.38 or .357 for the 3 inch LCRx? *Update: Poll Added*

[TTv2]

While it's not perfect, I'm liking the 3 inch .22 LCRx I bought and one of the aspects I love is how light it is, it makes holding the revolver up for a long distance shot effortless. Now I'm considering getting a centerfire version.

This is where Ruger is really dropping the ball as if they made a .32 Mag version on the Aluminum frame, I'd be all over it. Same could be said for the .327, which is okay as I do have plans to buy the DAO LCR in the future.

I'm not interested in a .22 Magnum, so it's between the .38 and .357 models. I'm thinking the .38 given it's lighter is going to be the ticket, but at 6oz heavier the .357 model isn't that much heavier.

That said, I do consider I already own a pretty light 4 inch vintage Charter Arms in .357, so at best the .357 LCRx would only be a few oz lighter than that, while the .38 would be half a pound less.

I'm leaning towards the .38, but at the 3 inch barrel length I know that's where the .357 starts to really gain power and the price difference between the .38 and .357 is just under $100.

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, I have a 38 special LCR and my friend has a 357. IIRC, his weighs four ounces more. His has significantly less recoil with hot 38 loads.

I still prefer mine because of the lighter weight, but that's pretty much where the trade-off is: one is a little easier to carry, the other makes you hand sting less.

 

[chicharrones]

3" LCRx in .38 only or .357?

For me, the .357 model all day long. 21 ounces isn't that heavy for a 3" barreled revolver and will soften the blow of .38s. Not to mention the versatility of it taking .357s if you ever had to.

 

[Tallball]

I can and do shoot 357's out of my friend's 357 LCR sometimes. Wouldn't do it for SD. Recovery between shots is slow. It's a good arthritis test. If you can do it and it doesn't do more than sting your palms, you haven't really messed up your fingers or wrists yet.

 

[Bronco72]

As mentioned not much weight difference ! IMHO, options are a good thing to have and I would go with the 357. The obvious option is do I want to shoot 38's or 357's, I can do either

 

[Jim Watson]

one of the aspects I love is how light it is, it makes holding the revolver up for a long distance shot effortless.

Contrary to my experience and preference. I like a medium weight revolver for steadiness. I vacillate between K and L Smith. GP100 Match Champion if Ruger.

 

[TTv2]

So do people not buy .38 revolvers anymore and always opt for .357 instead? When I got my Charters I got them specifically because they were fairly light, small 5 shot .357's that cost under $350. I have shot .357 in them, but most of what they got was max +P or even slightly above that .38 reloads.

The Ruger I would keep to standard pressure for softer shooting.

 

[contender]

seldom shoot......38 frame for weight savings.
a lot of range time.....the 357 frame for the recoil management.

i went with the two inch 357 frame after trying it side by side with a 38 frame shooting identical 38 loads. i do a lot of range time with what i carry.

20 years ago i would had gone with the lighter frame. Time and age has caught up with me where recoil is concerned.

 

[NeroM]

38 Spl model, IMHO.

 

[cfullgraf]

Recoil acceptance is a personal thing.

I don’t mind recoil, I pop a few power rounds out if my 460XVR once in a while.

But, on a regular basis, I’m not interested in shooting full power loads out of light weight revolvers. I don’t care to shoot 38 Special +P from my S&W Airweight revolvers.

Anyway, I have a 3” S&W Model 60 chambered in 357 Magnum. I load a 357 Magnum 158 gr SWC that produces 950-1000 fps from a 4” revolver that shoots to my comfort level in the Model 60.

So, I’d suggest getting the 3” 357’Mag LCR. It gives you lots of flexibility on what loads you can shoot.

 

[TTv2]

I added a poll, figure a simple one or the other is a sufficient answer for those who don't want to get into the minutia.

 

[ms6852]

I've always have been of the mindset to go or buy .357 magnum. Simply because one never knows what tomorrow brings. One could fall on hard times and switch to .38's which are less expensive without the need of purchasing a new gun. We get older and arthritis may set in your shooting hand and the .357 recoil will be painful but manageable with 38's. It's like having two revolvers in one.

 

[P Flados]

I have been shooting a 3" LCRx in 38 Sp for years. One of my favorite guns to shoot. I do load "low recoil" ammo for range use.

 

[jdc1244]

So do people not buy .38 revolvers anymore and always opt for .357 instead?

No, people buy revolvers in .38.

In my case a 642 for pocket carry; holster carry a .357.

It depends on application and personal preference.

 

[drobs]

I shoot a lot of 38 out of my 357's and given the choice will always buy a 357.

 

[chicharrones]

No, people buy revolvers in .38.

In my case a 642 for pocket carry; holster carry a .357.

It depends on application and personal preference.

Same with me. Pocket carry means 2" or shorter barrels in a revolver, so a lightweight .38 makes a lot of sense.

Once the revolver gets into 3" barrel range and has a longer grip, it becomes a belt gun to me no matter if J-frame or larger. Might as well go for a slightly heavier .357 mag version, even if only shooting .38s.

