Nothing wrong with the LCR as another carry option if you want to downsize a bit, assuming you shoot it well enough. But personally I'd stick to a .38 LCR and save a little $$$. I've done 357 Mag all the way down to a 2 1/4" SP101. It wasn't too bad, but I could tell I wouldn't want to go much lighter.
im thinking about replacing my glock 19 as my ccw. opinions welcome.
- Thread starter cajun47
- Start date
triumph666
New member
i believe the G19 can only use the 22lr conversion kit while the 40S&W glocks can be converted to 9mm and 357sig
LCR in 357 is a potent little pistol but i will say to OP that shooting short revolvers takes a bit of practice to get used to change in how they shoot
LCR in 357 is a potent little pistol but i will say to OP that shooting short revolvers takes a bit of practice to get used to change in how they shoot
Oppinions welcome...
My oppinion is; Don't do it. I'm 5'9" and 160 lbs. I carry my Glock 19 with me every single day be it 100 degrees or -5. It conceals in shorts and a t-shirt. It's as light a gun as I could ever ask for without sacrificing sight radius, capacity, or controlability. It's got my ideal safety system (i.e. it won't shoot until the trigger is pulled-period), and it's as reliable as pistols come.
I understand the itch to try something new... but you have to wonder what you're sacrificing for the freshness of "new and exciting". Now that isn't to say that there aren't a load of perfectly reliable Glock alternatives out there: (xD, Sig, Px4, SR9, M&P, etc...) that are even very similar, but you have to ask yourself if there is anything WRONG with what you're currently doing.
If it ain't broke...
~LT
My oppinion is; Don't do it. I'm 5'9" and 160 lbs. I carry my Glock 19 with me every single day be it 100 degrees or -5. It conceals in shorts and a t-shirt. It's as light a gun as I could ever ask for without sacrificing sight radius, capacity, or controlability. It's got my ideal safety system (i.e. it won't shoot until the trigger is pulled-period), and it's as reliable as pistols come.
I understand the itch to try something new... but you have to wonder what you're sacrificing for the freshness of "new and exciting". Now that isn't to say that there aren't a load of perfectly reliable Glock alternatives out there: (xD, Sig, Px4, SR9, M&P, etc...) that are even very similar, but you have to ask yourself if there is anything WRONG with what you're currently doing.
If it ain't broke...
~LT
Carry_24/7
New member
The 19 is my all time favorite Glock, its just so fat for concealed carry. If not for the newer technologies (such as my Walther PPS 9mm), I probably would still have my 19.
Yo Cajun ---
Some comments....
At my CCW shooting qualifier, I had to shoot 100 rounds at 15 and 7 yards.
Every LEO I've asked tell me most shootings occur from 8 to 3 feet, very close...this makes sense because most criminals favor the quick ambush.
The 22 cal is an accurate cartridge, but many perps have NOT been stopped by 22 cal, and in fact after being hit repeatedly, continued their assault.
Glock 19 --- you are already shooting an exceptional handgun which will get you out of trouble. But I can understand the itch to try something new....may want to check out the Walther PPS, very Glock-like, but skinny and small, great trigger, super accurate, very underrated.
Ruger 357 LCR --- a good 3 feet or closer defensive choice. Further out the long DA trigger and heavy recoil make it hard to shoot quickly and accurately (for most folks). You may want to consider the heavier Ruger SP101 or an S&W J-frame or K/L-frame, something with an SA trigger option, you just may need to take an accurate longer shot.
And yes bullets do knock people down, there is plenty of real life evidence, I have seen it live. Just gotta hit the target. And bigger bullets do it better. The 158 gr 38 spl has a long history of one shot stops. Ditto the 45 ACP cartridge.
Some comments....
At my CCW shooting qualifier, I had to shoot 100 rounds at 15 and 7 yards.
Every LEO I've asked tell me most shootings occur from 8 to 3 feet, very close...this makes sense because most criminals favor the quick ambush.
The 22 cal is an accurate cartridge, but many perps have NOT been stopped by 22 cal, and in fact after being hit repeatedly, continued their assault.
Glock 19 --- you are already shooting an exceptional handgun which will get you out of trouble. But I can understand the itch to try something new....may want to check out the Walther PPS, very Glock-like, but skinny and small, great trigger, super accurate, very underrated.
