Any chance?
Personally I think they are right on the money with the 3" LCRX. I have not had a chance to measure one, but the only thing I found wrong with my standard LCR is the short ejector rod. If the 3" version has a ejector rod as long as the SP101, they hit it out of the park.
I had my 4.2" barrel SP101 shortened to 3", keeping the adjustable sights. If anything, it is MORE accurate now!
To answer your question, a 4.2" LCRX has merit, likely being 10-12 ounces lighter than the SP101. I also think the LCRX grip is better than anything you can buy for the SP101.
The 3 inch LCRx has the same ejector rod as the shorter LCRx and LCR revolvers.
Release cylinder, angle barrel up, smartly slap ejector rod, and all brass will be ejected.
No. Because then you’d carry it openly and we’d have to see that ugly thing...... I’m Kidding! Sort of. Better looking than a Kimber revolver, though.
No doubt ugly as sin, but I still have not sold my LCR as it is a great revolver. The Heft of the SP101 can be an advantage or disadvantage. The LCR is lighter, slimmer, and the double action pull is butter. I actually like the grips on the LCR better than the SP101.
As for the ejector rod, it's no problem with 38 special or 9mm, but it's marginal for 357 and 327. Especially 327, as a high pressure round, and six of them. If you never make a mistake, a strong slap will eject the cases. I'm not perfect, and the much longer ejector rod on the SP101 is a monumental advantage to me.
I think a 4.2" tube would make it Canada legal, so that would be another group of customers to gain.
Currently casting and loading: .32 Auto, .380 Auto, .38 Special, 9X19, .357 Magnum, .257 Roberts, 6.5 Creedmoor, .30 WCF, .308 WCF, .45-70.
for anything this gun is capable of, I believe it is best suited to than 3" barrels, and best in 38 special format. to short a cylinder for real 327 performance capability, and to much recoil in 357 for serios magnum loads,,,, and lets face it you can forget target accuracy at any length.
For me this is at its best doing what it was intended to do, give marginal self protection, and probably at it's best as a 1.87" 38 special with the old reliable FBI load,,,,, for practical reasons I would flavor mine in LCR format and loose the hammer for even more practical use!
I might not disagree with you on 38 special, although I personally feel 9mm luger has a lot of merit. The LCR is a handful with 357 magnum to put it mildly, it's basically a flinch development tool. As for 327 federal, you are incorrect on the cylinder length. Mine will accept a full 1.600" OAL cartridge. You can top out a 3" barrels capabilities with that much length in this cartridge. The SP101 is only marginally longer, .025" if I remember right. The ONLY gun chambered in 327 federal with a strainingly short cylinder is the single seven.
If you mean the ejector rod, then yes, it's a bit short for my comfort. There is no reason the ejector rod couldn't be made as long as the SP101's in the 3" models.
As for accuracy, I can't say as I have the basic LCR with no sights, and DAO. It's good for about 5" groups at 25 yards, and that's it. That said, a similarly equipped SP101 is about identical in accuracy. Like I said, my 3" SP101 with adjustable sights in single action will shoot 3" at 50 yards off a bench. That's pretty dang good, and I don't see why the 3" or 4.2" LCRX couldn't shoot as well.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |