38 SPL carry opinions or recommendations.

[erinate]

Understand this is a Ruger forum but, looking for opinions

Looking for a small, lightweight pocket carry 38 SPL. Considering a Ruger LCR versus a S&W model 442 performance center. Understand, the S&W is more $$$.

My local shop does not stock either guns. Need to purchase without seeing.

Appreciate anyone’s opinion.

Thanks.

 

[arfmel]

I own both the guns you’re asking about but I prefer a 642 or 442 for pocket carry. The LCR is somewhat bulkier and there are far fewer replacement grips available. The factory rubber grips on the LCR seem sticky in my pocket and the fingergrooves are wrong for my hand size.

 

[erinate]

Thank you sir. I appreciate the advice.

 

[sharpblade7777]

What Arfmel said above pretty much sums it up. I have several of those guns and my favorite is the picture on the bottom at 11.9 ounces.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

agree with everything stated above , I've had both, had the Ruger LCR in just 38 spe. and one in 357 mag, sold both of them , I've also had the LCR in 22mag and 327 mag , kept both of them but the one that gets carry the most by a long ways is the 442 , it feels better and carries better and I shoot it better .. I will add that if you really want the LCR look hard at the 327 mag as you get a 6 shot instead of just 5 shots >>>

edit to add, if you go with the 327 mag, the gun will also shot 32 H&R mag and 32 long and if you really had too the 32 acp but it probably will NOT extract all of the 32 acp empty cases as the rim on the 32 acp is very small

 

[peachhead]

I'm going to be the lone dissenter.
I have both and have shot both and the LCR fits my hand better. It's a little lighter than the Smith also.

 

[peachhead]

agree with everything stated above , I've had both, had the Ruger LCR in just 38 spe. and one in 357 mag, sold both of them , I've also had the LCR in 22mag and 327 mag , kept both of them but the one that gets carry the most by a long ways is the 442 , it feels better and carries better and I shoot it better .. I will add that if you really want the LCR look hard at the 327 mag as you get a 6 shot instead of just 5 shots >>>

edit to add, if you go with the 327 mag, the gun will also shot 32 H&R mag and 32 long and if you really had too the 32 acp but it probably will NOT extract all of the 32 acp empty cases as the rim on the 32 acp is very small

If you go with the 327, yes you have more options for ammo. And right now you probably won't be able to find any of it.
Stick with 38.

 

[hittman]

38 Special LCR, factory boot grip, home defense rounds. My main EDC for several years.

 

[s4s4u]

LCRx, 38+P, 1 pound loaded. What's not to like? Well, it is pretty shnappy with 158's. My daughter loves to shoot, but she doesn't love that revolver at all.

 

[357 Terms]

My LCR with the bantam grip.
Lighter than the 442, and a similar footprint.
Sights are easily changed on the LCR.
Mine has the XS green dot.
My LCR has a better trigger than my 442 did.
Better sights than my 442.
No brainer for me....

 

[Klondike Mike]

I have bushel baskets of pocket pistols in 32, 380, 9mm and 38 Special both semiauto and revolvers and the 642 38 Special gets carried the most. Almost exclusively. I can't be alone because S&W just announced new models at the SHOT Show in both 38 Special and 32 H&R. These will have better triggers and sights and will be available through Lipsey's. I might have to order one or two but my old 642 really doesn't need replacing.

 

[hittman]

My LCR is an early one and came with the red tube fiber optic site.

 

[Jeepnik]

The biggest problem I have with Smith's, Colt's, Rugers and most other manufacturers is that they are all strictly for right handed people. Wile I have snubbies from those three, plus others, the one I carry most is a dedicated left handed revolver, the Charter Arms Southpaw. Why none of the other manufacturers will provide left handed revolvers is beyond me. There is a market there, and lefties would buy left handed firearms if they were available.

 

[hittman]

Well …. I’m in my 60s and left handed. While I agree that some may sell, I personally have no need for one. I’ve been using revolvers now about 50 years ( no kidding ) and don’t feel the need to learn how to use one that’s reversed,

I think fewer than 10% of us are lefty’s so it’s an awfully small market,

I’d love to have a left handed Fender Jazzmaster but, the only one they make now sells in the $1,800.00 range!

