Ruger LCR in depth Review

[NidanJeff]

Ruger LCR

I purchased an LCR in early Sept. My local gundealer had one in stock, and in spite of my initial reservations (i.e. the LCP recall, plastic firing control housing, etc), I went ahead with the purchase. I'm glad I did!

I went straight to the range, and fired 50 rds into a standard IPSA target at 21 feet. I was shooting the Remington Golden Sabre BJHP 125gr +P. Wasn't many rounds, but these are a bit pricey and I was only checking to see how well the gun performed with the same ammo I would use for concealed carry. Anyway, after firing a few rounds to get acquainted with the gun, I was able to place all shots to the head or chest areas within 4" groups. I'm sure in more experienced hands the gun is quite accurate. Since then, I've put another 500 rounds through it, mostly standard Magtech LRN 158gr, and I'm very happy with the overall feel, trigger pull, accuracy, and recoil management.

The LCR has become my preferred CCW. The "uneasiness" of carrying a revolver with plastic components has finally gone away. But, it's not for everyone and some might have more confidence in the lightweight Smith 442 or 642. But I think Ruger has done a great job with this revolver, and over time it will prove itself a very reliable and versatile weapon.

 

[Magnumite]

Good velocities from that pistol (Petty article). I don't know what the ammo pamplet says they should be, but good for a 2" barrel.

I am curious to see if the lessons learned in the set up of the LCR's manufacture will carry over and produce a good Ruger 1911 rumored in the works.

 

[TarDevil]

I'd like to see Ruger make a six shot .327 Federal of this gun.

 

[DAdams]

I'd like to see Ruger make a six shot .327 Federal of this gun

Ditto that. Until then I will stick with my M&P340.

Certainly for someone new to the snub marketplace and or looking to "lighten up" the LCR should be on the short list.

The CT grips are a welcome addition.

 

[9MMare]

I shot one of these today, the only 'snubbie' I've ever shot.

Just painful. Period. Nice grip, lame sights (altho not bad for a revolver they said), and crummy accuracy...at 20 yards.

I'm sure I'd get more accurate, but it was really unpleasant. Another woman on here, Meesh, got one a couple of months ago after trying them out, for her first gun. Wow.

Dunno that I could make myself practice with it.

If this is a snubbie with 'decent' recoil, then I dont want to try any of the others!

 

[jfh]

I suspect that your experience was no different than the rest of us who have been desk jockeys, 9MMare. The first time I shot 38 Spl wadcutters (the light target load) in my 640 (one 80% heavier), my hand tingled.

To begin with, it's all about hand conditioning. If you get manic about that issue, you'll be fine...

Jim H.

 

[9MMare]

There are reasons to consider a revolver for CC, but I'm not leaning that way. The guys at the range were suggesting it, and had me try one that they recommended, the LCR.

One reason I'm still leaning more towards another semi-auto is that I want to stick with 9mm ammo. And I dont really want to have to do alot of 'different' practicing....I'd like to keep my skill set reasonable to reach proficiency...which includes clearing FTEs associated with autos and not with revolvers (irony).

 

[agksimon]

My wife just bought an LCR and even though she hasn't shot in over a year, she kept them all in a four inch group at seven yards.
I told her I'd like to carry it sometime and she said to get my own.
They are a very nice shooter; light recoil and nice trigger.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

I just can't move away from
the smith and wesson revolvers. How light is the bodyguard?

 

[DPris]

The American Rifleman did not put 10,000 rounds through that gun.
If you go back & re-read the article, it doesn't say THEY did it, just that the sample they had was fired 10,000 times.
Ruger told me earlier this year that Ruger had test-fired a sample 10,000 times, I'd suspect that was most likely the gun AR was looking at.

Denis

 

[Drew78]

Denis-

I read your published magazine review of the LCR. Cant remember what gun rag it was in. You did a nice job laying it all out.