 

[Pat Riot]

I selected the .357, but not for shooting .357, but for the weight for recoil mitigation with .38 Specials.

I do have wrist issues. Arthritis along with severely compressed cartilage. I used to have a S&W model 60 Pro in .357. I used to shoot it with 158 grain magnum loads. Quite invigorating, to say the least.
Anyway, nowadays I use revolver weight as a way to alleviate recoil pain.

 

[golden]

For self defense, I do not see enough advantages in using .357 magnum ammo.
I have several .357 magnum revolvers and now load them with a premium .38 Special +P load. The premium bonded bullets will expand and still hold together to penetrate adequately. Yes the .357 has the man stopper king reputation, but it also has LOUD and STRONG MUZZLE BLAST, along with stronger recoil.
I just do not see enough advantage in it with the newer premium ammo. Pre 2010, yes I would say go with .357 110 grain ammo, now I use the WINCHESTER PDX-1 .38 Special +P. It performs similar to Gold Dot and not as well as FEDERAL HST. On the other hand, HST is hard to find and the wadcutter profile make it slower to reload into a revolver than the PDX ammo.

Jim

 

[Old Hobo]

I voted .38 Special.

Why?

Recently was shooting 2-liter frozen water bottles at the range. Shrouded hammer .38 S&W alloy frame w/2" barrel. Standard loads only, recommended, no +P ammo = too hot for frame to handle.

Would prefer a 3" barrel. Great barrel length for carry.

Ammo tested high velocity hollow points (standard pressure), standard lead full wadcutter, Buffalo Bore full wadcutter.

Result: the high velocity hollow points and the BuffBore full wadcutters were devastating to the 2L ice bottles at 15 paces. These had very noticeable recoil. Ladies may not enjoy that sort of rock-back. The regular wadcutters, of course, were much easier to shoot, but had nowhere near the devastating effect of the more bold loads. This test's (goofing off more than anything) giant flaw is in not having recovered any bullets. I don't know if the hollow points expanded. One can go the web and watch hollow point tests using ballistic gel. Buffbore's hard lead cast bullets we all know aren't going to expand, but gee-golly-gosh do they ever get up to speed even in a little 2-inch barrel. With a 3" barrel, my money is on those full-wadcutters doing some horrid damage to meat "targets". Sometimes hollow-points expand, but then again, one has to figure on the real possibility that they will not. This latter reality is why Buffalo Bore came out with their hard-cast full wadcutters sent out at as high a velocity as standard pressures would permit. No, I am not employed by B.Bore or any other ammo company. This old fellow is retired!
.

 

[cfullgraf]

So do people not buy .38 revolvers anymore and always opt for .357 instead?

There is something special shooting 38 Special ammunition in a revolver chambered for 38 Special.

I buy 38 Special revolvers. I enjoy my S&W Model 14’s and Model 15’s.

But I’ll agree, for a one or two revolver person, a 357 Mag revolver does provide some flexibility.

 

[LeftyRed]

I had a 3” 38 LCR when they first came out, and wish I had kept it. Great shooter! I just picked up a 3” 357 LCR, and I just wasn’t impressed with it. I would rather have a 3” SP101 over . Especially if I was going to shoot anything over than my WC loads out it.

Lefty

 

[Big_Al]

38 special, I have no interest in shooting 357 out of something that small.

 

[golden]

One suggestion. I now only have steel framed 5 shot revolvers as I found the recoil too unpleasant in my old S&W model 38 and COLT Cobra. They were ok with wadcutters, but + P really was lively. I found my S&W model 36 was easier to shoot.

Jim

 

[bubbaturbo]

I have the 3" LCRx in .38 SPL. I have carried it some, mostly for peace of mind, in the woods. Don't even carry extra ammo. I went with lowest weight because I always have a rifle with me but I frequently set the rifle down. I use only a Sig P365 or SW Bodyguard .380 for CC.

 

[IWAC]

While it's not perfect, I'm liking the 3 inch .22 LCRx I bought and one of the aspects I love is how light it is, it makes holding the revolver up for a long distance shot effortless. Now I'm considering getting a centerfire version.

This is where Ruger is really dropping the ball as if they made a .32 Mag version on the Aluminum frame, I'd be all over it. Same could be said for the .327, which is okay as I do have plans to buy the DAO LCR in the future.

I'm not interested in a .22 Magnum, so it's between the .38 and .357 models. I'm thinking the .38 given it's lighter is going to be the ticket, but at 6oz heavier the .357 model isn't that much heavier.

That said, I do consider I already own a pretty light 4 inch vintage Charter Arms in .357, so at best the .357 LCRx would only be a few oz lighter than that, while the .38 would be half a pound less.

I'm leaning towards the .38, but at the 3 inch barrel length I know that's where the .357 starts to really gain power and the price difference between the .38 and .357 is just under $100.

IMNHO, The added utility of the 3" .38/357 Magnum model would be the winner! you can shoot all the .38s you want in one, reload in 357 brass for inventory control, and less recoil, use the excellent .38 +P SD offerings, and still "upgrade" to the full snort 357s if you wish.