Ruger LCR Durability

[scottishclaymore]

OK, so I'm on the market for a snub that can hold up to weekly shooting of 100 rounds or so. Given thought to the LCR, another J-Frame, or possibly the SP101. Weight isn't as much a consideration as I am a big guy and carry a 3" GP100 most days. Is the LCR what I'm looking for or do I need to go for something that can handle more in the way of regular use?

 

[jawn]

The LCR in .357 is mostly steel (the cylinder is actually made of the same steel they use on their .454 Casulls), and I do bring mine to the range every time that I go. That said, the SP101 sounds more like what you need. The primary thing that stopped me from getting the SP101 was weight, so if that's not a consideration for you, that's what I recommend. While I really like the trigger on my LCR and the grip, the SP101 just instills a confidence in how overbuilt it is.

I stay away from aluminum on anything that I plan on shooting a lot. That steered me away from many of the J-Frames and the LCR in .38. That's just me. Plenty of people get a lot of life out of these aluminum framed snubs, but for my peace of mind, I prefer steel.

 

[DPris]

Scott,
You should be able to make a decision based on what I posted above.

A steady program of +P in the .38 version WILL stretch the frame.
I have no experience with the .357 LCR, and zero interest in it. I also can't imagine anybody shooting the magnum version recreationally.

If you go .38, it'll hold up longer with light loads. If you shoot a hundred +P a week, you'll wear the .38 version out quicker, and I wouldn't expect it to go very far beyond 10,000 rounds. At that point, I imagine Ruger could rebuild the gun using a new alloy frame & probably a new barrel, but it wouldn't be on their dime.

If you go .357, I'd imagine (even with its different frame material) that stretching will eventually occur. At what point I wouldn't guess.

For regular weekly shooting, the SP would hold up much longer, it's simply a stronger gun built more for shooting.
The LCR is not a fragile "throwaway" gun, but it does have its limitations.
Denis

 

[stinger 327]

I shot mine for the first time today. I couldn't find any .357s in my small town, so all I had were regular .38s and a few +Ps. I really wanted to see how the recoil was with full power rounds because I plan on carrying it with them. I don't know if it was all in my mind but the +Ps seemed to have less recoil than the regular pressure ones. Compared to the S&W 642, the recoil seemed minimal. I'm really liking the hogue grips.

Before I traded for the LCR, I did my share of research. I haven't seen it myself but I read that some magazine (American Rifleman I think it was) put 10,000+ rounds through a .38 LCR and it still locked up tight and was like straight out of the box. I doubt I'll ever put 5,000 let alone 10,000 rounds through mine but it's nice to know the polymer can stand up to it. I just need to find a good owb cross draw holster for it so if anyone has any recommendations...

I have a LCR in .38 with night sights and no matter what .38 load I put in from +P load to regular .38 special loads they all kicked like hell and hurt my hand. It was the worst with the 158 Buffalo Bore load. Not comfortable to shoot especially since it leaves the web of your hand swollen.

 

[USBP1969]

FWIW - I fired 50 rounds last Friday through three different S&W 442's. It was a mix of 130 Federal FMC, 130 grain Winchester PDX-1 and Speer 135 Gold Dot JHP.

I was attempting to find out if there was a POA /POI shift at 25 yards. (There was a 2 1/2 - 3 1/2" shift to the left with all three weapons. )

Bottom line is that today (the following Tuesday) the web of my shooting hand is still very sore.

I was quite surprised as the only other weapon that ever did that to me was a Ruger Redhawk 5 1/5" .44 Magnum firing Remington 240 grain JHP loads with stock wood grips.

Now, you are probably getting a reading on your "Wimpometer," but in my defense I can truly say that because of my employment, I have fired is excess of a million rounds of center fire handgun ammo, and up to now only the Redhawk had nailed me.

I was hoping that the Hogue "Tamer" grips would make a difference when firing a 16 oz. small frame handgun, but perhaps not.

