Ruger LCR ... 357 or .38 sp

[livingston]

Folks I do own a Ruger LCR X .38 sp ... In light of all these gun laws that may be coming thinking about the future and believe it could be very hard to purchase any handgun say 10 years from now.. I believe one will have to go through hoops we never ever dreamed of ... ... I am over 60 and recognize the fact that hand and grip strength will wane in the future. On its own or through a stroke of some sort. ... God forbid...
If this happens and ones ability to rack the slide on most of the handguns I now own could be impossible a revolver would be a last solution. ...
The Ruger LCR X has a 3 inch barrel . Thinking of getting its mate the LCR in a 1.88 barrel. ....Just trying to decide on the 357 or .38 sp models.... Many have said firing a 357 out of a light gun is brutal ... Wondering if the additional weight of the 357 would be a benefit or liability if say one has had a stroke
This might be one of the last handguns I purchase ... Depending on the hoops we will have to jump through.
For the record I do own a S&W 686 - 6 in a 357

 

[ProgSpear]

I thought .38 spl could be shot from .357 with no ill effect. I can shoot both from my .357 lever gun. Is there something different about revolvers?

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Get the .357 because you can shoot .38, .38+p through it.

 

[livingston]

I thought .38 spl could be shot from .357 with no ill effect. I can shoot both from my .357 lever gun. Is there something different about revolvers?

One can ... Thinking about the weight of the handgun and how the recoil from a 357 would be in such a small handgun.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

One can ... Thinking about the weight of the handgun and how the recoil from a 357 would be in such a small handgun.

The recoil would be great with 357, but wouldn't you prefer a gun that can handle 357, 38+p and 38 rather than just 38? Just because you get it in 357 doesn't mean you have to shoot 357 out if it.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I agree with @ArmedCorgi. I would imagine the 357 might also weigh slightly more. Unless there's a real price difference, I would go with the 357. It's nice to have options, even if you don't exercise them.

 

[Edwardteach72]

.357mag always.. .38s can be shot through it and it is marginally heavier which will help even .38 recoil.

Why have less options when you can have more options

 

[71velle]

357 through a pocket revolver is ridiculous to put it kindly.

 

[fnfalguy]

The recoil of 357 in the LCR is a handful. I have shot a IDPA match with it using .38 while being laughed at by @PinkPanther . The reloading of a revolver quickly under stress by someone who doesn’t regularly train with reloading them is quite amusing to watch. Shooting 38 out if it is fine as is 38 +p which is what i keep it loaded with. I do like the size of it, especially in a pocket holster for when I just need to run out and don’t feel like completely gearing up. The LCR and a couple of speed strips and I’m good to go.

Solo mi dos centavos

 

[Bob]

I have an LCR in .357. I use it occasionally as an ankle gun. You're welcome to try it before you make your decision if you'd like. Send me a PM and we'll try to figure the logistics.

 

[PinkPanther]

The recoil of 357 in the LCR is a handful. I have shot a IDPA match with it using .38 while being laughed at by @PinkPanther . The reloading of a revolver quickly under stress by someone who doesn’t regularly train with reloading them is quite amusing to watch. Shooting 38 out if it is fine as is 38 +p which is what i keep it loaded with. I do like the size of it, especially in a pocket holster for when I just need to run out and don’t feel like completely gearing up. The LCR and a couple of speed strips and I’m good to go.

Solo mi dos centavos

Get the .357. You get 2 guns in 1. Load it up with 148 gr .38 spcl wadcutters, 158 gr lswc or 158 gr round nose lead. No need to go to +P or JHP out of a .38 snubby. You gain virtually nothing but more recoil and much less penetration. They all shoot well and have light recoil. There are graveyards full of people killed with 158 gr RNL. You won’t get “killed in the streets”. There is no magic bullet. If you do your job, that snubby will do it’s job.

 

[99cummins]

I would go with the 357 because it gives you more options but 357 out of a smaller frame is going to be rough if you are worried about grip, etc.

 

[Marine Cpl]

If I was going for a revolver strictly for carry, I would get a lightweight. 38 Special rated for +P. Why? Weight. I wouldn't load a .357 Magnum with .357 Magnum for carry anyway. And I wouldn't load it with .357 Magnum for practice either.

But if it was to choose a revolver just to mess around with or to double as a woods gun, I'd get a .357 Magnum.

I see the argument that it's only slightly heavier. But ounces turn into pounds sometimes.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Why not get the LCR in 9mm..

 

[71velle]

Here is another option and it holds 6 rounds. Ammo avalibity is not great tho.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Here is another option and it holds 6 rounds. Ammo avalibity is not great tho.

.327 magnum?

 

[FLA45fan]

Yeah Ruger came out with it about 10 years ago. I've only seen Federal making ammo for it, but there may be others. Another "boutique" round . . . Longevity of the caliber is questionable. Were it me I would stick with a .357 mag just for versatility and ruggedness of the build. You have a lightweight carry gun (LCR) and a bigger, heavier "home" gun (686). Now how about something in the middle - an SP101 or a Smith Model 60, both steel frame 5shots. Either can be equipped with lighter trigger springs and larger rubber grips as your grip strength diminishes.
Load any of these now with Federal HST 130gr +P. Later if you become recoil sensitive use low recoil loads

 

[FLA45fan]

Why not get the LCR in 9mm..

Cause in ten years auto loaders and any ammo associated with them will become illegal in this state. You will only be allowed low capacity revolvers . . .

God forbid! FUAC!

 

[GTN]

Cause in ten years auto loaders and any ammo associated with them will become illegal in this state. You will only be allowed low capacity revolvers . . .

God forbid! FUAC!

I think he meant 9mm revolver

 

[71velle]

Ruger® LCR® * Double-Action Revolver Models

The 38 is 4 oz lighter than the 357 or 327 so it would be more reasonable to pocket carry.

The 357 is heavier so might be easier to shoot 38s from a recoil perspective. Magnum loads are crazy to shoot.

The 327 holds 1 more round which is a big deal when we are talking about so low of capacity to begin with. With 327 I would want a larger ammo stash since it is not as common to find. but there are several other 32 rounds that can be fired through it. Here is a good article about the caliber, The Small Miracle of the .327 Federal Magnum | Gun Digest

The last option is use a pistol and have someone else load it for you. 11 rounds without reloading.

 

[seezur]

I went with the LCR in .38. The .38 is rated for +P, so you don’t need the .357 if that’s your concern. Revolvers aren’t my wheelhouse, but I don’t like shooting .38 through my .357 Model 66, mainly because cleaning it is a pain. As you know the chambers are longer so you get a lot of carbon buildup and have to really scrape each chamber clean. I’ve gone to strictly shooting .357 out of my Model 66, which costs a lot more.

If I was going to buy the LCR in .357 I would only shoot .357 out of it, which would not be enjoyable I’d imagine. Comes down to whether that’s an issue and/or whether you think you’d see a substantial difference in stopping power between the two to warrant one over the other. I always thought 9mm revolvers looked interesting too.

 

[livingston]

Massad Ayoob Examines the Ruger LCR 9mm
Massad Ayoob Examines the Ruger LCR 9mm

 

[FLA45fan]

Cause in ten years auto loaders and any ammo associated with them will become illegal in this state. You will only be allowed low capacity revolvers . . .

God forbid! FUAC!

Yeah, just a little dark FUAC humor . . . "and any ammo associated with them . . ."

 

[livingston]

Cause in ten years auto loaders and any ammo associated with them will become illegal in this state. You will only be allowed low capacity revolvers . . .

God forbid! FUAC!

Yup ... Only revolvers and single shot rifles ... See you still have the second ....