Ruger 357 LCR --- a good 3 feet or closer defensive choice. Further out the long DA trigger and heavy recoil make it hard to shoot quickly and accurately (for most folks). You may want to consider the heavier Ruger SP101 or an S&W J-frame or K/L-frame, something with an SA trigger option, you just may need to take an accurate longer shot.
And yes bullets do knock people down, there is plenty of real life evidence, I have seen it live. Just gotta hit the target. And bigger bullets do it better. The 158 gr 38 spl has a long history of one shot stops. Ditto the 45 ACP cartridge.
Biff Tannen
New member
Love my LCR, but I did have a trigger problem when I first got it.
Ruger replaced every internal part and sent it back to me, free of charge...
Don't worry too much about over penetration for the 357, study your ammo...
I've been told by most to use +p heavier grain (125 or 158), mainly because
1- the follow up shot will be easier to place due to lighter recoil and
2- I'm not going to gain that much bullet speed from a snubbie to justify the recoil of the .357 (but if anyone wants to debate this point, I'd love to hear it!)
If you liked your Glock, you might want to step over to the 26, though. Smaller, you keep the ability to rapid fire, and many of your accessories will carry over.
Check out the thread I started about my LCR and ammo choice, might help you a bit...
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453937
BTW- Good call on stating you didn't want a 9mm vs .38 vs .357 debate haha!
Ruger replaced every internal part and sent it back to me, free of charge...
Don't worry too much about over penetration for the 357, study your ammo...
I've been told by most to use +p heavier grain (125 or 158), mainly because
1- the follow up shot will be easier to place due to lighter recoil and
2- I'm not going to gain that much bullet speed from a snubbie to justify the recoil of the .357 (but if anyone wants to debate this point, I'd love to hear it!)
If you liked your Glock, you might want to step over to the 26, though. Smaller, you keep the ability to rapid fire, and many of your accessories will carry over.
Check out the thread I started about my LCR and ammo choice, might help you a bit...
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453937
BTW- Good call on stating you didn't want a 9mm vs .38 vs .357 debate haha!
Headshots at the range and during a gunfight are two different animals. You have movement, gunfight stress, and angles. A hit to the upper lip that is instantly fatal head on will only damage the upper jaw if the bad guys head is turned. So this already small target window now becomes even harder. Now add both your movement and that of the bad guy. Bobbing and weaving and any other erratic movement is extremely difficult to predict and hit. Finally the stress of shooting while your life hangs in the balance. Turns bullseye shooters targets into shotgun pattern looking things.
Carry_24/7
New member
Three gun; you are correct, it's hard to hit any moving target while also moving, surprised, under extreme-stress, tunnel-visioned, and no telling what else. I do practice head, chest, head. Just as with the torso; track, anticipate, sight picture, breath, squeeze.....repeat.
Easier said than done I know, but that's the basics, not a guarantee. Even though it's not the same, we have to train within our means.
Good subject Cajun; and much debated, but in end we are alone with our own decisions.
Easier said than done I know, but that's the basics, not a guarantee. Even though it's not the same, we have to train within our means.
Good subject Cajun; and much debated, but in end we are alone with our own decisions.
I sometimes carry a Glock 22 loaded with Speer golddot 165 grain JHP's.
The downside is it is a big gun, but the Galco "Concealable" holster does
a good job of hiding it. My other choice to carry is a Colt Detective Special,
2" loaded with Winchester PDX +P 130 grain Bonded JHP.
The downside is it is a big gun, but the Galco "Concealable" holster does
a good job of hiding it. My other choice to carry is a Colt Detective Special,
2" loaded with Winchester PDX +P 130 grain Bonded JHP.
Tactical Jackalope
New member
So......I've been waiting for your choice.....
Keep the G19...
If you're just bored of it (I get bored of my guns too sometimes, same as my cars) What do I do? Modify it
Trigger job or some nice night sights. If you're really bored get a crimson trace laser on it. Not brew of beer, but seems about right. Modify it! Keep it as your main carry piece.
Keep the G19...
If you're just bored of it (I get bored of my guns too sometimes, same as my cars) What do I do? Modify it
Trigger job or some nice night sights. If you're really bored get a crimson trace laser on it. Not brew of beer, but seems about right. Modify it! Keep it as your main carry piece.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
In my stupid untrained relative youth, I ate a pistol grip shotgun by holding it up to face level (I know two other well trained folks who did the same stupid thing). Bloodied my lips.