-kent

 

[ilmonster]

I too am looking for a CCW piece as we finally got concealed carry here in WI. I initially tried a LCR in .38 spcl with Crimson Trace grips, and it did hurt to shoot (and I was shooting .38 158 gr. RN, not +P). Last weekend I shot the LCR in .357 with std. Hogue Tamer grips shooting .38 PMC 130 gr. FMJ rounds, and it was comfortable to shoot. Not sure if it was the grips, the extra 4 oz.'s of weight or both. I am now looking to purchase an LCR .357 (which I'll only shoot .38 and .38 +P rounds from )! Now just need a OWB holster.

I'm also not recoil sensative (I think) as I have a 4 5/8" SuperBlackhawk that I shoot .44 mag and .44 spcl's out of (mostly Spcl's), a GP-100 through which .357 loads are downright pleasant, etc. Actually, the most painful gun I've shot was a S&W 360PD which weighs 11 oz.'s. With 125 gr. .357 loads I thought I may have broken a bone in my hand. Only shot three rounds. Never again!

p.s. both LCR's shot to point of aim at 20 and 30 ft. respectively. Got all rounds within a fist sized group

 

[stinger 327]

FWIW - I fired 50 rounds last Friday through three different S&W 442's. It was a mix of 130 Federal FMC, 130 grain Winchester PDX-1 and Speer 135 Gold Dot JHP.

I was attempting to find out if there was a POA /POI shift at 25 yards. (There was a 2 1/2 - 3 1/2" shift to the left with all three weapons. )

Bottom line is that today (the following Tuesday) the web of my shooting hand is still very sore.

I was quite surprised as the only other weapon that ever did that to me was a Ruger Redhawk 5 1/5" .44 Magnum firing Remington 240 grain JHP loads with stock wood grips.

Now, you are probably getting a reading on your "Wimpometer," but in my defense I can truly say that because of my employment, I have fired is excess of a million rounds of center fire handgun ammo, and up to now only the Redhawk had nailed me.

I was hoping that the Hogue "Tamer" grips would make a difference when firing a 16 oz. small frame handgun, but perhaps not.

-kent

I shot all of the above loads you mentioned and more including Hornady, Corbon, Speer and it didn't make a difference they all kicked real hard. But like I said the 158 grain Buffalo Bore was the worst kicking and probably the most powerful load there.

 

[USBP1969]

Amen to the recoil.

FWIW, I see that Buffalo Bore has come out with a Full Wadcutter 150 grain at 850+ fps in a flash suppressed .38 Special. Still gonna kick since the 135 gold Dot is about that velocity and it's 135 grains in weight. Still, IMO it's a very good idea.

Trivia: A good friend and I used to preach that the full wadcutter was the "Cat's Meow." as a non pre-fragmented defense projectile. (He actually tested them on people, unofficially.)

Someone years ago someone loaned me a book that I wish I could find now to purchase. It was written by a fluid engineer with access to computers before the Personal Computer came on the scene. He studied ballistic gelatin results as compared to his computer projections and came up with a modification of Julian Hatcher's "Nose Configuration Factor" (NCF) used in his "Relative Stopping Power" formula. (mass x velocity x cross-sectonal area x nose configuration factor) The problem was that Mr. Hatcher gave all bullet shapes other than RNL and Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose a 1.25 NCF. (FMCRN round nose was .9 and RNL was 1.0)

The fluid engineer believed in Hatcher's formula except for the NCF, hence the testing. Here, from memory are the results:

-Round Node Lead = 1.0 (Baseline)
-Round nose FMC = 1.0
-SWC = 1.5
-Pointed cone = 1.6 (Winchester Metal Piercer .38 & .357)
-Full Wadcutter = 3.35 (Might have been 3.5 - been a while)

He also tried predicting with the computer model how hollowpoints would perform and found a way to do it based on the gelatin testing. Here's the interesting part. The best hollowpoint performed slightly less well than than the full wadcutter!!

I carry Magsafe Defender ammunition at home and away from home. I have a lot of faith in that round, except for penetration through anything substantial, and it's recoil is less that the +P Speer and Winchester loads. It does print about 12" low at 25 yards though.

-kent

 

[stinger 327]

Amen to the recoil.

