How tough is the LCR?

[kingarthur]

I go to the range maybe once or twice a month and I decided that my LCR would be my CC. I am a strong believer in practice with what you carry but was concerned about the life of the little LCR.

Do you think it can hold up to being a monthly shooter? Will it hold up like the SP101?

 

[DPris]

It'll handle at least 5000 rounds of +P.
Of course it won't hold up like the SP101.
Denis

 

[Slanteyedshootist]

I bought my LCR about a year ago. Shot 50+ rounds of +P through her about 2 to 3 times a month. No issues at all.

 

[recumbent]

shoot it until it wears out and then send it to Ruger for a rebuild.

 

[Sugar River]

At SHOT 2 years ago, one of the engineers told me they 10,000 rounds of +P thru one gun with no problems of any kind.

I doubt you'll be able to wear it out.

Pete

 

[kingarthur]

This is good to know. I would like to make the LCR my new carry buddy and to know that it can withstand years of monthly practice. I didn't read the warranty...will Ruger fix any issues that may araise under warranty?

 

[Fountain E. Conner]

I read the 10,000 rounds report too.

I have well-over 1,000 rounds thru mine, no visible damage, and it just keeps getting better. Trigger is a dream. I carry it all day, every day, everywhere it's legal (and in Florida, that's most-everywhere).

You must have younger and better eyes than I. At first, I couldn't find the front sight by braille. I first tried white, and it wasn't much better. I have settled on Model Master Fluorescent Red-Orange; it works pretty well in any kind of decent light.

 

[kingarthur]

I read the 10,000 rounds report too.

I have well-over 1,000 rounds thru mine, no visible damage, and it just keeps getting better. Trigger is a dream. I carry it all day, every day, everywhere it's legal (and in Florida, that's most-everywhere).

You must have younger and better eyes than I. At first, I couldn't find the front sight by braille. I first tried white, and it wasn't much better. I have settled on Model Master Fluorescent Red-Orange; it works pretty well in any kind of decent light.

Actually I'm gonna change the sights in a couple of week. I have HiViz on my SP101 and love them but I'm I looking for night sight for the LCR.

Well.. so far I only have about 100 round in the LCR and now that I have been reassured that it can handle range use. I will be shooting it more.

 

[DPris]

Ruger told me their 10,000-round test sample showed marked rifling wear.
My 5000-round test showed measurable frame stretching.

The LCR is an interesting approach, but it does not have an indefinite lifespan.
Denis

 

[kingarthur]

Ruger told me their 10,000-round test sample showed marked rifling wear.
My 5000-round test showed measurable frame stretching.

The LCR is an interesting approach, but it does not have an indefinite lifespan.
Denis

Wow...have you talked about this in another thread? I would like to know more about that. I would search but the website seem to be having issues with the search engine.

 

[Specs]

I read the 10,000 rounds report too.

I have well-over 1,000 rounds thru mine, no visible damage, and it just keeps getting better. Trigger is a dream. I carry it all day, every day, everywhere it's legal (and in Florida, that's most-everywhere).

You must have younger and better eyes than I. At first, I couldn't find the front sight by braille. I first tried white, and it wasn't much better. I have settled on Model Master Fluorescent Red-Orange; it works pretty well in any kind of decent light.

+1. I used the same paint on mine. It will wear away after some carrrying, but it's a snap to touch up. I think I paid $1.49 for the paint at Walmart. I have made the LCR357 my CCW, but I will use 38 +p for training and 357 mag for carry after awhile. Got to try a few types before I pick one.

 

[DPris]

King,
Yes, several times. People are probably getting tired of hearing about it.
Denis

 

[rich642z]

DPris,I always liked your reviews you write in the gun mags about Ruger revolvers. You must of had one LCR that missed going thru qc that you shot. In mine,about 8,000 rounds and no frame streching as of yet to report. b/c gap is still the same mesurements as it was when new.

 

[DPris]

Rich,
Thanks for the kind words.
I don't think QC had anything to do with it.

The one I had was measured in key areas & dimensions very precisely by my gunsmith prior to anything being fired through it.
After the near 5300 rounds of the test, it was taken back to the same guy, who repeated the exact same measurements, also very precisely.

He knew what the purpose of the measurements was, made special efforts to be as exact as possible, and had no bias or reason to juggle the results. He was also interested to see how the LCR would hold up.

The cylinder window stretched longitudinally & the barrel/cylinder gap grew.
I don't see those as being a QC matter, just a materials reaction to repeated use.

The gun was still in specs & never misfired, but it did "grow".

How much of your 8000 rounds was +P? I'd be curious.

Denis