl version, and do find the recoil objectionable with 148grn WC’s. Yep, it’s my only centerfire pistol. I like how it carries, and the trigger pull; but the amount of recoil is a detriment to me for weekly practice. 10 rounds a week is pushing it–my thumb is starting to complain. I’m starting to think about the heavier 357Mag version (with maybe the FBI load for carry) instead.
I do know that when I tried the SP101 with 327Mag’s I thought nothing of the recoil; the LCR in 327Mag might be an interesting combination. ‘cept I’m not sure how well 327Mag will do in such a short barrel, let alone the fact that 327Mag doesn’t have a proven track record yet in the “standard” 3″ or longer barrel.
I bought a Smith 638 2.5″ barrel model & LCR357 last month, with the LCR as primary carry weapon. i agree with earlier LCR357 comments; while 357 loads are high in recoil, they are not as objectionable as many seem to think, due to the gun and grip design. I carry the cylinder with first three rounds on +P .38 and the last two with .357MAG. This is a self defense revolver, not a range or 25 yard weapon. I still miss my .45 carry gun, but hip injury forced me to give it up for a while.
¿How is the recoil felt of a taurus model 617 , cal.357, 28 oz. weight,2 inch barrel,using 125 gr. 357 golden sabers, and, .38spl.+p. GS or similar ammo?
With all due respect, the Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum is very easy to shoot and delivers much less felt recoil than all steel revolvers of greater weight. I had the same concerns some of you have expressed until I was given one as a Christmas present. I took it to the range for the first time today and put more than 50 rounds of 158 grain Magnum ammo through it.
It must be because of (1) recoil-absorbing characteristics of the polymer frame, (2) ditto on the grips, and (3) the relative low bore axis that does the job. I own and shoot a Smith & Wesson Model 19 in .357 Magnum with a 2.5″ barrel and a Ruger GP100 in .357 Magnum with a 4″ in barrel. My wife’s revolver is a Smith & Wesson Model 13 in .357 Magnum with a 4″ barrel. Although the perception of recoil is at least partly subjective, I’d swear that all of these deliver more felt recoil shooting 158 grain full-house loads than does the LCR–at least to this shooter.
I can sure understand the skepticism but I think if you try one out (rent it at the range), you’ll be very pleasantly surprised. I certainly was.
Had the 38 LCR, it was an awesome firearm. I have shot over 4000 rounds from this revolver. Use it correctly and it is a pleasure to shoot 200-300 rounds at the range. Hitting 6″ Iron silhouettes at 25 yard is a breeze once you learn how to use this revolver.
Really… At any self defense ranges you have to be cross eyed to not hit your target. With practice you should be able to shoot your target at 2 to 10 ft without looking down the sites much less even thinking about it. The 357 just make it all that much easier with its stopping power. All this technical bullshit (muzzle flash, hearing when fired) is just that….Bullshit. Before you notice any of these effects the fire fight is over. As for other assailants, this is not Baghdad.
A hate when people comment on firearms and really have no experience with them at all. Been shooting before others had been in diapers is a laugh in a half as it has nothing to do with it. I see at all the time, the veteran shooters that can not shoot themselves out of a wet paper bag when using anything over a 22LR cartridge.
Just my 2 cents, Cheers!
i hear alot about fear of recoil but i think it is mostly from people who havent been shooting very long or those who have no business shooting in the first place. ive been shooting hand cannons for years and have found that even 300 win mag isnt so bad once youve gotten past the initial fear. personally im tall and skinny and freak people out at the range when they see what i shoot but when i offer a to shoot my 300, 460, 50, or 7-08 pistols, the usual response is “that wasnt so bad”.
Just picked up the .357 LCR, great price.
I choose this sidearm for it’s power (simular ballastics to a .40) and weight, my normal carry is a Ruger P944, but the P944 is quite physically large to carry. I live in michigan and will use the .357 LCR for carry during the warmer seasons because of better concealment, and a backup during the cooler seasons. I don’t think I would want to carry anything smaller then .40 .357. or .45 for personal defense.