 

[Jeepnik]

Southpaws who say the don’t need left handed guns have simply bought into the con job the right handed world has put forth.

Use a left handed gun and the reason why right handed folks don’t use left handed ones becomes clear.

 

[noahmercy]

I have shot a bunch of snubbies over the last 40 years, and I like my LCR better than anything but the SP101. The LCR has an excellent trigger out of the box, carries nice due to no sharp edges, points well for me, and accuracy is quite good with loads it likes. I also get higher velocities with it than a S&W with a slightly longer barrel (likely due to tighter cylinder gap and chamber dimensions). Not a lot...about 30 FPS, but every little bit helps if you're shooting an expanding bullet.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I carried a 642 for years. Then Ruger came out with the LCR. No comparison. Hugely better trigger. Personally I don't pocket carry so I don't worry about a minuscule amount of extra size in someone's pocket. Lipsey's has figured out that the 642 and 442 needed help, so they have contracted with S&W to make a number of upgrades for both models (642 and 442)). Better sights, better trigger, better grip. I suspect it will come with a serious price increase.
They'll be available in 38 Special and 32 H&R.
The LCR has various calibers, with hammer and without, 1-7/8” barrel and 3” barrel. I have various choices to choose from if I want to carry a revolver, or I can grab an SP101 and be very comfortable.

 

[bowzette]

I had a LCR in .357 and carried SGD, 135gr, short barrel, .357 or a good .38+P. The SGD produces about 80 more FPE than the same loading in .38+P. I found the trigger pull of the LCR excellent. But the price you pay is the trigger reset. You have to train to fully release the trigger for a complete return or it will short stroke. Additionally the trigger return spring is rather weak. It will not push your finger forward with much pressure-you have to train to be sure to do it. I found the LCR a bit large for pocket carry for me-YMMV. I now pocket carry a Glock 42 with Underwood Xtreme Defender ammo. I admit I have developed S&W Lust for the new 642/442 Lipsey's. A few YT videos out. To me this model has all the details I want in a snubbie that I could pocket or belt carry and enjoy shooting at the range. I have no interest in carrying a handgun that I don't/won't shoot frequently at the range. I'm not going to train with a G19 and carry a G42.

 

[dhains1963]

38 Special LCR, factory boot grip, home defense rounds. My main EDC for several years.

I was fortunate enough to handle bot, the 442 and the lcr, at the same time. There was absolutely no comparison. The Ruger molded my hand much better, the quality of finish went to the Ruger and the trigger pull....oh the trigger pull on the Ruger was superior too. It was like comparing a gun that cost $200 less. Some would say they are only 100 dollars apart, yet smith and wesson always charges $100 more than Ruger.

I have always hated the look of the LCR and I was going to buy the 442 until I held and tested the lcr. Not only did I buy the LCR, I spent the extra $100 and bought the 357 magnum. Did I mention the sight picture on the Ruger? It's like a superior striker fired sight, as opposed to the crappy regular snub nosed fixed sights. Remember, it's a tool and in my opinion the lcr is a craftsman tool and the 442 is the Chinese equivalent at harbor freight!

 

[bowzette]

LCRx, 38+P, 1 pound loaded. What's not to like? Well, it is pretty shnappy with 158's. My daughter loves to shoot, but she doesn't love that revolver at all.

I bet she would like the LCR .357 shooting .38. I had a .38, shot it a few times and sold and bought the .357 shooting .38, or .38+P, or SGD, 135gr .357. The 4.5-5 oz difference to me made a huge difference-YMMV.

 

[dhains1963]

I had a LCR in .357 and carried SGD, 135gr, short barrel, .357 or a good .38+P. The SGD produces about 80 more FPE than the same loading in .38+P. I found the trigger pull of the LCR excellent. But the price you pay is the trigger reset. You have to train to fully release the trigger for a complete return or it will short stroke. Additionally the trigger return spring is rather weak. It will not push your finger forward with much pressure-you have to train to be sure to do it. I found the LCR a bit large for pocket carry for me-YMMV. I now pocket carry a Glock 42 with Underwood Xtreme Defender ammo. I admit I have developed S&W Lust for the new 642/442 Lipsey's. A few YT videos out. To me this model has all the details I want in a snubbie that I could pocket or belt carry and enjoy shooting at the range. I have no interest in carrying a handgun that I don't/won't shoot frequently at the range. I'm not going to train with a G19 and carry a G42.

