LCR 3-inch Review

[CrabPirate]

Hey guys, I'm the review editor for Guns.com, and I just got my hands on Ruger's new LCR.

I'm taking a break to eat my lunch before heading out to the range to do an extensive review. I wanted to know what questions or concerns you guys had about the gun before getting started, so that I might be able to answer them either VIA this forum or the upcoming review.



Ignore the target itself, that's from the MK47 Mutant from CMMG at 100 yards, but it was going in the trash anyway, so I used it for scrap paper.

Thanks guys.

 

[murf]

nice lookin gun, crabpirate.

replaceable front sight?

is the longer grip more comfortable than the shorter one? better at soaking up recoil?

will that platform still fit in the pocket?

will the fixed sights handle all bullet weights and velocities (90 - 180 grain/600 - 1200)?

what is the velocity increase with that three inch barrel over the standard barrel?

your opinion on recoil? better than the original gun?

balance: muzzle heavy/light? top heavy?

are the sights easy to line up (front post fits well in rear notch)? are the sights easy to line up when the gun is raised up to your eye?

reliability (ftfs, ejection, cylinder drag, etc.)?

trigger pull weight for single and double action. is the trigger gritty? any stacking in double action?

that's it for now.

murf

 

[urbaneruralite]

Do you in fact have to keep it covered when walking by mirrors to prevent breakage?

 

[kcofohio]

I, too, am curious about the grip length and feel.

 

[C0untZer0]

Can you ask Ruger if there are any plans for chambering it in 9mm

 

[CrabPirate]

The front sight is attached VIA roll pin, so I assume it's replaceable.

The longer grip is much better at giving shooters more real estate to hang on to. Just like the original it has Hogue soft rubber grips, but unlike the original it lacks finger grooves. Still it goes a good job of soaking up the recoil, but the gun is still too light to be enjoyable to shoot - though much better than say a S&W 442 for example.

I found after carrying it for three days that I had to use the deep inner pocket of a pea coat to "pocket carry", but that's more like using a shoulder holster. - I think an inside the waistband holster would suit the weapon pretty well.

will the fixed sights handle all bullet weights and velocities (90 - 180 grain/600 - 1200)? - The sights are actually fully adjustable for drop and windage, a curious choice on a carry gun.


what is the velocity increase with that three inch barrel over the standard barrel? - I haven't had the chance to chrono any defensive loads yet, since I was just getting used to the handling and filming some action shots, but the 158gr PPU semi-wadcutters I was using was clocked at 740fps

your opinion on recoil? better than the original gun? Definitely, though the decrease isn't as substantial as it would be going from a 2 to a three inch steel gun, simply because the weight isn't there.

balance: muzzle heavy/light? top heavy? - Decently balanced, though the combination of long barrel and light frame makes it feel like it should have Mattel stamped on the side of it.

are the sights easy to line up (front post fits well in rear notch)? are the sights easy to line up when the gun is raised up to your eye? - The irons are much easier to use then on the original LCR, though I'm contributing that primarily to the increase in sight radius. I want to say the white-painted front sight post is pretty slick.

reliability (ftfs, ejection, cylinder drag, etc.)? -Everything seems smooth and solid with the exception of the cylinder release which sends to rattle a little bit.

trigger pull weight for single and double action. is the trigger gritty? any stacking in double action? - The trigger pull is better than comparably-sized Smiths. I like the grip width as it lets me put the trigger in the crux of my finger for fast double-action shooting.

Thanks for all the great questions Murph!

 

[CrabPirate]

CountZer0 - yeah I'll ask right now though they probably won't get back to my until Monday.

urbaneruralite - The width is very similar to the regular LCR, but the depth is different due to the lack of finger grooves. Overall it fills the hand better and gives you more gun to hang on to.

 

[oss117]

When will the new grips be available to purchase?

 

[kcofohio]

When will the new grips be available to purchase?

Eventually, to do otherwise would detract from the launch of a new product.

 

[bannockburn]

CrabPirate

While you're asking Ruger about a 9mm. chambering, maybe see if it will eventually be available in .22LR, .22 Magnum, and .327 Magnum.

 

[2ndamd]

I like the concept for a woods packing gun. If it were chambered in 357 it may give a bit more versatility and weight.

The single action option is nice for a little 3 inch kit gun like this LCR. This looks to be a good carry gun that allows the shooter to have the option for adjusting sights to different loads and have a fun range gun.

