Ruger LCR or Smith & Wesson 342PD

[Azreael]

Have my sights on a .38 special with a concealed hammer design. I know that the Rugar LCR is scheduled for release in 03/2009 and there are minimum first hand experience reviews, but I am impressed (w/ the exception of the internal lock). The 342PD is out of production, but I can't seem to find a suitable comparison to the LCR. Any insight between the Rugar LCR and S&W 342PD?? Which one would you scoop up?? Is there a better .38 for comparison..........442 maybe?

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Since the lcp isn't available I would not consider it until it's "proven". The 442/642's are proven and the internal lock can easily be removed if you wish.

 

[Eustachius234]

the internal lock can easily be removed if you wish.

Huh, never heard that before. Do you just take it to the gunsmith to have them remove it?

 

[hexidismal]

Much as I hate to say it, because I actually like some of the ruger products.... they haven't seemed to be able to put out a handgun that had a major media hype in years without it having some sort of recall. I'd wait about 2 years on any new Ruger product to see how it pans out.

 

[Gardien]

I chose the S&W 642. Its been around forever and seems to be the preferred BUG for LEO. I was even able to find a 642-1 (No ILS) NIB and picked it up last week. God luck finding ammo. I had to buy it online as none of the local gun shop owners had any-NONE whatsoever. To top it of, I just ordered the Crimson Trace LG405 for it.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I'd go with a 442/642 instead. Should cost less than a 342, and a little more weight just softens up the recoil, which isn't a bad thing.

If you look around, there are new production 442/642's without the lock. They were plentiful 3 months ago, now they're scarce, but they turn up from time to time. Keep an eye on GunBroker and the S&W forum classifieds. Also keep an eye out for the new 37-2's without lock, and firing pin mounted hammer. These are sweet.

 

[Marcus84]

Ruger is making internal locks now?

 

[Big Bill]

Buy a S&W 642. Hell of a gun!

 

[Kleanbore]

Much as I hate to say it, because I actually like some of the ruger products.... they haven't seemed to be able to put out a handgun that had a major media hype in years without it having some sort of recall. I'd wait about 2 years on any new Ruger product to see how it pans out.

In my opinion that has gotten out of hand and is gaining the status of an urban myth. Ruger has in fact recalled several guns, but so has S&W. The most recent have been the PPK, the PPKS, the SW1911, the Model 460, and the M&P series. In the past decade, plus or minus a year or two, S&W recalled L-Frames in .357 and over forty different model and caliber combinations of their semiautomatics, in addition to the aforementioned.

The 442/642 haven't been recalled yet, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility on the exotic versions.

The LCR has undergone more endurance testing than anyone I know could afford to pay for over a lifetime. I would have no qualms about it.

I'd go with a 442/642 instead [of the 342PD]. Should cost less than a 342, and a little more weight just softens up the recoil, which isn't a bad thing.

I'll sure second that!

I have a 642 with CT grips. Great gun but a handful in terms of recoil.

If I didn't have it already and the Ruger were available now I would try both before selecting.

Either way, I strongly suggest laser grips.

 

[ArmedBear]

WRT weight...

The 340PD is spec'd at 11 oz. unloaded, the 642 at 15 oz.

I just weighed a 642 on an accurate digital scale and it came in at 15 oz. on the dot. With 5 rounds of snubbie defense ammo (110 grain Cor-Bon .38Sp+P), it weighs 17.2 oz.

I don't think I'd want or need it any lighter, especially for a much higher price.

 

[a-sheepdog]

I would go with the S&W. I am going to go out on a limb and say that they will probably have smoother triggers and also there are already springs and other parts available if you want to customize it to your needs.

 

[ArmedBear]

Much as I love my Rugers, it is true that Ruger hasn't brought out a new gun design in a while without having to recall it.

If I were interested in the Ruger (and I'm not because I like the J Frame), I would wait at least two years from the actual ship date of the first big batch, before even considering it.

 

[Kleanbore]

Much as I love my Rugers, it is true that Ruger hasn't brought out a new gun design in a while without having to [?] recall it.

As I understand it the LCP recall was entirely voluntary.

I'm curious as to why the Kel-Tech P3-AT is said to comprise the same pistol, and it has not been recalled.