There is no doubt when shooting a .357 load this gun barks, but what would you expect. I will tend to practice with .38 and .357 loads but when carrying it will be loaded up with personal defense .357 mag loads.
The trigger pull is sweet and was able to group nicely at 7.5 yards with both loads. In fact I found shooting some .38 and then going to .357 and then back to .38 allowed me to better understand how my reactions are and control them.
Good trick – put only 2 or 3 rounds in randomly, this will help you see your reactions (pulls, push, jerks and such).
GREAT JOB Ruger!!
Beautiful weapon for self defense. S&w is 300+ more $. Ruger has delivered on this weapon! 3-4 ozs more is great for a 357 round! Don’t throw in your .02 cents if you don’t own one or a ruger for that matter!
I purchased the 357 LCR a couple of weeks ago. Took it to the range yesterday. After researching extensively to the point of paralysis from analysis, I found 4 defense loads I wanted to try out: Remington 125 gr .357 Golden Saber, Cor-Bon 125 gr .357 DPX, Buffalo Bore 125 gr .357 Tactical Short Barrel, and finally Buffalo Bore’s impressive .38 spl 158 gr LSWCHP +P.
Well, so far I only had the time available to try the Golden Saber. Shot 60 rounds in succession. I’m convinced now that those who “poo poo” this gun have probably never fired the .357 version. Oh sure, there are those who’ve shot the .38 spl version and have pontificated on all the pitfalls of the latest .357 offering, but again, odds are they’ve never fired it!
Let me state that I’m not a particularly big dude, 49 years old, and this is my first revolver. The bottom line is this thing is a pleasure to shoot…at least with the “medium” 357 loads like the Remy GS. In all honesty though, I personally wouldn’t want to practice with a steady diet of “full house” loads. This is plenty for me. I wanted something that I could one hand shoot under stress and still stop the BG. This little gun definitely meets this criteria as far as I’m concerned. The trigger pull, btw, is AWESOME.
If you’ve been favoring the .38 version (which is a great piece) simply because the forum fear mongers have made you shy away from .357 which they’ve probably never fired, I’d say go for the .357 for sure. I don’t think you’ll be sorry!!
I have the .38 lcr, and I have to b hobest, if ur complaining about recoil off the .38, don’t even think about a .357 ull cry even worse about that. The recoil isn’t that bad, then again I regularly fire my S&W 500 4″ barrel with 375 grain hollow points, so maybe my wrists r just numb to recoil.
Why don’t we chug on over to Mamby Pamby land and get you guys some .22 revolvers and some shooting gloves. Of would that still be too much recoil? What a bunch of cry-babies!
I’ll take my LCR 357 and deal with the recoil! A handgun is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable! The pain in my hand will subside, unlike the pain I will unleash on the BG!
A co-worker and I went to the range yesterday. He has the Ruger LCP. After shooting both, I can absolutely say that I’d rather shoot the LCR with full-on .357 Magnum loads than that darn .380. The little LCP with its tiny grip and LONG trigger pull made shooting it a bit of a chore, while we both actually enjoyed shooting the LCR with 38 rounds and tolerable with .357 rounds.
The LCR is much more comfortable to hold, it has a superior trigger and its additional mass helps to mitigate felt recoil. I came away from my second trip to the range with the LCR even more impressed with the little revolver. My co-worker commented several times how much he liked it and would most likely be buying one.
Both my co-worker and I agreed that the LCP is far more concealable. The LCP will easily fit into a front pocket while the LCR cannot. A CC gun is all about tradeoffs, but for my money the LCR is more pleasant to shoot, and the extra size and weight is well worth the extra hosepower.