 

[Driften]

Concealed Carry Handguns did a 5,000 round test of the LCR with Black Hills 125gr +P ammo and after they were all done it shot better with better accuracy then when they started with very little impact to the LCR. I know I am sure interested in getting one. It would be 1/2 the weight of my HK P7 I normally carry and that would mean it would get carried much more often and I would expect it would back up the P7 at times.

 

[L-Frame]

Maybe someone has already said this, but I've been shooting all kinds of revolvers for years now and have never seen one that didn't require you to release the trigger all the way back. We are not talking about Glocks or XD's here where you have a partial trigger release to reset the striker. Revolvers don't work that way. I'd be VERY curious what wheelgun the reviewer was comparing it to that didn't have to release the trigger all the way back to fire the next round.

 

[desmo21]

I have both the 38+P and the 357 model. They are easy to carry and great shooters. They are my only wheel guns.

 

[jeeperjohn]

Don't have it anymore

Bought one for the weight and size. Made the mistake of letting my wife shoot it a few times. Now she has totally confiscated it. Says if I want one I will just have to buy another. Beautiful little weapon that shoots flawlessly

 

[DPris]

Thanks, Drew.
Denis

 

[BP Hunter]

This gun is definitely easy to conceal. It is so light, I forget that I am carrying it. I either use a cheapy gunmate IWB holster or a Kholster holster IWB to carry it. This is definitely a keeper!

 

[Sterno]

Ruger puts 10,000 rounds thru all of it's firearms before it goes into production. If it doesn't make the 10,000 mark the project goes back to the drawing board or scrapped. I read that in an interview with a big wig at Ruger.

 

[Haywood]

I got one in 357. Love the Gun. Handles 357 ammo with no problems. Follow up shots are not a big deal. This takes the place of my 442 as a backup gun. Now I carry Two 357s.

 

[Narkcop]

I want an LCR in 9mm!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would be very cool!!!!

 

[Driften]

I picked got an LCR last week and I really like it. The recoil is stout but not hard to manage. It is very light to carry! The trigger is very good. I was shooting a S&W 686 and not much different in feel.

 

[kmrcstintn]

recently snagged an LCR on a whim and found it comfortable to shoot compared to my S&W 642 (I won't part with the 642 since it was my dad's and he has since passed on); the only 2 drawbacks I have found is that the cylinder is a hair too small to use Safariland Comp 1 speedloaders (that fit my 642) and I have to use HKS speedloaders which hold the rounds a bit looser; also I can't use my Fobus holster that fits Taurus 85/S&W 642 since the trigger guard design is different and the LCR won't slide into the Fobus holster;

so far I have between 150-200 rounds thru it with 50 or so being Remington 158gr lswchp +p defense loads and the grip soaks up the recoil pretty damned well (compared to the 642 with its bare backstrap in the grip); the trigger takes getting used to since it doesn't stack like on the 642, but it is far from unpleasant; not sure if it will become a keeper after a few more range sessions, but it is the only snubby design beside S&W j-frames that I trust (I have had issues with several different Taurus snubbies)

 

[harmon rabb]

It is built to be a lightweight CCW revolver and I think it fills that role rather well. At around $400 I think it is a good buy. I now really want a revolver like the sp101 but with a trigger pull of the LCR.

Are you listening, Ruger? Find a way to redesign the SP101 so that the trigger feels like the LCR trigger, and I'll take one with a 3" barrel and chambered in .357 please.

 

[asherico]

2 years later

As a gun owner for 41years and a CCWL holder for 30 years, my thought on the Ruger LCR 2 years in.
With over ten thousand 38+p loads shot through my well maintained Ruger LCR this Firearm is just as crisp and on point as the day I brought it home.
Other than normal maintenance the only change has been the need to replace the worn out grips. Which I opted for the OEM Ruger houge grips as they served quite well.
Kudos to Ruger for expanding the LC line of sidearms. A job well done in my opinion.
Asherico

 

[DPris]

Did you do any before & after measurements on frame & B/C gap?
Curious about how much stretch you'd get in ten thousand.
Denis