Ok, then, so long as we are running "LCR threads of the day", which one?

[sidheshooter]

Like many here, I am contemplating an LCR. I can see advantages and disadvantages to each basic version: light .38 or steel (still light) .357.

Which would you do if you were buying from scratch, today? Why?

 

[TYFOOON]

For my uses the extreme light weight of the .38 version is best. I practice with .38's and load up +P JHP's for carry. If I feel I need a .357 I carry either my S&W 19-4 or split the difference with my FNP9. The .38 is 3.6 oz lighter. With a loaded weight of approx 1lb. I love this gun.

Gotta run, it's taking me flyfishing now.

Fooon

 

[Haywood]

I would and did buy the 357. It has the Tamer Grip and I installed the XS Night Sight. I would rather have the power of a 357. I have been shooting and carrying 357s for years. 357 Snubs are what I carry most of the time.

 

[splithoof]

If all you can find is .357 ammunition, you will be able to use it. If not, it is a lightweight fist-club.

 

[bikemutt]

In the polite urban setting I presently exist in, I have a gut feel that .357 mag may be too much. Imagining scenarios where I might have to draw the LCR I've convinced myself .38+P is enough. I prefer to save the ounces since it's with me every day, everywhere I go, where lawful of course.

When I do carry .357 mag, it's in a big gun with 3 more chambers in the cylinder.

 

[Chillaxin]

I've been looking at these as well. I currently carry a 642 during the summer and a G27 during the rest of the year. For me, the 357 is the way to go. No, I don't feel undergunned with the 38 but I personally like 357's. If and when I do get a LCR it will be the 357.

-C-

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I honestly don't think the recoil of the .38 Special +P in the .38 LCR is bad at all, but I have no desire to shoot .357 in a gun that small, so I'll stick with the .38.

 

[antiquus]

Actually, I used to own an LCR in .38, and I've shot the .357 version, and the .357 even with standard .357 loads "pushes" more then snaps. The gun is almost 30% heavier, and that helps quite a bit. The standard .38 version with the gel grip and full bore loads is a handful, but something like standard .38 spl loads makes it very comfortable, my arthritic wife has no problem with it (and that's how it became a "used to own").

But something like Buffalo Bore .38 +P heavy gives me 380ft/lbs out of a 2" muzzle, I don't think there's a point in going to .357 loads. You just aren't going to practice with it much more than 10 rounds at a time.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I went with .357, but not for the stated reason; I am simply lazy. I already reload for .357 and did not want to tool up to reload another caliber. I figure I'll stoke the LCR with light .357s for range sessions and carry factory .38's of equivalent power.

 

[RX-178]

.357 for me. In my opinion there's just no practical reason nowadays to have a .38spl revolver and not a .357.

Does that mean I'd use .357 magnum rounds in it? Probably not, but at least I have the ability to.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

In my opinion there's just no practical reason nowadays to have a .38spl revolver and not a .357.

Dang, and here I am with a sack full of .38 wheelguns.

 

[pgmrdan]

I'm new to handguns (but not new to guns) and I'm finding this to be an interesting thread.

I'm looking to buy a .38 special revolver and all I'm finding are .357 magnums...even with 1 7/8" and 2 1/4" barrels. Someone mentioned a .357 magnum snub nosed. I can't figure out why they're even manufactured unless it's to assure customers that they'll handle the most powerful .38 special rounds.

Muzzle flash/blast and difficulty in controlling and target acquisition after the first shot steer me away from using .357 magnum rounds in a snub nosed revolver. It seems like a significant portion of the powder burns outside the barrel and is wasted.

In a snubby, as far as foot lbs of energy I've read that a .38 special round can be roughly equivalent to a .357 magnum round and with NYPD rounds made for a 2" barrel it sounds like there's even more reason to go with a .38 special round in a snubby.

Why are .357 magnum snubbies manufactured?

ColtPythonElite, I'll take one of those .38 special wheel guns from your sack if it will help you out.

 

[DeepSouth]

Why are .357 magnum snubbies manufactured?

Because there are a lot of people (like me) that buy them. I would buy one over a 38spl in the same gun any day, why not? I can still shoot the 38's in it if I want. Why limit myself if I don't have to? Weight?, it's just not that big a difference to me. A significant portion of the powder burns outside the barrel of any short barreled pistol, one more reason to buy Gold Dot's "short barrel" ammo.

