Ruger LCR 357 Mag Owners-Your Opinions?

I have shot everything from wadcutter 38s to full house magnums in my LCR 357 I like the factory grips because I feel that they soak up the recoil quite well as for long range sessions I have done a few of those but IMHO it isn't designed for that you might want to check out the big dot sites they make for it as a pocket carry gun I like it a lot do I constantly run 125 grain jhp 357 mags through it no but I do carry them I've had mine for about two years now and I love it as always ymmv as to the comfort level I feel that it is very comfortable to shoot the LCR plus for a DAO it has a nice trigger

I got my LCR357 when they first came out. The Tamer Grip works great. I don't shoot many full house 357s any more but I do shoot the mid range self Defence loads. +P loads are great and standard 38s get boring but are very accurate. I have around 3000 rounds through it maybe more. Somehow I lost count. I carry it every day. Some days it's a main carry with a 442 as back up and some days it backs up my SP101.

Awesome gun, AWESOME grips! I shoot very hot loads in mine with both the stock grips and laser grips. The fun just plain shoots great. Really fun gun and so much easier to carry than a SP101. I carry mine while fishing with what some may consider bear loads...

One note: do not expect the butter smooth and fitted quality of the SP101. The LCR is a fighting gun, and closing the cylinder is rough, the cylinder release is catchy, the trigger (while very functional) must be pulled consistently and fully.

The LCR is meant to be carried until it needs to be shot... Then shoot it like you mean it.

I have both the LCR 38spcl+P and SP101 2.25 snubbie. I carry both, but the 101 in a holster and the LCR in a coat pocket. When I do carry the LCR in the holster, I note that I do not have to hitch up my pants so often. I have CT laser grips on the LCR and I really like them. They help my old eyes zero in on the target, whereas finding the sights on the 101 is more difficult.

Shooting 357 out of the 101 is quite an experience and one that I don't do often. Flash and bang is tremendous! Imagine throwing full 357 loads down range with a gun that is 10 to 12 oz lighter. I did not find that the Hogue grips helped all that much with the LCR. I've settled on Buffalo Bore 158 gr LHP for my carry rounds in both. They are hefty loads, but more manageable than the 357. Shooting regular 38 ammo in both is a real pleasure, however, and I find them both to be accurate guns when I do my part.

My LCR .357 has had nothing but .357 Mags through it, that's the reason that I got it over the .38. It's a handfull with heavy bullet rounds, 158 gr and up. Every week I shoot about 25 rounds through it. It has a great trigger, fits nicely in a front pocket, and has plenty of power. I did change the grips to the Hogue Bantam so it is much easier to pocket carry. Mine has had about 600 rounds through it and I'm liking it.

I have a pair of KLCRs and can't say enough good things about them. I tried numerous pistols and revolvers for CC but for me none of them can compete with the KLCR. At 17oz unloaded it's a joy to carry day in and day out. One of mine has the Crimson Trace grip, the other has the Hogue monogrip. The Hogue works really well to tame felt recoil but the CT grip conceals better, doesn't hang up on clothes and is extremely functional for rapid target acquisition in all conditions, particularly low light. It's also surprisingly comfortable for loads around 340 lb-ft and less. I installed XS front sights on both but the CT grip in combination with the XS sight is the way to go. I'll probably order another CT grip. I carry a 125gr .38 Spl load in mine, specifically Remington Ultimate Defense for Compact Handguns. The Golden Saber bullet is accurate, the load is easy to shoot and the bullet performs well but there are many good choices out there.

I've shot hundreds of rounds through mine and really like the triggers, ergonomics, weight, accuracy, concealability and reliability. If I'm going somewhere questionable I carry one in an OWB holster and another in an ankle holster.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=725698

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=726649

After shopping 7 LGS all over the state, my gf finally decided she wanted the LCR. I finally found one store that had the 38 and 357 at the same time....now she just needs to handle them both at the same time to decide which she wants.

I'd recommend skipping the lighter gun, and invest in a top quality belt/holster set up.

People constantly overlook a quality carry rig in favor of a lightweight gun.

I bought one because the .357 version weighs a few ounces more than the .38
The trigger is very good and the recoil is mild with .38s I recently tried medium power .357s and the recoil wasn't as bad as I expected. My hands are medium size and although a bigger grip would be more comfortable it would prohibit pocket carry. Overall it's good and I recommend it.

As a side note: I use the XS big dot sight and the dot must be centered above the notch or it will shoot low.

Jframe snub guns and guns of similar size and weight should be kept to 38spl. There is no realistic gain between the spl and mag except flash noise and recoil. Those three make it a pain (literally) to practice with enough to get good with. My lcr went through 6 friends before being sold on consignment. Yes you can shoot spl through it but if a person has more perceived power available they will want it and feel more comfortable with it. They must then practice with it to carry it...and that thing is a beast for practicing. When I sold it on consignment at the lgs, it showed back up a couple months later. If it were 327fed it would be perfect...but a 327 it ain't.

WestKentucky said:

Jframe snub guns and guns of similar size and weight should be kept to 38spl. There is no realistic gain between the spl and mag except flash noise and recoil.

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Here's the ammunition I've tested in my KLCRs. People here can decide for themselves if .357 Mag loads offer any "realistic gain" over .38 Spl loads.

I'm not a recoil junkie, but stout .357 loads in the LCR are fun, for a few cylinders anyway. I feel it afterwards though. Medium .357 loads are quite manageable and that's what I carry in mine, specifically the Remington Golden Saber.

Awesome data and chart, 1858! Thanks so much for that!

I also carry the 357 Golden Saber in my LCR and I've wondered what kind of velocity it had. Now I know. A solid 100+ ft-lb gain over the .38 version... I'll take that!

Stress_Test, thanks. I found the Remington .357 Mag GS load very manageable and as you noticed, you gain about 135 ft-lb over the .38 Spl GS load. I tested the .357 Mag load in both of my KLCRs with very similar results i.e. 1094 fps and 1102 fps averages from ten shots per revolver.

WestKentucky said:

Jframe snub guns and guns of similar size and weight should be kept to 38spl. There is no realistic gain between the spl and mag except flash noise and recoil.

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THIS MYTH HAS BEEN BUSTED THOUSANDS OF TIMES!

I get about 300 FPS from similar weight loads from my LCR between .38 Special and .357. I actually loose around 100 FPS when comparing similar loads in my 4.2" SP101 and 1.875" LCR. That means you gain more energy when shooting .357 instead of 38 from a snub than you do by more than doubling the barrel length!

Sure it's loud as heck, but any .357 is... That's what happens when you shoot a bullet that fast.