IGX

I really like the Ruger revolvers.

Ruger revolvers? Positive.

Ruger Semi autos? Negative.

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

I've shot my buddy's .38 Spl. Ruger LCR and the trigger is much better than my S&W 642. I'd swap my Smith for the Ruger in a heartbeat.
Now Ruger also makes the LCR in .357; with the same great trigger, I'd assume.

johno wrote:I've shot my buddy's .38 Spl. Ruger LCR and the trigger is much better than my S&W 642. I'd swap my Smith for the Ruger in a heartbeat.
Now Ruger also makes the LCR in .357; with the same great trigger, I'd assume.

I assume the trigger is the same but it's exceedingly difficult to shoot these lightweight 357 revolvers using full power 357 loads. Most folks end up using reduced power loads that are not much more than 38+p levels.
I have friends who've dumped their j-frames for LCRs by the way, so you're not alone in your assessment.
I still love my airweight. It's a 37-2 made on the old j-frame (not j-magnum frame) so it hides easily in a pocket. It has a bobbed hammer from the factory. Smaller than a 442, shoots great.

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

I thought the early concern about the LCR was it wouldn't hold up to regular range practice. Did that not bear out?

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

Bear is not inconceivable but around here, but I have never felt threatened by the little black ones we have in WA. ...there's some debate as to whether .357 is enough round anyway. Having been stalked by a couple cougar, they present a more familiar concern.

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

I thought the early concern about the LCR was it wouldn't hold up to regular range practice. Did that not bear out?

I haven't heard that complaint online or in person. I think there was a concern that they may not last, but it appears they are holding up like all Rugers do.

Blaidd Drwg wrote:

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

Bear is not inconceivable but around here, but I have never felt threatened by the little black ones we have in WA. ...there's some debate as to whether .357 is enough round anyway. Having been stalked by a couple cougar, they present a more familiar concern.

Conventional wisdom is that cougars aren't very firearm resistant. They can kill a person easily but they don't do so well against guns. Shot placement is more important than firepower with cougars, based on the encounters other folks have had with them. I'd feel comfortable with a .22 rifle even (rifle not handgun). The other big thing with cougars, like you said, is that they will stalk you. Read more than one account of bowhunters being stalked by cougars, and know some hunters carry a handgun for cougar defense.

Edited to add:
I went back and read some threads by some guys with cougar experience. The guys who actually shot cougars carry 22lr, even in handguns. The guys who have never done it say carry at least 357. Just throwing that out here.

Grandpa's Spells wrote: I thought the early concern about the LCR was it wouldn't hold up to regular range practice. Did that not bear out?

I'd bet that 98% of all snubbies don't see regular range practice, because they're not much fun to shoot.
I think someone mentioned earlier in this thread, this goes for almost all subcompact handguns.

johno wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote: I thought the early concern about the LCR was it wouldn't hold up to regular range practice. Did that not bear out?

I'd bet that 98% of all snubbies don't see regular range practice, because they're not much fun to shoot.
I think someone mentioned earlier in this thread, this goes for almost all subcompact handguns.

Part of the reason I went w. a higher capacity was exactly this. I didn't want to spend all my time at the range reloading.

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:

davidc wrote:

Blaidd Drwg wrote:I'm fidgeting over a DAO hammerless SP101, (I've owned and sold a GP and loved it) or the new LCR for EDC. Love the trigger on the LCR but this gun will probably see plenty of trail use as well.

Only get the sp101 if you're going to encounter an animal that 38 special won't stop. Otherwise, this is a no-brainer. The LCR is far easier to carry daily and you can shoot it just as accurately for most self defense situations.

Bear is not inconceivable but around here, but I have never felt threatened by the little black ones we have in WA. ...there's some debate as to whether .357 is enough round anyway. Having been stalked by a couple cougar, they present a more familiar concern.

Conventional wisdom is that cougars aren't very firearm resistant. They can kill a person easily but they don't do so well against guns. Shot placement is more important than firepower with cougars, based on the encounters other folks have had with them. I'd feel comfortable with a .22 rifle even (rifle not handgun). The other big thing with cougars, like you said, is that they will stalk you. Read more than one account of bowhunters being stalked by cougars, and know some hunters carry a handgun for cougar defense.

Edited to add:
I went back and read some threads by some guys with cougar experience. The guys who actually shot cougars carry 22lr, even in handguns. The guys who have never done it say carry at least 357. Just throwing that out here.

Good info. That LCR is looking very competitive

Boris wrote:

johno wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote: I thought the early concern about the LCR was it wouldn't hold up to regular range practice. Did that not bear out?

I'd bet that 98% of all snubbies don't see regular range practice, because they're not much fun to shoot.
I think someone mentioned earlier in this thread, this goes for almost all subcompact handguns.

Part of the reason I went w. a higher capacity was exactly this. I didn't want to spend all my time at the range reloading.

You have a good point about reloading. But my comment was more about the recoil of the snubby...unless you are a beast or outfit your revolver with recoil absorbing grips (which defeats the purpose of a snubby, IMO), shooting it is a slap on the hand. Not many people choose to run more than 50 rounds at a range session; it's too uncomfortable.
But less range time is not a huge deal for me, because my snubby is for close encounters, not long shots.


PS - Boris, your 9mm pistol should be kinder to your hand than the typical small .38 revolver. For fun at the range, you got the better handgun.

Got it. Yes, I think I chose well for fun on the range. I shot about 200 rounds yesterday and the only thing that I'm feeling are my thumbs from reloading the new magazines.

Batboy2/75 wrote:Pictures or it didn't happen.