Is the size of the gun exactly like a LCRX? Just with a longer barrel and thicker top strap at the rear to accommodate the adjustable sight? I gues what I am asking, is it going to be able to use the same holster as a LCRX if it has an open bottom design like the excellent El Paso Saddlery or Don Hume JIT belt slide holsters?

When the LCR first came out there was an issue that could be checked for by opening the cylinder and squeezing the trigger (gently). If the trigger would cycle with the cylinder open? There was a safety issue that had to be corrected at Ruger. (Someone more familiar with the issue can explain it better). Any issue with your example?

Questions: The back sight appears to hang off the back of the top strap pretty far, any snagging issues? Is the back sight stout?

 

[PedalBiker]

I saw one of these at my local shop yesterday. I really like it. I agree a .22 WMR would be a great trail gun. Can anyone find WMR ammo yet, though?

I don't think I'd be as interested in a 9mm as I originally thought. I really like the 158g LSWCHP ammo in a revolver, and if I can get it again I also liked the Gold Dot 135g short barrel.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think an 8 shot .22 LR on that frame would make a perfect kit gun!

 

[Dframe]

I would like to see an unfluted cylinder or at least one less radical. I can't see that the weight would be that much more, and Mr Newton tells me the recoil would be ameliorated a bit. Overall I like the concept. I have found, the 3 inch barrel improves balance and seldom creates concealment problems.

 

[RustyShackelford]

speed-strips/speed loaders.....

Hi:
I'd ask if the new LCR ejector rod can swiftly eject spent cases. Can a shooter use speed strips/Quik Strips & speed loaders with ease?
Does this model have a security lock like other LCRs?
Also, will Ruger offer this platform in .44spl or .22WMR too?

Thanks & have fun:
RS

 

[earlthegoat2]

Can you put that grip on the snub LCRs? Worded another way: is the grip frame the same on both the long and short barreled guns?

 

[Phaedrus/69]

A fellow at another forum says the was told by Ruger CS that the grip will interchange between the new 3" model and the older regular LCR. I haven't contacted Ruger myself but I trust the guy that told me he did.

 

[Field Tester]

What was your overall impression of it? Would you feel comfortable carrying it?
Anything you like better than it?
Does it take the place better than anything else you carry?

 

[CrabPirate]

bannockburn -Sure thing.

RustyShackelford - The shells don't eject with as much gusto as they do on the more traditional GP100 series of handguns, they occasionally require the shooter to tilt the cylinder down while ejecting. Though, this seems to be limited to certain ammo makes like PPU. Hornady's Critical Defense rounds don't have this issue - may be due to their nickel plating.

earlthegoat2 & Phaedrus/69 -This is what I have heard as well, so yes most likely.

Field Tester - I really enjoy how light it is, and as someone who used to religiously carry a S&W 442, I have no qualms about carrying a 5-shot .38 special.

Right now I'm smitten with SIG's P938. 7 rounds of 9mm that I can quickly put into a 4 inch circle at 25 yards is plenty accurate for me.

I think it will likely replace my 442's role as a discreet shoulder gun with my pea coat. Both seem to conceal equally as well in that role.

I'm off to record the exposition/interview portion of the video review. I'll toss a link here once it goes live on Wed. - Thanks for all your questions and comments guys, I really appreciate it.

-Jim

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Bud's got some of the 3" LCRs in so I put one on layaway yesterday! I considered just buying it outright but this close to Xmas I should spend some of my cash on presents, not just stuff for myself. The price is $411, btw- same as I paid there for my original LCR. Not bad!

 

[C0untZer0]

Is there an advantage to getting the 38 Spl instead of the 357 Magnum?

A little bit less weight right?

I think I would wait until the 357 came out. It may be an ounce or two heavier, but this isn't a pocket pistol anyway, so I'm not sure that weight makes all that much of a difference.

 

[Drail]

Did you by any chance test it for bullet pull? (e.g. - fire 3 rounds and then look at the remaining rounds for pull?)

 

[Phaedrus/69]

So far this gun is only available in .38 Special, not .357 Mag.

 

[19-3Ben]

CounterZero- Agreed. I'll wait till the .357mag comes out. If it's on the belt anyway, the weight difference isn't going to matter that much, and I'd rather get lower recoil and faster followup with .38+p.

 

[JustsayMo]

I'm mighty tempted by this gun. 357 is plenty stout in my SP101, the LCR is ~10 oz lighter... 38 (or 327 someday?) would seem to be a good choice for this revolver. I really like the idea of the adjustable sights. My wife's LCR really challenges my eyes.

Thanks to your insights.