That said I wouldn't pass on a gun I wanted if it only came in 38spl, but if they offered in 357 that's what I'd buy. I just keep thinking "why limit myself?" Same reason I would buy a 22lr over a 22 short. And a 45 Colt over a 45 Schofield. And a 5.56 over a .223. And a 410 with 3" chamber over a 410 with a 2 1/2" chamber.... See a pattern?

 

[pgmrdan]

I agree with you on all the other guns you mentioned but I didn't see a good answer to my question. Where's the limitation? Are they going to quit manufacturing .38 special ammo?

There should be a good reason for .357 magnum snubbies but I just haven't heard/read it anywhere yet. Perhaps it's simply to somehow save the manufacturers a few bucks.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[DeepSouth]

I agree with you on all the other guns you mentioned but I didn't see a good answer to my question. Where's the limitation? Are they going to quit manufacturing .38 special ammo?

There should be a good reason for .357 magnum snubbies but I just haven't heard/read it anywhere yet

Thanks for the reply.

Of course their not going to quit making it. Their are people who hate 357 recoil and noise, (understandably) and therefore the 357, and that's fine. If that was my opinion I would never buy one I would look for 38spl guns, and I would buy them. Therefore they should, and will, continue to make 38spl guns and ammo.

There are many, many good reasons for a 357 snubbie, Basically you take all of the reasons for the 38spl snubs and just say "357" in front of them. Sure recoil is usually more, some people (like me) don't care, some people like it. Sure it's louder, some people (like me) don't care. Then there is the additional reason of power, it just has more, also has more penetration.

Then you have the fact that the manufactures shouldn't get to dictate that I can't have a 357 snub because I don't have a good reason.

 

[Mike1234567]

I like "options" so it's .357 Mag for me and will shoot 38 Spc most of the time at the range. I didn't vote because I couldn't decide which option best fits.

 

[oldfool]

although I generally advocate 38/357 over 38 sp Only in anything reasonably construed as a full size & weight handgun, I simply see no point in 357 mag in anything literally both too short and too light to be of practical magnum merit

magnum loads = bring enough gun
LCR= 38 special

 

[Warp]

A few ounces can make a big difference for pocket carry, especially if you...for some reason I do not understand...are not wearing a belt.

And unless you have fired a full house .357 from a snub nose I wouldn't assume you will choose to do so. I also wouldn't shoot .38 from it at the range and simply throw .357 in under the impression that you "won't feel it if you need it". Recoil is about more than the pain, it is also about controlling it to keep the gun properly gripped/secured and being able to hit your target/attacker with follow up shots.

Now, if the guns were to weigh the same and be the same basic size I'd opt for a .357 to get the extra strength inherent to the firearm and have the option of .357, even though it would cost more.

Why are .357 magnum snubbies manufactured?

Some people like the extra power and will deal with the recoil. Some crazy souls like it.

 

[Flint Ridge]

I got one of the first .357's, Aug of 2010. Love it, primary carry

 

[sidheshooter]

Interesting that this poll has been literally neck and neck since I posted it.

All good points, above. I'm still undecided, though leaning towards .38. I guess I won't really know until I walk out the LGS door.

 

[Gottahaveone]

To me, the few ounces of weight saved with the .38 weren't worth the loss in versatility over the .357. I bought the .357, put the XS sight on it (why in the ....heck....does the factory only offer that on the .38?) and carry it full of Rem +p 158gr LSWCHP. I ran a few cylinders of maggies thru it and it's not *that* bad, so that option is always available.

 

[iyn]

How is the recoil of the lcr compared to a aluminum smith snub?

 

[Pyro]

The .357.
A few ounces will only hurt the bad guy more.

 

[RevDerb]

I've had a .38 and a .357. The .38 is for me. My old joints don't like the kick on that light of a gun anymore. Simply too uncomfortable to shoot.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

One fact that I don't think anyone has brought up is that the metal portions of the frame on the .357 version are made of steel (blackened stainless I believe), where as the metal portions of the frame on the .38 version are an alluminum alloy. I heard a story a while back (I believe it was on THR) that a steady diet of .38+P's in the .38 version will lead to frame warping on the .38 version due to the materials used. This was however a case of something like 10,000 + hot loads, and who would do that anyway? This is a defense revolver, not a plinker. However, if I am going to make the leap into poly revolvers, I want all the strength I can get in the metal parts.

For me, it's the .357 model with the intent that I shoot .38's for practice, and 38+P's for defense. Having the .357 model will give me peace of mind that my investment is not going to "wear out" when off course all guns do wear out eventually.