Ruger Lcr .38 Special For Carrying

[Sam]

Guys on this Forum section provided some wonderful information about what are the best and most comfortable hand guns to carry.

 

I have now focused on the Ruger LCR .38 Special double action revolver.

 

The Glock C23 is just too big and the other Glocks are heavy.

 

The LCR is easy to clean and it is not very heavy or bulky to carry.

 

So what are your opinions on the Ruger LCR .38 Special double action revolver?

 

Any other small hand guns you think I need to consider?

 

Weapon is for personal defense, only.

 

Thanks in advance for you input.

 

Sincerely appreciate it.

[F14A-B]

I nearly bought one myself.. Very light, easy to carry. Ruger makes a good revolver. It's a fair price too.. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one & I may yet. My bro carrys one every day..

[68camaro]

Have you tried one yet?  If you can rent one try that first, I think they are pretty snappy being so lightweight.

 

Although I don't own one, I have heard very good reports on them and weight is big plus.

 

I am a semi-auto fan and if your open look at the Browning 1911-.380 Blackout. Although a .380 it has a long barrel for excellent velocity and paired up with Pow'R Ball ammo it is extremely lethal. Here is a quick review I did on it early in the year:

https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/browning-1911-380.21792/

 

My only negative on revolvers is width, but they can conceal easily.  Bottom line is the best self-defense weapon is the one you will carry and feel comfortable with. Doesn't help if it's at home or under car seat.

 

Lets us know what you pick.

[K_Mac]

Sam I would rent or find a friend who has a Ruger LCP. I don't own the LCR, but have shot one several times. It would not work for me. The .380 is much easier to conceal and is a nice shooting little pistol. My EDC is an SR9c that works well most of the time. The LCP is perfect when clothing won't allow for a bigger weapon. Good luck.

[badhatharry]

It is on my Christmas wish list.  I am getting the LCRX however.....sometimes I just like the feel of the hammer under my thumb.

[NorcalBassin]

I happened to pick one of those up a few months ago for my pocket carry when I'm wearing cargo shorts. There are reports out there of it being snappy, but I didn't find it to be anything that would keep me from comfortably shooting 50-100 training rounds in a short window, and my wife even enjoyed shooting it with zero complaints. Nothing against the 380 (anything is better than nothing, even a 22LR), but the LCR loaded with Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 38+P's carries some serious punch compared to the 380.

[00 mod]

I do not have the LCR, but do have an LCP380.  Very small and lightweight.  A breeze to carry.  The gun shoots just fine, not the best and not the worst.  Minimal recoil for a pocket pistol, but I will warn that it is finicky with the carry ammo, which brings up a good point I will mention below.  The hollow points I tried first hung a bunch on the feed.  I have gone to Hornady Critical Defense with the "flex tip" technology.  I also had the feed ramp polished.  Now it performs flawlessly.

 

To my point, so many people practice with cheap ammo and never fire the carry stuff.  If I had done this, I would have never known the problem and might have been costly in the time of need.  Make sure you shoot at least 1 magazine of carry ammo through your pistols to check reliability!  Even expensive ammo is cheap in relation to your life!

 

Jeff

[68camaro]

I do not have the LCR, but do have an LCP380.  Very small and lightweight.  A breeze to carry.  The gun shoots just fine, not the best and not the worst.  Minimal recoil for a pocket pistol, but I will warn that it is finicky with the carry ammo, which brings up a good point I will mention below.  The hollow points I tried first hung a bunch on the feed.  I have gone to Hornady Critical Defense with the "flex tip" technology.  I also had the feed ramp polished.  Now it performs flawlessly.

 

To my point, so many people practice with cheap ammo and never fire the carry stuff.  If I had done this, I would have never known the problem and might have been costly in the time of need.  Make sure you shoot at least 1 magazine of carry ammo through your pistols to check reliability!  Even expensive ammo is cheap in relation to your life!

 

Jeff

Jeff gives very very good advise, practice with what you will be carrying. Even if you practice with cheaper ammo keep proficient with the higher end self defense rounds. If you didn't shoot it, don't carry it.

[nick76]

I have a friend who owns the LCR and I have had the fortune to shoot it multiple times.  If you are looking for a good wheel gun then look no further.  My only concern about carrying one would be the extra bulk that is has.  I carry the Ruger SR9c like a few others here carry and I find that at times it too can be too bulky.  I have an LCP 380 as well and carry it only when I feel I cannot hide anything else.  I am 6'2" and 240lbs with nice size hands, so I find the LCP a little small to handle and would use it for nothing more than a gut gun.  I have recently picked up one of the new LC9's and I must say that I am impressed.  They have discontinued the original LC9 and fixed the problems with the new LC9s and the LC9pro.  One has a safety and the other does not.  If you are looking for a 1911 frame then take a look at the Sig 938.  It is a beauty as well.

[I.rar]

I love my lcp custom. I've settled on fiotcchi xtp and havnt had a single malf in 150 rounds. I néed to get to the range more often but it's definitely more controllable than what people make it out to be.

I am a small framed guy at 5'8 on a good day and can get 2 fingers on the grip with the pinky extension. The Hogue grip makes it comfortable to shoot even one handed. The tall rear sights allow me to rack the slide on my belt if I had to. I did have to cut a notch out of the holster to make drawing smoother though. No biggie.

It rides in my front right pocket in a DeSantis holster and the spare mag in a remora single mag holster I got as a freebie from a previous purchase. Very convenient system that I carry everywhere.

Previously I edc'd a shield 9 iwb but this makes it feel like a brick. While I still love and carry the shield from time to time, I kind of have to be conscious on what shirt I wear. I doubt people would notice it printing, but I can tell especially when the wind is blowing.

I can post pics if anyone is interested.

Good luck with your choice!

[MidTNKayakAngler]

My wife carried the LCR for a while and decided she didn't care for it. She didn't like the felt recoil, the action, or only having 5 rounds. Of course she doesn't want to carry a 2.5# double stack around, but she wanted the option of at least 7 or 8  rounds, with the capability of carrying an extra mag if wanted. She prefers semi auto striker and hammer guns. She has went to the M&P Shield in 9mm, and currently looking at the Sig 938 SAS in 9mm.

[68camaro]

My wife carried the LCR for a while and decided she didn't care for it. She didn't like the felt recoil, the action, or only having 5 rounds. Of course she doesn't want to carry a 2.5# double stack around, but she wanted the option of at least 7 or 8  rounds, with the capability of carrying an extra mag if wanted. She prefers semi auto striker and hammer guns. She has went to the M&P Shield in 9mm, and currently looking at the Sig 938 SAS in 9mm.

 

Now there's a woman who knows what she wants

[XpressJeff]

My wife has an LCP and an LCRx.

 

She used to have an LCR but due to her diminutive size and weaknesses in the hand a trigger was required. She may only shoot it single action but...

 

 

       ...she is VERY accurate!

 

One round is usually all needed if you shoot accurately!