help, can't decide between ruger lcr(.38spl) or lcp(.380).
- Thread starter cajun47
- Start date
10Ringmagic
New member
The .380 LCP conceals better.
Small guns are good because they are very concealable and they can always be with you. The problem comes when you need a gun and you need it real bad. You will pull your pocket LCP and it might not feel like much gun when you see how big your assailants are and the kind of guns they are carrying. But at least you would have fulfilled rule #1 but in that moment of truth, you will undoubtedly wish that you were carrying a larger, more powerful gun. A snubnose .38 is my personal minimum for a self defense gun.
If I'm carrying something smaller or less powerful, it's because I have absolutely no choice in the matter.
Read your paper to see what your local thugs and carjackers are carrying and then make your decision.
If I'm carrying something smaller or less powerful, it's because I have absolutely no choice in the matter.
Read your paper to see what your local thugs and carjackers are carrying and then make your decision.
For what it's worth, I went with the LCR. What I felt I needed in a concealable self defense handgun needs to be is:
First, Needs to be totally concealable and comfortable to carry. Both are very concealable with the LCP being the best.
Second, there needs to be enough firepower with with LCR winning with the 38spl.
Thirdly, the handgun needs to be utterly reliable and as foolproof as possible when in a panic situation. This is where the LCR wins out. You load, you point and you shoot. No racking of the slide and no stovepiping, etc. I am not a highly trained professional such a cop and while I shoot nearly every week I don't train heavily for every self defense situation and have never had to pull out a firearm in any real defensive situation. I want it to be as easy as possible.
First, Needs to be totally concealable and comfortable to carry. Both are very concealable with the LCP being the best.
Second, there needs to be enough firepower with with LCR winning with the 38spl.
Thirdly, the handgun needs to be utterly reliable and as foolproof as possible when in a panic situation. This is where the LCR wins out. You load, you point and you shoot. No racking of the slide and no stovepiping, etc. I am not a highly trained professional such a cop and while I shoot nearly every week I don't train heavily for every self defense situation and have never had to pull out a firearm in any real defensive situation. I want it to be as easy as possible.
I personally would go with the LCR. As far as ballistics is concerned, a good .38 +P like Speer's excellent 135gr Short Barrel Gold Dot is superior to about anything available in .380. Secondly, I simply don't entirely trust super-miniaturized semi-autos to be as reliable as their larger brethren, much less a revolver. While I'd choose the LCR, I would opt for the .357 Magnum version because of the increased versatility and because the few extra ounces of weight will help to dampen the recoil of .38 +P ammo.
Jayhawkhuntclub
New member
IMHO, the 357 magnum KLCR is the ultimate combination of versatility, recoil management, lightweight, accuracy, price, concealability and power. Mine shoots crazy good with full house 357s, but it beats the pi$$ out of me. 
My last group I fired with it with 357s was under 2.5" at 20 yards unsupported. However, I think I will carry primarily with 38+Ps. The 38s in the KLCR are milder than they are in the LCR. The extra 3.6 oz makes a difference. Both the KLCR and the LCR are the same size. And both will pocket carry in most of my clothes.
My last group I fired with it with 357s was under 2.5" at 20 yards unsupported. However, I think I will carry primarily with 38+Ps. The 38s in the KLCR are milder than they are in the LCR. The extra 3.6 oz makes a difference. Both the KLCR and the LCR are the same size. And both will pocket carry in most of my clothes.I have been carrying a S&W 642 which is very concealable normally, but since warm weather has got here I find I feel less inclined to carry it when I am wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Yesterday I went out and got a LCP. I think this will help me stay armed. It is small enough that I can drop it in my front pocket and no print, no bulge, no excess weight. Carry one in the chamber, six in the magazine, and an extra mag of six and you have thirteen rounds. I carry a speed strip when I carry the S&W, but semi-autos are easier to reload than revolverrs. I went out and shot the LCP today and found it to be amazingly accurate for a small gun.I was happy with my accuracy at 25' but when I stepped it off it was over 40'. People keep moving the target stands around. I will carry either the S&W or the LCP depending on needs and attire. I had been wanting a LCP for a while. Now there is less reason to not carry.
LCR-all the way.
Heavier,more powerful bullets and dead nuts reliable.
Easy to conceal if you try.
Because when your life ( as well as the loved ones depending on you) is on the line- a misfire/misfeed/failure to properly damage the bad guy can kill you ( and your loved ones too) .
Heavier,more powerful bullets and dead nuts reliable.
Easy to conceal if you try.
Because when your life ( as well as the loved ones depending on you) is on the line- a misfire/misfeed/failure to properly damage the bad guy can kill you ( and your loved ones too) .
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
LCR
