A wise old man once told me that real pistols only came in one configuration: blued steel and walnut grips. The very same man bandied about phrases like “nickel plated sissy pistol” and believed that the .45 ACP was the alpha and omega. When “combat tupperware” started to become en vogue he thought it was a sign of the apocalypse. When Ruger released their polymer framed LCR revolver, he let loose a string of epithets that would have even made Howard Stern blush. Revolvers were made from metal, end of story. While I always took what he said with a grain of salt, I tended to agree with him on this point. Sorry. I should have said “agreed” . . .
The Ruger LCR .357 is a beefed-up version of the original .38 Special LCR. It features a monolithic frame made of 4000 series blackened stainless steel that completely encloses the 1.875” barrel. Attached to the monolithic frame is the piece that has the purists up in arms and holds all the parts that make the LCR go bang: the polymer fire control housing. Ruger reckons the polymer housing cuts down on weight and soaks up recoil. The second key innovation is the trigger. Ruger redesigned the DAO trigger with a friction reducing cam mechanism; which, according to Ruger’s literature, results in a “smooth, non-stacking trigger pull.”
Unlike its .38 special precursor or a Scandium S&W J frame (in the same caliber), Ruger’s 17.1 ounce LCR is no featherweight . But it’s no porker, either. AS you hold the LCR in your hand, the weight seems to disappear into a near perfect blend of balance and point-ability. The recoil-reducing Hogue Tamer grips add to the comfort and, thus, confidence. The thought of lighting off some full house magnum loads in the LCR isn’t quite as intimidating as it is forother small frame .357s.
The LCR’s sights are typical for this class of revolver. The rear sight consists of a notch and shallow trough through which you line up your front sight. Our T&E model sported a red fiber optic front sight. You can also get it with a typical ramped front or an XS Big Dot, an ideal choice for a stubbornly novice self-defense shooter.
Ruger’s revolutionary trigger has a relatively short pull with an easy smooth pull back. Dry firing revealed no stacking, no grit, no nothing; the cylinder rotated into place with Swiss precision. Milliseconds later I encountered the cleanest break I ever felt on a revolver. An affront to Smith & Wesson fans? Hyperbole? There was only way to find out: take her out for a proper date at the Timberline Creek Rod & Gun Club (aka my mother in law’s back 40).
I brought a variety of ammo, ranging from 158 gr JSP .357 to 125 gr Hornady Critical Defense to Wally World’s Winchester white box (WWB). Loading up my first cylinder of .357, I apprehensively brought the pistol up to bear on the steel target 15 yards away and eased the trigger back. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t flinch a little. While there’s no doubt the LCR dishes out some stout recoil, it’s not the curse word-inducing sensation created by other manufacturers’ lightweight magnum snubbies. I made it through the whole cylinder without wanting to switch to .38 special loads and turn in my Man Card.
One-hundred-fifty rounds later I’d run out of .357 ammo. I switched over to the .38 special, where recoil was practically nonexistent. Thirty short minutes later I’d run out of ammo—and realized I had yet to take any pictures or shoot any video. I was having so much fun shooting this little revolver—and hitting what I was aiming at—that I’d completely neglected my journalistic duties.
I came back the next day with a box of both .357 and .38 special and the explicit intent to do some serious shooting with lots of pictures and videos. That intent was short lived; my cameraman/sister in law and I started running some defensive drills from 15 yards all the way in and with each satisfying ping of steel or hole through the noggin of a Birchwood Casey Darkotic Zombie Target the fun factor grew exponentially.
Suffice to say we didn’t end up taking any video until the very end when we finally settled down and captured some media. First off was rapid fire of 158 gr JSP .357 at 7 yards, going for center of mass on the Birchwood Casey Darkotic Splattering Zombie Target.
As you can see, the results are pretty good. All five shots found paper and three of them managed to land within an inch of each other.
Then I loaded up a cylinder of WWB .38 Special, fully expecting the results to be better due to the reduced recoil.
I was a little shocked when I walked up to the target. While four out of five shots were on paper and on target, I had thrown one completely off the paper. The grouping was much larger than with the .357. I don’t have a logical or even scientific explanation for this phenomenon and frankly don’t know if I need one. The bottom line is, if you do your part, this revolver is going to put rounds on target accurately and quickly.
I’ve never called a small framed snubbie fun before; I’ve sold every one I’ve ever owned. They were all so punishing in .357 or inaccurate in .38 special that I gave up after a few weeks. The Ruger LCR .357 is fun. It’s a relatively lightweight yet accurate revolver with a trigger that beats the snot out of any other double action revolver I’ve ever sampled. It’s easily concealed in all manner of OWB or IWB holsters and rests comfortably therein. And it’s earned a place in the “guns I’ll never sell section” of my gun safe.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Caliber: .357 Magnum/.38 Special
Barrel Length: 1.875”
Overall Length: 6.50”
Weight: 17.10 oz.
Capacity: 5
Finish: Blackened Stainless
Price: $ 575 MSRP
RATINGS (out of five)
Style * * * *
The Glock of revolvers. Made to do a job, not look pretty.
Ergonomics * * * * *
Feels great in the hands and sports a very comfortable recoil reducing grip.
Reliability * * * * *
Went through over 300 rounds without a hiccup or a cleaning.
Customizable * *
Three grip options, three front sight options and . . . that’s all folks!
Carry * * * * *
Its diminutive size makes it easily concealable. Disappears under t-shirts with impunity.
