Help me pick , SP101-357 OR LCR-357

[JES14352]

This will be a do all gun , Bed Side , CCW , Range for practice , practice , practice , and then some more practice.....................

 

[luvmyRugers]

Rent them both, try them and buy the one you are most accurate with. NOTHING else matters if you are using it for self defense!!! Just my .02...

 

[Hugh]

Try them both if you can get you hands on them. My all-time favorite for bedside and carry is my 3-1/16" .357 Magnum SP-101. Loaded with 125 grain JHP .38 Spl +P. You can trail carry with more juice in the form of 158 grain (or more) .357 Magnum. It's a great revolver.

 

[hittman]

When you threw CCW in there I just had to select LCR. The SP is just too heavy, for me, to be a convenient CCW gun.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

When you threw CCW in there I just had to select LCR. The SP is just too heavy, for me, to be a convenient CCW gun.

I agree. I've got multiples of both. But I carry a LCR 357. It's a lot easier to carry. For the other stuff I'd say the SP.

 

[contender]

Only you can decide which gun fits YOUR needs the best. Do as suggested above, try both & then decide.

 

[DonD]

Good responses ahead of me. If you want to do significant practice with hot .357 loads, I’d go with the SP101. If you aren’t into that and/or you will practice with less aggressive loads, the LCR will be a better choice and a much more comfortable carry than the much heavier and larger (at least with the 3 1/16”) barrel.

I do like my longer barreled SP101. Don

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Although I own several guns with polymer frames, I just cant warm up to the looks,
feel, and the tupperware parts of the LCR. I cant say that my SP101`s feel heavy to me and the choice would be simple. I prefer the solid feel and they are a lot better looking to boot.

 

[caryg]

I say the SP 101, small, heavy, great all arround gun, best out there as far as I am concerned.

 

[drastic_quench]

SP101 all day, everyday. The only reason to opt for the LCR is if your CCW has to be pocket carry.

I never understand people calling the SP heavy. It's nothing on a belt with a pancake holster - inside or outside. I'd only call it heavy if I was trying to pocket carry it in gym shorts.

Because guns cost so much, personally I want them to be steel. For me, the expense is enough that I need to be able to think of it as an heirloom. Even with consistent use, my great grand kids could use my SP101 someday. Polymer guns? No one knows. We've got Glocks from the 80s that still work, but what happens to that material in a hundred years. We can't know, but we do know what happens to metals because we've got so many working examples.

 

[eveled]

I never understand people calling the SP heavy. It's nothing on a belt with a pancake holster - inside or outside. I'd only call it heavy if I was trying to pocket carry it in gym shorts.

You answered your own question. A five shot revolver should not need a belt and holster to carry it. It should be able to be carried in a pocket, or ankle holster. If I am going to use a belt and holster I want more than five shots.

For me if I were the OP, I'd go for the LCR, then save for a GP100. With those two guns, pretty much all bases will be covered. Ed

 

[drastic_quench]

I take your point, but for my own use, I don't hold five shots to the same standard/handicap. There's about a one percent chance I'd ever have to draw it in defense, and then it's very likely resolved in 2-3 shots. Don't get me wrong, if I lived a rougher life in a tougher city, I'd want capacity, but my risk is low. Since steel is a must for me, the other option being a GP, that's a lot more weigh and thickness for just a sixth shot. I've worn a GP, and at the end of the day, it felt like the bank vault it is, but that's a personal thing too.

 

[tookalisten]

I have both (but my LCR is in .38sp). You will not be disappointed in either.
I have carried both and either is fine with the right holster. Though, the LCR can be carried with a pocket holster in the right pants.
If I could only own one though, that was to be used for everything, I would buy the SP101. I have said many times that is one gun I would never part with.

 

[caryg]

I like Ruger products very much, but I just cant get over the looks of a an LCR, just not appealing to me. I like steel all the way.

 

[dickydalton]

SP101, the other always makes me remember what Swartzenegger called that creature in the movie Preditor. :lol:

 

[gramps]

I have an SP-101. I used to carry IWB in a Ken Null holster. I since switched to a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 spcl. I have only seen pictures of the LCR, and it does nothing for me. IF the SP was made in .44 spcl I would have one. That being said I will never part with the SP. It is an easy shooting gun, for a popular defense caliber, that goes from defense of humans to bear in the lower 48. Ammo is generally available for it every where you go. That can't be said for the .44 spcl. Good luck with your decision. Your lifestyle will dictate which you choose. As you see, some can't decide and have both.
gramps

 

[Bob R]

I have owned both. The LCR357 is heavier than the LCR38. I traded the LCR357 and currently own both a 2 and a 3 inch SP101.
Pocket carry is the only advantage to an LCR357 over an SP101.
SP101 Advantages:
It can be tuned to perfection, just like a GP100.
Heavier and much more shootable.
You have a selection of grips available.
It should last forever if taken care of.
It can be reloads using Jet Loaders. A really big PLUS.
Looks Good
Did I mention you can work on it. You have Spring and Shim Kits available, as well as articles on how to tune one up.
Gemini Custom Fiber Optic Sights.

