Ruger Sp101 and LCR?
- Thread starter J_McLeod
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Specs
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I can see that you have never seen one in person, let alone fired one. Mine is beautiful, handles 357 rounds like a cream puff and is as accurate as I am.My mistake, I was reading the specs on the 38.....but it's still ugly
JCallaway82
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I shot the LCR last weekend. I loved it. Actually my buddy had the .357 and we shot .38 and some +P out of it, as well. He had the .38 originally, but wanted the versatility of the .357. So he traded up.
The .357 was pretty killer. The .38 was a breeze through it, and the +p had a little stank on it, but manageable.
I never shot the .38 version, but he told me he traded for the .357 because it is steel instead of aluminum, and it is the same size basically. A few ounces heavier (4, I believe).
Not sure if the 4 ounces really makes that much of a difference and the guns are about the same price.....
So...I guess the .357 would maybe be the better choice. SS is nice.
The .357 was pretty killer. The .38 was a breeze through it, and the +p had a little stank on it, but manageable.
I never shot the .38 version, but he told me he traded for the .357 because it is steel instead of aluminum, and it is the same size basically. A few ounces heavier (4, I believe).
Not sure if the 4 ounces really makes that much of a difference and the guns are about the same price.....
So...I guess the .357 would maybe be the better choice. SS is nice.
Smaug
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I have a 3" SP-101 in .357, and it is also too short for .357s.
The muzzle blast and flash are tremendous. I can tolerate only a few cylinders from my 3" SP-101, I would not want to try it in a polymer-framed snubby. After shooting a few boxes, I've cured myself of this curiosity. Now, I keep it loaded with 38 +P hollow points, which are tolerable and even fun to shoot a lot of.
You should definitely rent one and try it before buying.
A big-bore, low pressure round/gun is much more viable than the .357 in a snub. Look at the S&W 325 Night Guard.
The muzzle blast and flash are tremendous. I can tolerate only a few cylinders from my 3" SP-101, I would not want to try it in a polymer-framed snubby. After shooting a few boxes, I've cured myself of this curiosity. Now, I keep it loaded with 38 +P hollow points, which are tolerable and even fun to shoot a lot of.
You should definitely rent one and try it before buying.
A big-bore, low pressure round/gun is much more viable than the .357 in a snub. Look at the S&W 325 Night Guard.
Specs
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The beauty of the LCR 357 is that I can pocket carry it daily. This is not a gun intended to just go the range, it was designed to be a CCW which can handle powerful rounds. I train with 158 gr 38 spec +p, but I carry 357 magnum in it. My requirement was that I could reliably hit COM at 7 yards with all 5 shots in a hurry, and this is easily done. The blast does not mean much in a SD situation, and the recoil is manageable. Those Hogue Tamer grips and the 17 oz weight make it an ideal high powered pocket CCW.
harmon rabb
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The SP101 would be perfect for what you describe then.
Specs
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I have handled one but never shot one. They are still ugly, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
To reply to your repeated "ugly" when describing the LCR, I must say that perhaps you saw an ugly LCR, but in my eye it is beautiful, to repeat myself yet again. I really did not buy it to demonstrate my superior esthetic tastes,and the only people who will ever see it won't be too concerned about it's artistic lines and curves.
Smaug
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Specs said:
Wow. You must be one tough fellow. I wouldn't even say my 3" SP-101 handles 357s like a cream puff, much less a much lighter LCR. The GUN can handle it, to be sure, but "like a cream puff?" You're not talking about the "Managed Recoil" loads, are you?
As for your earlier comments on carrying 357 after practicing with 38, that doesn't seem smart. I agree that the blast is not an issue, as adreneline deadens hearing. But the flash and recoil could damn well be an issue. If you shoot and miss, (which is likely, since the target will be moving) the extra recoil and flash are going to cause you to spend more time regaining sight picture and finding your target. Just my thoughts on the matter. It is sometimes easy to lose touch with reality, since we don't often shoot moving targets under stress.
Zaydok Allen
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Personally, I'd go with the SP101 over the LCR. It will be far more shootable (yes I own one) and thus more useful in the woods. If you intend to open carry, I would suggest stepping it up to a S&W 686+ seven shot with a 2.5 or 3" barrel. They feel great in the hand, and are not that heavy. JMO
Specs
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Tough? No, just seasoned. I have posted elsewhere on this, I am 67 years old, have arthritic hands, been shooting all of my life, and while "cream puff" may be a bit of exaggeration, I use the term to counter balance terms like "brutal" or "punishing" or whatever from others who probably have not fired an LCR 357. Once again, the Hogue grip is a real "Tamer" to use Hogue's term.
I have been using Speer Lawman 38 spec +P 158 gr training ammo, and while it is not the same as 357 magnum, it is practical costwise. I have also stated elsewhere that I can hit COM at 7 yards with 158 gr standard 357 magnum with 5 fast shots. Bear in mind that I am a mediocre marksman wearing bifocal glasses.