I have to differ regarding snubs not being fun to shoot, I know lots of people that shoot the heck out of their snubs. The only ammo that really bites is .357 or the heavier .38 +P+ and that's only a pisser in an airweight. Those are the only loads I'd worry about loosening the thing up, and again only an airweight or a crappy gun.

If you can find 148gr full wadcutters in .38 which are usually a real mild target load you can shoot them through either the .38 or the .357 all day, even in an airweight snub.

As far as time spent loading it - again I'd have to disagree, I would say that it takes more time to stuff 15 rounds into a magazine than it takes to load a cylinder three times. You could get it about even if you leave the last couple rounds out of the magazine but you should practice with the thing the same way you use the thing. If there are any problems feeding when the magazine is full you want to discover that in practice.

Also revolvers are much more dignified to shoot, because you don't have to crawl around collecting your empties when you're done.

ccrow wrote:
Also revolvers are much more dignified to shoot, because you don't have to crawl around collecting your empties when you're done.

^
This, and not just at the range if you catch my drift. For the .38 snubby (or full size .38 mohaska for that matter) Buffalo Bore make a bitching 148 grain hardcast wadcutter that is a non +P and will get the job done. But, if you absolutely have to, Atomic Ammunition makes a 148 grain hollowbody wadcutter load that is +P with a bonus. They load the wadcutter reversed making it one of the nastiest hollowpoint rounds ever.

One other point about snubbies, your choice of grips makes a big difference in how it feels in your hand and how well you will shoot with any particular ammunition. YMMV

One of the best defensive loads for a .38 revolver is a full lead wadcutter but loaded upside down. The cavity is very deep and the ballistics absolutely suck. Anything inside of 7 meters, maybe 10, and you have a round that will expand to the size of an ashtray. Outside of roughly that range, the rounds starts to keyhole and won't penetrate much of anything. It doesn't need to be loaded to plus P pressures, either.

If you really need a field gun, get a full size handgun. They are not nearly as difficult to conceal or carry as people would have you believe, especially if you're a big guy and you're willing to dress like a slob. A GP100 is perfectly good choice.

I can't speak for any other Ruger automatic than the SR1911 I have, but it's gem, totally flawless. From day one, not a single malfunction. I know the SR9's had growing pains when first released some 5 years or so ago had serious trigger issues, but Ruger did the right thing, fixed it and I haven't heard of any issues since. Then again, I don't know many with any of the Ruger plastics.

The LCR and the LCRx are are both great revolvers. Don't rule out the LCR in .22LR or .22WMR either -I think they have 8 round cylinders, too.

ccrow wrote: As far as time spent loading it - again I'd have to disagree, I would say that it takes more time to stuff 15 rounds into a magazine than it takes to load a cylinder three times. You could get it about even if you leave the last couple rounds out of the magazine but you should practice with the thing the same way you use the thing. If there are any problems feeding when the magazine is full you want to discover that in practice.

Also revolvers are much more dignified to shoot, because you don't have to crawl around collecting your empties when you're done.

I hear you on this. Agree completely.

The price is right enough on that LCR, I can certainly afford a bigger field gun as well. In that instance I don't give a shit about concealment.

One trick a fair number of people look to do is the SP101 in a 3" or 4" barrel and have the hammer bobbed and the trigger gone over to make it serve double duty. but then you're in two/three gun price territory.

Look at the GP100 Match Champion. Very good trigger. Very good grips. 4" barrel. Made for IDPA but a great all around gun. Generally available for way less than the MSRP. Some like the bobbed hammers but unless you plan on shooting out of your pocket, i think it's much ado about nothing.

Sua Sponte wrote:Look at the GP100 Match Champion. Very good trigger. Very good grips. 4" barrel. Made for IDPA but a great all around gun. Generally available for way less than the MSRP. Some like the bobbed hammers but unless you plan on shooting out of your pocket, i think it's much ado about nothing.

The EDC thing is all about concealment for me...thus the compactness. You;re right that Match Champion looks to be a good deal all around. My old GP had a 6" and felt absolutely vast...so I was reticent to look at that model again. Decent grip and a 4" barrel has that MC looking like a contender...except for the weight. I am not a big guy and I can't dress sloppy in my 9-5 or after.

Fuck a revolver, it's not 1893.

Found a cop trade-in Gen 2 Glock 17 two weeks after looking forever (I hate the Glock finger grooves of Gen 3/4). Bought the Vickers fiber optic front/black rear sight combo and a Wilson Combat match barrel for shits and giggles. Need to install the extended magazine release and it's ready.
Still only 70% as much fun to shoot as my WC 1911 but it will do.

Double post.

The best choice is what you enjoy shooting. If you don't enjoy it, you most likely won't train with it, and training is the biggest determinant of effectiveness. I shoot a .45 1911 and would never argue that it's a better choice than any of a number of the wundernines. It's still my choice because I prefer shooting it most of all. Even the purported advantages of the 1911 like the trigger and ergonomics are being closed in on by pistols like Walther's PPQ. A close friend carries (not concealed) a Blackhawk in .44Mag. He comes close, and I mean damn close, to being able to shoot the 2x2x2 drill with it. Most auto shooters can't by very large margin. He loves the pistol and shoots it everyday despite being no slouch with the Beretta 9 he has.

That said, a revolver is still more reliable than an auto, all but impervious to ammunition choice and round-to-round and lot variation, has a broader range of loads available off the shelf, has smaller grips in full size frames, can be used to take game in .357 on up, and damaged magazines and worn springs are non-issues. Some folks just plain old shoot them better and like shooting them more.

milosz, with the weapons you've stated you own, you either shoot high level competitor or have way too much discretionary money to spend.