I have carried a J-frame for closing on 30 years. My 642 was the gun for the majority of it but I switched over to a 340 M&P and then the 442 UC because the sights were superior. Previously I had depended on the Crimson Trace Laser Grips for low light shooting with the 642 but our policy allowing laser sights changed and I needed something I could see. The 340 M&P hit low with everything, so it was never ideal but it worked okay for a “drive the dot” sight picture. The 442 UC has excellent sights, adjustable for windage, and easy to see in all lighting. Unfortunately, I cannot force myself to run the dot in the bottom of the U-notch when under any stress. I routinely shoot high on targets, especially in low light when I cannot find the bottom of the U unless I make the sight disappear and then raise it back into view. While I have time for that on the range, I do not believe I have the discipline for that in a gunfight.
Additionally, for me, the UC requires me to pronate the wrist slightly more to align the sights than the 340 M&P or the 642, even when I change the stocks around. That causes me issues when I expect the sights to appear in alignment and they do not. It costs me time. I have mentioned being sensitive to grip angles before and this is a me problem and not a gun problem.
What does this have to do with the Ruger LCR?!! These little guns were introduced in 2009 and I had no real need for one so I just ignored them. I knew people who had them and all of them were pleased, so I did not hesitate to recommend them to those who needed a small revolver. My wife was looking for a new “always” gun several years ago. Her wrists are tender from years of shooting .45ACP 1911s, weight lifting, and military/ SWAT things. We tried both the .38 and the .22LR versions. The .38’s recoil was just too much, while the .22 hooks right into her waistband with some Hamre Forge stocks and is a joy to shoot. It is an eye socket, nose hole, and neck kind of gun if anyone chooses to harm her. The 8 round capacity and lots of low recoil practice make that practical.
Since that .38 was lying around, I decided to put some work in with it. The first things I noticed were the rear sight notch is just a bit wider than on my 642 and the front sight is just a bit easier to see. The Hogue Tamer stocks do just that and the gun shoots Speer 135 +P Short Barrel Gold Dot to the top of the front sight at 25 yards.
I am very slightly nearsighted and have about 20/25 or 20/30 vision. I can read fairly well without help, except for cartridge case headstamps and other small writing. Iron sights without my prescription glasses are okay but not great, while they are a blur with the glasses.
I shot my department off duty/ backup gun course with the LCR. It involves some low light shooting Though you do not need a flashlight, it is hard to see the white line on the LCR front sight. I shot it with the prescription glasses and my rounds were scattered more than I would prefer but I still shot a better score than I have with the other J-Frames without laser grips.
The trigger on the LCR was a little tricky for me, at first. It has a false reset about 85-90% through the return. Once I got the bad habit trained out of me, I have not had another issue with it. The trigger feels lighter than most S&W triggers and makes the gun a pleasure to shoot.
I carry it in a cargo pocket as a backup gun on duty using a Bulman Undercover Pocket Holster that I got from American Fighting Revolver. I have a Wilderness Tactical Renegade ankle rig on the way, as well.
A piece of goon tape around the lower 1/4 of the grip lets pants legs or pocket material slide over the grabby rubber. I may paint the front sight insert another color and see if that makes a difference on picking it up in low light.
The 5-Star speed loader in the 50 yard group photo works well with this gun. I have always preferred Safariland push release loaders to the twist type but they do not make one for the LCR. I have carried this loader in my right front pocket with my pocket junk for 4 weeks and have not had it release the rounds yet. I know this is the wrong way to carry it but I do this for testing and found it worked for years with the J-frame. The less stuff I have in my pocket the faster the reload is. I don’t worry about it much for a backup gun but if this were my primary, I would empty the pocket of anything but the loader.
The LCR is slightly larger than the J-frame. For some, that might preclude pocket carry. For me, if I have pockets big enough to hide a J-frame, then they work for the LCR.
The LCR with the Hogue Tamers is far easier for me to shoot in longer practice sessions. I have also not skinned my thumb knuckle on the cylinder release as I often do with the little Smiths.
I do not believe the LCR is better than the S&Ws but it isn’t worse. The LCR shoots very well for me. I like the trigger and the sights. It hits to the sights for my chosen load and has been reliable and accurate. I like the LCR .38 and intend to keep carrying it.
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