Sturm Ruger LCR

[Marveltone]

I'm a little late to this party, but I've been up to the farm and have no internet there yet. My wife and I both carry LCR's in .38 spec. and love them. I was concerned at first that a snubby would have too much recoil for the wife, but she says it's no problem, as the Hogue grips do an excellent job of soaking up the worst of the pain-inducing slap associated with most snub nose revolvers. I told her lots of people complain about the recoil on most snubbies. She smirked and said, "Wimps!"

My favorite rounds are hand loaded 125 gr. Rim Rock soft lead SWCHP/gas check, 4.9 gr. Win. 231 powder (these are +P loads). I've clocked them at an average of 811 ft/sec at the muzzle. They get great expansion through gallon milk jugs full of water, completely obliterating the first jug and coming to a rest in the second. Accuracy is very consistent.

My preferred carry method is a Sideguard High Slide OWB. It sits high on the belt, which means practically nothing sticks below the belt. Very easy to cover with almost anything. It also means I don't have to buy my jeans one size larger to accommodate an IWB holster.

Hope I didn't ramble on too much.

Joe

 

[LMTC]

I'm a little late to this party, but I've been up to the farm and have no internet there yet. My wife and I both carry LCR's in .38 spec. and love them. I was concerned at first that a snubby would have too much recoil for the wife, but she says it's no problem, as the Hogue grips do an excellent job of soaking up the worst of the pain-inducing slap associated with most snub nose revolvers. I told her lots of people complain about the recoil on most snubbies. She smirked and said, "Wimps!"

My favorite rounds are hand loaded 125 gr. Rim Rock soft lead SWCHP/gas check, 4.9 gr. Win. 231 powder (these are +P loads). I've clocked them at an average of 811 ft/sec at the muzzle. They get great expansion through gallon milk jugs full of water, completely obliterating the first jug and coming to a rest in the second. Accuracy is very consistent.

My preferred carry method is a Sideguard High Slide OWB. It sits high on the belt, which means practically nothing sticks below the belt. Very easy to cover with almost anything. It also means I don't have to buy my jeans one size larger to accommodate an IWB holster.

Hope I didn't ramble on too much.

Joe

Not at all....I appreciate the info and perspective. I reloaded multiple calibers for many years, but was always advised by most everyone in my shooting circles (which included lawyers, rangemasters, LEOs, and competitive shooters) to never use hand loaded ammo for a carry gun. My first thought was this was for reliability issues, but almost every one who had an opinion told me it was for LIABILITY issues.

The general opinion was that one of the first observations from plaintiff's attorney (after you shot someone) would be "So, you were so intent on making sure you maimed or killed whoever you shot that factory ammunition wasn't good enough....you had to load SPECIAL hopped up ammunition to make sure you delivered as much misery as possible." 1. How do you argue this to a jury with no knowledge of ballistics or firearms? and 2. How do you prove what the load was (or wasn't) once it's been fired? The mere presence of handloads remaining in the gun or on your person will allow for the argument that the round you fired was specially hand loaded to cause extreme misery (yes, I know that the point of shooting is always to stop the threat, i.e. incapacitate the threatening party....juries are funny things though). Just a penny's worth of thoughts on the subject.

 

[TripleR]

I cannot bring myself to carry a gun if the trigger is not covered....or if there is not a safety. Especially for pocket carry....I like having the trigger covered. It's like having a safety until the gun is drawn IMO. :thumbsup:

Also, prevents coins or a chapstick tube....or other item, from jamming the gun or initiating an inadvertent trigger pull.

I am sure it is better to carry in a "pocket holster" and I use to, but only recently went from belt carry to pocket carry and haven't gotten one yet. I carry absolutely nothing in my pants pockets ever, no change, keys, chap stick etc. and don't always even carry a gun.

Not at all....I appreciate the info and perspective. I reloaded multiple calibers for many years, but was always advised by most everyone in my shooting circles (which included lawyers, rangemasters, LEOs, and competitive shooters) to never use hand loaded ammo for a carry gun. My first thought was this was for reliability issues, but almost every one who had an opinion told me it was for LIABILITY issues.