MY 3 Inch SP101 with Springs, Shims, Gemini Custom Fiber Optic Front Sight, Letts Fancy Fish Scale Grips by Altamont and a Rocky Hill Leather Pancake Holster.

My 2 Inch SP101 with Springs, Shims, Letts Fancy Fish Scale Grips by Altamont, Gemini Custom Fiber Optic Front Sight, a Big Creek Speed Loader Carrier and a Jet Loader, carried in a Rocky Hill Leather Pancake.

Business View of the Gemini Custom front sight.

Whats not to love about an SP101.

Bob R

 

[WendyZXZ]

I agree with try both and see how you like them. I am partial to the SP101 but that is because I have one.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The trigger on the LCR is so much better than the sp101 that it's insane. I've owned both the KLCR and the 3" sp101. Neither is a bad choice. Either of mine would group under 3" at 20 yards from sandbags. The only downside (aside from some people thinking it's ugly) to the LCR is that it is not fun shooting full power 357s. :shock: The sp101 makes the same cartridge/load seem pretty tame. If you want to shoot fullhouse magnums: pick the sp101. For CCW: pick the LCR. I have the LCR in my pocket right now. :mrgreen: IMHO, for the weight, there are better options than the sp101.

 

[GhosT]

JES14352,

At first,thought a loaded question(no pun intended).
But then released....

Ya want a house and concealable gun.

2 answers ......

#1
To wear concealed.......
From the 2 guns ya listed........
For me, easy choice.....the SP101.
I read all the other posts...pros and cons..

WEIGHT of the gun came up on both sides.


One side said,heavy to carry.
Trust me, yer gonna want that weight.....unless ya plan on only shooting one round.
My SP101...I had MAGNAPORTED before I ever shot it,And still a handfull with 125 grain JHP's....
But manageable.

Of course, they make rounds for snubbies,faster burning powder,less impact.
And ya can step down to .38 specials.....Way more effective rounds then they use to make.

Either way....The SP101 is built better,will outlast you.

{As far as the SP101 being heavy to wear,This is JUST MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE,
UNCLE MIKES Nylon pancake holster,snug fit with a belt, FORGOT IT WAS EVEN THERE!)



Answer #2


For home defense?

NEITHER!

It has been proven countless times for SEVERAL DECADES.....
A handgun in the house for defense is what you have in yer hand while getting to yer 12 gauge pump shotgun.

Statistics show.....
Yer trained/skilled policeman averages one hit in 4 shots in a confrontation.
And they are wide awake,trained,and know ahead of time they are walking into a shitstorm.


If limited to the 2 handguns you listed....Still would trust the SP101 to save my ass.

I do think the LCR is a cool gun,
But IMHO....it serves one purpose only.........
Concealed carry.......and will recoil more than a SP101.

Just one guy's opinion... :wink:

 

[Kennydale]

I'm jealous would love an SP101 in .357 Magnum

 

[GhosT]

Just reread this thread.

Don't want LCR-357 owners to think Ragging on their guns! :wink:

When they first came out, think .38 special.
Not sure but think the SP101 did too.

NOW SOME ONE CORRECT ME......wasn't the first SP101's limited on bullet length????

Although never fired one, Every REVIEW I ever read about LCR's.....
GOOD QUALITY GUNS!

JES14352 Started a thread (accidentally) That inspired Owners to pit one against another.

Both are good quality guns.

Both will kick like a mule with "THE .357 MAGNUM SELF DEFENSE ROUND"...
Full power 125 grain JHP's.

That said,watched since the 1980's........There are plenty of mid range,made for snubby .357 rounds.;
STILL EFFECTIVE!


As posted before,and will show in the next pic
I had my SP10 MAGNAPORTED....







Although my SP101 is a tad customized ,
I would still keep it if in stock condition.

It will OUTLAST ME.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just went on and on about why I prefer the SP101....

That said, AGAIN...

AND REPEATING MYSELF.....

No actual "hands on" with a LCR-357...
I have no doubt a quality gun !