Posted: 8/2/2015 12:50:11 AM EDT
| I am thinking of getting one of these pistols. If you have one, how do you like it? |
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I went to the range yesterday to blow through some .38 & .357 with my Chiappa Rhino & rented the LCR .357
I still have a mark on my hand from the LCR, it's pretty punishing. 
For the cost of the LCR .357 you could have the standard version + fiber optic sight & some sweet g10s. There is no advantage with .357 over +p .38 special from a 2 inch barrel from what I read. |
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I partially disagree with the statement that there is no difference between a .357 and a .38 Special in a 2" barrel.
With a 125 gr .38 Special +P load, I get about 950 fps in a 2 1/8" Model 60. With a 125 grain .357 Magnum load using a slow burning powder (as you'd normally use for maximum velocity in a longer barrel, I only get 1000 fps - hardly worth the extra effort. Factory loads deliver around 1050 fps in the same Model 60, which is again not worth the effort. However with a 125 gr .357 Magnum load using a faster burning powder like Unique, I get a velocity of 1200 fps - an extra 150-200 fps over a +p load or a factory .357 Magnum load. ----- As for the LCR however, it's like any other lightweight alloy frame revolver chambered in .357 Mag - it's sign to hurt to shoot it and if you shoot it often with .357 Magnum loads, you'll fatigue the frame fairly quickly. They are designed to be carried with .357 Mag loads, not to be shot with them on a regular basis. I'm much happier with my 2 1/8" Model 60 and my 3" Model 60. The steel frame is heavier, but not enough to notice in carrying it - 6-7 ounces more compared to an airweight J-frame. The 3" barrel does boost ballistic performance and I get 1300 fps with the same .357 Magnum load - an extra 100 fps - and the additional 7/8" barrel isn't noticeable when I carry it. ---- I also own a 3" SP101 and it, like the Service Six, is built a bit heavier than the comparable S&W frame sized revolver. In this case it weighs about 4 oz more than a 3" Model 60, which does start to become noticeable on your hip. ON the plus side however it's got a thicker frame around the barrel, a thicker top strap and a much thicker forcing cone, and it will tolerate a steady diet of .357 Magnum ammo better than a Model 60. On the negative side, it comes up short in terms of fit and finish compared to the S&W Model 60. But both are great little revolvers and either the SP 101 or the Model 60 in 2" or 3" configurations would make a much better choice than an LCR for a revolver you actually plan to shoot. |
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Buy the LCR.38
Accurate, light, manageable for practice. You do practice, right? You sure won't with .357mag loads. Good fast hits matter, not 100-200fps here and there in hand loads that stress YOU as much as the target. Standard .38 Special or +P if you insist are adequate in a light weight five shot. Speer Gold Dot 125 is a perfect load in mine. See test at: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_32/158221_LCR__38_Special__P_Review.html |
