Ruger LCR accuracy

[Shuz]

I recently bought an LCR in .38 Special for my wife(hee hee). I decided it must be my duty to see how well it would shoot with some .38 special handloads. Well, I tried various cast boolits, all with Bullseye powder, and was surprised that all shot very well. The load I worked up for her is 3.0g of Bullseye behind an RCBS 140g wadcutter, loaded to 1.265" and primed with a CCI 500. This load is very comfortable for her to shoot, prolly because to velocity is only 694fps. However the accuracy from a bench was outstanding. 5 shots at 10 yards measured 1.475". The target was a 4" black bull with a 2" 10 ring and 1" rings going out. The score was 3/ea 10's, and 2/ea 9's with the group center at 6 o'clock on the ten ring. If I was handy with a camera, I'd include a pitchur.

[str8wal]

Good shootin'. I can say the same for my LCRx, it will eat up a 2" bull @ 10 yards. I load 4.8 grains of TG behind a 125 JHP. Is much easier on the hand than 158's and shoots great.

[Airman Basic]

Bought one for the wife as well. She liked it so well, had to buy another for myself.

[jem102]

Bought a 3" LCRx for my gal and it is way more gun than I ever expected! Haven't shot any of my 2.8 gr. BE loads through it yet because we got a buy on a couple of cases of these and they shoot so well it's not worth knocking out the old primers till we run out.

If you can find some of these I think you will be pleased with how they shoot!

Manufacturer Fiocchi
Bullet Weight 148 Grain
Bullet Type Lead Wadcutter
Use Type Range Training
Ammo Casing Brass
Quantity 1,000
Ammo Caliber .38 Special
Manufacturer SKU 38LA
Primer Type Boxer
Muzzle Velocity (fps) 750
Muzzle Energy (ftlbs) 183
UPC Barcode 762344002057C

[bedbugbilly]

I had a 357 LCR a number of years ago -I think I put under a box of 357 through it and decided it needed a diet of 38 special. Mine shot very well at SD ranges with a variety of hand loads. It's an excellent handgun - light and easy for anybody to use. I ended up trading mine off on a S & W Model 36 snub J frame that became my usual carry piece - I just liked the 36 better but it was a "person thing" and I still think the LCR is an excellent handgun. For my SD loads int he LCR, and now the Smith, I use a 160 grain wadcutter seated out like a normal boolit. Shoots well, is accurate and will do what it needs to if necessary.

It sounds like the LCR is really working out well for her . . and you. :-) Enjoy and it's nice she is enjoying shooting it. I have owned a number of Rugers and was never disappointed in any of them.

[Taterhead]

I'm chuckling reading this. I too bought an LCR in 38 +p for my wife. I have been surprised that it is a nice little gun. It warms my heart to watch her load cylinder after cylinder.

Surprisingly good trigger. For kicks, I like to shoot offhand at 100 meter steel. Tells me a lot about my trigger technique. I really like that little gun.

With a charge of 452AA under a powder coated RCBS 38-150-SWC, it is more than capable of hitting the small steel plate if I do my part (and I sometimes do!).

[9.3X62AL]

The Ruger LCR revolver series is a whole lot of gun for the money. I have only fired a 38 Special version, this right after they were released. The little rollers impressed me--great DAO trigger and quite accurate. Ruger needs to expand this line a bit, and put 4"-5" barrels on the rimfires and the 327 Federal version. These would make great Kit Guns, since S&W has lost interest in the concept.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

. ...

[Rick Hodges]

I have the 3" LCRx3 with adjustable sights in 38 sp.+P
I like it. Accurate, pretty comfortable to shoot with +P for such a lightweight gun. I load 130gr. (with my alloy) Lee fp's at 870fps to mimic the 130gr. Winchester HP's that I carry. Both shoot to the same point of aim at 15 and 25 yds.
My only complaint is the shape of the trigger causes me pain during extended dry firing or live firing sessions. I really wish the curved portion was more open (less arched?). All in all a great little gun for woods walking/fishing as a kit gun.

[jmort]

The Ruger LCR revolver series is a whole lot of gun for the money. I have only fired a 38 Special version, this right after they were released. The little rollers impressed me--great DAO trigger and quite accurate. Ruger needs to expand this line a bit, and put 4"-5" barrels on the rimfires and the 327 Federal version. These would make great Kit Guns, since S&W has lost interest in the concept.

This is exactly right. I have two .357s and two 9mms. Trigger blows the doors off the six J Frames I have had. Down to one J Frame. The J Frames have a 15 pound trigger which I lightened by cutting off a few coils to 12 pounds. The Ruger is around 9lbs out of the box. Went to a gun show with my daughter and she tried every carry gun there, and picked the ,38 Special LCRx. Tried a bunch of ammo at the house and she wad good with a sedate wadcutter. Nice that here 19 year daughter can Constitutional Carry.

[wrench man]

Got the GF the LCR/LG, with the "target" loads her dad developed for his S&W M&P it'll out shoot the Smith all day!, and it sure is a HAND FULL!! with +P ammo, the trigger was quite "gritty" when we got it, but it's coming around quite nicely, better every time we shoot it!, VERY pleased with that little revolver!

