[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

If you were looking to pick up a small revolver for CCW both in a small holster and pocket carry, would you rather have the Ruger LCR in 38 Special or a J-Frame in 38 Special?

I was set on a J-Frame for a while until I handled the LCR and I thought it felt really good. It was comfortable in the hand, had a great trigger and was light. It was also cheaper than the J Frames at the time.
Just for the heck of it I just looked at prices for some J Frames, the 638 and 442 and now they are less expensive than the LCR 38 Special. Those 2 J Frames can be had for $390 or so and the LCR is in the mid 400 area. That's without the laser grip.

Which one would you pick and why?

Thanks

Nalajr

 

[Berto]

In .38sp, I like the J frame for its slightly better grip choices and I still prefer the cyl release over the Ruger. Having the better selection on grips matters when you consider speedloader options. In .357, the Ruger has the better gun and more recoil absorbent frame/ grips....but speedloader use is still tricky.

 

[Jimmy10mm]

I had a 642 and traded it. Of course an all steel J frame is heavy. I am carrying a Kahr PM9 here lately. Very light in weight and slim. I still have baby glocks, among others, if I want to carry something a bit more substantial, but for me, it won't be a 5 shot revolver. As light as some of the j frames are, it is still bulky because of the cylinder.

 

[Maine]

Can't say a bad thing about the LCR but I choose j frames because I like the durability of metal over plastic. I don't think you could go wrong with either, the LCR really is a nice shooter.

 

[Gregg702]

The LCR trigger is really good for a subcompact revolver.

 

[r3dot]

From someone who owns both:

The LCR is built like a tank, but not a tightly put together gun. The trigger is nice, until you run into it's reset issue. If you do not disengage it all the way, you will not be able to engage it again. Horrible flaw.

The 642 is less bulky, a very tight gun, and perfect for carry.

The LCR is in .357, so that's why I like it. Great backpacking gun. Overall, S&W pre-lock all the way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fox]

I would take a Colt Cobra over both the Ruger LCR and the S&W J frame snubbies.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I used to pack super light guns. Colt Defender .45, S&W 340pd in .357, and yes, 642 j .38.

But I came to the conclusion that the extra 5 to 8 ounces of steel was not all that much a burden and I could shoot the guns so much faster and more accurate. And if I had got reduce some weight it would be ME to lose weight.

Thus Kahr K9, S&W 2 1/2 inch 19-5, Glock 26, or S&W 640 (old one in .38 spl.) are my carry guns (but usually just one at a time.)

All are easier to shoot fast, one handed. All compact and easy to carry, especially when sitting down alot. All very reliable. And good ammo can be had without much difficulty.

Yes the Ruger LCP is a fine gun, but I'll pack my heavier but easier to shoot guns.

Deaf

 

[Nalapombu]

I really like the 649 in 357. It's 23 ounces which is a bit big for pocket carry. Heck that's the same weight as my G19! I doubt I'd carry it with 357 loads as that would be pretty painful to practice with. I would put the +P 38 Specials in it though and I think it would be great in handling that recoil and allow me to practice more with it. I think the snubbies require more practice than the small autos to get good with and be on target when you have to be. If the situation ever comes up where you have to draw your pistol FOR REAL, that's about as stressful and adrenaline fueled as you can get and you've gotta push all that down and be accurate with your shots, not an easy thing to do at all.

As for pocket carry, it's not that I am going to do it all the time, I'm not. But there will be times when I do want to just slide whatever small handgun I am using into my pocket and head out the door for a bit. I do think I would like to carry with one of those Remora holsters with that "sticky" surface that holds it in place where you put it.

The LCR's do have a really nice and comfy grip on them though.

My pick out of all the small revolvers would be the 640 PRO. Really nice J-frame that accepts moon clips. It may have some extra work done to it too, but I am not sure about that. The problem is that it is priced at almost $800!!

Thanks
Nalajr

 

[bac1023]

I guess the Ruger...

 

[Glock40man]

There is nothing "wrong" with the LCR. But, I'll stick with my S&Ws.

 

[Valmet]

S&W over the Ruger for sure.

 

[nitesit(+ an e)]

I own both. Two S&Ws (442 and 49) and a .38 LCR.

I think the LCR prevents a high enough grip, so it flips a lot more during recoil. The DAO trigger feels nice for the first shot, or when slow-firing. But as was mentioned above, it has a terrible tendency to skip a full trigger reset in rapid-fire. It has happened to me during timed fire and annual quals more times than I can count. I agree that this is very disturbing. I am unwilling to make a training issue out of this and try to learn my way past this problem. I will not carry the LCR any more and I have every intention of selling it. Also, speedloaders work poorly with the LCR.

J-frames have no issue with positive trigger reset. Speedloaders work. And a very high grip can be gained making muzzle flip nearly non-existant.

 

[BuckyP]

I have no experience with the LCR, but have been pleased with my 642. I'm not a fan of the internal lock, but that's been dealt with. :supergrin:

That being said, my 642 hardly ever gets used since I got my P938.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm not a big fan of "J" frame sized revolvers period, but if I had to choose between those two, I'd pick a Smith & Wesson...Model 36,

The LCR is just too ugly for my taste. I look at my guns a lot more than I shoot them.

 

[Bren]

Choose an LCR over a J Frame?:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[willieH]

I had a LCR-38 but prefer the LCR-357, it's slightly heavier which is a good thing for shooting. It's primarily for carrying in an overcoat pocket during colder months and not fumbling through layers of clothes to get a gun on my waist. The enclosed hammer allows firing from within the pocket if needed. I shoot it enough to be proficient but it's not something I'd bring to the range for fun.

A J-frame would probably work as well but I've had good experience with the Ruger and like the light weight.

 

[Gen421]

Wouldn't choose a Ruger, PERIOD!

 

[soflasmg]

J frame because I have had one for 20 years.

Habit and holsters.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I've had a S&W 638, 642 and 2 38spl. LCRs. I personally like the out of the box trigger on the LCR as well as the much lower recoil with the 2 finger Hogue Tamer grip. Hogue makes a Tamer grip for the J-Frames, but it has 3 fingers which makes it more difficult for pocket carry.

I use my LCR for bicycle carry in a 5.11 holster shirt and in a pocket holster when I'm at the house. It has limited use, but it's another carry option that I like to have on hand.

I sold my original Talo Navy LCR while trying out different options. I'm glad I did though since the new models don't come with the silly lock under the grip which actually makes it lighter at 13.1 ounces.

No lock