FWIW, I see that Buffalo Bore has come out with a Full Wadcutter 150 grain at 850+ fps in a flash suppressed .38 Special. Still gonna kick since the 135 gold Dot is about that velocity and it's 135 grains in weight. Still, IMO it's a very good idea.

Trivia: A good friend and I used to preach that the full wadcutter was the "Cat's Meow." as a non pre-fragmented defense projectile. (He actually tested them on people, unofficially.)

Someone years ago someone loaned me a book that I wish I could find now to purchase. It was written by a fluid engineer with access to computers before the Personal Computer came on the scene. He studied ballistic gelatin results as compared to his computer projections and came up with a modification of Julian Hatcher's "Nose Configuration Factor" (NCF) used in his "Relative Stopping Power" formula. (mass x velocity x cross-sectonal area x nose configuration factor) The problem was that Mr. Hatcher gave all bullet shapes other than RNL and Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose a 1.25 NCF. (FMCRN round nose was .9 and RNL was 1.0)

The fluid engineer believed in Hatcher's formula except for the NCF, hence the testing. Here, from memory are the results:

-Round Node Lead = 1.0 (Baseline)
-Round nose FMC = 1.0
-SWC = 1.5
-Pointed cone = 1.6 (Winchester Metal Piercer .38 & .357)
-Full Wadcutter = 3.35 (Might have been 3.5 - been a while)

He also tried predicting with the computer model how hollowpoints would perform and found a way to do it based on the gelatin testing. Here's the interesting part. The best hollowpoint performed slightly less well than than the full wadcutter!!

I carry Magsafe Defender ammunition at home and away from home. I have a lot of faith in that round, except for penetration through anything substantial, and it's recoil is less that the +P Speer and Winchester loads. It does print about 12" low at 25 yards though.

-kent

Speer Gold Dot makes a few different loads in different calibers that are made for short barrel guns. .38 is one of them.

 

[ilmonster]

When I get the .357 LCR, I want to try both the Speer GD 135gr. +P for short barrel guns and the std. pressure Federal 125gr. Nyclad as personal protection load options. The Speer had a very good track record (as Mas Ayoob has confirmed in his writings), and I've read positive reviews of the Nyclad as a std. pressure option.

 

[stinger 327]

OK, so I'm on the market for a snub that can hold up to weekly shooting of 100 rounds or so. Given thought to the LCR, another J-Frame, or possibly the SP101. Weight isn't as much a consideration as I am a big guy and carry a 3" GP100 most days. Is the LCR what I'm looking for or do I need to go for something that can handle more in the way of regular use?

The SP101 is a very robust little 5 shot .357. It will hold up to your daily shooting needs plus you can always use .38 loads in it. I put .357 loads
To that .357 LCR must be a real kicker as I find my .38 +P LCR to be very uncomfortable to shoot. I can't imagine what that .357 LCR recoil will be like.

 

[stinger 327]

I too am looking for a CCW piece as we finally got concealed carry here in WI. I initially tried a LCR in .38 spcl with Crimson Trace grips, and it did hurt to shoot (and I was shooting .38 158 gr. RN, not +P). Last weekend I shot the LCR in .357 with std. Hogue Tamer grips shooting .38 PMC 130 gr. FMJ rounds, and it was comfortable to shoot. Not sure if it was the grips, the extra 4 oz.'s of weight or both. I am now looking to purchase an LCR .357 (which I'll only shoot .38 and .38 +P rounds from )! Now just need a OWB holster.

I'm also not recoil sensative (I think) as I have a 4 5/8" SuperBlackhawk that I shoot .44 mag and .44 spcl's out of (mostly Spcl's), a GP-100 through which .357 loads are downright pleasant, etc. Actually, the most painful gun I've shot was a S&W 360PD which weighs 11 oz.'s. With 125 gr. .357 loads I thought I may have broken a bone in my hand. Only shot three rounds. Never again!

p.s. both LCR's shot to point of aim at 20 and 30 ft. respectively. Got all rounds within a fist sized group

Did you find the Crimson laser grips on the LCR .38 to be of any benefit over regular sight on LCR .38?

