LCR or J frame preference

JERRY

JERRY

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Jun 5, 2003
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Ever since my better half has commandeered my LCR 327 as her new ccw, my 431PD has lost some luster.

Prior to the 327 introduction the 431PD was her carry preference. However the more I shoot "her" LCR the more I prefer it to my 431PD. Using either Longs or H&R mags in each the LCR is just a better shooter all the way around. Enough so that I'm considering getting another LCR 327 for myself instead of the still awaited Lipsey S&W gun.

Has anyone else jumped ship like this between these two guns? I still love my 342PD...mostly because of its 10.9 oz unloaded weight.
 

LCR or J frame preference​

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I "jump ship" all the time, slowly. I've got both J and LCR, both in .38 special. Sole and only downside for me for the LCR is Safariland Comp (whatever it is) speedloaders don't work with it.

Pick one. They're both fine.
 
lee n. field said:
I "jump ship" all the time, slowly. I've got both J and LCR, both in .38 special. Sole and only downside for me for the LCR is Safariland Comp (whatever it is) speedloaders don't work with it.

Pick one. They're both fine.
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I haven't invested in any speed loader for it yet but comp 1s are my go to for my J frames. How do they not work with the LCR?
 
I bought a second LCR .327 Magnum.

Both are fitted with different grips for pocket carry depending on what I'm wearing.

One is fitted with a Hogue Tamer Cushion grip without finger grooves for when I pocket carry in Duluth Flex Fire Hose shorts. The longer grip is easier to quickly acquire a good firing grip in the pocket.

The other is fitted with a Hamre Forge Hook grip for pocket carry in jeans. I snag the hook on the seam of the pocket and it securely carries the LCR very well there.

Back in the day I carried an S&W model 28 Highway Patrolman on patrol, and the only speedloaders I could get at the time were HKS. Since I'm so used the HKS speedloaders, it's what I use with the LCRs. But I rarely carry a speedloader, preferring speed strips instead.

I also carry a Ruger LCP II .22 LR as a backup in my rear pocket, in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster.
 
JERRY said:
I haven't invested in any speed loader for it yet but comp 1s are my go to for my J frames. How do they not work with the LCR?
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The circle of charge holes is a tiny bit narrower. The Safariland holds the rounds rigidly, and it doesn't fit.

HKS twistie loader works. 5 Star has one that works (and one that doesn't). Both let the rounds wiggle a little bit.
 
I went in a different direction. Started w/ S&W 60 -> 442. Got an LCR in .38 spl and liked it better. Added the 3" LCRx. Then Ruger came out with the .327 LCR (Make a 3" please Ruger). Extra round but frame is heavier the the 38spl version. I would switch between the LCR's. Took a chance on a Charter Undercoverette. That's my main carry piece now.
 
Torn between SP101 and LCRs, have both in multiple flavors but the favorite carry is the LCR in 327 loaded with 32 H&R mags just for the weight. Hard to beat the SP101, built like a tank but a tad to heavy for pocket carry.
 
I have both a J-frame and LCR, though mine are chambered in 9mm. I haven't done any jumping between ships, but I don't think you can go wrong with either type. If you prefer the LCR, go for it:thumbup:
 
i recently compared a ruger lcr-x to a s&w m37, both five shot, j frame, 3,” 38sp revolvers. the ruger felt sturdier in my hand but i was more slightly accurate with the s&w. neither one stood out in a good or bad way, except that there are more grip and holster choices for the s&w.
 
JERRY said:
Has anyone else jumped ship like this between these two guns? I still love my 342PD...mostly because of its 10.9 oz unloaded weight.
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No. I was never really a fan of or liked S&W aluminum Centennials. I own a 357 LCR (for 12 years now) and an S&W model 60 and 640 Pro J-frames. I will probably buy a 340PD at some point in time as a bucket list gun. IMHO, the LCR will have better build quality, finish, and customer service than S&W aluminum Centennials that typically start losing their finish coating. The 327 LCR will also be more robust. I say this because the frame on the 327 LCR is stainless steel (NOT the weaker aluminum like the Smiths have), and both the frame and cylinder have the superior much more durable finish.

The new Lipsey offerings will only have the chamfered cylinder, and arguably, the rear sight, VZ boot grips, resale value and demand, and beauty/looks as pros over the LCR. However, XS Big Dot offers a sights for the LCR (I have them installed on mine), there are aftermarket grips, and the integrated U-notch rear gutter sight is basically the equivalent to the u-notch blacked out rear driftable dovetailed sight of the Lipsey offerings. The rest of the updated Lipsey features, e.g., full underlug, Endurance Package, trigger upgrade, optimized hammer and trigger geometry, and lack of a lock, are upgrades the LCR does not require. Lipsey's offering is also 16oz unloaded, and the LCR in 327 is 17oz, so that's a wash as well.

