LCR Recoil Management

I've been thinking about getting an LCR in 327 magnum for a while, and the itch is getting pretty strong again. Seems to be a great combination for EDC in terms of size/weight/capacity/ballistics. But my one nagging doubt is recoil management. I have a SW 431 PD that I bought because I'd heard that the 32 HR mag offers 38 special performance with less recoil and more capacity, but in that 13 oz J-frame the recoil with good SD ammo is pretty stout. Which makes me wonder how the little LCR would handle the REALLY hot 327 magnum loads.

I have heard it mentioned elsewhere that the LCR is inherently more forgiving of recoil due to its grip, geometry, and partially-polymer construction, and I'm posting here to see if I can get LCR owners to either confirm or refute that claim.

Thanks much.....

p.s. And you don't have to sell me on the LCR's other attributes such as the awesome trigger...I'm already sold on those. It's strictly the recoil issue that is holding me back at this point....

.327 magnum is a hot cartridge, and the .327 LCR is only 17oz in weight. I'd bet the recoil is as bad or worse than your J frame. I don't have a .327 LCR, I do have other .327s and find them excessively loud. The LCR(x) I've shot is pleasant to shoot but mostly because the grip is bigger than a J frame.

I'd certainly test it yourself if you think it might be an issue.

No experience here with the 327. However, I did have the 357 which was nothing short of painful to shoot more than 3 or 4 rounds. I moved to the lighter 38 Special and practice with pretty mild target loads. To me, that's manageable.

Is it possible to Mag-na-Port a LCR? That would mitigate the muzzle flip and reduce felt recoil. Don't know how that would affect ballistics out of such a short barrel.

LDM said:

Is it possible to Mag-na-Port a LCR? That would mitigate the muzzle flip and reduce felt recoil. Don't know how that would affect ballistics out of such a short barrel.

Click to expand...

Good point. And I, too, wonder if it is possible...the barrel is covered in polymer, no?

Not too worried about the loss of ballistics..327 is pretty hot and capable, and I'm sure it would remain so if marginally affected by porting.

I haven't shot a 327 either, but my LCR is a 357 mag. I certainly can't shoot it as fast as I can in 38 Special. But with practice the 357 can be shot fairy quickly. Truth is I can't think of a reason to need to blow off 5 rounds of 357 mag all at one time that quickly. I prefer to work on 2, double taps and one backup round. That should handle most situations. Typically after the first round goes off, most bad guys figure it's everyone for themselves.

I have LCRs in 22LR, 357 mag and 327 fed mag.
The 327 with factory loads is snappy but manageable for me.
I normally load 100 grain cast bullets

I've Magnaported a 2-1/2" barreled .357 and it claimed to reduce about 18% recoil and 22% muzzle flip over the factory with my pet loads.
HOWEVER, one thing that I rarely see mentioned is the noise factor. There is a noticeable jump in perceived noise and also the flash is far more noticeable. In daytime, the flash is negligable, but at low-light it's a different ball game. The hotter the round the more effective porting becomes, but the noise and flash will always increase too. For a carry gun, where you don't have time for ear protection, the noise could become more damaging than normal. Simce most defense shootings happen in low-light settings, your night vision is vastly reduced after round #1. I'm not the expert that many of these readers are, just throwing out my personal experience. A lot of this can be helped by choosing powders or rounds that are geared towards low-flash and lower noise ratings, which usually means lighter bullets and slower speeds.

Not everyone can qualify Grand Master with any gun they want. Try one and if it works refine your technique to where you aren't a threat to everyone around you. If it's not working bag it and move on.

My .327 lcr is snappy. And loud! But to me, it's not at all uncomfortable to shoot. Quite fun actually. If the recoil concern is keeping the sights on target with successive shots, I can't do it with the .327.

I have an LCR in 327. I have shot 85gr Federal, 100gr. American Eagle and 115gr Speer Gold Dots in it. If recoil is your main concern, go with the 85gr. Loads. 115 was pretty snappy but I could stand a couple of cylinders full. 100's were slightly less snappy but LOUD!
Federal also makes 85 gr. Loads in 32H&R Mag. Good luck and I pray that you nor I ever have to use a carry gun for serious business.
32Magfan

What I find hilarious is grown men crying about "snappy" mouse guns. When my youngest daughter was 7 her favorite handgun was my LCP. I used to put her on to mock the crybabies whenever I saw one post.

My 83 year old mother has an LCR in 327. (She got it when she could no longer rack the slide on her Sig 229 .40 S&W) She mainly practices with 32 H&R. The gun has crimson trace grips.

I have the LCR 327, but I practice with, and carry wadcutters (327 long). In the past I have carried 2 wadcutters and then 1 federal mag, 2 wadcutters and 1 federal mag. However, a wadcutter in .32 makes a nice hole and the recoil (for follow up shots), is no different than my LCR 22lr. Therefore, I now just carry 6 wadcutters.

I don't understand the negative comments about loud rounds. In a defensive carry gun, I want flash and I want the gun to be as loud as possible. My goal is to scare any others who may be with my intended target. The louder, the better.

Thanks for that. I've used 32 Long for practice in my 11 oz J-frame...this is, in part, because it is so pleasant to shoot. And, in part, because 32 Mag has become very rare and pricey. I've stockpiled a bit of good SD ammo, but really can't practice with it for fear of being unable to replenish what I use (and because it REALLY hurts to shoot ammo at $2 a round!!). I had, frankly, never considered using that "range" ammo for EDC purposes, but I'm starting to rethink that. Your post is nudging me just a bit farther in that direction. Most of the gel test I've seen show pretty good penetration and decent wound tracks, and I really like the idea of being able to get back on target quickly, which isn't always possible with some SD ammo in a tiny 11 oz revolver.