I've been carrying a 642 for about a year.
I bought an LCR day before yesterday.
I've put hundreds of rounds through the Smith... so far just 15 through the LCR.
My observations...
The 642 is a far more attractive pistol to my eye.
The fit and finish of the Smith is better and the lockup of the cylinder is a little tighter than that of the Ruger.
My Smith has been dryfired at least a thousand times while I've owned it, yet the LCR has a somewhat lighter and substantially smoother trigger.
The Smith has a more substantial feel in the hand... not unlike the difference between a metal semiauto and a polymer one.
Though the physical difference in size is small, it's almost all in the grip... the Smith boot grip seems much easier for me to conceal and easier to draw.
Though the Ruger came with a Hogue recoil reducing grip that covers and pads the backstrap, in regards to recoil, while I don't regard either gun as severe to shoot, my Ruger has a noticeably sharper recoil than my Smith.
Apparently the grip falls short of offsetting the 10% lighter weight of the Ruger?
This time of year I like to pack my snubbie in the pocket of my Carhartt jacket. While it's never been an issue, I've always feared that someone might catch a glimpse of the grey metallic frame and backstrap of the Smith... the black polymer of the LCR is definately less likely to be identified as a gun if someone were to gaze into my coat pocket.
In terms of accuracy, I belong to a 50' indoor range... all targets must be extended to the backstop... that's long range for a snub.
I shot three groups of five from each pistol at an 8" bullseye this afternoon... I put two in the target each time with each gun... the other three shots always went somewhere else... LOL... plenty combat accurate in both cases.
Price... I was able to negotiate a free background check and take the Smith out the door for $300 used... the same shop stuck to their guns on the background check and I carried the used Ruger out the door for $339 ($329 + $10)
Conclusion... I like the Smith a little better than the Ruger, you might go the other way... I'm pleased with both pistols.
I bought an LCR day before yesterday.
I've put hundreds of rounds through the Smith... so far just 15 through the LCR.
My observations...
The 642 is a far more attractive pistol to my eye.
The fit and finish of the Smith is better and the lockup of the cylinder is a little tighter than that of the Ruger.
My Smith has been dryfired at least a thousand times while I've owned it, yet the LCR has a somewhat lighter and substantially smoother trigger.
The Smith has a more substantial feel in the hand... not unlike the difference between a metal semiauto and a polymer one.
Though the physical difference in size is small, it's almost all in the grip... the Smith boot grip seems much easier for me to conceal and easier to draw.
Though the Ruger came with a Hogue recoil reducing grip that covers and pads the backstrap, in regards to recoil, while I don't regard either gun as severe to shoot, my Ruger has a noticeably sharper recoil than my Smith.
Apparently the grip falls short of offsetting the 10% lighter weight of the Ruger?
This time of year I like to pack my snubbie in the pocket of my Carhartt jacket. While it's never been an issue, I've always feared that someone might catch a glimpse of the grey metallic frame and backstrap of the Smith... the black polymer of the LCR is definately less likely to be identified as a gun if someone were to gaze into my coat pocket.
In terms of accuracy, I belong to a 50' indoor range... all targets must be extended to the backstop... that's long range for a snub.
I shot three groups of five from each pistol at an 8" bullseye this afternoon... I put two in the target each time with each gun... the other three shots always went somewhere else... LOL... plenty combat accurate in both cases.
Price... I was able to negotiate a free background check and take the Smith out the door for $300 used... the same shop stuck to their guns on the background check and I carried the used Ruger out the door for $339 ($329 + $10)
Conclusion... I like the Smith a little better than the Ruger, you might go the other way... I'm pleased with both pistols.
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