The first rule in a gunfight is “Have a gun”! A snub .38/.357 while not the best choice for a gunfight (I’ll take a 12 gauge please) may provide a ready means of defense as will a Keltec .32 or .380 or the recent Ruger .380 along with a myriad of other choices. The .38 was carried for many years by a huge majority of Police Officers in this country, and did yeoman service until the .357 provided more fire power in a still relatively compact design. Records collected by shooting pundits (Mas Ayoob and others) show the .357 as the king of the one shot “stop”, however most law enforcement officers now carry 9mm or .40 cal. semi autos, which allow for more rounds available, an important item in current “serious social contact” in many instances. A sub caliber or sub sized major caliber weapon is designed for the need for an immediate termination of hostilities and the .357 has been shown to be at the apex of that duty. No, a snub does not “use” all the energy potential of the .357—–or a .22, however it does deliver a higher margin of energy at impact than other commonly carried weapons. Any “belly gun” is usually designed to be carried often and shot seldom, at least in serious social contact, altho it should be kept clean and well used at the range. Practicing with the .38 will aid in gun control and familiarity with the weapon, and changing to the .357 for the final component will give confidence that you can hit your target at 7 to 10 ft. (typical contact range for civilian self defense) with whatever your weapon is carrying.
I think we need to remember—it’s US against THEM and any and every gun should be looked at as a potential “win” for US, regardless of whether we would want to own the weapon or not.
I don’t have a huge amount of experience with revolvers, but when I was looking for a CC gun I decided I wanted a .357 Mag. I was able to rent an LCR in 38 at a local range. It had the Crimson Trace grip which I found to be not nearly as comfortable as the standard Hogue grip. After trying the LCR and a S&W 642 side by side I decided that the LCR was the way to go.
I took my 357 LCR to the range today for the first time, and fired 50 rounds of 38 Special as a warm up, then moved on the 357 Magnum rounds. First thing I noticed was that I definitely liked the Hogue grips better than the Crimson Trace grips, the extra weight of the 357 model helped reduce felt recoil and produced much better groups for me. Finally, the .357 ammo was not something that I’d want to shoot all day through the LCR, but it wasn’t bad given proper grip, stance, etc… And while all the number crunchers out there might be correct about .357 ammo in a snubbie, I’ll take whatever extra power I can get.
After reading all the reviews and concerns of all you gun enthusiasts, I was a bit skeptical about buying one… I rushed home and loaded it up with 125gr jsp and prepared myself for bone shattering recoil and, surprisingly it is really controllable… I have some 38 semi wad cutters to plink around with. I think that will make it easier to shoot for fun… There are lots of ammo options with a 357 to assist with the recoil… I’m a believer and a happy customer
my wife has a .38 S & W what is the big deal with the LCR. it shoots fine
she wants a .380 what would people recommend and why???
The LCR .357 is not completely steel! They used steel instead of aluminum on the front portion of the frame to add a little weight to make it more manageable and strengthen it because the .357 mag is a lot more powerful than .38 +p. the fire control housing (grip) is still polymer. The weight is 17.1 oz. instead of 13.5 oz. Which i believe is a good thing because it makes it more fun to shoot.
Guys I was able to get a .357 after selling my .38+p(LCR)
My thoughts were right on. the .357 adds more stability
(slightly more nose weight)using std .38 fmj ,and felt good with a couple of Hornday Crit/ defense amo.+P I dont even think I will shoot .357M ever.
I have both types of carrys,.380/.40.9mm Autos and my Ruger LCR .357 revolver and the transfer of power in the hands from the revolver is quite surprising, if you are not ready for it.
And a side note regarding the accuracy of the LCR its really nice,
if you just get a feel for the pull on the trigger. I know most guys
dont care much for target accuracy in a EDC but it dose add a little
extra to know its there. So to summarize if your looking, and can wait a bit,
go the .357 rout, It really makes for a nice little shooter.
Another thing to think about before bashing this gun-for some reason S&W has managed to sell J-frame airweights since the Stone Age without any problems, and in my experience they are a whole lot less fun to shoot than the .38 LCR. What’s the disconnect here?
I looking at the .357 LCR but am wondering about the standard Hogue grip. I’ve seen some youtube videos where people complain about their pinky hanging off the end and there not being a good grip. Others, however, don’t mention this in their review. Can anyone comment on this?
Also, there is a lot of mention about the smooth trigger compared to other, similar guns…..apparently, many women are buying it because of this. Can anyone confirm the smooth trigger?
If you are focusing on recoil in practice, your technique will suffer regardless of your frequency. Meditation or relaxation training will help in this case. If you are well trained and in the zone, even in practice, all you will notice is what your front sight is doing-which is what you’ll also be focused on when defending your life. If you feel you are getting a flinch, fix it fast or you’ll have a bear of a time trying to fix it later.
Firearms have been around for almost 1000 years.
Guns that we would recognize have been used for over 700 years.
This article deals with a truly revolutionary handgun, which would not have been possible with materials and technology available only a decade ago.
Thousands of amateur [non - professional] American competitive shooters each fire over 100,000 rounds annually.
Even the highly paid professional full time shooters, who fire many more rounds, will frequently fire .22 cal rimfire firearms.
I have been shooting for 50+ years, and marvel almost daily at the progress being made in firearms almost daily.
Keep learning and keep searching for information.
In no time at all, you will become fascinated with the history, the technology, the adventure, the romance, the dedication, the skill, and the progress of the phenomenal people in the shooting sports fraternity from casual plinkers to astoundingly accomplished master expert shooters, to skilled craftsmen, to gifted artists, to brilliant designers.
Have fun, … and be safe.
^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^ Semper Preparatus:
^ Training + Practice =======>>> Safety … for all.
^
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^
wikipedia says the 9mm and variants have been around since 1902. i suppose more work can be done on the 9mm.
if you already have 9mm and lcr shoot time .22 practice seems unncessary for a weapon designed to be e powerful cc revolver.
Absolutely ; and in 3″ [maybe 4"] barrels.
Also in 9mm.
I already have several LCRs, and am really hoping for some in 22cal [for teaching, training, & practice];
… and also in 9mm.
In addition to moonclip speedloading [a major advantage]; …
a 9mm LCR would also provide ammo compatibility for / with 9mm carry pistols.
Furthermore,…
there is an enormous amount of work being done on 9mm bullet design and there are many very fine 9mm cartridges available today.
Forget the 357… now that we have a Ruger revolver platform, time to reintroduce a 22lr revolver. It has been awhile since the SP101 in 22lr.
Absolutely.
In fact, one of the primary criticisms of the 38spcl has always been “over penetration”.
The famous Gen. Julian Hatcher ballistics work in the Chicago stockyards led to the adoption of the 45acp, because the 38s in use during the Spanish American War were found inadequate to stop the Moros [hopped up on betel nuts] in the Phillipines.
To impart all of it’s kinetic energy, you do not want the bullet to exit the target.
One of the major advantages of “hollow points’ is that they typically do not exit the target.
In fact, this is how we answer the bleeding heart grass eaters when they wail about “nasty dum dum” bullets:
they are safer because they do not go through the target and hit bystanders.
Ironically, the 45acp is usually lamented to have too little penetration, especially in the usual military 230 grain “ball” [fmj] ammo.
does fmj or ball (if this terminology is incorrect please indicate so) .38 spl tend to penetrate better (clothing barriers and tissues) than the hollow point offereings??
with pressures roughly equal??
jonesy: The purpose is, Choice. Also, in my opinion, the trigger on the Ruger is superior to the S&W. I’ve been looking at this for my wife, she has limited upper body strength and has trouble racking the slide on semiautomatics. I also don’t think she would be able to clear a jam in a panic. And finally, I like the .357 over the .38 Special because, and this is probably obvious to most “gun people”, my wife could start-out with the .38 Special and graduate to a .357 when she’s more proficient with the gun.
On TFL, someone mentioned the idea of having your first shot as a .357Mag round as this will be the “get-offa-me” shot and have 4 .38SPL+P for the follow-up shots d/t controllability….interesting idea.
I like this LCR (and .357Mag snubbies in general) for the longer ejection rod….makes ejecting .38SPL’s much easier…and having the extra weight will make shooting .38′s much easier….
This is the snub I’ll be buying next….
I own a LCR .38 and the 1st ammo I shot with it was 158 grains rounds…
yeah it did have some recoil but I shot the whole box without loosing my hand
I practice with 130′s now and I really like my LCR, perfect for CC.
PS: I am a woman.
