LCR vs J frame

[Shadowrider]

I say LCR trigger is to me much better than the S&W. The grip is bigger, takes away some recoil.

Troof right here. ^^^

I like my 442 and all but I just shot a LCR the other day and as much as I hate to say it, the LCR is easier to shoot and I liked it really well. They are fugly as heck and Smith's are just sexy, but the sexiness is not what I'm needing in a pocket carry snubbie.

The LCR is very slightly longer and taller but is actually lighter than my 442 and as mentioned above the LCR's trigger is noticeably better even after I worked my 442 over. I have it pretty smooth, but I didn't jack with the springs. I may try a reduced rebound spring to see what it does for it but I don't know how much I can drop it with that strong factory mainspring. I very probably am going to switch to the LCR. And if you get a LCR get the big dot tritium sight, it's worth every extra penny a couple times over. The LCR's grip makes it more controllable with hot loads. The 442 just isn't fun to shoot a couple hundred rounds with. I didn't shoot the LCR that much but I don't see it being a problem.

Pick which one you like and shoot the hell out of it, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[shelshy]

Having had both, I'd go Smith over the LCR. I HATED the trigger on the LCR, but I liked the Smith's. To each their own though!

 

[Mustang Armory, LLC]

Having had both, I'd go Smith over the LCR. I HATED the trigger on the LCR, but I liked the Smith's. To each their own though!

Really?! Wow. I'd like to know what you didn't like about the trigger. The trigger was the reason I bought mine lol.

I'd say go LCR as I have carried it every day over a year now in a Crossbreed Supertuck IWB. I carry 2 speed strips as back up in Simply Rugged pouches.

I say LCR because most guns benefit from a trigger job and you can't do that on MIM parts, which Smith & Wesson now makes all their internals out of. The LCR is MIM, but it doesn't need a trigger job bc it's a great design. The Trijicion night sight is awesome. The grip takes up recoil really well, I'd imagine the larger grip does even better, I konw it feels better, it's bigger and molded. It's VERY accurate for a snubby. It's really lightweight, almost like a toy.

Cons: I'd say the MIM parts and the lousy lock device, but Smith has that too. bleh I'd say the polymer and aluminum might be less durable than a Smith gun made of steel/aluminum/whatever alloy.

 

[cecil]

I have an air weight wife has LCR, LCR has a better trigger by far not near as heavy, When we bought wifes LCR we had a Smith air weight with lazer and LCR side by side she thought the lazer was cool and leaning to buy it I told her to pull trigger on both before making a decison she bought the LCR

 

[druryj]

You know how I feel...but hey, you better get something the wife likes too!

 

[Profreedomokie]

I have an older 442 with CT grips and on my Pelouze scales it weights 15.8 oz. empty. My LCR .357mag (oem grips) weights 1 lb. 1.4oz.empty .The trigger in my Smith has been worked on and is very smooth. I guess because I've kept them both tells you I can't pick between them. I carry the LCR the most because it's a .357. I also have a Taurus 850 CIA Ti with CT grips that is very light and shoots great. If you're getting this for your wife have you checked out the S&W 7 shot .22 mag? That model is just like the 442. I know less power but,less recoil.

 

[piston10]

You know how I feel...but hey, you better get something the wife likes too!

I know what your vote is buddy!

 

[piston10]

I have an older 442 with CT grips and on my Pelouze scales it weights 15.8 oz. empty. My LCR .357mag (oem grips) weights 1 lb. 1.4oz.empty .The trigger in my Smith has been worked on and is very smooth. I guess because I've kept them both tells you I can't pick between them. I carry the LCR the most because it's a .357. I also have a Taurus 850 CIA Ti with CT grips that is very light and shoots great. If you're getting this for your wife have you checked out the S&W 7 shot .22 mag? That model is just like the 442. I know less power but,less recoil.

Recoil does not bother her, its the trigger more than anything that she is picky about.

 

[Mr.357Sig]

My Model 38 Airweight is my EDC in the summer. I like the trigger. I also like the Ruger and plan on getting the 357 version in the near future. I think the Ruger and 442 are both good choices and you really can't go wrong with either. I would, however, suggest getting the 642 if you go the S&W route as it is less likely to rust (as compared to the 442). The 442 has a carbon steel cylinder as opposed to the more rust-resistant stainless steel cylinder of the 642.

 

[RIP]

Shot my beloved 642 & LCR in .357 mag side by side, I sold the Smith. Trigger was much better on the LCR and the Trijicon front sight was easier to p/u on follow up shots. For fun, after comparing them w/ .38's I loaded .357 in the Ruger and managed to keep all 5 rounds on paper down range. Manageable recoil, especially in such a small package. All of my full size wheel guns are S&W b/c they are marvelous revolvers w/o an equal among any other manufactured today...and I've tried the others. The LCR is the odd man out in my collection & I recommend it over a hammerless Smith J frame every time I'm asked.