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 .
The LCR is the way to go, if you don't want an exposed hammer.
The Ruger DA trigger is superior.

(And I'm typing this, with my 642 sitting on my desk. ;))
 
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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That's a good point. Seems like there is a lot of noise on the internet about the LCR; maybe the Smith owners, though greater in numbers, talk a bit less. They're happy, and they have nothing new to say about it...:cool:
 
I have two J Frames, 637 .38 and 360 .357, and a LCR .357. The LCR is my favorite of the three. The 360 cost north of $800.00 and had a trigger pull around 15 lbs. Cut a couple coils off the spring and it's now around 10 lbs. Still like the LCR better.
 
Theophilus said:
That's a good point. Seems like there is a lot of noise on the internet about the LCR; maybe the Smith owners, though greater in numbers, talk a bit less. They're happy, and they have nothing new to say about it...:cool:
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Hey, nothing wrong with that. Toss me either with a Nemesis pocket holster and some of those 135 +p short barrel Gold Dots, I'll feel prepared.
 
Both are good platforms, it all comes down to preference. Heck, throw the S&W Bodyguard .38 in there as well (my sister owns one, and she is a scary good shot with hers).

J Frame triggers will typically smooth out after a thousand cycles or so. I cleaned and re-oiled the internals of mine one time 7 years ago after I had broken it in and the action is pretty smooth now. Still a little stiff, but not objectionable.

Most people do seem to prefer the LCR trigger. Most I've handled have been quite smooth, though I still don't care for the rather weak, wimpy trigger return. A lot of folks overlook that aspect; I personally prefer the firmer return of the J Frames, particularly since that is what I'm used to on all my other revolvers (Rugers, S&Ws and the lone Taurus and H&R).
 
People vote for what they have.

642 and 442 have been around for many years, so more people own them or have experience with them. LCR is relatively new to the market by comparison. So S&W will automatically win any poll.

The fact the LCR has as many votes as it does says something.

Personally, I think they are both fantastic but if I could have either would probably take the LCR due to the trigger. But if Eagle wasn't making wood grips for it, I'd take the Smith because I find both of Ruger's grip options for the LCR to be too grippy for CCW.
 
ScotchMan, some of us have owned both.

I had an LCR BEFORE I ever bought a J frame.

I still have the J frame. I no longer have the LCR.
 
I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the firearms mentioned. However, I won't buy an LCR. I have been tempted with the LCR in .22. It would be a good trainer, and the smith .22 j frames are unreal in their prices.
 
S&W 642

While I have not handled a Ruger LCR, I do have a S&W 642-1 (and a 640-3 in .357), and really like the Centennial series as CCW guns.
 
I'm a Smith guy pretty much in DA guns...a Ruger guy when it comes to SA's. That said, I think you'll find either of the aforementioned Smiths a perfect pic for a CCW choice. Good defensive rounds are available for either and Smith's warranty is gold plated if you ever need it. The Ruger LCR is OK, but in my humble opinion, is Fugly. I haven't tried one, but do have considerable trigger time with both of the Smiths mentioned. Best Regards, Rod
 
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I handled both side by side before I bought the S&W 442 it just felt better to me. I put in a Wolff spring kit and polished the internals and now the trigger pull is great.
 
LCR has a much better trigger. Mine AVERAGES just under 3 1/4" groups rested at 20 yards. That's not bad for a sub 2" barrel. I am a Smith lover though and have no issues with J-frames. But the trigger is the deciding factor. HOWEVER, I am shocked at how few grip options are available for the LCR. That is a drawback.
 
Granted, this was only at 5 yards, offhand, but it was a 50 round box, to see how consistent the gun might be before I started shooting it at more challenging distances:

Without the laser
2010-11%2520147.JPG


With the laser (hence the single holes around the top and to the right, where I was sighting in and adjusting the laser; the main hole was post-adjustment)
2010-11%2520148.JPG


I gave this 442 to my parents. I bought myself another, though without the laser.
 
These were fired practicing move and shoot drills, forward, backward, and laterally between 7 and 11 yards, with my replacement 442:

S%2526W%2520442%2520with%2520Apex.JPG
 
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