Opinions/Experiences, please

[slohand]

Due to worsening arthritis, my wife is having a difficult time racking the slide on her Kahr CW9. We've been doing some online searches for a revolver for her and have come down to deciding between the Ruger LCR and the S&W 442 in .38 special.

If you have any experience with either, or both, of these firearms, we'd love to hear your opinion.

Thanks!

 

[Old Fuff]

At the present moment the Ruger LCR has an easier double-action trigger pull, because it was designed from scratch to have a non-compromised D.A. pull.

The Smith & Wesson descended from a design that had both single and double-action options, so to a degree the double-action is not optimal.

To address this issue, S&W introduced a new model - the .38 Bodyguard. I have not had the opportunity to examine one, and apparently it has not caught on as well as the LCR.

Be that as it may, if I was going to choose it would be between the LCR and .38 Bodyguard, not the model 442, if the double-action trigger pull is a prime consideration.

 

[CoRoMo]

My mother has experienced the same arthritis/recoil/hand-strength issues. Painful recoil was her primary concern. She was carrying a 642, but hated it. Absolutely hated it, but she carried it with shot loads.

She's now looking to carry a .22 of some sort, but she recently shot a 9mm STI Elektra and loved it. While some semi-autos had a difficult slide to actuate, this one was acceptable to her.

Go figure.

Here in a couple weeks, I'll have her try out my LCR and LCR-22. I'm still trying to develop love for this revolver.

 

[Guillermo]

As the Fuffster mentioned, the double action trigger of the LCR is very good right out of the box. (and it's a Ruger )

My concern is that both of the revolvers are lighter than the Kahr you are contemplating replacing so there will be increased recoil. Not the thing for arthritic hands and wrists.

I would suggest looking at a K-frame. A little more heft will make it much easier to control.

Besides, a police trade in can be had for 200-300 bucks. If she is not carrying, it is a great choice.

As always, shoot before you buy!!!

 

[guyfromohio]

I'd definitely have her shoot first for the reasons above. I LOVE my 642 and have shot thousands of rounds (ok, maybe a little over a thousand), but the trigger and recoil may irritate the arthritis. How about a Beretta 85 in .380 with the tip-up barrel? No racking required and heavy enough to tame the snap of a .380.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

I agree with the GuyFromOhio. While I regularly shoot and concealed carry my 642, if your wife has arthritis that makes it difficult to rack the slide on her Kahr, she may not like a DAO snubbie. The Beretta 85, while not a wheel-gun, just might be the ticket for her.

 

[shootniron]

I carry a 642, which is essentially a stainless 442 and I put a set of aftermarket springs in it to lighten the pull a little, but it is still not what I would describe as light. Recently, my mother that is 75yrs old wanted a revolver for the same reason that you cite with your wife. We settled on a .357 LCR that she will stoke with .38spec and the trigger on it is great. If I were looking for a new carry revolver, I would certainly consider getting the same gun.

 

[MCgunner]

I haven't tried the LCR, but I'd be looking that direction due to the DA trigger design. Everyone says it's wonderful. I haven't tried it, though.

 

[sidheshooter]

We settled on a .357 LCR that she will stoke with .38spec and the trigger on it is great. If I were looking for a new carry revolver, I would certainly consider getting the same gun.

J's are great, but their triggers are not.

I'd say this is a great case for the LCR in .357 (note that it weighs a few ounces more than the .38 version), with its *much* easier trigger and cushy grip. Stoke it with some sort of easier standard load (even the 148 full wad cutter beats a stern word) and see how that treats her.

We have a range in my area that rents the LCR; just a thought. No idea if that might be an option in your area, but never hurts to ask. I don't actually have an LCR, but I did take advantage of the (day-long) rental to spend some quality time with one, and I can certainly vouch for the trigger on that one. Definitely better than my broken-in 36-1 J.

 

[Magnumite]

+1 on what Guillermo said.

 

[skidder]

I have never shot the LCR, and I still think they're ugly, but sometimes necessity wins over appearance. I believe the LCR .357 would be the best bet for her condition (if the trigger reports are correct). Sidheshooter- had a good point about getting the 357 LCR and shooting 38's. The added weight will make the gun more comfortable and tame the muzzle for a faster second shot.

 

[doc2rn]

I agree with the above the 442 is not for the recoil sensitive I would suggest a S&W mod 10 2" snubbie over the airweights. I have wrist issues from surgery and I shoot the model 10s really well.
Also have you taught her the table or chair pistol racking technique? Put the rear sight on the edge of a table or chair and use your body weight to rack the slide. Did that with a Beretta when wounded once, probably saved my life.

 

[Lawdawg45]

At the present moment the Ruger LCR has an easier double-action trigger pull, because it was designed from scratch to have a non-compromised D.A. pull.

The Smith & Wesson descended from a design that had both single and double-action options, so to a degree the double-action is not optimal.

To address this issue, S&W introduced a new model - the .38 Bodyguard. I have not had the opportunity to examine one, and apparently it has not caught on as well as the LCR.

Be that as it may, if I was going to choose it would be between the LCR and .38 Bodyguard, not the model 442, if the double-action trigger pull is a prime consideration.

Question. The J-frame can be smoothed out with an action job, but can these new Polymer striker fire pistols have any work done on them?

LD

 

[StrawHat]

Two other options to consider. S&W offers J frame revolvers in both the 32 caliber cartridge and the 22 WMR. While not optimal, perhaps one of these could work for your wife.

 

[Stainz]

If it's for home use, I'd suggest a 2"-4" 64 or 10 - a security guard trade-in. A little mass - but she will appreciate it under recoil. The key is to get grips that fit it to her hand.

Re the Ruger LCR. I've shot several, with everything from WWB 130gr MC to my carry loads, 158gr LHPSWCs. No thank you! The trigger may start out easier than a 442/642 NIB, but a well broken-in 442/642 will be similar. Plus - the revolver feels like it will come apart with the next trigger pull. Dry-fired, it really feels cheap - sounds tinny. Two range-friends have already replaced their LCRs with 642s.

Stainz

 

[Old Fuff]

Question. The J-frame can be smoothed out with an action job, but can these new Polymer striker fire pistols have any work done on them?

The new Ruger and S&W revolvers still have conventional rotating hammers, and unlike pistols are not striker fired.

By eliminating any consideration of a single-action option, the hammer and trigger pivot points have been changed to afford maximum leverage so it's easier for the trigger to rotate the hammer backwards. The principal (and often overlooked) reason that larger frame revolvers have easier double-action trigger pulls is because the trigger can be located to provide more leverage and the finger piece is longer and lower which also helps in this regard.

Actions can be made somewhat smoother by polishing, but only if it's correctly done, and simply dry-firing will often have the same affect (and not compromise the manufacturer's warrantee). The other popular way is to use lighter, aftermarket hammer and trigger springs; but this can reduce ignition reliability and cause trigger reset problems.

Unfortunately when it comes to springs there is no such thing as a free lunch.