357 LCR

[KGreenwell]

Just got back from the Batresville gun show. Not a bad show. Impressed with the 357 LCR. Has anybody shot one. Trigger pull did not seam that bad.

 

[misconfig]

I considered this but I picked up a Ruger SP-101 instead. The LCR seems too light for a .357 round IMO.

 

[EvilElmo]

IIRC the FBI tests on handgun rounds indicated that a 3" barrel was the minimum necessary to get the benefit of more power/velocity of a 357 over a 38spl. That would mean that a 357 is effectively wasted in the 1.8" barrel of an LCR. If you want the 357 you'd probably be better off with the SP101, or if you want the LCR just stick with the 38spl.

 

[1911Shooter]

I have one in 38spl and I love to carry it. It shoots well and is easy to carry all day due to its weight.

 

[BulkAmmo]

I don't think you would enjoy shooting the LCR in 357. If you are purchasing it for the ability to shoot both. Giving a higher probability that you will be able to find ammo. Then sure the LCR 357 is a solid option. I tend to have trouble handling the full power 357 mag loads out of a steel S&W 19.

rep added for EvilElmo - You aren't gaining anything other than sound and muzzle flash by using a 357 mag out of a snub.

__________________
bulk handgun ammo

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

The following is mostly from a recent Guns & Ammo magazine on the Ruger LCR 357 Magnum revolver. Pg 92 of the April 2011 issue to be precise.

Winchester .38Special Super-X 158g lead SWC: 757 FPS This gives 201 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Winchester .38Special Super-X 158g lead SWC HP +p: 761 FPS This gives 203.1 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle (hardly worth it to me!)
Winchester .38Special Supreme 130g SXT +p: 870 FPS This gives 218.5 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle

Contrast

Hornady .357mag Custom 140g JHP/XTP: 1086 FPS This gives 366.6 ft. lbs energy at the muzzle
Winchester/USA .357mag 110g JHP: 1110 FPS This gives 300.9 ft. lbs energy at the muzzle

As one can plainly see, there is indeed a GREAT benefit to using .357mag ammo in your .357 snubby. It's most certainly not at all "noise and flash" as is often talked about.

Whether or not you can stand training with the 357 is another issue. And whether you can follow up shot #1 with the other 4 is also another issue.

But please don't question the use of 357 in a snubby. Simple physics proves that it works just fine.

-J-

 

[MarlinMan68]

I have been shooting the LCR 357 for a few months now.The trigger is by far better than a J-frame.It weighs 4 onces more than the LCR .38 and has a steel frame instead of aluminum and the cylinder is higher grade steel.The fire control system makes it feel like a .38.My wife and 12 year old son have no problems shooting it.When I carry it it is loaded with nickel cased reloads with low flash powder and a 125grn semi-jacketed hollow point.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

...snip...the cylinder is higher grade steel...snip...

I read just about every article I can on the LCRs, coupled with perusing Ruger's website specifications page for each version.

I can't find anywhere alluding to different grade steels for the cylinders of each model.

The cylinders ARE different, certainly... Length and the fluting.

Not at all saying that you're incorrect, only that I've looked (to no avail) to corroborate.

-J-

 

[MarlinMan68]

I read just about every article I can on the LCRs, coupled with perusing Ruger's website specifications page for each version.

I can't find anywhere alluding to different grade steels for the cylinders of each model.

The cylinders ARE different, certainly... Length and the fluting.

Not at all saying that you're incorrect, only that I've looked (to no avail) to corroborate.

-J-

The cylinder and the barrel of the .357 are Carpenter 465 stainless steel.The same steel Ruger uses on their 454 Casull revolvers.You can find the info in the LCR video on Rugers web under .357.A few other upgrades and design changes over the .38spl version too.

 

[JByer323]

I considered this but I picked up a Ruger SP-101 instead. The LCR seems too light for a .357 round IMO.

Having shot a S&W Scandium frame in .357 enough times to realize I don't want to shoot full power loads through it (one time was all it took, incidentally), I agree with you.

I've carried a fullsize 1911 for a couple of years, so the weight of a SP-101 isn't a huge deal to me. I got rid of my Kel-Tec P3AT because I was never really willing to practice with it enough to get comfortable with it, it was just really uncomfortable for me to shoot (not recoil wise, but just frame size).

Yeah, a SP-101 weighs 25oz compared to a S&W 642's 15oz, but both weigh a lot less than my 1911's 40oz.

It all depends on what your goals are. If I was looking for the lightest gun possible to carry in the pocket of dress slacks, I would probably consider a LCR. I personally am not though.

 

[Bowling_R]

Buy it. I wanna shoot it...

 

[KGreenwell]

Once again thanks for the information. I will make a decision at the 1500 show in Indy.

 

[gunman41mag]

The following is mostly from a recent Guns & Ammo magazine on the Ruger LCR 357 Magnum revolver. Pg 92 of the April 2011 issue to be precise.

Winchester .38Special Super-X 158g lead SWC: 757 FPS This gives 201 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle.
Winchester .38Special Super-X 158g lead SWC HP +p: 761 FPS This gives 203.1 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle (hardly worth it to me!)
Winchester .38Special Supreme 130g SXT +p: 870 FPS This gives 218.5 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle

Contrast

Hornady .357mag Custom 140g JHP/XTP: 1086 FPS This gives 366.6 ft. lbs energy at the muzzle
Winchester/USA .357mag 110g JHP: 1110 FPS This gives 300.9 ft. lbs energy at the muzzle

As one can plainly see, there is indeed a GREAT benefit to using .357mag ammo in your .357 snubby. It's most certainly not at all "noise and flash" as is often talked about.

Whether or not you can stand training with the 357 is another issue. And whether you can follow up shot #1 with the other 4 is also another issue.

But please don't question the use of 357 in a snubby. Simple physics proves that it works just fine.

-J-

Too BAD, you didn't post the difference in recoil between those 38 SPECIAL loads & 357 MAGNUM loads

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Too BAD, you didn't post the difference in recoil between those 38 SPECIAL loads & 357 MAGNUM loads

I did. I just didn't state it as such.

In general, the ft. lbs. of energy at the muzzle will also be the ft. lbs of recoil.

It isn't an exact 1 to 1 ratio, but for the sake of simplicity it is.


-J-