lcr .38 spl exposed hammer or not? carry ammo?

[bullseyebob47]

i have the lcr 22lr with no exposed hammer and it comes out my remora pocket holster perfectly, quickly.

before i decide on a lcr .38 spl i would like to know if the exposed hammer gets in the way when drawing the gun sometimes. and how much does single action improve accuracy on that snubby?

looks like pdx1, gold dot, ect do well in the snub but i rather more penetration. looks like 158 gr. xtp does lots of damage, only expands somewhat but gets 18" penetration i want:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5pWEU8qX7g&index=12&list=PL0k8IScA_ejwkYbEQjGKm7CkU-xOQq_WS

 

[BSA1]

before i decide on a lcr .38 spl i would like to know if the exposed hammer gets in the way when drawing the gun sometimes.

Yes it does. That is why they are made either with the hammer spur removed or with the hammer enclosed inside the frame.

how much does single action improve accuracy on that snubby?

The lighter trigger pull makes the gun easier to shoot. Accuracy depends on the shooters ability to properly align the front and rear sights, use a proper grip and breathing.

The small sights makes proper sight alignment difficult for many shooters especially for those of us that have to wear bifocal glasses.

Proper grip is generally more difficult due to the small grips that come on many guns. Larger grips help a lot but at the expense of concealment.

Small guns are accurate you just have to work at it harder.

 

[stoky]

Practice drawing with your thumb on the hammer and see if that mitigates the snagging issue. Try some longer shots and see if it's easier to be more precise single action. IMO, it's worth having that option available. Perhaps it depends on the amount of effort you want to put into practicing.

 

[Crayfish]

I have carried a 2" snub with a hammer for over 15 years and never had any issues with hammer getting in the way. But (and its a big but) I do not pocket carry. If you want the option of pocket carry of course you do not want a hammer exposed. I carry IWB strong side and I like to have thumb on hammer when drawing and holstering as an added safety. Having said all that if you own a revolver you should always become efficient with it in DA because that's the way it will be shot in a high stress situation. If I bought an LCR today I would probably drop the external hammer because of the option to pocket carry and the option to fire it from a coat pocket. Also makes it nice to get a high grip on a small gun and not worry about hammer bite. I do like the option of single action on my revolvers but, I don't think it matters as much on a snubby. Your call.

 

[stoky]

I like to have thumb on hammer when drawing and holstering as an added safety.

+1
thanks for mentioning something I forgot to

 

[Milkmaster]

I like my LCR 38 without the hammer because the trigger is better than my 642 and is slick in and out of my pocket with no snags to even worry about. All of us have opinions of course. That is mine.

 

[zerobarrier]

I have the Ruger LCRX and the hammer has never gotten in the way for me. I carrier strongside OWB and sometimes pocket carry with a nylon pocket holster. When I draw from my pocket my thumb just goes over the hammer, its just how my hand natural goes. When OWB I grip it normal and it does not snag.

I use 158gr golden sabers and they shoot really nice out of it. The DA is very smooth.

 

[Panzerschwein]

You don't need a hammer for a defensive gun. Learn to shoot double action, and you won't even need it to begin with. It's also one more thing that can go wrong, and can hang up on the draw.

For defense, get some Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 special +P 135 grain ammo. Best there is from a .38 +P snub.

 

[Haywood]

None of my carry Snubs have a external hammer. I practice DAO shooting. I don't feel a disadvantage. Update: I forgot to comment on ammo. I carry ammo that I have herd the most Street Results. NYPD and SFPD report they are well satisfied with the performance of Speer Gold Dot 135g. +P 38 Special from 2" and 4" back up and off duty guns. That's good enough for me.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Same.

My S&W 642 hits on every time.

 

[Twiki357]

I've been pocket carrying a S&W model 37 with an exposed hammer for years. With your thumb on the hammer it will never snag.