Did you see Post #9?

In my opinion that [the idea that Ruger has been having significant problems with recalls] has gotten out of hand and is gaining the status of an urban myth. Ruger has in fact recalled several guns, but so has S&W. The most recent have been the PPK, the PPKS, the SW1911, the Model 460, and the M&P series. In the past decade, plus or minus a year or two, S&W recalled L-Frames in .357 and over forty different model and caliber combinations of their semiautomatics, in addition to the aforementioned.

 

[ArmedBear]

You go ahead and buy whatever you want. It's a free country (at least until Monday).

I would wait a while.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Any S&W over any Ruger any day of any week.

 

[ugaarguy]

I know that the Rugar LCR is scheduled for release in 03/2009 and there are minimum first hand experience reviews, but I am impressed (w/ the exception of the internal lock).

Ruger reps have told dealers we'll be lucky to see them before June.

The 342PD is out of production, but I can't seem to find a suitable comparison to the LCR. Any insight between the Rugar LCR and S&W 342PD?? Which one would you scoop up?? Is there a better .38 for comparison..........442 maybe?

There was a canceled foreign order for M&P 360s in .38 Special, instead of the normal .357 Magnum. The guns are marked Airweight, and are sold as just the Model 360 (no prefix nor suffix). They're Scandium frame with Diamond Black finish, carbon steel cylinder, flame shield, and lanyard pin just like the M&P 360. At 13.3 oz they weight .2 oz less than the LCR. The guns are now an exclusive being sold through Bill Hicks & Co distributors. Actual retail price is usually in the mid $400s. You could just buy one of those, have it now, and have a gunsmith bob the hammer - which is what I recently did.

 

[Rat Robb]

I have a 442 and love it but am contemplating getting the 340pd and selling the 442, you cant beat the lack of weight of that gun, you seriously forget its on your hip.

-Robb

 

[ArmedBear]

Robb-

Do note that 5 rounds of ammo for the gun weigh between 2.2 oz. for 110 grain .38+P defensive loads and 3 oz. for full-house .357s

I just weighed some rounds.

So if you load the 340PD, it weighs close to the same as an empty 442.

Of course, the 442 will also weigh more loaded than empty, I'm just saying that the 340PD, loaded, does weigh a bit more than it does empty.

 

[Fat Boy]

I would wait and see how the Ruger pans out...that said, Ruger's have a history of toughness and durability; I would take that over a scandium frame s&w....YMMV

 

[raveneap]

I've got several Rugers and they're excellent guns. Also have a number of Smiths and they,too, are excellent. Having said that, I have to agree with the previous statements about waiting a while before getting the LCR. Ruger's track record on new releases isn't the best. I've got a SW 637 Airweight that I find to be a well made weapon. However it does have the exposed hammer.

[/IMG]

 

[shooter429]

Right now, I would go with the 442

They are well proven with great actions, grips etc. and are very easy to carry and conceal. If you don't mind waiting, you could try the Ruger, but right now, I am sticking with the J frames. I prefer the Airweight to the Sc/Ti guns due to recoil and reliability, especially with the heaviest .38 +p ammo.

Shooter429

 

[biglaw]

S&w 342-1

I have a 342-1 Airlite PD with the internal lock. Whats the deal with everybody not wanting the internal lock? Has there been malfunctions or something with them?

 

[Guillermo]

I don't buy new guns from Smith because of the IL but I am not buying a LCR either until it is proven.

Were it me, I would go to the used market and buy an old Smith & Wesson Bodyguard (with the shrouded hammer) like the model 38. In addition to not supporting the "lock company" you will get a great quality revolver and have a snag-free gun with an option to shoot single action.

 

[Deanimator]

LCR. That I know of, even if it has an internal lock, there are no reports of it locking by itself. So even if it has one, you don't have to remove it.

 

[Deanimator]

Huh, never heard that before. Do you just take it to the gunsmith to have them remove it?

A gunsmith probably won't do it. I believe there are instructions on the S&W forum on how to remove and or deactivate it. I don't own any S&Ws with locks and never would. I prefer something that either doesn't have a lock or that doesn't need to have it removed.