LCR vs S&W 642/442

I'm in the market for a pocket revolver. I'm really considering either an LCR or a S&W 642. I also like the Kimber K6S, but not the price of it. Other than handling one in the gun shop I have not experience with the LCR. I did shoot and carried a 642 for a day several years ago, it was not mine it was loaned to me for a couple of days to try. I like the LCR but it seems just a bit bigger than the 642 and may not be as handy for pocket carry. This most likely would never be my main carry, but for around the house and easy to slip in the pocket for quick trips to the store or walking the dog when I don't feel like putting on a belt and holster for a larger pistol. I think the LCR may shoot nicer being slightly bigger and it seems to have a better trigger, but the 642 my carry slightly better in the pocket. I almost forgot I would be looking at the LCR in 38 special, I like the idea of the 327 and the extra round and ability to shoot other 32 calibers, but it weighs a bit more. If you have a 327 and disagree let me know.

For those of you who have any experience with both of these revolvers I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.

I own both. I find the S&W is easier for pocket carry. I agree it's less "bulbous" than the LCR. Edited to add an overlay.

Here's a comparison picture. The 2 on the left are 38's. The 2 on the right are 22's. The lcr 38 is hard to get in and out of the pocket with that chunky grip. The other 3 are equally easy. The lcr definitely has the better trigger pull. I like them all.

I think in this case, I would go with the Smith. Much easier to conceal.

You can buy a Hogue Bantam grip which should make the LCR grip print and pocket draw closer to the Smiths but you give up the great recoil control of the LCR grip.

I would think that using the SMALLEST grips possible is a good idea; the original on this Smith were bulky...the 'gangsta' grips hide it well in da pocket... A de-horned hammer is a must as well. If you can get them this small on a Ruger, either brand is good.... This S&W is about 13oz. empty if I recall correctly.
I would expect that given the distance that an 'encounter' would require, practice wouldn't be necessary (yeah, I know), thus recoil is not an issue.



IMHO,

J.

I prefer the LCR.

But the J frames are great options too. Handle both and see what fits your hand better and which trigger you prefer. You won't go wrong with an LCR or J frame.

My EDC is a 38 Special LCR. Ruger brand boot grips are on mine.
I have more confidence in Ruger than ANY S&W.

But I don't pocket carry as for me it's very inconvenient.

Here's one of my 38's with the boot grip that hittman mentioned above.

Those are nice, but big, bulky, and heavy to carry around all the time. I have a NAA, 5 shot, 22 mag. That is small, light weight, and very easy to carry. Just my opinion.

larry8 said:

Those are nice, but big, bulky, and heavy to carry around all the time. I have a NAA, 5 shot, 22 mag. That is small, light weight, and very easy to carry. Just my opinion.

Click to expand...

I tend to favor the 642, it just feels better than the Ruger and in my opinion, looks much better. The LCR just looks funky to me.

I like the Smith triggers on my 642 and 442 better than the LCR. Not that I make a habit of trying to find the reset after firing a round, but when you do, the LCR seems to have a pseudo-reset point that makes you think that you are ready to fire another round when actually you are not. All that to say, for pocket carry size and for the trigger, I would prefer the Smith. The stock grips on the LCR are more comfortable and its slightly heavier weight (I think) makes the LCR a little more comfortable to shoot in my mind. But grips can be changed, of course!

Just an FYI... Most of the S&W revolvers that I've owned have separate springs for the trigger vs. the hammer. I've never replaced a hammer spring for fear of a light strike (which I've never experienced) but I have replaced the trigger spring (which is inside the trigger rebound block). I used Wolff trigger springs (they used to have a kit that supplied several different strength springs that I could select from). Be aware that the trigger spring removal and installation can be a PIA.

J.

I own both 642 and LCR. Carried both. I don't pocket carry so to me that doesn't enter the picture. I've never short stroked an LCR, those who do need more time on the trigger. LCR has a much smoother trigger which leads to more accurate shots. If you need a gun you may have to shoot it. If you have to shoot it, you will probably want to hit your target. I prefer the LCR. Just my opinion, ymmv.

I will be some what sacrilegious, please forgive me. I own a Ruger LCR in 38 Special. Shooting 125gr ammo at a relative mild load, the recoil bruises my trigger finger, I have to cease and desist shooting after around 30 rounds. I have pointed this deficiency out to the Ruger reps at the SHOT Show and suggested they take out some of the arc out of the trigger for the last quarter inch of the contour so it doesn't curve around my finger as far. Having spent 23 years teaching concealed carry safety for the state of North Carolina many of my female students shooting the LCR found shooting more than 30 rounds to be painful. I have rather slender fingers but large hands for a man, I don't experience this problem with S&W or Charter small frame revolvers. The Ruger folks pretty much debunked my comments and told me I was full of hokie. The painful situation doesn't encourage one to practice, which all new shooters and old "pros" need to do to become proficient and hold their proficiency. I am expecting a bunch of "backlash" from all the experts on the forum to respond that THEY don't have a problem with their LCR but I suspect their digits are not slender and their trigger fingers completely fill the arc of the trigger.

No Sam, I feel your pain …. Pun intended. Except, my painful Rugers were the LCP, LC9, etc.
I had the same luck as you did with Ruger.
One went back and they replaced the trigger with one just like they removed.
The other was returned with no problems found.

In a phone call to them, their "gentleman" there suggested I learn how to shoot, Maybe take a class. Maybe adjust my grip or just get used to how they work.

Never had the issue with either my 38 or 357 LCR though.

Not every hand fits the same gun, whether revolver or pistol. The nice thing about revolver's is how easy it is to change grips. I'm amazed how many but a gun and leave it as is, or can't figure out what needs to be changed. Some guns are wrong from the factory but it's hard to explain it over the phone. When the S&W M&P's came out they had a piece on the trigger guard that was sharp. I was at the SHOT show and asked the rep about it and he all but called me a liar. He said I'll show you, so we walked over to the displays, and he was surprised that hadn't got caught early on. Things happen, some guns don't fit everyone. Doesn't mean there's any thing wrong with the gun or the manufacturer in some cases. I change grips on virtually every da revolver. I'm looking for new grips on a single action. Nothing wrong with the gun just doesn't work for MY hand.

I'm with you on that Bear Paw, I own a S&W scandium 45 ACP N frame with a 2" barrel. It came with a beautiful set of grips that would put a blister in the "V" formed by the thumb and forefinger (trigger) within 50 rounds. I went through two sets of grips before I found the Pachmayer compact round butt that gave relief. I never found a grip on a "plow handled" firearm I could stand except a complete redesign like the Ruger Bisley. The Colt version sucks up the A$$!