 

[CZ9shooter]

For pocket carry I would want a conceiled or shrouded hammer. Are you gonna place your thumb perfectly over the hammer for a smooth draw during a real struggle?

My carry preference is a 637 IWB, in which case a full hammer doesnt pose nearly as much of a problem.

Check out Buffalo Bore standard pressure ammo. Go +P if you want, but it hurts in a light gun. BB's advertised velocities are spot on. Their standard 158gr SWCHP matches most other +P offerings. Deeeeep cavity. And nice thing is that if it fails to expand you still have the crushing/cutting properties of a heavy semi wad cutter.

 

[MedWheeler]

I agree with Cooldill above. I was trained in LE with the DA/SA revolver, and learned to shoot DAO. I cannot think of a situation in which cocking the hammer of a defensive or "combat" revolver would be indicated for someone schooled in the gun.

I've carried, on and off over the years, a snub with an exposed hammer, and sometimes it was in a pocket. never had a snag issue, but I have to admit I never drew it from the pocket in an actual defensive situation (only in practice.)

 

[RustyShackelford]

stress, critical incidents, draw ....

When I was a kid I saw a TV news report of how a plainclothes police detective was nearly killed in a critical incident.
He had to draw his snub revolver quickly & the hammer spur got strung up on his thick coat, .
That event taught me to be prepared for any high stress events/fast draws. I purchased DA only or spurless type handguns to avoid these type of problems.

Some shooters-gun owners like spurs for quick SA shooting but for a CQB type defense gun, you can get by with the regular type LCR.

 

[Edarnold]

Since you are concerned about performance with 158gr loads, you might consider the LCRx with 3" barrel and real sights. The extra barrel length may get velocities up enough to produce proper expansion, and having the adjustable sights brings the accuracy potential beyond belly-gun range. If the hammer catching proves to be too much of a liability, you can always have the spur removed.

 

[TimSr]

A hollow point that does not travel fast enough to expand is just another round nose bullet. If you want expansion from a .38, get a fast, light bullet. If you want a heavy bullet, get one that will do the most damage without expansion - a SWC or WC.

 

[Lord Teapot]

if it's an intended carry piece, drop the hammer. if it's a range piece, keep the hammer.

 

[jimbo555]

If your used to the lcr22lr without a hammer you won't have any problem with the lcr38. The trigger is much lighter. Speer 135+p short barrel or rem.158 lhp+p.

 

[kcofohio]

If your used to the lcr22lr without a hammer you won't have any problem with the lcr38.

What jimbo said!

IIRC, somebody once measured the LCR22 trigger at either 12 or 14 lbs. The centerfire LCRs seem to be at around 7-9 lbs.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Brands for carry-personal security ....

In 2015, there are a few great choices in .38spl +P: Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP, Winchester PDX1 .38spl, Buffalo Bore 158gr lead SWC-HP +P, Corbon DPX, Glaser Safety Slug/Silver, Hornady Critical Defense 110gr, MagSafe SWAT +P.

My friend has a LCR .38spl +P with a Lasermax Centerfire laser(red). He keeps it loaded with DPX for home protection.

 

[Al Thompson]

Glaser Safety Slug/Silver, MagSafe SWAT +P.

Bet you never fired any of that junk ammo. POI/POA has a severe difference, expensive and lacks penetration.

Junk. And over priced junk at that.

Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP, Winchester PDX1 .38spl, Buffalo Bore 158gr lead SWC-HP +P, Corbon DPX

Much better choices...

 

[RustyShackelford]

Yes ...

Yes AL I have fired frangibles like Glasers, MagSafe, etc.
I would not call them junk . They have valid uses under limited applications.

I'm sorry your opinion or suggestions seem to be more important or matter more than others.
The THR should allow for input/suggestions from all members as long as it's within the forum rules-guidelines.

I had 3 different .38spl +P & .357magnum revolvers loaded with MagSafe ammunition that worked fine & I felt completely safe with my choices.

Rusty