Jfoster99 80 Posted April 28, 2015 I am thinking about treating myself for my Birthday to a new CCW carry gun. The 5 shot Ruger LCR is calling out to me. Price aside does it make sense to go with the .357? It only weighs like 3oz extra. Am I kidding myself thinking I could tame a .357 magnum for CCW? Does a mix load make tactical sense? If so what? Having a magnum as your last shot seems like a good idea. No need to worry about a follow up shot. I like the idea of being able to have your hand on the gun and fire through your jacket pocket should the need arise. If not this gun then a Glock 43 9mm is next in line but that is a different topic altogether. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gfl216 226 Posted April 28, 2015 I have a LCR 38+P that I carry almost every day and I love it. At one time or another I've carried a Glock 26, Sig 239, and Kahr PM9. The LCR is by far the lightest, most comfortable to carry, and easiest to conceal. The down side is the reduced round capacity and when shooting +P loads she's snotty little bitch (not unmanageable but defiantly not a target gun). I imagine a 357 would only be worse. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted April 28, 2015 I would buy the magnum for the extra weight and carry what I do now in J frames, a factory target wadcutters or semi wadcutters. Bullet is already in an efficient shape and is easy on you and your gun. +P 38s and magnums really don't offer a lot more in a short barrel and give a lot more muzzle blast and recoil. Muzzle blast really bothers most people more than recoil. Using what I suggest will give you easier recovery and better accuracy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jfoster99 80 Posted April 28, 2015 Did any of you go for the laser? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,156 Posted April 28, 2015 If it is for HD only I'd say the 38sp but from what I've read about what others carry, and why, the 357 seems to be the usual choice when a revolver is the preferred weapon. Basically, many of the folks that ccw magnum revolvers typically load magnum rounds when they are out and about and then change the load to a 38sp or +p load when the gun is re-tasked for HD. The reasoning behind switching to 38sp loads for indoors use has to do with over penetration. While you want the extra power and longer point blank range outside, the extra power can be a problem for some indoors. The best way to find out if 357 (or any other firearm) is for you is to try before you buy. A friend with a 357 would be ideal but renting is a good plan B. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Underdog 1,593 Posted April 28, 2015 As Griz said, get the .357 one with slightly more weight and thereby a little more beefy. It has added weight for control and overall more versatility. Depending on your needs, you may want the LCRX version with the 3" barrel. This is what I would get. Or, possibly the one in 9mm. That would be relatively a little more snappy than the .38 version, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gfl216 226 Posted April 28, 2015 Jfoster99, My dept. dose not allow lasers Or guns chambered in 357 for OD carry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jfoster99 80 Posted April 28, 2015 Would anyone suggest looking at the S&W 442 or Scandium 340PD(11.4oz .357Mag) or ?? Not so much concerned with price as i am getting the best possible CCW revolver.. Carried often, shot mostly just to maintain proficiency. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted April 28, 2015 It's my new cary gun, love this thing. Totally worth the $$$. Let me know if you want to shoot it Jeff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted April 28, 2015 Would anyone suggest looking at the S&W 442 or Scandium 340PD(11.4oz .357Mag) or ?? Not so much concerned with price as i am getting the best possible CCW revolver.. Carried often, shot mostly just to maintain proficiency. I would suggest looking at the Scandium revolver if you were interested in hurting your hand with each shot. Shooting one with the standard grips is painful even with factory wadcutters. The 442 is popular as the alloy frame keeps cost down. IMO the best j frame size revolvers there are are the S&W 640 or the Ruger SP101. The 640 I'd 24 oz and I've carried it on the belt or in an ankle holster without distress. I could feel if it was there. Those who carry a gun they "don't know it's there" can lose that gun without knowing it. That carried a lot shot little is a strange philosphy. If I might wind up defending my life with a gun that is not the absolute best for the job I want everything in my favor I can put there. Controllablity and accuracy are at the top. I never could understand all these big strong he men who found carrying a 24 oz gun a a burden. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jfoster99 80 Posted April 28, 2015 It's my new cary gun, love this thing. Totally worth the $$$. Let me know if you want to shoot it Jeff. Very Sweet Piece.... Can you share how much $$? When i was looking into them there was like a year wait for a NIB unit and secondary market prices were jacked up.. Does that funky reverse chambering / rotating bolt really help the recoil? I'm trying to head up to Cherry Hill Sunday morning if you are around... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PK90 3,570 Posted April 28, 2015 I would suggest looking at the Scandium revolver if you were interested in hurting your hand with each shot. Shooting one with the standard grips is painful even with factory wadcutters. The 442 is popular as the alloy frame keeps cost down. IMO the best j frame size revolvers there are are the S&W 640 or the Ruger SP101. The 640 I'd 24 oz and I've carried it on the belt or in an ankle holster without distress. I could feel if it was there. Those who carry a gun they "don't know it's there" can lose that gun without knowing it. That carried a lot shot little is a strange philosphy. If I might wind up defending my life with a gun that is not the absolute best for the job I want everything in my favor I can put there. Controllablity and accuracy are at the top. I never could understand all these big strong he men who found carrying a 24 oz gun a a burden. Or the ones that can't handle a lightweight one that will hurt their hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted April 28, 2015 Or the ones that can't handle a lightweight one that will hurt their hand. Honest enough to say it hurt their hand. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tunaman 552 Posted April 28, 2015 I got the Ruger SP 101 snubby in 38/357. Its nice Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beachwhistle 28 Posted April 29, 2015 I have the LCR in 9mm. It was not a pleasure to shoot when I got but it's accurate and let's the job done. Ergo Grips helped out a lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bulpup 98 Posted April 29, 2015 I load my LCR with the Speer .357 magnum loads for snub nose. For range time I use +P. The Speer short barrel ammo in .357 Mag feels slightly more powerful than +P but a lot less ridiculous then normal .357 mag. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Worn_Holster 2 Posted April 29, 2015 My first year SP101 in .38spc is sufficient for me in close quarters. I would chose my H&KP7 PSPif I anticipated the need to shoot accurately at a greater distance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeerSlayer 241 Posted April 29, 2015 Very Sweet Piece.... Can you share how much $$? When i was looking into them there was like a year wait for a NIB unit and secondary market prices were jacked up.. Does that funky reverse chambering / rotating bolt really help the recoil? I'm trying to head up to Cherry Hill Sunday morning if you are around... Right around $1K from Oakridge Firearms. Very surprised how it feels for a pocket pistol. feels like shooting a full framed gun. The double action trigger is the smoothest I've ever felt. The overall quality of the gun is superb. The only weird thing to me I'm getting used to, is loading the magazines. The rounds go in backwards, but that's really forwards. I may head up to CR Sunday to do my orentation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
reed338 11 Posted April 29, 2015 I would go with the 357 in the lcr.OH that's right I did. the 357 loads are manageable the grip on the gun soaks up a lot of the recoil . my wife even shoots the 357 loads. if you would like to shoot it let me know Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites