Can you hit the broad side of the barn with a Ruger LCR?
- Thread starter Balrog
- Start date
- Status
I don't own the LCR, but I think I'm a bit more accurate shooting my Smith revolvers than my Glocks (similar length/weight) in DA, and definitely more accurate SA. For me, the NAA mini is more accurate than my LCP. My 638 snub has replaced my G26 and LCP for CC, w/accuracy being one of several reasons.
Dframe
Member
I fired a friends' gun and it shot quite well. It was very smooth and more than accurate enough for any reasonable use at snubby distances. It looks like something Glock might have designed while having a bad nightmare, but it works, and works well.
berettaprofessor
Member
Owned a 22lr. Hated its trigger and couldn't hit anything. Sold it...and don't regret it.
Ruger's LCR and other .38 Special snubbies are very accurate. If you don't think so try benching one. My old Detective Special (hand held) is combat accurate out to 100 yards and more.
The "can't hit the side of a barn, inside and with the door closed" problem is relative to the shooting skill of the user, and is real.
The LCR's design looks awful, but is very practical, and as snubbies go they have an exceptional trigger pull because they copied S&W's old "long action" in a double-action only mode.
But while all of this helps, it doesn't eliminate the inherent issues embodied in shooting any lightweight snubbie combined with a relatively hard-kicking cartridge in a so small/light platform.
What one can do with one concerning "practical accuracy" depends on their skill, and how they define that term.
The "can't hit the side of a barn, inside and with the door closed" problem is relative to the shooting skill of the user, and is real.
The LCR's design looks awful, but is very practical, and as snubbies go they have an exceptional trigger pull because they copied S&W's old "long action" in a double-action only mode.
But while all of this helps, it doesn't eliminate the inherent issues embodied in shooting any lightweight snubbie combined with a relatively hard-kicking cartridge in a so small/light platform.
What one can do with one concerning "practical accuracy" depends on their skill, and how they define that term.
Shooting at paper plates at a indoor range I can stay in the plate with a fair to good group out to 50 feet. I used to do this with mid range 357 now with Arthiritis setting in I shoot 38 and 38+P. I am better wth the LCR357 Snub than with my SP101. Both are DAO.
The issues will be with the shooter and not gun itself.
I had issues when I got mine and after a lot of practice can hit 6 inch targets when I am on the move at 30 feet.
All guns will shoot different ammo to a different POA.
Mine is a 357 and it likes the 38 special +P or 357 ammo much better than the regular slower 38 specials.
If you are a hunter try an off season training exersize that helped me.
Take your LCR out with when you go hunting.
At the end of the hunt try shooting ground squirrels with it from 10 to 50 yards.
Just use some cheap range ammo you will be surprised at how good you can get with this gun.
I had issues when I got mine and after a lot of practice can hit 6 inch targets when I am on the move at 30 feet.
All guns will shoot different ammo to a different POA.
Mine is a 357 and it likes the 38 special +P or 357 ammo much better than the regular slower 38 specials.
If you are a hunter try an off season training exersize that helped me.
Take your LCR out with when you go hunting.
At the end of the hunt try shooting ground squirrels with it from 10 to 50 yards.
Just use some cheap range ammo you will be surprised at how good you can get with this gun.
SlayerOfBunnies
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2014
- Messages
- 204
Or if you can just shoot. They shoot fine but it sounds like you don't particularly want one.
243winxb
Member
Accuracy 2" barrels
Some have standards.
[/URL][/IMG]
Some have standards.
Yes and no. It takes the right kind of practice to ingrain good habits and reduce some things to memory so you can concentrate on others. Some of it (in fact most of it) can be accomplished by serious dry firing where you pay close attention to what you are doing.
And if you choose a .38 Special start with 148-grain mid-range wad cutter's or a similar load rather then something intended to stop charging elephants. A lot of those basketball sized groups are caused by flinching and jerking in anticipation of forthcoming recoil.
ljnowell
Member
Schwing
Member
My LCR in .38 special is the gun I carry most days. Due to clothing constraints, pocket carry is my best option and the LCR fits that bill.