The last thing I would like to point out is that you and your wife having the exact same EDC is a bonus. If anything should ever happen, she would be comfortable and proficient when picking EDC up and shooting yours and vis versa. If anything happens to her EDC (lost, stolen, taken for evidence, sent back for repair, etc), she could use your LCR, and you temporarily go back to your 431PD.
 
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dogkinkead said:
Torn between SP101 and LCRs, have both in multiple flavors but the favorite carry is the LCR in 327 loaded with 32 H&R mags just for the weight. Hard to beat the SP101, built like a tank but a tad to heavy for pocket carry.
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It's simple. Buy the SP101 if you are recoil sensitive, plan on shooting 327 regularly, and/or if it's going to be a home defense gun. Buy the LCR if you play on shooting mostly 32 H&R or less, and want something lightweight, easier to conceal, and can be pocket carried. As an aside, what's crazy is the LCR almost cost just as much of some flavors of the SP101.
 
ditmo said:
I went in a different direction. Started w/ S&W 60 -> 442. Got an LCR in .38 spl and liked it better. Added the 3" LCRx. Then Ruger came out with the .327 LCR (Make a 3" please Ruger). Extra round but frame is heavier the the 38spl version. I would switch between the LCR's. Took a chance on a Charter Undercoverette. That's my main carry piece now.
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It’s your lucky day. Ruger has announced a 3” .327 lcr. They just haven’t hit shelves yet.

 
I've owned both (in 38) and don't really "like" either, but I do carry a 642 now. The reason I picked a 642 was it was about $100 less expensive than the LCR in the case that day (both used).

And I'm basically a Smith and Wesson guy I suppose.

Before someone throws it out, I've also owned Colt and Taurus small frame 38's. I don't really care for them either. If another 12-2 turns up...THAT's what I never should have gotten rid of.
 
I used to own an LCR and LCRx, both short barrel .38s. Neither grouped well in my hands, and even with the longer rounded grip they were uncomfortable to shoot more than a couple cylinders from per session. I wanted to like them but I eventually gave up and sold both.

I currently have 3 J-frames. I had a 3" blued M36 square butt that I carried until the finish and SA timing started to go, then I replaced it with a new .357 Pro Series M60 that's been my EDC for about the last six years (note all the schmutz on its grip in the photo below.) The other two I have are an earlier 3" full-lug M60 in .38 Special and an Airweight .38 Special with the shorter barrel. They are all more comfortable and shoot tighter groups in my hands than the LCRs, even the Airweight -- I don't know why.

PachmayrCompacs.jpg

FWIW, I've also a .38 Colt Detective Special and a 3" SP101 in .32 H&R that shoot fully on par with the Smiths. The Colt has the best DA trigger of the lot. Pachmayr Compacs may help level the field for me.
 
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JERRY said:
Has anyone else jumped ship like this between these two guns? I still love my 342PD...mostly because of its 10.9 oz unloaded weight.
Click to expand...

I used to own a 337ti Airlite touted as the lightest .38 j-frame ever made at the time, I think S&W says it's 10.7oz. Then I picked up a 442 coming in at around just under 15oz. I couldn't tell a difference between the 2 guns my pocket or in a IWB holster. Eventually sold the 337 because it didn't make sense to have a $600 gun when a $350 gun accomplished the same thing for me. If you prefer something else I say go for it, I've gone through something like 6 different carry guns before I finally found "the one" (3" K6s DAO).
 
Big J frame fan. I have an LCR but it just never feels right in my hand, have tried several different grips. Just something about it and me don't fit.
Trigger is good on the LCR and it performs fine. But, with the feel thing (my issue) and poly frame I have leaned harder into the J's.

I am looking at the new Kimber they have put out, seems to have potential in that class.
 
Ohen Cepel said:
Big J frame fan. I have an LCR but it just never feels right in my hand, have tried several different grips. Just something about it and me don't fit.
Trigger is good on the LCR and it performs fine. But, with the feel thing (my issue) and poly frame I have leaned harder into the J's.

I am looking at the new Kimber they have put out, seems to have potential in that class.
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FYI, the frame is stainless steel on the 9mm, 327, and 357, and the 22lr and 38 special are aluminum. Only the trigger housing is polymer.
 
I prefer the LCR. Considering one in .327 for the 6th shot or a Kimber k6xs. As above, the frame is not polymer, only the trigger guard. At this place in the market I believe the Ruger LCR has proven itself very well and I wish they would expand the format to a larger frame.
 
I’ve shot an LCR and liked it, but if I’m going for powerful, light, and trim, I’ll stick to my J-Frame. Extra ounces in the pocket are noticeable. IMG_0986.jpeg
 
For me it's a "meh" to each. I just have no interest in any centerfire revolver with a shorter than 4" barrel. If someone twisted my arm hard enough I would accept the J frame.
 
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