 

[ilmonster]

Stinger, I wasn't really wow'd by them, especially because that LCR .38 was uncomfortable to shoot. I'm so used to seeing the sights from 20 years of shooting handguns, that I bring the gun up to eye level regardless. They were also not aligned properly to the sights. I'll stick to the heavier 357 LCR and the softer Hogue Tamer grips.

 

[stinger 327]

Stinger, I wasn't really wow'd by them, especially because that LCR .38 was uncomfortable to shoot. I'm so used to seeing the sights from 20 years of shooting handguns, that I bring the gun up to eye level regardless. They were also not aligned properly to the sights. I'll stick to the heavier 357 LCR and the softer Hogue Tamer grips.

Plus those Criminson Sights cost close to $300. I believe I saw them on sale for $269. But these are point shoot guns with the laser sights you can at least attempt to get some kind of adjustment vs. the open sights.

 

[Fiv3r]

I've had no issues with my LCR over the last year+ I've carried it. I probably 2000 rounds through it. No big issue and plenty comfy to shoot. It goes to the range every time I go for at least 10 shots. Same goes for my LCP.

I have "better" guns for long term SHTF duty. My P89, G21, and .357 Black Hawk will probably still be shooting when I'm dust. I didn't buy the LCR or LCP for fun. They're peace of mind. They hide out until I (God forbid) need them. They're very well made insurance policies that I never have to leave home without when a larger more robust gun would probably left in the safe.

 

[jawn]

Stinger, I wasn't really wow'd by them, especially because that LCR .38 was uncomfortable to shoot. I'm so used to seeing the sights from 20 years of shooting handguns, that I bring the gun up to eye level regardless. They were also not aligned properly to the sights. I'll stick to the heavier 357 LCR and the softer Hogue Tamer grips.

This. The factory Hogue Tamer grips are really quite good at handling recoil. I put 200 rounds of .357/.38 special through my LCR in a range trip once, and while my hand hurt the next day, it wasn't too bad while I was shooting.

 

[stinger 327]

LCR .357 OUCH

 

[ilmonster]

I'm with you Stinger. If I feel I need more than a .38+P, I'll pack a semiauto of some type (my G19 with 124 gr+P, buy an M&P Compact in 9mm or 357Sig, Glock G30, etc.).

If I get the LCR .357, I'm not sure I'll ever shoot any .357's from it.

 

[jawn]

I'm with you Stinger. If I feel I need more than a .38+P, I'll pack a semiauto of some type (my G19 with 124 gr+P, buy an M&P Compact in 9mm or 357Sig, Glock G30, etc.).

If I get the LCR .357, I'm not sure I'll ever shoot any .357's from it.

It's fun to shoot .357 at the range every once in a while. I load mine with .38 +Ps for self-defense though. .38 +Ps are not bad at all with the slightly heavier LCR in .357.

 

[ilmonster]

If I want to shoot .357's, I'll load up my GP-100 and shoot all day long - that's fun stuff!

 

[stinger 327]

I'm with you Stinger. If I feel I need more than a .38+P, I'll pack a semiauto of some type (my G19 with 124 gr+P, buy an M&P Compact in 9mm or 357Sig, Glock G30, etc.).

If I get the LCR .357, I'm not sure I'll ever shoot any .357's from it.

I got the LCR with night sights and it is a real blast to shoot +P .38 or even regular .38 special. So that .357 LCR is going to be a monster.

 

[jawn]

If I want to shoot .357's, I'll load up my GP-100 and shoot all day long - that's fun stuff!

In total agreement, the GP100 is a blast. That said, the fireballs and racket that the LCR makes at the range with .357 Magnum is quite the experience.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I'm sure it will outlast your hand.

 

[stinger 327]

The little Ruger SP-101 in .357 is fine to shoot on range.

 

[Pegwedge]

I'm going this evening to try .357s for the first time out of my LCR. All I could find were some old CCI Blazers a buddy had. May be fun. May not ever want to shoot .357s again. Guess we'll find out.