Ruger LCR .357 magnum

[Garb]

I want one. BAD. Does anybody have one, and what is your review of it?

 

[kpt]

heading to the 1500 to troll for one...

 

[tv1217]

I dunno, a 14 oz .357 sounds painful.

 

[Garb]

I dunno, a 14 oz .357 sounds painful.

I agree, but I like having the option to shoot that round if the need arises. For carrying it, I would probably keep .38 special in it most of the time anyways though.

 

[Amishman44]

I dunno, a 14 oz .357 sounds painful.

Actually, it'll weigh in around 17 oz. empty...because it's not an aluminum frame like the .38+P model is, however, it is the same frame mold. As far as I know, everything else will still be the same, except that it'll be .357 mag caliber. The extra weight from the heavier frame will help to dampen the recoil from the pounding that a .357 mag will give you, but it's still a .357 mag. The S&W M&P 340PD, scandian frame 5-shot revolver in .357mag weighs in at just 13.5 oz. and it IS brutal to shoot, especially with that little factory S&W 2-finger grip that they have...it'll bruise ya! With Ruger contracting with Hogue to get a Tamer 2-finger grip, things are much more managable!!!

The .357 mag LCR will probably NOT be a favorite on the range, but in an alley or parking lot, I doubt anyone will really feel the recoil anyhow. You'll just be glad it's pumping out .357mag rounds in leu of 9mm or .380 cal., both of which can bind up on stuff as simple as clothing...an issue that's not even a concern with the .357 mag round.

If anyone has done any digging on accessories for these, XS Sights in Dallas, TX has a really nice tritium front night sight for these little pocket rockets. I have one on my .38 and it fits and works great. I had to lightly sand the mounting stud on the revolver to make everything fit just right, but that's mild for a sight change. You can get it direct from the factory (I believe), but it's cheaper to do it yourself. I only paid $60 + shipping direct from the manufacturer.

And, YES I want one too!!!!

 

[groovatron]

snip.

9mm or .380 cal., both of which can bind up on stuff as simple as clothing...an issue that's not even a concern with the .357 mag round.

Is this true? I have heard it before but find it hard to believe. Someone please point me to the evidence. I can't imagine a 9mm bullet travelling at 1300fps "bind up" in clothing.

 

[bigmedicine]

I think that a lot of the issue has to do with the type of ammunition you are shooting. I actually remembered reading something about this recently in Handgun's magazine:

A Critical Choice

Remember, this is a so-called journal that really isn't - it is a gun writer being paid to report on a big-name product that recently came out. It's not like it is the equivalent to a peer-reviewed journal that reports scientific findings.

That said, the FBI protocol does specifically test for penetration with ballistic gelatin covered in clothing. So - I cannot vouch for the 9mm not being affective, because that isn't what time and experience has taught us. What I am convinced, however, is that there are bullet designs that do go through clothing, wood, auto glass, etc. more efficiently and don't seem to have a problem with plugging up. Based on what I have read, I think that if you get a quality design, like the cor-bon DPX for example, you give yourself the best chance at max penetration with good expansion.

So - long answer to a simple and fair question. I have read anecodotal reports, but like you cannot verify any cases of the 9mm not working. Believe me, if I could bash the 9, I would because I am a firm believer in the 10mm and .45 design. But, based on what I have read, I cannot find any specific cases of a plugged-up 9 not doing the job. There may be cases, I just am not aware of them.

This is a great thread on the LCR 357 - I too am very interested in the idea.