Ruger LCR in 357?? Worth it?

Bilbo Bagins · 07-24-2012, 13:51

So like I mentioned before in previous threads, yet another lightly used Ruger LCR in .357 has showed up in my local gun shop. This time I have the money on hand to buy it.

However now I'm thinking, is having a snub nosed .357 worth it. Is it what much of a step up in power over a .38+p. Also is the recoil of a .357 out of an lcr that punishing.

I'm basically going to be using the gun to shoot mostly .38 out of it, but I want the gun for hiking and camping as a lightweight 357 in the unlikely event that a black bear decides to chew on my ass.

Wurger · 07-24-2012, 14:00

Used a S&W 19 2 1/2" barrel .357 as my carry gun back in the early 90's. Very loud and a lot of muzzle blast. Touched a cylinder off without my hearing protection. Ouch!
That being said.....if a black bear is chewing on me, the noise will be the least of my worries.

If the price is real good I'd say, Buy it.

ctfireman · 07-24-2012, 14:00

I'm strongly considering one as well. I've fired .357, .38, & .38+p out of the lcr. The .357 is pretty rough but it's no range gun. I'm just waiting to find a mint used one for $400 or less & i'll be making the purchase.

**Gregg702** · 07-24-2012, 15:37

I think it is worth it. More ammo choices, plus it is a little heavier than the .38+P version, so light .38 loads will feel more comfortable out of it.

JaPes · 07-24-2012, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo Bagins

So like I mentioned before in previous threads, yet another lightly used Ruger LCR in .357 has showed up in my local gun shop. This time I have the money on hand to buy it.

Buy it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo Bagins

However now I'm thinking, is having a snub nosed .357 worth it. Is it what much of a step up in power over a .38+p. Also is the recoil of a .357 out of an lcr that punishing.

Yes. It is a heck of a step up in power over .38 +P

Yes. The recoil of .357 out of a LCR is that punishing. Lightweight polymer construction + magnum round = hand gets beat up from web of the thumb down the palm.

.38 Special = kitten pawing at you

.38 +P = snappy, feels like a .40 S&W but just a little more oomph.

.357 Magnum = violent

You either will tolerate/like .357 Magnum out of a polymer frame snubbie or you won't. It's that polarizing. In my case, the violent recoil & blast was part of the fun of owning a LCR .357.

Did I shoot 50 rounds or more of .357 during a range session? Nope. The most I could tolerate was 30 before I gave up. That was the limit of my inner masochist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo Bagins

I'm basically going to be using the gun to shoot mostly .38 out of it, but I want the gun for hiking and camping as a lightweight 357 in the unlikely event that a black bear decides to chew on my ass.

A LCR .357 for bear? I guess if you pick a good hard-cast projectile, hot loaded cartridge it might work. I've never encountered a bear, so this is just an intellectual exercise for me.

I would think that you'd want a .44 Remington Magnum or larger caliber for a bear.

AWGD8 · 07-24-2012, 19:40

Buy it! The weight is better than the 38 . The 357 load is fun to shoot! Recoil is subjective... I sold mine bec. , I prefer more than 5 rounds, and I find it harder to clean the cylinder than the semi auto.

Dawolf · 07-24-2012, 19:57

It has a rude kick, but great trigger. Carry it a lot and shoot it sparingly. Unless you use .38 spec target loads.

eb07 · 07-24-2012, 20:04

I like the extra weight of the 357 over the 38 version. It kicks with 357 but is manageable. Carry the 135 gr Speer gold dot for short barrel 38+p with it.

GlockFish · 07-24-2012, 20:08

Worth it?

Totally.

RYT 2BER · 07-25-2012, 14:37

Even though you may mostly if not always use it for 38spl or 38spl +p, I personally like the idea of having a revolver that has the "ability" to shoot .357 mag.

I only have on revolver and its a MP340 titanium/scandium/whateverum... I have shot 357 through it and it isnt too great, but again.. its NOT meant for the range.. Im sure under a terrible circumstance I could shoot 357 mags worth of a cyl through...

If you "really need to fire" at something, the recoil will be the last thing on your mind.

