9mm LCR (Short) Range Report

[kcofohio]

My wife and I just purchased a used LCR in 9mm this week. It's in really good shape. It had the box and papers, lock and moon clips, -1. I ordered a pack of 10 moon clips made by Speed Beez. Those are not in yet.

Today I took it to the range with a variety of reloads and Federal's value box 115 gr. I shot somewhere between 80-100 rounds through it.

First to shoot was 30 stout reloads of 124 gr. plated bullets with HS-6 powder. I noticed a casing here and there that had burn marks on the outside of the casing. So I'm thinking that the bullets were being pulled (unseated) at each firing. But they all fired fine.

Then I tried the Federals. They're cheap with plated bullets. By the second cylinder, the 5th round, the bullet pulled completely out and jammed the cylinder.

I fired off some 124 gr. plated with AA#2 that seem to do well. Maybe a little burn markings here and there. On one cylinder full, I stopped after the 4th round and kept the cartridge. The loads started at 1.150" OAL. The saved OAL is 1.231".

Then I shot some 124 gr. lead bullets using WST. I didn't notice any scorching of the cases with this load. Again, I pulled a random 5th round out and kept it. The loads were seated at 1.080". The saved sample measures 1.138".

The last reloads to try was some plated 124 gr. FN using Titegroup. Those seem to do good with no visible sign of scorched cases. I didn't save a 5th round from that batch.

I really wish I had had some WWB. I think they are a better quality of the value packs.

After a couple cylinders full, I got the hang of the gun. Shooting at about 10 yds. or a bit more. I was able to keep hitting within the 6" target. Weaver stance.

Next time I will run FMJs, JHPs, and some coated lead bullets through, for better neck tension.

We have an LCR in 38 Spl. But I think the 9mm handled the recoil better, and that is a higher pressured cartridge. The steel frame seems to really make the difference.

Now I need to get an assortment of defense rounds and see which ones will work the best.

At $421 out the door, I don't regret it.

 

[C0untZer0]

I'm not aware of any 9mm denim/gel tests for the 9mm LCR. I think the bullet is traveling a little more than 2.27" when you count the space in the cylinder, but I'm not sure how much the cylinder gap plays into it.

There are 2 problems here - first, finding rounds that hold together and secondly, finding rounds with decent terminal ballistics out of that revolver.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

The loads started at 1.150" OAL. The saved OAL is 1.231".

What brand of resizing dies are you using? I use RCBS and have no trouble with neck tension. I have a devise I use to test them and get 50 lbs + on a strain gauge. I've heard other people say they have the same experience with RCBS dies.

 

[kcofohio]

My 1st consideration it's that they were plated bullets. I didn't expect them to have the best tension. I have FMJ and JHP bullets I will try next time. And they're Lee dies. I've not had problems with the bullets being pushed in before. I will tune in the bell mouthing to minimal. I use a FCD, but it is set to touch off lightly on the neck.

Another note, the chambers are finicky. If there is a burr on the head from prior extraction, the round will not seat in deep enough for the cylinder to close.

 

[eldon519]

My hunch is that heavier bullets like 147s would do better for something like 9mm. The longer bullet has more surface for the neck to act on, thus more neck tension. Also since the bullet never reaches as high of a velocity, it has more dwell time which means the acceleration due to recoil should be slightly less intense.

 

[kcofohio]

eldon519, that's a thought. I have some MBC 147 gr. from a sample pack and a few Hornady Signature rounds that I will test.

tightgroup tiger, I should add: If I can't get the Lee dies set for good neck tension. I'll give consider the RCBS.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Their are other things to consider before spending more money. The plated bullets should have more tension than the jacketed ones. They should be about a .001"larger in diameter than the jacketed because they are softer and are kind of treated like lead bullets because of it.

On my strain gauge I usually get 12-13 lbs more tension on plated bullets in 9mm than jacketed.

I would definitely back off the neck sizing die to it's bare minimum before giving up on the Lee dies.

I would also make sure your resizing die is just touching the shell holder so your resizing as much of the case as possible and try it again. It could be some of your cases were shot out of an unsupported barrel and are bulged a little at the head.

If those things don't work than maybe consider RCBS dies but that should be a last ditch effort. A lot of members use Lee dies, including me and have no problem with them.

Let us know.

 

[danez71]

I have read on other threads/posts that Ruger suggests lighter bullets; not heavier.


It seems to make sense too. The case is being pulled back away from the bullet under recoil. The light bullet will travel with the case easier if its lighter.


I haven't seen any other posts that would validate or invalidate it though.


Just tossing it out there for informational conversation.

 

[kcofohio]

Their are other things to consider before spending more money. The plated bullets should have more tension than the jacketed ones. They should be about a .001"larger in diameter than the jacketed because they are softer and are kind of treated like lead bullets because of it.

I agree.

Next time I will run FMJs, JHPs, and some coated lead bullets through, for better neck tension.

I would definitely back off the neck sizing die to it's bare minimum before giving up on the Lee dies.

Neck sizing, are you meaning bell-mouthing or crimping? I try to keep bell mouthing to minimal, though it can vary with mixed brass lengths. As with crimping, with plated, I crimp just enough to remove the bell mouth and for a good feed.

I would also make sure your resizing die is just touching the shell holder so your resizing as much of the case as possible and try it again. It could be some of your cases were shot out of an unsupported barrel and are bulged a little at the head.

