LCR 357

[arthury]

What are your thoughts about this little gun?

I heard about several AL frame that cracked but they were the 38sp ones.
My understanding is that the 357 frame is steel, except for the handle, which is polymer.

Like all ccw guns, it is useless if one does not practice with it. Can this gun withstand a steady diet of true 357mag rounds at the range?

 

[writwing]

Do you have the source for the cracked frames? First I have heard. Have an 357 LCR and its a joy to carry.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I haven't heard about it either. I wouldn't worry about it though. Ruger is pretty careful. Did the frame crack with handloads or factory ammo?

 

[arthury]

For your ref:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/24/ruger-lcr-kaboom/

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=628899

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

From the looks of the damage I would have to concur with the opinions, that the previous round plugged the barrel, and the next one did the damage. If that happened, there was relatively little damage IMO.

The second one sounded like it was damaged from the factory and not in firing. I skimmed it quickly so maybe didn't get the whole thing.

Regardless I wouldn't worry about it. People question using such a light gun, smith does the same thing with an aluminum frame but no one questions it. Big difference is the recoil is so bad no one shoots it with magnums that much. I shoot my S&W 642 with plus P's and don't worry about it. Plan on shooting my LCR's some this weekend too. These are the only incidents I've heard of and if it weren't for the internet we wouldn't know about these, but there's certainly not enough information about either to make a determination as to whether they are Rugers fault or an ammo manufacturer (or reloader).

 

[ojabog]

I put 150 rounds of 125gr Winchester Winclean JSP 357mag through my LCR 357 over the course of one day. No issues that I can see. I don't plan on doing that again, but wanted to see if it would stand up to the pounding. Ionly have a total of 430 rounds through the gun, but it's holding up well.

 

[Keltyke]

Never heard of LCRs cracking frames. My LCR .38 spcl. has a couple thousand rounds through it, all +p, with no issues. I've shot it so fast the barrel got too hot to touch.

 

[writwing]

For your ref:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/24/ruger-lcr-kaboom/

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=628899

I understand now, your sources is unsubstantiated internet rumor.