Good evening, would like your folks opinion. I've been considering a Ruger LCR, and I was wondering which cal to go with. It would either be 9mm or 38 special. Ammo isn't a issue, because I cast and load for both. I personally enjoy shooting my 9mm revolver more than others. But was wanting to get your guys opinion on what you think, and why. The use that I would have for it would be a light carry gun.
Ruger LCR 9MM or 38 special
- Thread starter WCWV
- Start date
Any way you can try them first? My only experience was a range rental with an LCR in .38 and I hated it. Too snappy and painful to shoot - to me. I imagine the 9mm would be worse but haven't tried it. I love my 9mm semiauto (Glock 19) and I'm getting to like my Model 36 .38, but these airweights ain't for me.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
I'm thinking about a 9mm. I don;t have a 38/2357 now and doubt I will buy one in the near future.
9mm is my primary pistol caliber, so it is an easy fit.
In your situation I would get a 38.
9mm is my primary pistol caliber, so it is an easy fit.
In your situation I would get a 38.
Darker Loaf
New member
I'll bite. I'd go with a 9mm revolver, but mostly because I love the cheapness of 9mm (not an issue for you, since you reload?) and because I love moonclips.
I almost started the same Thread last night , but with .357 included .
The .38 weighs 13.5 oz. & has a polymer frame . While the .357 & 9mm weigh 17.1 & have steel frames .
Out of that short barrel the 9mm will probably be faster than the .357 using the same ammo , but you could use heavier grain ammo in the .357 & shoot 38's .
Recoil could be a problem with the 9mm , it was in my 13.8 oz. M&P .357 , but that extra 4 oz. might help . I don't know if it would have the same felt recoil as the .357 , but seems like it would since the muzzle velocity is about the same or faster in the 9mm .
I don't know if I would like carrying extra moon clips . I like the speed strips , because I can put them in my front pants pocket , but you could load faster with the moon clips .
With the .38 being lighter , it would be more comfortable to pocket carry .
I think that if I were going to pick the 9mm or .357 , it would be a 3" model & not pocket carry .
Those are some of the things that I have been weighing .
The .38 weighs 13.5 oz. & has a polymer frame . While the .357 & 9mm weigh 17.1 & have steel frames .
Out of that short barrel the 9mm will probably be faster than the .357 using the same ammo , but you could use heavier grain ammo in the .357 & shoot 38's .
Recoil could be a problem with the 9mm , it was in my 13.8 oz. M&P .357 , but that extra 4 oz. might help . I don't know if it would have the same felt recoil as the .357 , but seems like it would since the muzzle velocity is about the same or faster in the 9mm .
I don't know if I would like carrying extra moon clips . I like the speed strips , because I can put them in my front pants pocket , but you could load faster with the moon clips .
With the .38 being lighter , it would be more comfortable to pocket carry .
I think that if I were going to pick the 9mm or .357 , it would be a 3" model & not pocket carry .
Those are some of the things that I have been weighing .
campingnights
New member
Well, both make the same size hole. Both are more or less the same power level. Personally I like the 38 special. You said you like shooting the 9mm, seems like you already answered your own question, yes? Go with what you like. 
I had the LCR in .38 and thought the recoil was too much, and have since gotten the LCR .357 and it is much easier on the hands, shooting .38s out of both. I can only imagine the 9mm would not be something you would want to practice with. If possible try to shoot one before buying.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
.38 wins. Lighter gun, bigger bullets, much less pressure.
This thread and some reading has me seriously considering the LCR 357. I had written off the entire LCR line after hating the rental .38 so bad, but now I'm thinking I might could stand shooting .38s from the 357. Seems like a viable alternative to my other short list revolvers like SP101 and S&W 649. Hmmm.
Well now you all got me thinking and that's why I started this. I also cast and load the 357, seems to me from your comments that it might be the best to go with and still shoot the 38 special too. You got me thinking and I'll do some more research and try to find both and see how each one feels.