The general opinion was that one of the first observations from plaintiff's attorney (after you shot someone) would be "So, you were so intent on making sure you maimed or killed whoever you shot that factory ammunition wasn't good enough....you had to load SPECIAL hopped up ammunition to make sure you delivered as much misery as possible." 1. How do you argue this to a jury with no knowledge of ballistics or firearms? and 2. How do you prove what the load was (or wasn't) once it's been fired? The mere presence of handloads remaining in the gun or on your person will allow for the argument that the round you fired was specially hand loaded to cause extreme misery (yes, I know that the point of shooting is always to stop the threat, i.e. incapacitate the threatening party....juries are funny things though). Just a penny's worth of thoughts on the subject.

I spent over 32 years in criminal and civil courts and quit carrying hand loads many, many years ago for those reasons you mentioned.

 

[Marveltone]

Not at all....I appreciate the info and perspective. I reloaded multiple calibers for many years, but was always advised by most everyone in my shooting circles (which included lawyers, rangemasters, LEOs, and competitive shooters) to never use hand loaded ammo for a carry gun. My first thought was this was for reliability issues, but almost every one who had an opinion told me it was for LIABILITY issues.

The general opinion was that one of the first observations from plaintiff's attorney (after you shot someone) would be "So, you were so intent on making sure you maimed or killed whoever you shot that factory ammunition wasn't good enough....you had to load SPECIAL hopped up ammunition to make sure you delivered as much misery as possible." 1. How do you argue this to a jury with no knowledge of ballistics or firearms? and 2. How do you prove what the load was (or wasn't) once it's been fired? The mere presence of handloads remaining in the gun or on your person will allow for the argument that the round you fired was specially hand loaded to cause extreme misery (yes, I know that the point of shooting is always to stop the threat, i.e. incapacitate the threatening party....juries are funny things though). Just a penny's worth of thoughts on the subject.

Interesting how this was never brought up in my carry class. We were told to bring factory loads to the range for the class for liability issues, but were never warned of potential legal issues with hand loads in a carry/self defense situation.

Lawyer: "What? You wanted to make sure your gun did what it was designed to do?"
Jury: "HANG HIM!"

People are strange creatures indeed. :confused3:

I pray that I'll never have to find out.

Joe

 

[CurlyDave]

...I spent over 32 years in criminal and civil courts and quit carrying hand loads many, many years ago for those reasons you mentioned.

Harold Fish was convicted of second degree murder in Arizona in a very questionable trial. One of the factors which went against him was his use of hand loaded cartridges.

Ever since reading about this trial, I have always loaded defense weapons with factory cartridges of some sort. It is actually quite easy to find factory loads which are "good enough" for almost any situation.

 

[terry.dinerman]

Meaning no offence, I think your friend is vastly overpricing that weapon.

Before you spend your money on an import, you might want to consider a Charter Arms product.

Several of their revolvers have been part of my weapon collection over the years and I have been carrying one of their "Undercover" .38spl in stainless as a primary CC weapon for quite a while now. It is my second "Undercover"....

It cost just under $300, TTL....

I had to have a smith bob the hammer on my first "Undercover", but the latest incarnation is designed as a "DAO" (double action only) revolver, without a hammer tang and with reduced grips....from the ground up it is made to slip easily in a trouser or jacket pocket, and the 5 round cylinder, it is nearly as thin as my wife's PPK.

There are "better" (more expensive) weapons, to be sure, but my first "Undercover" is still on duty after 35 years, and after having several thousand rounds through it, the cranes still locks up tightly and the trigger cycles smoothly.

The newer stainless version sees rough and dirty duty around the ranch and in daily "town" carry, riding in my toolbelt, jacket or jeans pocket, in the toolbox on my tractor or the glovebox in my vehicles, exposed to all that ranch life has to offer in the way of filth, but has never failed to fire, and after a quick cleaning, shows little evidence of the abuse.

A deep cleaning once in a while and it shines like a new penny.

If you want to hang a bunch of cool stuff on this weapon...forget it. Crimson trace makes a grip lazer for it, but accessory grips, lights, reflex sights etc will be hard to find and / or install on this weapon.

For a CC weapon, I tend to stay away from accessory sights / lazers and such anyway...I was taught to "point shoot" backintheday, and rarely use the sights on any of my handguns when the target at the short engagement distances.