I dig it and want to try it. My current carry is a S&W 640 stainless .357, which I am very fond of. The reasons I like it would be the combination of Florida heat combined with humidity over 80%, sometimes over 95% gets a little rough. If that’s not hot and wet enough, come to work with me in the kitchen of my cafe where it gets over 100 degrees by noon. A pair of jeans and good belt will easily support any of my pistols, but a lighter weight revolver with the same firepower can allow lighter clothing and less chance of heatstroke.I practice every week with full power .357 rounds, but you need to remember that you will probably carry for thousands of hours before you may need those 5 shots. I see this as a possible answer to being able to carry enough firepower without the extra weight fot the 90 or so hours a week I carry as a business owner.I will post my honest impressions after I shoot it.
For most shooters, the 357mag is the pinnacle of concealed carry handguns that they are capable of mastering.
The terminal ballistics of the 357mag are superb; … king amongst concealed carry handguns.
Nothing else offers the versatility, penetration, velocity, “knock down”, and documented empirical real world results, etc., etc.
The 357mag is far more potent than the 38spcl.
On the other hand, a well placed hit with a 38spcl is far more effective than a miss with a 357mag … or a 300 WinMag.
Especially in concealed carry revolvers, the question is whether the shooter is willing and able to spend the time and $$$ to master the weapon.
Frankly, very few are.
The 357mag LCR is available for those … and those willing to try.
Advantages of LCR over Airweight:
Lower cost;
Less felt recoil;
Stronger overall +P+ capable;
Better sights, front & rear;
Better cylinder release;
More solid crane lockup;
Better topstrap protection;
Better overall ergonomics;
Pinned, easily interchangeable front sight;
More rugged & durable;
Advanced technology;
Modern design;
Simpler lockwork;
Modular fire control mechanism;
“Better” trigger [this is personal & subjective for those who understand & / or appreciate the Ed McGivern / Colt style (2 stage) trigger action {Ford vs Chevy}]
Available from factory with many options [grips, sights, etc.]
Guess who just announced what …
Yep, S&W now has a “polymer” revolver very similar to the LCR.
Q.E.D.
the .357 Magnum version totally unnecessary,….
The beauty of the 357mag LCR is that is gives you the option of using other cartridges if desired … or necessary…..
the second comment seems to make the most sense.
“Can someone please explain to me what the point of this gun is if an all-metal Smith & Wesson Airweight in the same caliber is priced competitively and TWO OUNCES LIGHTER?”
it may be several hundred dollars cheaper and im not sure, but if the polymer portion of the fire control housing breaks it could possibly be replaced and attatched to the steel cylinder frame portion.
the trigger guard may be a little larger too to accomodate gloves better..hard to tell.
i know that probably revolver grip brakage may be a rarity.
There are still advantages to revolvers chambered for 38spcl.
When frequently fired with 38spcl cartridges, …
especially those loaded with lead bullets,
it is much easier to clean and maintain revolvers chambered for 38spcl than for 357 mag.
If you reload for a 357 mag, use the 357mag brass rather than 38spcl brass, even for practice loads;
in order to avoid “leading up” the forcing cone.
Also, you really should practice with what you carry.
There are recorded incidents of police officers who threw down their revolver because it “exploded” in a gunfight.
They had never fired the full house 357 rounds that they were carrying.
I have personal knowledge of 2 of these instances.
I think a great little revolver.
With it been chambered for .357 there is no reason why it can’t be used with light .38 spl reloads to practice, build confidence up and get to know how it behaves. For the real deal load it with full power .357. When it is used in anger the recoil will be the last thing on the shooters mind. Chances are the shots will be at close range, with no time for follow-up shots.
Actually, Ruger did not plan on a LCR in 327mag because it has even higher pressures than a 357mag.
The beauty of the 357mag LCR is that is gives you the option of using other cartridges if desired … or necessary.
Also, the LCR honestly has less felt recoil than similar weight all metal revolvers [SP101 included].
The engineers attribute that primarily to the ability of polymer to act as a “shock absorber” and also to the LCR design in general.
Try them side by side; you will be surprised at the results.
I already have several LCRs, and am really hoping for some in 22cal [for teaching, training, & practice];
… and also in 9mm.