[kaiser]

I've fired the .357 and .38 Special versions of the LCR at a pistol range when they first came out and was (and still) convinced the pistol is too light for the .357 cartridge; however, I was impressed with the accuracy of this pistol and its "double action" trigger pull. So, I bought one in a 9mm and was pleased with it until it started misfiring on rounds I loaded "singly" (instead of using the "clips"). I called Ruger, then sent it in for repair. When I received the pistol back, I noticed it had a different front sight (upgrade from previous) and the cylinder had been changed. (I suspect the cylinder was not "drilled" to "spec" the first time.) I am impressed with the accuracy of this gun, in which it did not suffer from poor accuracy in the first place! The recoil of the 9mm is on "par" with the .38 Special and it is way faster to load and unload with the clips. Additionally, it now shoots single loaded cartridges as well as most of my "rimed" case revolvers. It makes for a very easy carrying pistol that is simple to shoot well, even with its double action "only" design.

[megasupermagnum]

That's a good point on the 9mm. I never liked 38 special in a snubbie. Sure it works, but I'd rather stick to something like a full wadcutter, SWC, or ideally a SWC hollow point casted soft, and all driven as fast as possible. I don't have a 38 LCR, but the j frame with about the same barrel length, I don't see much over 900 fps. Lots of hollow points look as-fired when I dig them out of the bank. 9mm on the other hand will get over 1000 fps without too much problem, and over 1100 with 115 or lighter bullets is not out of the question.

I have the 327 Federal in my LCR, and with such a short barrel, it is very close to 9mm. I get about 1150 fps from a 100 grain XTP, and can get 1050 fps from a 120 grain cast SWC, both with H110. In the longer barrels, 327 blows 9mm away, but not so much in the LCR. I've been very happy with my LCR. My only problem was the point of impact was not even close, until I sent it back to Ruger. They replaced the front sight, did something with the timing, and now it's much better, but not perfect. I put hundreds of rounds through the gun before and after getting the gun back from Ruger. Before it shot about 16" to the right at 25 yards, now it's probably about 6"-8" right. Accuracy was always good, and I could keep them in the black at 25 yards offhand. I would much prefer a set of adjustable sights, but the notch and front sight have a lot of contrast. Very easy to see. That and a fantastic trigger make it a winner. I actually quit carrying my 3" SP101 because I can shoot my LCR more accurately.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

... .

[popper]

Saw them at the LGS today. What is the difference between 9,357 & 38? In particular the loading - moon clip? Etc.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.....

[popper]

9mm is a non-rimmed so how do they get extracted? Like an old fixed cylinder colt?

[DerekP Houston]

I've fired the .357 and .38 Special versions of the LCR at a pistol range when they first came out and was (and still) convinced the pistol is too light for the .357 cartridge; however, I was impressed with the accuracy of this pistol and its "double action" trigger pull. So, I bought one in a 9mm and was pleased with it until it started misfiring on rounds I loaded "singly" (instead of using the "clips"). I called Ruger, then sent it in for repair. When I received the pistol back, I noticed it had a different front sight (upgrade from previous) and the cylinder had been changed. (I suspect the cylinder was not "drilled" to "spec" the first time.) I am impressed with the accuracy of this gun, in which it did not suffer from poor accuracy in the first place! The recoil of the 9mm is on "par" with the .38 Special and it is way faster to load and unload with the clips. Additionally, it now shoots single loaded cartridges as well as most of my "rimed" case revolvers. It makes for a very easy carrying pistol that is simple to shoot well, even with its double action "only" design.

Ugh, I own the 357 and I agree, its just too light and painful at that caliber. Makes a great 38 spec pocket gun though!

[jmort]

9mm is a non-rimmed so how do they get extracted? Like an old fixed cylinder colt?

Moon-Clips
I have two .357s and two 9mms

[popper]

Thks jmort. I did find the manual and see how they do it. I'm kinda interested in the 327 fed. Ammo is 2x 357 but the recoil problem is of concern and this would just be a carry gun. 2 boxes will last a lifetime.
Edit: never should have looked at it, I don't really need a revolver. So 357 and download to 39Sp or 327 Fed? What you say?

[Chad5005]

bought my wife the lcr 38+p and she loves it,it shoots great with hand loads,both berry's and acme 125s over 4.4gr titegroup

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

.....

[jmort]

I really like my 9mms and the moon clips are a plus. I use Ranch Dogs 135 grain.
The .357s get a 170 grain WFN at around 800 fps. I have used a few different alloys, and currently using 1:20 lead tin. That is a problem solver.
Regardless, with the great trigger and light weight, these guns are the definition of a pocket carry gun. I use Mika pocket holsters.

[megasupermagnum]

I really like my 9mms and the moon clips are a plus. I use Ranch Dogs 135 grain.
The .357s get a 170 grain WFN at around 800 fps. I have used a few different alloys, and currently using 1:20 lead tin. That is a problem solver.
Regardless, with the great trigger and light weight, these guns are the definition of a pocket carry gun. I use Mika pocket holsters.

My LCR fits great in the pocket, but with jeans, they might as well be clear pockets it prints so bad. I pocket carry it to work in my Carhartt pants, and it works great there. I'm using I think a Bianchi, which is quite thin. Does Mika use nice thick leather?

[winelover]

I opted for the 357 LCR...........already have three 38 Special J-frames. The LCR has a better trigger than one of the Custom Shop J-frames, not to mention, better sights.

I carry in a Mika pocket holster almost 100% of the time. I can't get my head around a 9 mm revolver. I like the cartridge and have a half dozen 9 mm semi's. A Kahr PM-9 carries just as well, in my Mika pocket holster, as a 5 shot light weight revolver. Two more shots and a faster reload, if necessary.

Winelover