Ruger .38 +P LCR

[Hook686]

Has anyone shot this light weight revolver ? Any problem with recoil using either .39 Special, or .38+P ?

[Mikey]

If recoil and +ps are no problem with a 13 oz S&W M38 or 638 they shouldn't be a problem with a 14 oz Ruger LCR.  But, as always, waddaya need +Ps in a 38 for??  Read some of the threads on the Self Defense Handgun Forum for performance capabilities of different loadings shot in 38 snubbies. 

[His lordship.]

I don't think I would be man enough to try that, I have only shot wadcutter target loads and regular .38's in my Smith and Wesson 637 aluminum framed revolver, and that is plenty of kick!

[SHOOTALL]

I shoot 125gr 357mags in a 12 oz mod 340 . 38+ P's aren't that bad .
Why +p's ? why not ?

I got to ask why do people worry so much about a little pain to the palm of the hand and back of the middle finger when you expect the guy attacking you to feel like he was hit by a freight train and stop attacking you ? Ain't living worth a little pain ?

[williamlayton]

Shootall makes a good point.
There is a little difference shooting in defensive situation than running a couple of hundred rounds at the range however.
Again, as Mikey said, there are performance limitations.
If I am going to burn, for fun and receation, one or two hundred rounds for fun, it is going too be in a configuration that is comfortable.
On that same note, I am going to make sure that, in a defensive shooting, i am shooting something that is both comfortable and controllable.
I can do all the damage necessary with .45, .38 super, 9x23 that I need to do and make sure I hit what It is I aim at, while they are in a Government or comander or SIG P 220 frame.
Blessings
 

[Mohawk]

  Recoil is only noticed at the range.

[williamlayton]

MOHAWK
While I agree with you, let me ask a question.
I agree but does it still effect/affect accuracy---hitting what you are aiming at and where you are aiming at. Bad english, I agree, I am hopeing I am understood.
My thought is that if you are confortable with "X" configuration at the range you will be comfortable & accurate with "X" configuration under pressure.
Blessings

[Savage]

IMO, you are correct in your assumption William. A flinch is an involuntary reaction in anticipation of an event. Could be a loud blast, or uncomfortable recoil. If anything, that involuntary reaction could be more pronounced under stress.
Savage

[Mohawk]

  Survival mode is entirely different. Chances are you will not remember anything in regards to noise, acquiring sights, how many rounds you have fired, and muzzle blast. And recoil is just another one of those "technical" thing people worry about. Like folks worry about rate of follow up shots due to excessive recoil. If my life depends on fractions of a second difference in follow up shot times, then I didn't train enough. I personally worry about, and train to improve, things like shooting with my weak hand, recognizing cover, watching hands and eyes, point shooting at 6" to 10 feet, and shooting from positions they don't put in the "manual". The biggest "involuntary" reaction a person possesses is to NOT pull the trigger on another human being. Once you are being threatened with your life and that reaction goes away, then they all go away and the only thing you will do is do as you are trained to do. I've been through all the drills and stress fires in the world, but they were never(speaking hypothetically, but have known cases this bad) with me wearing only underwear, a six shot revolver with no reloads, kid screaming in the background, complete darkness since the comotion just woke you from a dead sleep, been working 18hrs, drank too much at happy hour, and there are two burglars that just kicked your child in the face to shut him/her up, within 7 ft armed and have the drop on you. Would you really worry about recoil in a situation like this?

[Savage]

In a "Fight or Flight" situation, we won't do anything well. It's all reflex and muscle memory. We have no control over involuntary actions, and are conditioned to react to stimulus the way we are programed. That might in part explain multiple misses at hand shake ranges. It's true under stress we may not be aware of blast, flash, or recoil. We may not even remember pulling the trigger. Given this, it's not a stretch to imagine there might be a "flinch" or two in the equation.  Whether it's a concern or not, IMO it can't be totally ruled out. Just my opinion based on my own experiences and case studies.  I am told, that under extreme stress, we should expect to operate at about 1/3 efficiency. It would logically seem to follow, if we don't perform well in practice, regardless of the reason, we should expect to perform at a much lower level when it counts.
Savage 

[Brett]

I recently read a review in American Rifleman that claims that the polymer grip frame helps dampen recoil.  The author went on to state that it had the least perceived recoil of any lite weight snub nosed .38+p he had ever shot.     