I heard an expert that dispelled this as being a problem with the LCR. They said it is user error, not an issue with the LCR. I hought the same thing then I realized I needed to train more. The actual truth was "I sucked," at shooting a snubbie.

 

[dhains1963]

I bet she would like the LCR .357 shooting .38. I had a .38, shot it a few times and sold and bought the .357 shooting .38, or .38+P, or SGD, 135gr .357. The 4.5-5 oz difference to me made a huge difference-YMMV.

It would be a great way to go. You can shoot absolutely extra, extra full house 38 special rounds through it, yet have the confidence it will hold up due to it's stainless steel construction, versus the aluminum on the lcr 38 special, or the 442.

 

[dhains1963]

I know some will argue it is approximately 3 oz heaver in 357mag, however these are the same people who argue that a glock 19 is superior to the glock 43x, yet there is a 4.9 weight difference between them.

 

[dhains1963]

I bet she would like the LCR .357 shooting .38. I had a .38, shot it a few times and sold and bought the .357 shooting .38, or .38+P, or SGD, 135gr .357. The 4.5-5 oz difference to me made a huge difference-YMMV.

3.6 oz. Is the difference. That's the equivalent to one deck of playing cards. No biggie.

 

[bowzette]

I heard an expert that dispelled this as being a problem with the LCR. They said it is user error, not an issue with the LCR. I hought the same thing then I realized I needed to train more. The actual truth was "I sucked," at shooting a snubbie.

I stated that this is a training issue. I don't suck at shooting snubbies or the original LCP. But I have shot the LCR .357 and the LCR .22lr enough to not have confidence that in a super high stress situation I wouldn't short stroke the trigger. I agree it isn't a "defect" in the LCR and most shooters need to train a lot to avoid short stroking in a life/death situation. I also shoot various pistols often and the transition between the triggers while shooting quickly I found difficult-YMMV. I still have the LCR .22 and really like shooting it. IMO if one can shoot a heavy DA snubbie well, the trigger control of a pistol is easy. The point being that the trigger reset of the S&W is much better for me than the LCR, but the trigger pull of the LCR is better than the factory Smith trigger. IMO the trigger of the Ruger requires more training than the Smith when shooting very quickly under pressure. Unless I would give up training with pistols and trained only with the LCR I wouldn't carry the LCR. I like shooting my highly modified 1911 but I won't carry it because there is a likelihood I wouldn't disengage the thumb safety timely. This isn't a gun "defect" but a training issue. If I gave up training and carrying Glocks I would train and carry the 1911. The same with the LCR.

 

[sharpblade7777]

3.6 oz. Is the difference. That's the equivalent to one deck of playing cards. No biggie.

3.6 oz. Is the difference. That's the equivalent to one deck of playing cards. No biggie.

Rugers website has the 357lcr weighing 17.1 ounces. This Smith 357 snubby weighs 11.7 ounce.

 

[dhains1963]

Rugers website has the 357lcr weighing 17.1 ounces. This Smith 357 snubby weighs 11.7 ounce.View attachment 38215

I was talking about the weight difference between lcr 38 special and lcr 357 magnum ( 17.1 vs. 13.5 oz). Thus 3.6 oz.

 

[dhains1963]

The smith's 11.7 oz 357 magnum will not hold up near as well as the lcr 357 magnum. The two guns aren't even in the same league as each other, not to mention 158 grain 357mag ammo is torture through a 17.1 oz gun. Shootability and follow-up shots are a definite concern with the smith as well.

 

[sharpblade7777]

I was talking about the weight difference between lcr 38 special and lcr 357 magnum ( 17.1 vs. 13.5 oz). Thus 3.6 oz.

Ok, sorry bout that but I likem all.

 

[sharpblade7777]

The smith's 11.7 oz 357 magnum will not hold up near as well as the lcr 357 magnum. The two guns aren't even in the same league as each other, not to mention 158 grain 357mag ammo is torture through a 17.1 oz gun. Shootability and follow-up shots are a definite concern with the smith as well.

You are right of course. That's probably why I shoot these the most.