Ruger LCP in 38 Special

[GarySTL]

Had the chance to shoot one of these yesterday. I was impressed by the recoil of white box 38 special loads. By that I mean there was lots of it. I loaded five and shot two. That was plenty and I handed it back to the owner. He didn't like it either and was looking to trade it off.

Is it just me? I shoot lots of pistols from 22lr to 45 ACP so I'm no stranger to recoil.

 

[Schwing]

No, it isn't just you. A lot of people seriously underestimate the recoil of those lighter guns. I own a .38 LCR and know exactly what you are talking about. It is one big reason I reload. I like to be able to load them down a tad to enjoy.

I would not just give up on the LCR. I had the same experience when I first got mine. Over the years, it has become one of my favorites.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Different strokes for different folks. I find my S&W 642 doesn't kick as bad as people make it out to. Even with +Ps it's easily manageable.

I think a lot of it has to do with the right grips and proper grip technique in general.

 

[GarySTL]

Well, this was straight factory, and I think in their commercial they mention recoil reducing grips. I'd hate to shoot one with wood grips. My Sig P938 has less recoil.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I always thought my LCR was pretty pleasant to shoot. Not .22 LR by any means but not too bad. And the 3" version is even easier to shoot IMO.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Remington makes .38 Short Colt ammo, shorter case than .38 special but is safe to fire in any .38 special gun. Recoil is very low, and might make good practice ammo for you:

https://www.laxammo.com/ammunition/...t-colt-125-gr-lead-rn--500rds-rtg38sc/105-780

 

[Steve C]

A couple years ago I shot 5 rounds out of a .500 S&W. After that nothing I shot seemed to have much recoil.

Lightweights and super magnums can be real unpleasant to shoot. Personally my lightweight guns fall into the "carried a lot, shot little" category.

 

[jad0110]

Well, this was straight factory, and I think in their commercial they mention recoil reducing grips. I'd hate to shoot one with wood grips. My Sig P938 has less recoil.

The big problem I have with the factory LCR rubber grips are the finger grooves. In fact, the only gun I own that has finger grove grips that actually work for me is my S&W 642 with Uncle Mikes boot grips. Grooved grips work great for some, but for everyone else (like me) they are in usually the wrong place.

I originally had a set a grooved rubber grips (Hogues) on my S&W Model 686. Switching to smooth wood stocks made a huge improvement in felt recoil for me because they actually fit my hand right.

 

[UncleEd]

The LCR is a gun that is not designed for "pleasure" shooting; it's designed for self protection in an extreme, close situation. And you won't notice the recoil then.

As a Weatherby rep once told me about the company's big blasting rifles, no one complains or remembers the recoil when actually hunting, especially dangerous game.

Often, recoil with any and all guns, handguns and longguns, is a matter of a person getting used to the recoil, "toughening" the memory muscles that are used.

I've shot plus P .38s from lightweight Smith J frames and believe me, at close range and psychologically knowing that in reality it won't really hurt you, you get to master them.

As for full house .357s, I've never found any very pleasant in Ruger GP 100s, GP 101s, Smith L frames and especially not in Smith K frames but it's something you do occasionally to know what is to be expected.

 

[Invisible Swordsman]

The LCR seems to be one of those guns that you either love or hate. I found mine to be painful to shoot, even after trying a different set of grips. On the other hand, I have no problem with Smith & Wesson air weights. I think a lot of it has to do with how your hand interacts with a given set of grips.

The LCR is gone. The person I sold it to loves it. Different strokes indeed!

 

[urbaneruralite]

Lots of pistols but not revolvers? Could be a difference in technique and perception. My perception of light .38s is about the same as 9mm poly guns. Well, not the heavy slide ones like Glocks. That rock and roll is much harder to deal with than a muzzle flippin' .38.

Double-fisting a pair of .38s is lively with some torque apparent. Locking down with my off thumb over the back of my strong hand and it's very quick to run. Nothin' to it.

 

[GarySTL]

I said pistols when I should have said handguns. I consider revolvers a particular kind of pistol. But maybe that's just me. Handguns would have been less ambiguous.

 

[Monac]

I have a Ruger LCR in 38 Special. I shoot it with wadcutters (when I can find them) and 110 grain loads. It's not fun, but it's not as bad as when I shot an N-frame 44 Magnum. Like Uncle Ed says, it's not a gun for pleasure shooting.

What amazes me is that anyone ever wanted it in 357 Magnum. Some people are iron men, I guess.

 

[19-3Ben]

What amazes me is that anyone ever wanted it in 357 Magnum. Some people are iron men, I guess.

Nope. Buying the LCR in .357 gets you an extra few oz. of weight to soak up recoil. Then you shoot the same .38's you would shoot in the one chambered for .38spl and recoil is more manageable.
I didn't mind the recoil of the .38spl model when I was looking, so that's what I bought. It carry it frequently, and love my LCR.
In contrast I DETESTED my 642. Could not get used to the recoil. Sold it off without hesitation, but have no desire to ever get rid of my LCR.
Different strokes indeed....