BUT, I didn't come close to falling over. Just stood there and cursed. Later, Tylenol and beer cured me of my pain. Ah, youth.
I know a case where a guy took a slug through his side and it didn't hit anything immediately vital. Walked away complaining.
But 12 gauges send you flying?
So some folks should take physics and then cease and desist.
About the OP - save up the bucks and have both. The LCR is better for some concealed situation. Shooting full power 357s in them is a bear. Better off with a quality 38 you can control and forget the hype. Also, if you don't practice with either - that's a mistake.
BUT, I didn't come close to falling over. Just stood there and cursed. Later, Tylenol and beer cured me of my pain. Ah, youth.
I know a case where a guy took a slug through his side and it didn't hit anything immediately vital. Walked away complaining.
But 12 gauges send you flying?
So some folks should take physics and then cease and desist.
About the OP - save up the bucks and have both. The LCR is better for some concealed situation. Shooting full power 357s in them is a bear. Better off with a quality 38 you can control and forget the hype. Also, if you don't practice with either - that's a mistake.
Just to add another to the mix -- walther PPS. Often referred to as the CCW pistol glock never made. Small, thin, easy to conceal. Choices of magazine size. Also lets you chose between 9mm and .40 cal.
My PPS is the first pistol I purchased, and is the last. I have no interest in any other pistol. It is that good.
My PPS is the first pistol I purchased, and is the last. I have no interest in any other pistol. It is that good.
iMagUdspEllr
New member
In my opinion just about every handgun round has the same "one shot stop" rate. One in the CNS/Brain and the brain can't tell the body to do anything anymore. The rest of it all depends on how someone psychologically reacts to being shot... which can't be factored in if they are currently "fearless" (drugs).
If you believe you just need to dump every bit of energy in someone that you can despite the higher recoil, higher cost, and the fact that it doesn't really make a difference until you begin to talk rifle round energy levels then go with the 10mm. It is the most powerful of the three you have named and it can be put in semi-autos (ease of reload advantage and capacity advantage).
I'm thinking that you are digging the LCR, though. If you like it then you should get it.
In my opinion I don't like shooting .357 magnum defense rounds out of a 17oz revolver with a 1.875" barrel. I don't like only having 5 rounds (or even 6-8) before having to reload (let alone reloading a revolver... something I am not proficient at). I am also not proficient at shooting double action let alone a gun that is light with a double action trigger.
But that is just me. I don't think I would do well with that gun. If you have already developed all of those skills then I will stop typing now.
If you believe you just need to dump every bit of energy in someone that you can despite the higher recoil, higher cost, and the fact that it doesn't really make a difference until you begin to talk rifle round energy levels then go with the 10mm. It is the most powerful of the three you have named and it can be put in semi-autos (ease of reload advantage and capacity advantage).
I'm thinking that you are digging the LCR, though. If you like it then you should get it.
In my opinion I don't like shooting .357 magnum defense rounds out of a 17oz revolver with a 1.875" barrel. I don't like only having 5 rounds (or even 6-8) before having to reload (let alone reloading a revolver... something I am not proficient at). I am also not proficient at shooting double action let alone a gun that is light with a double action trigger.
But that is just me. I don't think I would do well with that gun. If you have already developed all of those skills then I will stop typing now.
I agree. All handgun rounds are equal. That's why I trust my Savage .32. Ten shots quick. Only I only load nine rounds so the springs aren't stressed.
Just kidding.
There is an apparently unknown photo of a soldier who had just been shot from the Spanish Civil War. He is literally flying (or falling) backwards. He was literally knocked down. And if someone hits you hard enough on the head, I can almost guarantee you will be knocked down. You won't be blown backwards five feet from being shot but unless that's how you define it, there is such a thing as knockdown power. This is not a new controversy.
But regarding the initial question, there can be good reasons to carry a powerful revolver. Only in this case, I have no experience with anything smaller than a K-frame with a three inch barrel, from which a .125 grain .357 is no monster at all. Not pleasant to shoot but no monster.
Ideally, you would try out some of these different guns before buying. I've been able to try a couple of pistols, mainly because out of curiosity and one magazine of shooting was worth more than ten pages of advice.