It is far from my most accurate hand gun (I am speaking to my skill, not the gun. From a bench rest, 1/2 inch groups are achievable at 15 yards with mine). When I first bought it, I almost sold it because I could NOT hit the broad side of a bard with it. Having said that, with just a half dozen range visits, I can easily hit 6 inch groups at 15 yards... better if I try hard. It definitely has a long trigger pull and takes some getting used to.
It is what it is. Some people don't feel armed unless they have at least a .45 with 3 extra magazines. When that is an option for me I carry to my max potential but, for those of us who have to be discreet, the LCR is far better than nothing.
It is far from my most accurate hand gun (I am speaking to my skill, not the gun. From a bench rest, 1/2 inch groups are achievable at 15 yards with mine). When I first bought it, I almost sold it because I could NOT hit the broad side of a bard with it. Having said that, with just a half dozen range visits, I can easily hit 6 inch groups at 15 yards... better if I try hard. It definitely has a long trigger pull and takes some getting used to.
It is what it is. Some people don't feel armed unless they have at least a .45 with 3 extra magazines. When that is an option for me I carry to my max potential but, for those of us who have to be discreet, the LCR is far better than nothing.
djont57
Member
I have the LCR .38 spl, with fiber optic front sight. It's more accurate than I am!
"OK so it sounds like if you put a huge amount of practice in, you can at least partially overcome the shortcomings of the snub nose revolver."
A comment which does not address the accuracy of the LCR , written by a guy who simply does not like snub nose revolvers.
A comment which does not address the accuracy of the LCR , written by a guy who simply does not like snub nose revolvers.
Richard Head
Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Messages
- 137
It takes more concentration than most guns but yes absolutely. I wouldn't keep it if I couldn't shoot it.
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,806
I own a buncha snubs... more than six and less than ten? Hard to keep track.
I can hit a paper plate at 7 yards with any of them virtually every time. That is good enough for SD, imho. The LCR's that I have handled had excellent triggers. I would think that most people would have no more trouble learning to shoot them than they would most other CC type handguns.
I can hit a paper plate at 7 yards with any of them virtually every time. That is good enough for SD, imho. The LCR's that I have handled had excellent triggers. I would think that most people would have no more trouble learning to shoot them than they would most other CC type handguns.
I've got LCR's in .22LR & .357, both of which are set up with CT grips and they both shoot very well. Any limitations I have with them are more limited by my ability to see the black front sight. I just got a tritium front sight for the .357 (which I shoot with .38+p's) and expect I'll be far happier with it. I'm truthfully amazed at how well these short barrel snubbies shoot.
Bula
Member
I don't carry the lcr but I often carry the 642. They are accurate for their size. I think most shooters just need to get used to the long triggers. Dry fire, A LOT. And you'll see groups shrink. It's all trigger control. After some practice, you should be golf ball accurate inside 7 yards at a controlled rate of fire, easily. Trust the gun and practice as much as you can. You won't be disappointed.
mooninpisces
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 20
"Balrog" answered his own question. According to him, "In the past he has never found snubbies to be accurate for him"; Therefore, he should ABSOLUTELY NEVER use such guns for personal protection.
If you are going to carry a gun, you ONLY carry what you are good with - NOT what you WANT to be good with !!
By the way, snub nose revolvers are like every other handgun - they are far more accurate than the people that try to shoot them.
If you are going to carry a gun, you ONLY carry what you are good with - NOT what you WANT to be good with !!
By the way, snub nose revolvers are like every other handgun - they are far more accurate than the people that try to shoot them.
Last edited:
bluetopper
Member
With my 38 wadcutter reloads I can make a beer/Coke can dance a jig out to 25 yards with my LCR.
Sunray
Member
Ranges of 50 feet(17ish yards) might not be considered a threat to life.
However, any wee revolver still has to fit your hand. Those Hogue's may not fit your hand right. Try one on for size first.
Any new firearm will require a trigger job too.
If you opt for the Ruger, buy the model with the adjustable sights.
However, any wee revolver still has to fit your hand. Those Hogue's may not fit your hand right. Try one on for size first.
Any new firearm will require a trigger job too.
If you opt for the Ruger, buy the model with the adjustable sights.
- Status
