Ruger LCR .357

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JMO, but I'm not a fan. There is a thread around here somewhere about the LCR and problems with flame cutting. I'd opt for a Smith 442 any day of the week.
 
There are threads everywhere about every gun made that has had issues and for the most part aren't mass recalls. You sure there's never been an issue with a S&W 442. I just picked up an LCR, you're missing out on a great weapon by writing it off as garbage so fast.
 
Certainly not writing it off as "garbage." I just would opt for a Smith with the same features. I understand the 442 is not available in .357. They are fine looking pieces, but from my personal experience, Smith and Wesson has higher quality. You get what you pay for. I do, however, LOVE my LCP.
 
I am sure they will sell like hotcakes - but not to the Old Fuff. The LCR is an interesting platform, but an ultra-light .357 Magnum leaves me cold, regardless of who makes it. Most users won't be able to make fast but accurate follow-up shots and basketball sized patterns at bad breath distance is playing long odds.
 
Old Fuff said:
I am sure they will sell like hotcakes - but not to the Old Fuff. The LCR is an interesting platform, but an ultra-light .357 Magnum leaves me cold, regardless of who makes it. Most users won't be able to make fast but accurate follow-up shots and basketball sized patterns at bad breath distance is playing long odds.
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Agreed. I love my little LCR CT but I'm not so sure I'd be interested in firing .357 magnums out of it. I've fired one of those S&W 12 oz. .357 jobby jobs and that isn't something I think I need to do again. ZING!!! :eek: ;)
 
You would recommend sticking with the 38 spl, with a light weight snubby?
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Yes I would, or at least I wouldn't go over .38 Special in this platform. In a larger, all-steel snubby I particularly like my 5-shot /.44 Special Taurus model 445. If one was determined to go to a small platform in .357 Magnum I would recommend Ruger's SP 101. Going still larger I like Smith & Wesson's K-frame models with at least a 3 inch barrel.

As a side note: The Border Patrol's late shooting ace (and experienced gunfighter), Bill Jordan recommended the little .22 WRM as an ideal choice in the lightweight aluminum/steel J-frame revolvers that were available during his day. But he was a capable of putting his bullets exactly where he wanted to, even under extreme stress.
 
I just don't even understand the appeal of the LCR at all. I shot the .38 one recently, and it just reinforced my original opinion. I would pick any number of small steel revolver over one, anytime.
 
I am intrigued by the LCR in .357, but not to shoot .357's out of. I carry in an iwb anyway,not pocket, so the extra 5 ounces means nothing to me except in dampening recoil. I like the more weight and sturdier construction so I can shoot .38 +P's out of it easier and not have to worry about the gun coming apart.
 
The LCR is interesting but I have no use for .357 in any gun that small. IMHO the trade off between power and recoil/muzzle blast just isn't worth it in anything with less than 3" of barrel. I stick with .38's in the shorter barrels.
Others may disagree, many do.
That said the LCR appears to be a decent, although homely weapon. I would consider one in .38 if I didn't already have 2 revolvers that filled that role.
 
When the LCR hit the market in .38, I wrote Ruger to see if they might chamber the gun in .327 Fed... just seemed to make more sense to me than .357. They said they had no such plans for that gun. I've read elsewhere that the .327's 45,000 psi is too much for the LCR.

LCR in .357 wouldn't interest me except for the reasons stated by L-Frame.
 
I have shot a fair number of rounds including a good many +p loads through the .38 spl LCR.

As far as revolvers go I like the LCR and in my experience it compares favorably with Smith J frames as a carry piece. Shooting hotter .38 loads makes me think I wouldn't want to shoot too many hard hitting .357 mag rounds in a .357 LCR. I'll use my SP101 (a gun I have used to shoot hand loads I wouldn't dream of putting one of the light weights) for that purpose. Some shooters have found the recoil of the .38 spl LCR to be objectionable, particularly the +p loads. The .357 LCR with .38s might be a better choice for them because of the extra weight.
 
A 17 oz 357 magnum LCR would be too much for me...

as quick follow-up shots would be rather difficult . I have the Ruger SP101 and that would be as light as I would want to go. To me, the 38 special is hard to be for a carry gun.
 
Lately , I have been carrying my Colt Cobra...

which weighs about 16 oz and it is all I need in a light 38 special.
 
Not a gun I would be interested in. I would stick to the light 38spl revolvers. I'd go with a steel frame for a 357 mag.
 
Totally hearsay, but I've heard mention they're full alloy frames, as opposed to poly over alloy for the 38s, or something like that. Worth googling. Threads I've read elsewhere had interest on the aspect of an LCR that's less polymer and more metal. Still mainly for 38 use.

EDIT:

Didn't notice your nick at first. What up Deadpool?
 
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At 17 ounces it should be good to go with medium-light .357 loads, or hot .38 which wouldn't be very comfortable in a lighter gun. If it were the original 12-13 ounce LCR I'd shoot .357 out of it if I were getting paid to. But something like a 140 grain bullet going about a thousand feet per second, maybe a hair faster, that wouldn't be too outrageous and is a set of numbers I would feel very good about.
 
Well, I can hit inside the 5 ring with my LCR at 50 yards, so anyone dissing LCR accuracy hasn't any experience with them.

BUT, I am also sure that considering the pain that Buffalo Bore 38 Spl +P Heavy gives when shooting them out of a 13oz gun, I'd have no interest in a .357 version even at 17oz.
 
I cannot imagine shooting a 357 mag out of this platform, but then I can't imagine shooting a .357 mag out of any lightweight snubnose revolver-

I appreciated Old Fuff's comment about Bill Jordan-I seem to remember Mr. Jordan once talking favorably about the .22 mag as a viable home defense round- some would consider that advice heretical today
 
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