[SHOOTALL]

put my hands on one over the weekend , big for what it is ! to much for my pocket . Its like the SS j frame just enough bigger to not work where the airweight j frame works .

[45-70.gov]

my  gun  is  20  oz  357 mag     never  38s

i  know a woman  that  carries  the scantium  simith

she  carries  only  357mag

she  will out shoot  most  of  us  too


so  go  with the +p  if it  is rated for it

also  i  heard  and it stands  to reason  the plastic frame  should  absorb some recoil

[williamlayton]

There are "allways" excetions, I strongly suspect that I am the exception in another direction. That said, I keep a Scadium under the matress. I seldom carry it, though I have and do, and have only shoot one cylinder of .357 in it---read into that, I will never do that again.
While I can take it---I choose not too take it.
I can shoot all of my other carries all day long and the paper plate never lives to tell the story of misses.
If you want too shoot a .357 in a comfortable carry & shooting configuration then I strongly reccomend a 9x23 in a 1911--mine is an STI, and I can shoot that booger all day long--and have fun.
Blessings

[grendelbane]

Since purchasing my Ruger LCR, it has become my warm weather carry choice.  As I passed 50, for various reasons, including a hand injury, my tolerance for handgun recoil dropped.  The LCR with 158 grain +ps is about as much as I can tolerate anymore.  It is easier on me than any of the S&Ws I have fired, though I realize that this is a subjective opinion, and other people might feel the exact opposite.

Now, with standard .38s, it is fun, and with wadcutters, it is quite pleasant.

It is the only pistol I ever owned that I did not immediately feel I could improve.  That says a lot to me.

[JJ79]

Has anyone shot this light weight revolver ? Any problem with recoil using either .39 Special, or .38+P ?

Hook - hmmm...this kind of turned more in the direction of an ammo debate, rather than actually answering your question... 

I love my LCR...it's not unpleasant to shoot.  I practice w/130 gr WWB from Wally-World...and carry the 110 gr Hornady Critical Defense +P.

to be honest, I can't tell a bit of difference in the recoil between the two loads...if anything, the Hornady shoots a little softer.  mine has the C/T grips, and I bet with the standard Hogue Tamer grips, it'd be even more comfortable to shoot.

get the LCR...great gun; you won't be sorry. 

[Heavy C]

Has anyone shot this light weight revolver ? Any problem with recoil using either .39 Special, or .38+P ?

Hook - hmmm...this kind of turned more in the direction of an ammo debate, rather than actually answering your question... 

I love my LCR...it's not unpleasant to shoot.  I practice w/130 gr WWB from Wally-World...and carry the 110 gr Hornady Critical Defense +P.

to be honest, I can't tell a bit of difference in the recoil between the two loads...if anything, the Hornady shoots a little softer.  mine has the C/T grips, and I bet with the standard Hogue Tamer grips, it'd be even more comfortable to shoot.

get the LCR...great gun; you won't be sorry. 

Thanks JJ, I was looking at this gun for my wife.  She's carrying a 66 in stainless and complains about the weight.  I was already looking at the 637 when I read the article in American Rifleman.  Thanks again for the review.

[LakeErieAmmoLLC]

It is rated for the +p loads. BUT. Dont by any means only shoot +p loads you will ruin the gun and make it unsafe to fire. I always recommend shooting standard 38spl. for practice and carry the +P for defense. By using the standard ammo you will become proficient with the gun and wont have the recoil of the heavier load and in the heat of the moment you will probably not remember shooting the +P rounds But you will be on target.