In addition to moonclip speedloading [a major advantage]; …
a 9mm LCR would also provide ammo compatibility for / with 9mm carry pistols.
Furthermore,…
there is an enormous amount of work being done on 9mm bullet design and there are many very fine 9mm cartridges available today.
Making the top frame assembly out of steel (instead of aluminum in the .38SPL LCR) means this new .357 LCR is a stronger, more durable gun, even if all you ever want to shoot out of it is .38s. With steel, you will never have the frame erosion issue (gasses burning through the top strap above the cylinder gap) that some .38SPL LCR owners have reported in the past.
The additional three ounces will help to tame the “snappy” recoil of .38SPL +P rounds, which are a good choice in a defensive round. And to be honest, at just 17 ounces and only about a quarter of an inch longer than the original LCR, this new .357 model doesn’t sacrifice much in the carry-ability department.
For someone like me, whose only other handgun is a .357 GP100 (big, heavy stainless-steel 4-inch bad boy), the fact that all of my rounds could (in an emergency) be used in all of my guns… it is a huge advantage — especially in today’s gun market where specific ammunition (.38SPL) is not always in stock or available.
I agree with most of the posters here that this is not an ideal weapon for shooting .357MAG loads, but in many ways it is a better .38SPL gun than the original first-generation LCR.
Shoot five rounds of 145 grain Winchester Silvertip out of that thing and you’ll be wishing you bought a GP100! I’ve been told that .357 can’t even burn all of it’s powder in such a short barrel to make a gun like that practical. No thanks!
I’ve fired the .38 Special LCR with regular (not +P) ammo. It’s got enough snap as it is! Fire .357 Mag rounds in that kind of gun? NO WAY. I’d like the bones in my hand to actually last a while, thanks.
The .38 Special version is the way to go. Not only is the .357 Magnum version totally unnecessary, but the .38 Spl version is lighter by 4 ounces. If I want a heavier gun than the original LCR, I’ll go for the SP-101 and be done with it. That thing WILL handle .357 Magnum rounds reasonably comfortably and last a long time doing it.
For me, snubby revolvers will always be “bad breath” distance guns, or “chin guns” or “gut guns” if you prefer.
First one or two rounds will be .357. After that, 38. At that “can’t miss” range, I want the extra punch. Plus, magnum rounds can have that “flashbang” effect for those on the receiving end. After the first round or two…well, I expect to be creating distance at that point, so I want something with more manageable recoil.
I like the concept of the lightweight revolver. For a roving or pocket gun, having something that doesn’t pull your coat halfway down one side of your body is a plus.
On the other hand, like Boris the Blade said in Snatch: “Heavy’s good…a sign of reliability. And if it doesn’t work, you can always hit him with it.”
Looks to be internal. I would guess so it won’t get caught in clothes and what not in an emergency.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79V95r6TdEk
I dont want to sound too stupid here, but where is the hammer on this gun? Just wondering, thanks.
Don wrote:
“Also, you might want to think what full magnum loads will do to your eardrums when shot in an enclosed area with no hearing protection.”
I’ll add muzzle flash in the dark as well. Three fifty seven ammo is optimized for barrels of 4+ inches. In snubbies like this LCR, loads such as the 125-gr. JHP create an enormous flash that will ruin your night vision with the first trigger stroke. Not very sound from a tactics standpoint, is it?
And for most newer shooters, the recoil of a revolver may deter practice. I see the interest in making such a gun, but not much of a point to buy one. I’ll keep my current 38′s and 357mags for now, they cost much less and wont hurt to shoot.
AMEN to Bill Lester’s last post. I’ve shot .44mags out the wazoo too, but we’re talking shot placement under duress here.
Also, you might want to think what full magnum loads will do to your eardrums when shot in an enclosed area with no hearing protection.
Bill,
I’ve been shooting heavy recoiling revolvers for longer than many of the regulars here have been out of diapers. I used to carry a couple of 19 oz. Charter Bulldog .44 Specials with locally produced 240-grain LSWCHP’s that chronographed in excess of 875 fps. Long ago I found the .44 Magnum rather tame and switched to hot handloaded .45 Colts in old school Blackhawks for my fun and hunting pistols. 500 S&W? Been there, done that, not too impressed.