Go get it.

Bruce M · 07-25-2012, 15:49

At the risk of seeming to pry into your personal situation you know better than any of us if the money could be better spent elsewhere or saved. Presuming that is not the case, my most favorite type of gun is a lightly used gun as usually it can be had for (quite) a bit off the price of a new one. Most every gun I get, I get with the thought that if I do not like it I can sell it for say a hundred less than what I paid for it (presuming I did my research before.) I think of the hundred as a split between a rental fee and a fine for my foolishness.

I have a S&W 360 which is pretty punishing with .357 rounds. But no reason it can't be shot with .38 specials.

concretefuzzynuts · 07-25-2012, 16:21

I shot both the 357 version and the .38 version before buying. The difference between the two was weight and material in production besides the obvious caliber difference. For carry, lighter can be better.

357 Mag Hogue® Tamer™ 17.10 oz.

38 Spl +P Hogue® Tamer™ 13.50 oz.

Plus the additional weight of the rounds.

The 357 was like a hammer in my palm after about 25 rounds. Not unbearable. It was as accurate as a snubby can be.

The 38 sp was much less recoil (as expected) and the same accuracy.

So the choice came down to weight and cost. For me the 38 was better. I use a good defensive hollow point round for carry and I am comfortable with it. It fits in my pocket and is so comfortable I hardly know it's there. Plus my practice caliber is my carry caliber, no 38 at the range 357 for carry.

My humble opinion, don't hate.

**texas 48** · 07-25-2012, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaPes

Buy it.

Yes. It is a heck of a step up in power over .38 +P

Yes. The recoil of .357 out of a LCR is that punishing. Lightweight polymer construction + magnum round = hand gets beat up from web of the thumb down the palm.

.38 Special = kitten pawing at you

.38 +P = snappy, feels like a .40 S&W but just a little more oomph.

.357 Magnum = violent

You either will tolerate/like .357 Magnum out of a polymer frame snubbie or you won't. It's that polarizing. In my case, the violent recoil & blast was part of the fun of owning a LCR .357.

Did I shoot 50 rounds or more of .357 during a range session? Nope. The most I could tolerate was 30 before I gave up. That was the limit of my inner masochist.

A LCR .357 for bear? I guess if you pick a good hard-cast projectile, hot loaded cartridge it might work. I've never encountered a bear, so this is just an intellectual exercise for me.

I would think that you'd want a .44 Remington Magnum or larger caliber for a bear.

I have a 340sc and it is truly punishing in 357mag. The titainium cylinder was sealed with a solvent that took the coating on it off and the cylinder was flamecut. Had to send OT back to Smith and they replaced the cylinder with a steel one. 357 mag recoil is more acceptable but 38+P is now much more manageable. 4 oz difference is not noticeable in the pocket.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

jayhuh · 07-25-2012, 19:53

I like my LCR in .38. I really didn't see the need for the .357 version, even though the Hogue grips does make it easier to shoot. If I wanted a j-frame sized gun that shoot's maggie's, I'd go with a S&W Model 60.

Also you should be aware that it is very easy to short stroke the trigger of the LCR and skip a round when shooting fast. Smiths have a stronger trigger return spring which minimizes this issue.

bac1023 · 07-25-2012, 21:34

I'm not a big fan of them, but I feel they're worth the price.

They just don't appeal to me.

glock2740 · 07-25-2012, 22:18

If you want something small and powerful that is lightweight, then go with a Glock G29. 10+1 rounds of 10mm is enough to fend off a black bear or anything else you might come across on the trail (better than a 5 shot snubby .357 IMO). There are loads out there that are easy shooting, yet as good or better than anything in your typical calibers and then there are loads out there for the 10mm that'll do it to it.

Rustin · 07-26-2012, 13:06

I got the .38 spl. version a couple of weeks ago and I've never looked back. It is in my opinion, the best small/super light carry gun out there. It tips the scales empty at 13.5 ounces. It's a little large with the Hogue Tamers but smoother,smaller aftermarket boot grips can be bought.I don't see any need for a .357 version with the LCR, but the Sp101 seems to be a great revolver for .357 needs...