If you really live near a swamp, there might be reasons to have the versitility of a revolver over the firepower of a Glock, only I still don't know anything about a LCR and not so much about small frame revolvers in general. I've only owned one (so far) and it was just a .38 special. But don't go and shoot a whole box of ammunition at once. You'll never do that anywhere but at a range and you will come away with the idea that it is too punishing to shoot and you might get the same impression from some of the other suggestions. Don't shoot in one session for a "real" carry gun more than you really carry at once, although it isn't difficult to carry nearly a whole box at once.
We're all anxious to hear of your progress.
Just kidding.
There is an apparently unknown photo of a soldier who had just been shot from the Spanish Civil War. He is literally flying (or falling) backwards. He was literally knocked down. And if someone hits you hard enough on the head, I can almost guarantee you will be knocked down. You won't be blown backwards five feet from being shot but unless that's how you define it, there is such a thing as knockdown power. This is not a new controversy.
But regarding the initial question, there can be good reasons to carry a powerful revolver. Only in this case, I have no experience with anything smaller than a K-frame with a three inch barrel, from which a .125 grain .357 is no monster at all. Not pleasant to shoot but no monster.
Ideally, you would try out some of these different guns before buying. I've been able to try a couple of pistols, mainly because out of curiosity and one magazine of shooting was worth more than ten pages of advice.
If you really live near a swamp, there might be reasons to have the versitility of a revolver over the firepower of a Glock, only I still don't know anything about a LCR and not so much about small frame revolvers in general. I've only owned one (so far) and it was just a .38 special. But don't go and shoot a whole box of ammunition at once. You'll never do that anywhere but at a range and you will come away with the idea that it is too punishing to shoot and you might get the same impression from some of the other suggestions. Don't shoot in one session for a "real" carry gun more than you really carry at once, although it isn't difficult to carry nearly a whole box at once.
We're all anxious to hear of your progress.
warningshot
New member
Show me the man who practices with 200 rounds of month with a BUG .357.
For SD, there are plenty of shooters whom have lost confidence in 35 cal anything; including .357 Remington Magnum, in any barrel length any manufacture any bullet weight.
A loaded 4 inch Smith 29 or a 5 inch Colt 1911A1 usually appears in the waistband with one reload. The same shooter gains confidence, and also keeps his 35 cal as back-up to the primary big bore.
Often times these shooters turn out to be Judges, Doctors, (mostly Surgeons & Medical Examiners ), LEOs whom have been in a recent gun fight, and War Veterans whom had to go to pistols & hand-to hand at least once.
For SD, there are plenty of shooters whom have lost confidence in 35 cal anything; including .357 Remington Magnum, in any barrel length any manufacture any bullet weight.
A loaded 4 inch Smith 29 or a 5 inch Colt 1911A1 usually appears in the waistband with one reload. The same shooter gains confidence, and also keeps his 35 cal as back-up to the primary big bore.
Often times these shooters turn out to be Judges, Doctors, (mostly Surgeons & Medical Examiners ), LEOs whom have been in a recent gun fight, and War Veterans whom had to go to pistols & hand-to hand at least once.
iMagUdspEllr
New member
@BlueTrain: Hey if that .32 "hits the spot" then it still works.
I'm pretty sure mythbusters proved that even getting hit with 100% of the energy from a .50 BMG round a 185 lb dummy only got knocked back 2". When people die they fall down. When people lose balance they fall down. But there isn't a handgun caliber (or rifle caliber apparently) that will knock someone to the floor (not back just down) just from the shot.
So since any "knockdown" that might exist makes a negligible difference to the bad guy I conclude that it is safe to say that "knockdown" shouldn't be discussed when it comes to caliber selection.
@warningshot: How is a .44 magnum comparable to a .45 ACP? And who are these judges, doctors, LEOs, and vets? Also, more guns and reloads means more weight, bulk, and complexity added to your system.
I'm pretty sure mythbusters proved that even getting hit with 100% of the energy from a .50 BMG round a 185 lb dummy only got knocked back 2". When people die they fall down. When people lose balance they fall down. But there isn't a handgun caliber (or rifle caliber apparently) that will knock someone to the floor (not back just down) just from the shot.
So since any "knockdown" that might exist makes a negligible difference to the bad guy I conclude that it is safe to say that "knockdown" shouldn't be discussed when it comes to caliber selection.
@warningshot: How is a .44 magnum comparable to a .45 ACP? And who are these judges, doctors, LEOs, and vets? Also, more guns and reloads means more weight, bulk, and complexity added to your system.
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