I am not trying to aggrandize myself here, just trying to offset a misconception regarding the LCR 357. I am confident in the revolver and the 357 round and I believe it to be a perfect CC or truck gun. I have not tried the 200 gr Double tap 357 hard cast which I carry in my Ruger Blackhawk, and doubt that I will. I am carrying the LCR as a CCW for SD only, not hunting.
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J_McLeod
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I made a big mistake yesterday and asked to see an SP-101 at a local Gun Store. I'm now the proud owner of a new 2.25" barrel SP-101. It felt good in my hand, and had a very nice trigger pull. I was surprised to see that it might be more comfortable to carry than my XD. Buying some dies and maybe a holster tonight.
CZF
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As one who loves to shoot Magnums out of the SP-101s..
I think you made the right choice..
In comparison to the superb LCR. The SP will handle .357 recoil better.
Not much of a problem with weight as it's on the belt.
I like 125s for human defense, and 158s for animals due to the
penetration.
However, any solid hit with a Magnum round will do some real damage.
Go forth and prosper..you have a great revolver there!
I think you made the right choice..
In comparison to the superb LCR. The SP will handle .357 recoil better.
Not much of a problem with weight as it's on the belt.
I like 125s for human defense, and 158s for animals due to the
penetration.
However, any solid hit with a Magnum round will do some real damage.
Go forth and prosper..you have a great revolver there!
harmon rabb
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revolvers tend to be comfortable to carry because all the weight is in the cylinder and barrel (and hence is hanging directly down on your belt) as opposed to a semi-auto with a lot of weight in the grip.
also, the curve of the grip makes it easier to conceal. i can wear a t-shirt over my sp101, and the grip printing just looks like a crease in the fabric of the shirt, not a gun.
TraditionalCatholic
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I will just throw in that the LCR in .357 is actually pretty mild recoiling considering it's such a light gun. Yes, it's a handful, but not extremely difficult to control by any means. With .38+p, it's almost a fun range gun.
TempestP226
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SP101 is one of my carry guns. I love it, but it is heavy, the trigger is way heavy, and 357 is not at all pleasant to the hands. Depending on the size of your hands, you may find that you have to watch how close the middle finger of your firing hand gets to the trigger guard when firing 357 as it'll leave a good bruise. It functions flawlessly though, and I've learned a lot about trigger control using the stock trigger. Certainly capable of 1.5in groups at 25-30 yards while firing DA at a decent pace.
drbeans
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I love my SP101 3". Bought it for backpacking and hiking (like the original poster specified). I would not want to go any lighter when firing Buffalo Bore 180gr loads at a charging black bear. I may be kidding myself as it is. I would prefer a GP100, but that would really be a pain to haul on a 30 mile hike.
There are lighter revolvers, but lighter is not better. I would be carrying one of those titanium S&W .44 mags if I thought I could shoot it accurately when I needed to.
There are lighter revolvers, but lighter is not better. I would be carrying one of those titanium S&W .44 mags if I thought I could shoot it accurately when I needed to.
LCR +P 38 or nothing in LCR.
It's the weight and the ability that makes this gun great.
No "man" is going to react any differently if hit with .38 +P JHP's or a .357 mag. Just isn't an issue. Placement is placement and hit is hit.
Realize the LCR .38 +P is less than a pound loaded! Holy crap! Never leave home without it! 4 oz on a less than 1lbs gun is huge!
Got critters?
Sp101 or the like rules the roost.
You have to decide what your intended use is.
If I am weary of critters I have a S&W 19-4, or numerous other guns to carry holstered in the woods.
It's the weight and the ability that makes this gun great.
No "man" is going to react any differently if hit with .38 +P JHP's or a .357 mag. Just isn't an issue. Placement is placement and hit is hit.
Realize the LCR .38 +P is less than a pound loaded! Holy crap! Never leave home without it! 4 oz on a less than 1lbs gun is huge!
Got critters?
Sp101 or the like rules the roost.
You have to decide what your intended use is.
If I am weary of critters I have a S&W 19-4, or numerous other guns to carry holstered in the woods.
I don't really understand those who say the SP101 is too heavy. It is only 2 ounces heavier than the Smith and Wesson equivalent 640-1 and maybe 2 1/2 ounces heavier than a Model 60. Heavier, yes, but not so much heavier as to be a problem in carrying it. Sheesh!
ColtPythonElite
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The only time I call my SP "too heavy" is when I think about pocket carry and compare it to an Agent or Cobra...IMO, I find it to be the perfect size and weight for a good holster.
I also don't get people's responses to shooting magnums out of them. I have shot piles of magnums out of mine over the years and never really thought much about it.
I also don't get people's responses to shooting magnums out of them. I have shot piles of magnums out of mine over the years and never really thought much about it.
harmon rabb
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for pocket carry it's damn heavy. for belt carry, it's fine.
the SP101 actually handles 357 very, very well. i almost find it more comfortable with 357 than my GP100, for whatever reason, which is strange given that 38 is so much softer out of the GP than the SP.
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