Pocket Gun Poll: 642/442 or the LCR?

Pocket-gun poll: do you prefer the 642/442 offerings from S&W, or the LCR from Ruger?

  • Smith & Wesson 642/442

    Votes: 81 60.4%

  • Ruger LCR

    Votes: 41 30.6%

  • No preference at all, they are equals.

    Votes: 12 9.0%
  • Total voters
    134
  • Poll closed .
T

Theophilus

New member
Alright, dang it. This topic has been covered aplenty, both here and elsewhere. Opinions will vary, as both options are good, but I am interested in finding out if opinions are split 50/50 on these handy revolvers, or if there is a trend towards one over the other. So here is the official question: which revolver do you prefer as a pocket-carry, go anywhere self-defense tool?
 
LCR, in .357. See my thread on this. The .357 LCR is MUCH more comfortable to shoot than the Airweights, but only slightly heavier and bulkier. I shoot .38s out of it, of course, not suggesting Magnums, but even the FBI load is fine. The Airweights are classics, but they hurt like hell by comparison. I think the .357 version of the LCR is a pocket revolver breakthrough.
 
I have the S&W 442 and have been pretty pleased. From a size standpoint it fits in my pants pocket pretty well using an Uncle Mike’s pocket holster. The gun is accurate enough for what it is designed for and seems like it is well made. I think the black finish holds up better than the silver finish, but just my opinion.
 
The trigger pull for the lcr is amazing and is why i bought it over the Smith. Both are great guns, I'm just a sucker for a great trigger pull.
 
Agree on the LCR trigger, excellent. I have the LCR 38, friend got a Smith before I got the Ruger. No comparison, LCR trigger much better. He went with the Smith because it was cheaper at the BX vs picking up the Ruger the BX didn't carry elsewhere. He told me he should have paid the extra coin.
 
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I went with the Smith due to more grip & holster options, I like a little J frame that slips into the pocket and can go anywhere.
 
I had an LCR. I liked the smoothness of the trigger action, but did not like the way the trigger itself seemed to bite my trigger finger.

Now, I have a 442. I did put slightly larger grips on the 442, but I have never had an issue with blistering or cutting my trigger finger like I did with the LCR.

Edit: I am noticeably more accurate with the 442; I suspect this is because I don't get distracted by the thought that shooting it might hurt, which is what would happen when shooting the LCR.
 
The 442/642 is an excellent, reliable, well-made 5-shot revolver in the $350-400 range made by a great American company that stands behind their product.

The LCR is an excellent, reliable, well-made 5-shot revolver in the $350-400 range made by a great American company that stands behind their product. With a much better trigger.

LCR.
 
Kreyzhorse said:
The S&W seems to be a bit more of a pocket pistol if you are inclined to carry in that way.
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I carry my lcr everywhere when im off duty and it is also a great pocket pistol. The other day I went to walmart came home fell asleep on the couch and woke up and was like what the heck is in my pocket it was the lcr lol

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2
 
works for me!

DSCF2481.jpg
 
Beautiful specimen you have there, model18. I haven't seen an LCR that looks quite that good. :)
Do you prefer the slick wood grips over the tackier factory grips? I've always wondered if a small slick grip might be a problem in sweaty, nervous hands.
 
LCR is bulkier with a trigger, that while easier to pull, is much more prone to short stroking under rapid fire. Yes, I've owned both and I voted for the Smith.
 
I occasionally carry a Smith 637, airweight j-frame with exposed hammer ... it's an excellent gun ... I tried an LCR, can't tar them all with this brush but the one I tried at a gunstore counter had a terrible, gritty trigger ... the Smith is smooth and buttery ... take the Smith ...
 
Theo, My 642 is from the original batch (89'?) It has a thin nickel coating on the frame, not the spray on coating of today with the rubber grips. It came with thin wood checkered S&W service grips and I changed them out. I'm OK shooting this set up!
 
It has a thin nickel coating on the frame, not the spray on coating of today
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Yeah, that finish looks like it's held up really, really well. Especially if you've been carrying it in a pocket for all those years.

This poll is playing out in a somewhat unexpected way for me. I have to say I'm a little surprised with the results so far. I hope folks keep voting - I'd like to see it get to 100 votes before I draw any conclusions.
 
Theophilus said:
Yeah, that finish looks like it's held up really, really well. Especially if you've been carrying it in a pocket for all those years.

This poll is playing out in a somewhat unexpected way for me. I have to say I'm a little surprised with the results so far. I hope folks keep voting - I'd like to see it get to 100 votes before I draw any conclusions.
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Well, recall that the 442/642 have been out a lot longer. They've established a deep and loyal fanbase. The LCR is still a new guy on the block. :)
 
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