LCRx 3 Inch - 38 or 22 WMR?

Which caliber for 3" LCRx?

  • 22 WMR

  • 38 Special

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Olympus said:
I'm thinking about buying a 3" LCRx on whim really. My wife didn't like shooting the LC9s Pro that I got for her. It felt good in her hand, but the recoil was pretty brutal to the web of her hand and it also caused her fingernail to dig into her hand to the point of drawing blood. So I ended up selling the LC9s Pro. I kept it in her vehicle, but I don't think she actually ever carried it. So I've been eyeing these newer LCRx guns in 3" barrels and was thinking that I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. I'd like to get her something that could serve a purpose for me too! :) I thought the larger Hogue grips would be more comfortable for her to shoot and she prefers shooting revolvers to autos anyway. And I thought the 3" LCRx would make a great hiking gun, camp gun, backpack gun, ATV riding gun, etc and would be something lightweight and not something I'd be worried about getting dinged up and used.

Which brings me to the caliber choices. I know 38 would make a better defensive cartridge compared to the 22 Mag. But I already have several classic SW revolvers chambered in 357, so the 38 models seems a little like it would be more of the same of what I already have. I do reload for the 38, but I also have a couple rifles in 22 WMR so I keep a large supply of 22 WMR ammo as well. I'm kind of leaning toward the 22 WMR because I think it would make a cool revolver for hiking, small game hunting, plinking, etc and I know some of the factory defensive ammo varieties have been reviewed as being not too shabby in terms of defensive uses as well. But I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts on the two calibers and what their choice would be given my situation. Thanks!
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Considering your post, I'd probably get a .22WMR revolver. But I sure would like more than 6 rounds in it.
 
I'll be getting my wife the LCR .22LR, with 9 shots, it should do some damage. She had an LCP 9mm, but isn't overly fond of it. She doesn't like shooting my Charter Arms DA .38spl, so I know she wouldn't like the LCR 38. Better to have a gun she feels comfortable with. I would prefer she use the 9mm, but the .22lr is better than no gun.
 
Neither is a bad choice. Either could be useful for the purpose outlined. I would strongly favor the .38. The .22 Mag is horribly loud in short barrels and quite inefficient (I don't mean it isn't potent just very blasty for what it gains over .22lr) The .38spl is quite versatile from a 3 inch barrel-esp. for the handloader which you indicate you are. Light loads for range fun/familiarization and whatever you deem appropriate for your trail use. The only advantage I can see for the .22 mag is lighter less bulky ammo, the .38 wins in versatility,
 
Olympus said:
And like I said, the gun will have to be an X model. I despise DOA revolvers.
Click to expand...

I hear you.
Like I said I own both an LCR.22WMR and a 3 inch LCRx.22WMR. I probably have +1500 rounds down the pipe of the LCR. The hammer spring has eased some over time. I can also stage the LCR readily shot after shot. It's a great shooter.

The LCRx I've only had a short time. It's had fewer rounds put thru it. It's fast becoming my favorite .22 mag. I like the adjustable sights and the DA/SA capabilities. It will make a great field gun.
 
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Sometimes you just want what you want, against most conventional wisdom or whatever. This may very well be one of those times.


You might give up a little SD-wise with .22 mag out of a 3" barrel compared to .38 Spl, but if you and your wife are fine with it that's all that matters. If the .22 mag ticks all the (other) boxes for you, I say purchase and enjoy.
 
PapaG said:
Slam dunk for the 38. 148 grain wadcutter and 2.7 grains of bullseye for a puddytat load, +P loads for social engagements. If you reload, half the cost of WMR stuff. I have a swc mould for 9mm that drops at 110 grains and my wife loves them in her 36 Smith 38.
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This is the best answer. You can load some mild 38 loads. 22 Magnums are loud to shoot. You would be better off with 22lr really
 
I’m fine with whatever makes the little lady happy. As everyone knows happy wife; happy life.
If I could rent both I would load 38 swc’s vs 22 wmr and let her pick
 
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Stay with the 38 and have her load it with wadcutters. Very manageable recoil , and much more damage to target Sometimes bigger is better.
 
Olympus said:
I'm thinking about buying a 3" LCRx on whim really. My wife didn't like shooting the LC9s Pro that I got for her. It felt good in her hand, but the recoil was pretty brutal to the web of her hand and it also caused her fingernail to dig into her hand to the point of drawing blood. So I ended up selling the LC9s Pro. I kept it in her vehicle, but I don't think she actually ever carried it. So I've been eyeing these newer LCRx guns in 3" barrels and was thinking that I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. I'd like to get her something that could serve a purpose for me too! :) I thought the larger Hogue grips would be more comfortable for her to shoot and she prefers shooting revolvers to autos anyway. And I thought the 3" LCRx would make a great hiking gun, camp gun, backpack gun, ATV riding gun, etc and would be something lightweight and not something I'd be worried about getting dinged up and used.

Which brings me to the caliber choices. I know 38 would make a better defensive cartridge compared to the 22 Mag. But I already have several classic SW revolvers chambered in 357, so the 38 models seems a little like it would be more of the same of what I already have. I do reload for the 38, but I also have a couple rifles in 22 WMR so I keep a large supply of 22 WMR ammo as well. I'm kind of leaning toward the 22 WMR because I think it would make a cool revolver for hiking, small game hunting, plinking, etc and I know some of the factory defensive ammo varieties have been reviewed as being not too shabby in terms of defensive uses as well. But I'm interested in hearing other people's thoughts on the two calibers and what their choice would be given my situation. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Honestly, I'd like to see you get whichever one you just want. You can always go back and get the other one next year.

Since you asked, though, I'll tell you, I once owned a Taurus model 94 in .22 WMR with a 3" barrel that I totally loved.

It punched high for its weight, as they say. I never had a FTF with it either. OTOH I've had lots of FTFs with a .22lr, which makes me think that most .22 wmr ammo is just better stuff than .22 lr is. There's got to be a reason for it costing more, right?

I'd get the .22 WMR and carry it for defensive use, especially in the future as one becomes more recoil sensitive. If it goes click instead of bang, just pull the trigger again, and if the bullet doesn't get them the muzzle blast will. One MIGHT ask a gunsmith to put one size lighter springs in it and to slick up the action some...

Anyway I vote with the contrarians. .22 WMR for me - not that one dislikes the .38, the way I look at it is if I really really like the .22 WMR I'm going back next year and getting the .38 to go with it. Especially for a lady, I'd expect the .38 at what, 16 ounces, to be challenging to shoot, whereas the .22 WMR wouldn't be.

Anyway let us know what you decide, and have fun with it or you're doing it wrong.
 
SteadyD said:
If you don’t have to have the 3 inch, the 327 is worth considering. Loaded with 32 H&R Magnum it’s very comfortable to shoot. Plus you get 6 rounds. For those that have seen me post this exact thing a million times, I apologize for being a broken record. Best of luck in your decision OP.
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OP, Steady has a point here. With the .32 you get load versatility and empty cartridges that one could someday reload, plus a probably better action than you'd get with a rimfire. And six rounds.

Just sayin'. :)
 
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