If those things don't work than maybe consider RCBS dies but that should be a last ditch effort. A lot of members use Lee dies, including me and have no problem with them.

Let us know.

While I generally like my Lee dies. Having a revolver in 9mm is a first for me. Whether factory loads or my reloads, I soon realize to take more things into consideration.

Thanks for all the advice, as I prefer the bullets to exit the barrel post haste.

 

[kcofohio]

I have read on other threads/posts that Ruger suggests lighter bullets; not heavier.


It seems to make sense too. The case is being pulled back away from the bullet under recoil. The light bullet will travel with the case easier if its lighter.


I haven't seen any other posts that would validate or invalidate it though.


Just tossing it out there for informational conversation.

I plan on picking up a variety of factory loads, mainly defense rounds. I see where Hornady has Critical Defense (Lite) in 9mm with a 100 gr. bullet. And I'll get the usual 115 gr., 124 gr., and I already have some 147 gr.

 

[kcofohio]

My intent is to stay in the standard pressure realm with this revolver. But if all one has on hand is +P, is the LCR built to handle it?

All I could find in the Ruger manual.

6.
The
RUGER
®
LCR
®
chambered in 9mm Luger is
only
compatable with the 9mm
Luger cartridge. Do not
use any other 9mm cartridges (9mm Short, 9mm
Bergmann, etc.).
RUGER
®
LCR
®
revolvers are designed for use with
cartridges of the correct caliber which are manufactured in accordance with the
U.S. Industry Standards. Be certain to use proper cartridges of the correct caliber.
See page 22 (“Care and Cleaning”) for important information on chamber
cleaning.

+P is a standard, so I'm thinking, yes.

 

[kcofohio]

I tried a variety of rounds out today.

The best of today's test;
Winchester 115 gr. Silver Tip. Start length was 1.085", and the fifth round was 1.094".

124 gr. LCN with 6.2 gr. of HS-6: Started at 1.125", and 5th round was 1.142".

124 gr. JHP (reman) Gold Dot: Started at 1.125" , and 5th round was 1.148".

124 gr. JHP (Precision Delta) with 6.2 gr. HS-6: Started at 1.075", 5th round was 1.105".

MBC 147 gr. coated lead bullet with 4.0 gr. CFE-P: Started at 1.065", 5th round was 1.112".

And the worse one for today: 95 gr. MBC (Secret Agent) with 4.5 gr. Titegroup: Started at 1.045" and 5th round was 1.133".

The reloads were from what I already had loaded. So my next step will be to fine tune the dies and to get some factory rounds to try out.

 

[FireInCairo]

My wife and I just purchased a used LCR in 9mm this week. It's in really good shape. It had the box and papers, lock and moon clips, -1. I ordered a pack of 10 moon clips made by Speed Beez. Those are not in yet.

Today I took it to the range with a variety of reloads and Federal's value box 115 gr. I shot somewhere between 80-100 rounds through it.

First to shoot was 30 stout reloads of 124 gr. plated bullets with HS-6 powder. I noticed a casing here and there that had burn marks on the outside of the casing. So I'm thinking that the bullets were being pulled (unseated) at each firing. But they all fired fine.

Then I tried the Federals. They're cheap with plated bullets. By the second cylinder, the 5th round, the bullet pulled completely out and jammed the cylinder.

I fired off some 124 gr. plated with AA#2 that seem to do well. Maybe a little burn markings here and there. On one cylinder full, I stopped after the 4th round and kept the cartridge. The loads started at 1.150" OAL. The saved OAL is 1.231".

Then I shot some 124 gr. lead bullets using WST. I didn't notice any scorching of the cases with this load. Again, I pulled a random 5th round out and kept it. The loads were seated at 1.080". The saved sample measures 1.138".

The last reloads to try was some plated 124 gr. FN using Titegroup. Those seem to do good with no visible sign of scorched cases. I didn't save a 5th round from that batch.

I really wish I had had some WWB. I think they are a better quality of the value packs.

After a couple cylinders full, I got the hang of the gun. Shooting at about 10 yds. or a bit more. I was able to keep hitting within the 6" target. Weaver stance.

Next time I will run FMJs, JHPs, and some coated lead bullets through, for better neck tension.

We have an LCR in 38 Spl. But I think the 9mm handled the recoil better, and that is a higher pressured cartridge. The steel frame seems to really make the difference.

Now I need to get an assortment of defense rounds and see which ones will work the best.

At $421 out the door, I don't regret it.

That's a good price. Did you get it from a retailer that sells online also? Also, you say that the recoil was softer than .38 special?

I'm thinking this might be a nice revolver for my wife.

 

[kcofohio]

That's a good price. Did you get it from a retailer that sells online also? Also, you say that the recoil was softer than .38 special?

I'm thinking this might be a nice revolver for my wife.

The gun was used when purchased. I'm thinking who ever priced it only looked at the standard LCR used value. I doubt that would happen again there.

As for recoi. If I have loads that are at or near max standard loads, the recoil seems more tame with 9mm. I can shoot more rounds before my hand starts feeling it.

 

[eldon519]

One thing you could try might be to load .358" bullets meant for .38/.357. The larger diameter bullet would help give more neck tension. Of course you'd need to make sure that the bullets would actually chamber and watch for pressure signs from the slightly oversized bullets.

 

[kcofohio]

eldon519, I will take that into consideration as a last resort.