Thanks
Thanks
The one I looked at today was right at $600, this particular GS has always been high. I've never bought any guns off them. I've been looking on line at another GS that I have purchased before and they show one for $506. I'm still going to check a couple others. I seen two on GB in the $300 but I'm sure they'll move up.
I have to pace myself because I'm getting the fever
I have to pace myself because I'm getting the fever
9x19 millimeter parabellum luger
that would be one fine shooting pocket revolver. a 90gr +p does surprising well from a short barrel, I would feel much better with it over a .38spl of any kind. light and fast with little recoil, perfect expansion everytime unlike 38 from a snubbie
that would be one fine shooting pocket revolver. a 90gr +p does surprising well from a short barrel, I would feel much better with it over a .38spl of any kind. light and fast with little recoil, perfect expansion everytime unlike 38 from a snubbie
deerslayer303
New member
Well I haven't shot a LCR in 9mm, but I will say this. My wife has one with the smaller crimson trace grips on it and after 5 rounds of 38+P I'm ready to put it down. I nicknamed it a@*kicker. My opinion get the 357 and shoot 38spl to practice and carry the MAN STOPPER rounds. Oh and just to make ya feel bad, I paid 349 for that LCR brand new. I guess their popularity drove the price up.
Well, it sounds like you may be settling on the .357, which would be my recommendation based upon hearing all of your circumstances. FWIW, as a range operator, I have owned 2 (the .38 and the 9mm - which I still have) and shot all 3 (including the .357).
In my perception, the recoil of the 9mm is about 1/2 way between the .38 and the .357. 9mm is rather punchy, but not painful, at least for me. (I do find the hard Crimson Trace grips much less forgiving than the factory grips.)
A word of caution however in regard to some bullets in some cases "slipping the crimp". Smith and Wesson was the first I recall putting such warnings in their instruction manuals, especially on the guns in the 11 and 12 ounce range. From testing we have done at the range and observed over the years, it can happen even with some of the "standard weight" 15 oz. models. Usually only slightly visible but occasionally enough to keep the cylinder from rotating.
Just yesterday I observed an incident with the 17+ounce 9mm Ruger LCR and the Federal Aluminum cased 115 grain bullets. A buddy had shot 4 of 5 rounds then proceeded to unload the cylinder by ejecting the moon clip with four empties and 1 live round (which he planned to use in loading up another full moon clip for his wife). The bullet on that 5'th round fell completely out of the aluminum case and all the powder spilled out onto the shooting bench.
In my perception, the recoil of the 9mm is about 1/2 way between the .38 and the .357. 9mm is rather punchy, but not painful, at least for me. (I do find the hard Crimson Trace grips much less forgiving than the factory grips.)
A word of caution however in regard to some bullets in some cases "slipping the crimp". Smith and Wesson was the first I recall putting such warnings in their instruction manuals, especially on the guns in the 11 and 12 ounce range. From testing we have done at the range and observed over the years, it can happen even with some of the "standard weight" 15 oz. models. Usually only slightly visible but occasionally enough to keep the cylinder from rotating.
Just yesterday I observed an incident with the 17+ounce 9mm Ruger LCR and the Federal Aluminum cased 115 grain bullets. A buddy had shot 4 of 5 rounds then proceeded to unload the cylinder by ejecting the moon clip with four empties and 1 live round (which he planned to use in loading up another full moon clip for his wife). The bullet on that 5'th round fell completely out of the aluminum case and all the powder spilled out onto the shooting bench.
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LOLCheapshooter
New member
38 Special.
But if you don't mind the extra 3.6 ounces, why not go with the 357. Same weight as the 9MM, and the one advantage of the 9MM being cheaper ammo is a mute point because you load your own.
The 357 gives you the option of light practice 38 Special, or more powerful 357 Magnum for carry.
My own choice was the 38 Special because of the lighter weight. Good 38 Special +P rounds like the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel provide very acceptable performance for my CCW purpose.
While I also reload, I do not carry reloads, or home loaded with new components ammo for self defense. For a couple reasons of which a can of worms I will not open, and hope others don't to avoid distracting from your thread.