But none of that has anything to do with using a snubbie for anti-personnel defense. Especially so if there’s more than one attacker. I don’t care how good you think your recoil control is, you will not shoot a small frame .357 faster with accuracy than someone else using the same weapon with .38′s. Physics apply to everyone.
LOL @ Bill, “pussies”… I love my .44 mag.
My dad has the 38 and it blasts my hands apart. Luckily they added a whopping 4 ounces to compensate. And the LCP is even worse
Already got an SP 101 in .357. Don’t need this little beastie.
Another gun to separate the men from the boys.
A revolver has advantages over an auto. No safety to forget to thumb off, press and pull ability that will take an auto out of battery right when it is needed most, if you miss, the shock and concussion from magnum rounds going off in the bad guys direction might be enough to deter any additional threat from bad guys hiding close by. Revolvers might take a little more training to shoot and reload proficiently than an auto but most who carry for personal defense don’t continue training past what is required for their permit. Short revolvers with rudimentary fixed sights aren’t meant to shoot an IPSC match. They are for defense up close and personal. You know, where most encounters with bad guys happen, not out at 25 yards; I’m talking 10 -20 feet. If you did manage to shoot a bad guy at 25 yards in “self defense” you will probably loose the criminal case as flight over fight may have been the best course of action.
If you are a boy in shooting and training experience you might think you don’t need more training and scoff at a revolver in general, let along a magnum revolver designed for concealed carry. If you are a man with continued training you probably own one and know how to use it. Oh, yeah you can train with 38 special loads and carry .357 magnum!
Why do I bother? Firearms are a religion; I don’t want you messing up my religion. LOL!
I hope I didn’t ruin your dinner party!! we need to come together because, sooner or later we’re going to be all we got.
Come on you pussies. has anyone took the time to show you the proper stance, grip and arm placement, ect? Ever heard of the three secerets? Really I’m not knocking any of you but I want you to believe ” you do not know what you do not know. There are proper ways to handle higher powered rounds if you first have the knowledge. I shoot .44 magnum all the time and with the proper tecnique, it’s actually fun.
Make it your goal to help women to become more at ease with learning firearms training. Remember there was a time you didn’t know shit either. Giving the right enviroment and with some patience a woman can become very proficiant with just about any kind of weapon.
Shot an airweight with 357 fullhouse loads on a few occasions. Was there pain, yes. Would it stop me from shooting some bugger in self defense, no.
Not certain I understand the arguments against this snubbie. And I like the flexibility that having a snubbie that can handle 357 mag offers.
Cheers – Rusty
ok. so i ask: who is really well-served by an ultra-light 357 mag?
simply put, unless you’re a pro who has a primary responsibility to train with this nose-popper, you’re probably NOT going to practice with full-horsepower ammo. you’re going to load it with something manageable, something more tame that won’t have you jerking rounds all over the range and posing a danger to low-flying blimps. in short, if you’re like most people, you’re going to end up practicing with the load that you might be *radically* different from the load that you then anti-up with for social work…which means that you’re not really practicing…
and did any of you guys see jeff quinn over at gunblast shooting this little wrist cracker? big guy like him too…if the man had duct taped a fly swatter to the barrel, he’d be splatting insects on his cranium. easy.
I’ve shot .38+P through my 17 ounce Titanium Taurus 651 .38/.357 snubbie with the shrouded, but usable, hammer. I have no desire to ever shoot .357s through it.
But like one dude posted–just in case, its nice to know in a pinch that you could. Plus it also means the gun is a little stronger than one that shoots .38 only.
I’ll take it!
Do not want.
Once put two cylinders-full of full-power 125-gr. through a friend’s M60 and no thank you. I wouldn’t use anything stronger than .357 Mag. Lite loads in an all-steel J-frame unless it’s an emergency, much less in anything lighter. The M&P340′s been mentioned, I’ve thought about getting one but it wouldn’t see anything stronger than .38 Spl +P unless I had no choice.
I held one today and got a couple of pictures of it at the Convention. I w