Overall Rating * * * * *
I learned my lesson about doubting new designs and found a pint-sized powerhouse that’s spending a lot of time on my hip.
[TTAG’s targets are supplied by Birchwood Casey]
I also was never a big fan of magnum snubs, Had a nickel plated s&w model 19 years ago that shot a 5 foot ball of flame with factory magnum loads. I recently gave my 40 year old Colt det. special to my oldest son as a family heirloom so it needed to be replaced. The choice was the LCR .357. Just bought it after Christmas and went right to the range. Shot very well ,but it would not eject spent magnum casings. Had to extract them. thank god I had my Leatherman tool with me. Wondering if I am the only person with this issue?
Great write up….looks like ruger is getting more of my money. Until recently a compact or snubby had no use in my state of residence as it was open carry only and sporting use required 6″ muzzle to firing pin. Now that Wisconsin has a decent governor for the moment and granted us concealed carry and castle laws to actually defend ones self and property, my interest is peaked and your review sealed the deal.
Thank-you also for dispelling some of the mythical recoil often touted in gun reviews. As gun owners It’s our duty to take newbies out to the range and let them experience the fun we have. This creates more voters on our side of the fence by revealing the misinformation of lamestream media first hand. However, our job is made more difficult by members of our own crowd instilling irrational fear of the discomfort of discharging firearms. It’s those rumors that kept an inherited 30-06 in my safe for many years. When I finally got up the courage I realised it was nothing and have since found 300 wby mag to be nothing more either. Now days 200+ rds of 308 are common in an afternoon for me, just resting the barrel for cool down while I shoot other firearms. 357 mag isn’t anything to be afraid of but often people shy away because all the hoopla, they envision themselves on their butt with a broken wrist and a bloody nose. When I first bought one I thought I’d use 38 ammo mostly and only have 357 in it for when it’s needed. After shooting it, all I buy is 357 as I don’t notice any recoil with either rd.
I’m glad you conveyed the enjoyment of extended tactical range visits, they make promotion of our passion way easier as a bench and paper circles get old fast. Zombies and steels at undefined distances make hours and ammo vaporize, and increase your proficiency and fun in multitudes.
I just took my new lcr 357 out for a test run and I have to say that I really liked it. It packs one hell of a punch and I would recommend that if you are practicing to definitely wear good eye protection. The blow back tends to smack you upside the face. I like to shoot my guns without eye protection initially to see how they perform, especially since when I am in the field with them, I need to know what to expect. I replaced the front sight with an xs tritium front sight and I like it. Your sight picture changes and learning the hold will take some practice. This is due partl because the xs sight is taller than the stock sight, therefore your front dot is disected by the rear groove. The gun was semi accurate at 10 yards, but I will take the blame for that. I messed around with the trigger pull a bit and found m dads old way of a slow and smooth trigger pull will not work for me on this gun. The action is very long and any small disturbance in the trigger pull sent rounds flying. I saw a show on the s&w body guard 380 and the instructors recommended a more deliberat pull due to the heavier trigger pull. I tried that out and found myself grouping much tighter and even grouping reasonably at 25 yards. I also did this with rapid fire and grouped better than “taking my time”. This is a great attribute for personal defense, which is why I got this gun. To answer George’s question, to get a clean extraction from your cylinder, you need to rack the ejector pretty good to clear the spent brass. If there was a flaw to this gun, this would be it. All in all I am very happy with my choice, the gun is powerful, easy to carry, and for the money it is a steal for a firearm of this quality.
Do your self a favor, don’t rack the ejection rod. Just lubricate it good with
a teflon spray. Let the gun break in and it should work fine. Once the gun
gets warmed up the cartridges should almost fall out. The aluminum
cartridges may be a little tighter, but not enough to have to use anything
other than the palm of your hand to eject.
just bought one i’m really hoping to get it out asap!
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I love this gun. Its powerful and accurate. I’m not an expert with firearms but I haven’t missed with this baby yet. First 357 round caught me by surprise. There is a kick although manageable. Once I got use to it not a problem. I definately think this is a must buy if you carry concealed. I’ve retired my Glock 22 to home protection only.
Great little gun but it has it’s peculiarities about ammo. In the 400 + rounds since
purchase, I have experimented with many different types of ammo. This gun hates
125gr. 38cal. ammo, especially flat or JSP target rounds. It’s accuracy drops off
quickly after about 25 feet. The only 125gr. that I had any luck with was the
Winchester DPX-1 bonded JHP Hydo Shok 357mag. It was still viable at 50 feet
but the grouping suffered. The best results I achieved was with 158gr. JHP in either
38cal. special +P and 357mag. Even the CCI Blazer 158gr. 357mag JHP, with the
aluminum casings, shot well. These were the best economical target rounds. The
lower power did seem to matter much.
Gave up after a few weeks? It takes YEARS to master the 5 shot snubby.
I’ve looked through all the snubs on the market. This seems to be the best. The Smith and Wesson trigger pull is absolutely ridiculous with an eleven pound trigger pull and even if you get the partially concealed hammer, to pull takes a two hand approach. The Taurus is slightly better trigger pull, but still. The LCR has an unbelievably smooth trigger pull as the article says, and smooth and steady will stack the rounds if that’s what you want.
As far as the recoil of the 357, I guess I’m used to my hunting pistol. Referring to the man card, shoot my S&W 460 then come back and say the recoil on LCR 357 is bad. My 460 makes the LCR feel like a derringer.
This is one fantastic revolver and as far as concealed, powerful protection, it doesn’t get any better than this pistol.