Life a 357 LCR

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

I know this has been discussed here previously. But as I lack the ability to make a good search, using any search engines, I ask the question of what is the expected life of a LCR in 357 Magnum?

The knowledge here surpasses other boards by leaps and bounds, so I mostly rely on your answers to questions dealing with my hand loaded tools of enjoyment.

Direct answers and links appreciated.

Thanks.

[charlie b]

Probably will last longer than the bones in your wrist

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

I agree with you charlie b, but I am interested in estimated (or actual) round counts. And those round counts are probably higher than I will shoot out of it, but I am still curious.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

.....and now I feel stupid. Just saw my thread title. DOH!!!!!!!

Supposed to read: Life of a LCR 357

[shooting on a shoestring]

I have two thoughts on the subject.

1. There won’t be a definitive answer to it’s life expectancy bc it depends as much on the shooter and the ammunition as it does on the gun. If the action is habitually worked at warp speed, shot hot, loaded hot and not kept lubed, it’ll have a short life.

2. Outside of abuse, it’s rare a that a snubby gets enough shooting by the first few owners to ever approach the end of its life. I expect the 357 LCR to fit into that category. I’m shooting a 327 LCR and haven’t crossed 2k yet. I’ll be highly surprised if it has any trouble before 20k. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ran past 40k without a problem. I doubt I’ll ever shoot it more than 20k.

If you do wear yours out, I hope post about it. The J-Frames still haven’t been out long enough to define an average life for them. The LCRs will be about 50 years after that...

[johniv]

Call Ruger and ask. They should have tested it. S&W will tell you what they expect, Ruger should know what to expect.

[GhostHawk]

I would say given a modest amount of moderation in shooting and loads used it is a problem for your grandchildren not you.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

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[charlie b]

Yes, my remark was kinda flippant, but, a little truthful. One thing I have never had a problem with on Ruger revolvers is reliability, even when shot with really hot loads.

OTOH, Ihad a Taurus 5 shot snubby in .357 (model 605?). This was back in ˜1995 when the SP101 was rated for only 125gn magnums. Taurus did not put a limit on theirs and the trigger was really nice so I bought one..

After only a few hundred rounds it locked up. The screw holding the cylinder release button loosened. Then after another few hundred it locked up again. This time I had to remove the sideplate since a screw inside had loosened. I put locktite on all the screws but by then I was not confident in the gun's reliability so I traded it off. The new owner uses it for carry but rarely fires it (yes, he was informed of the problem).

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

I put more than 50 through mine. Most were, at least, 357mag loads, some factory, most handloads....even quite a few cylinders of 180gr Ranchdogs. The gun actually preferred those 180's, so that is what it's diet will consist of in the future.

I put a pachmeyer g10 grip on it so I would have another finger on it, and the only complaint I have is my hands are softer than they should be from not shooting enough this winter.

[JBinMN]

We intend to find out its' life cycle with the one we have. Hopefully it is pregnant & will have children. LOL

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

My only regret is that I didn't keep exacting records of the rounds fired on Sunday through my revolvers.

I can count brass, and make an educated guess.....as far as the hard part - dividing them between the two revolvers used.

[Forrest r]

Don't know about the rugers.

Colt pythons needed rebuilt at the 50,000 round mark with mainly 38spl loads.
s&w 586 needed rebuilt at the 100,000 & 200,000 round mark with mainly hot/heavy 357 loads.

The timing would wear out/reason for the re-builds.

At 275,000 rounds the 586's bbl & cylinder gave up the ghost. Was loosing 50fps with the same loads when new.

I see no reason why the ruger wouldn't go 100,000 rounds.