[TXplt]

Had to see what all the hubbub was about.

Basically, the revolver to me feels like a J-frame Smith which fits my hand better (i.e. like a smith with recoil absorbing aftermarket grips) and somewhat better weight distribution. It "points" for me a bit better than a stock J-frame. It absorbs recoil well, but recoil is still very stout with the full house buffalo bore 158 gr LSWHP +P's. It's trigger is like a good smooth Smith's (these vary somewhat in production models) but not very unique other than this--i.e. nice but not revolutionary. It stacks about exactly where you would want it to if you were going to stage the trigger (i.e. for slow fire bring the trigger back to just before it fires and slowly increase pressure from there--I know there are some who think this is a poor technique--some not--but it is sometimes useful for determining the accuracy of a DAO revolver). Basically, after shooting I have the impression it's like a 442/642 with good aftermarket grips and a good trigger.

The finish is reasonably rugged with a finished cylinder which seems pretty resistant to the elements and it is a well-made revolver. No mechanical malfunctions were noted in 60 rounds.

The gun I think tends to get a little less accurate as it heats up, and shot somewhat left of POA for me which also seemed to go a little further left as it warmed up (but this could be me). It's very accurate with the 148 GR S&B wadcutters right out of the box; I had acceptable groups with both Magtech +P and Buffalo Bore 158gr +P SWCHP's and Double Tap +P 125 gr GDHPs. Also, the critical defense rounds were OK but shot left of POA for me. The BB rounds tended to hit high and spread out somewhat; the Double Taps left, and the Magtechs slightly low and left. All were well within what you would expect from this type of gun. I think some of the shorter barrels might sometimes have a little difficulty fully stabilizing the BB 158's--it's quite a hot round as well (but again at typical snubby ranges the accuracy is OK). There was no indication of keyholing or anything but they were a fair bit less accurate than the 148's (although plenty accurate for snubby work).

Recoil with non-+P was pleasant; from the BB and DT rounds it was stout but the hogue grips moderated it quite well. It was less painful to shoot than an airweight with these; however, the airweights I have don't have the same grips as are on the LCR which make it alot easier to shoot.

All +P rounds exhibited what appeared to be some type of inertia pulling (although it is a steel cylinder) when 4 were fired and the last examined although the magtechs and double taps didn't seem to be moving all that much. No rounds fired ever got to the point that inertia pulling would have locked up the cylinder (even the bb 158's) so this probably isn't a great problem other than it does happen somewhat.

Overall, I think it is a good gun which can be carried in a similar manner as a J-frame Smith; all things being equal it is a little more shootable (albeit a little bigger) at the same price "right out of the box" without aftermarket grips on the Smith. Hopefully I didn't have any preconceived notions but I think this is Ruger's answer to the 442/642 (albeit a more striking artistic design as well as a potentially more wear resistant exterior and somewhat better "feel"). It'll make a good snubby carry gun. So I basically see this as a very good CCW carry snubby but not quite "revolutionary" (although it'll make a real good summer carry gun with the heat here and a great addition to the collection).

It does have the ruger internal lock (which I never anticipate using) as well as another gun lock suppled by the manufacturer (which I have no idea what to use for either). It does come with a hansome cloth zip up carry case.

Here are the photos; all rounds shot offhand on a very warm day at 16 yards/50'.

If one were considering a 442/642 I'd look at this as well and see which felt/fit better. The ruger is a neat gun and the grips and fit do feel good.

Cheers and enjoy !

[Palladin8]

Thanks for the review TXplt. I really do like the looks of them and it felt ok in my hand. I am just torn between this and the 442. I don't think I could go wrong with either one.

[lvlt]

palladin , just come and shoot mine, i live in summerlin. pm me. my club is the dsrp, i have not fired +p, but found a huge comfort difference to my airweight.


pat

[bassoneer]

Awesome range report - thanks for sharing. I shot my little 638 yesterday using the factory grips (timy and hard). I had been carrying it that way since it is soooo small. However, after only 10 rounds of non-+P .38's I remembered why I had a set of Pachmayr decelerators. I am putting the decelerators back on that gun, even though it makes it slightly larger. If I can carry a 4" 686 and an XDM, I can carry the 638 snubbie with decelerator grips. Otherwise, it just ain't a fun gun to shoot. I liked your comparison of the LCR to a small S&W snubbie with aftermarket grips...I would like to get one of the LCR's along with one of those locking kydex holsters to carry it in. Seems like with the materials used to make the gun, it should be rust proof and wouldn't mind some mid-summer perspiration. Thanks again for the report - you should work for a gun magazine. B

[TXplt]

After a few weeks of carry in the hot TX summer I can honestly say this revolver has impressed me as a little light carry revolver. It has a good feel to it and is very comfortable to carry with the plastic/aluminium frame and grips. It can be adequately retained/concealed with an Uncle Mikes IWB (size 0) and shorts/cargo pants with loose T-shirt (even "old man's" style shorts/bathing suit--wouldn't try a speedo ). It also can be simply slipped into a pocket for quick trips (rather than be lazy and leave it in the car or home) but I generally like a holster for safety and piece of mind. Seems to stay put a little better than other snubbies--probably due to the grips and frame. The frame and cylinder seem pretty impervious to everything and especially the sweat of an IWB.

I think it would make a good car/ccw gun when you aren't carrying something bigger.

Shooting impressions are still the same--and I'll stand by the slight stacking (right where you'd want it if you were staging the trigger) just before the gun fires--I think this might be caused by the cylinder rotation mechanisms though (but could be wrong). Overall a good trigger for its intended purpose but not what I'd classify as revolutionary vice a good Smith trigger. I've noticed the "trigger reset" thing brought up by some folks as well that I didn't notice before (i.e. it's pretty easy to "short stroke" the gun if you aren't conditioned to resetting your trigger finger full forward which I personally do like as a technique on any DA gun).