So far as ammunition choices....you can likely argue ammunition all day and then some...but after 35 years as a Medic, I have seen more people killed with .22 than all other calibers put together...

...so go with any good commercial .38spl hollowpoint load that gives you a combination of comfortable recoil and acceptable price....you need to be able to afford enough rounds to practice and be comfortable when you do...

At the 3 foot expected engagement distance of a typical handgun confrontation...I doubt there will be much difference in terminal performance of the most v least expensive .38spl ammunition...the holllowpoint ammo will have less tendency to overpenetrate as well...

Handload and shoot them for practice if it gives you joy....but shoot commercial loads when it may be life or death...

In any case, I hope you enjoy the hunt for your new weapon...after thats over the fun really starts...

Be Safe!

Terry

 

[LMTC]

Again, thanks to all respondents. Thanks to Dan Hunter for the info about Bud's. Definitely attractive prices. Anyone purchased from Cheaper than Dirt, or CDNN Sports? The FFL holder I contacted to accept a potential purchase from Bud's gave me those two names as places he accepts a fair amount of purchases from, with no problems. Looking at them they seem to have some good prices too. Now I'm finding myself wanting several more...hey, it's been since 1999 when I last purchased a new firearm. I like the looks and reports on the Kahr CM909 (handled this one, fits well) and the Sig P290. In my younger days I had to buy based on price. I can now buy what I want (well, 2 or 3 anyway) and it opens up a whole new segment of the market. My ultimate goal is the most reliable and pocketable gun, as well as a comfortable belt carried small/medium 9mm and a belt carried 38. So far I don't feel comfortable with even the Ruger LCR in a pocket...it just feels too bulky to me....so I think it's probably going to have to be a 380 for pocket.

 

[foggy1111]

Again, thanks to all respondents. Thanks to Dan Hunter for the info about Bud's. Definitely attractive prices. Anyone purchased from Cheaper than Dirt, or CDNN Sports? The FFL holder I contacted to accept a potential purchase from Bud's gave me those two names as places he accepts a fair amount of purchases from, with no problems. Looking at them they seem to have some good prices too. Now I'm finding myself wanting several more...hey, it's been since 1999 when I last purchased a new firearm. I like the looks and reports on the Kahr CM909 (handled this one, fits well) and the Sig P290. In my younger days I had to buy based on price. I can now buy what I want (well, 2 or 3 anyway) and it opens up a whole new segment of the market. My ultimate goal is the most reliable and pocketable gun, as well as a comfortable belt carried small/medium 9mm and a belt carried 38. So far I don't feel comfortable with even the Ruger LCR in a pocket...it just feels too bulky to me....so I think it's probably going to have to be a 380 for pocket.

I've purchased firearms or accessories from all of those posted above. They are all reputable stores with fair prices. However, oftentimes you can buy many items at similar prices at good retailers in your area. I do both depending on the product and availability.

Funny how it goes.....I own a Ruger LCP in 380 ACP....then bought a Kahr CM9 in 9mm.....and now own a Ruger LCR in 38 special.

I can use each of these guns in different scenarios and have enjoyed learning more about small, lightweight guns, concealed carry and sd guns.

I have come to appreciate the simple operation of the LCR and it's intuitive operation for my wife (or others) to use a revolver if need be. Also, I foresee fewer problems with FTF, FTE, and such other fail to's when using a revolver vs the pocket 9's and 380's. I beleive it takes a few hundred rounds to work some of the bugs out of these pistols....and then they can be quirky at times.

I just had a fail to eject problem with the Kahr the other day. It locked up after firing the third round. I had to take it to my bench to get the round out. Not sure what would have happened under a bad guy scenario. I've run several hundred rounds through this little gun....and it had proven to be quite reliable until this situation. The gun was totally useless and locked up tight due to a fail to eject with some premium ammo.

Then too....those small 9's can be hard to operate the slide under the pressure of a bad scene, or for a woman, or as we get older (or arthritis, etc). The small 9's require a pretty short / stout slide spring. I'd really like to like my Kahr.....maybe with more time.

Simple and reliable are the wheel guns best virtues. :2cents: