Ruger LCR accuracy

XDforever - re LCR .22LR trigger

I don't find the .22LR trigger to be great -- the pull seems uneven to me and certainly >10 lbs. I shoot it by staging the trigger 3/4 back, then hard focus and ease it back to fire. As I said, the 7-yard accuracy (two-handed, with CT laser in use) is 1" dia. for 5-shot groups. I have read that rimfire triggers have limitations given the hard strike and that the LCR trigger on the 38 and 357 is much better.
 
I bought a new LCR .22 a few months ago and also struggled with the trigger until I bought a LaserMax laser for $99 and this changed the whole picture quickly. After much dry firing with the laser, my groups became minute of bad guy and discovered the LaserMax can be used for all LCR's. Now the
.38/.357 models can become the accurate pocket carry gun we all desire.
 
The problem with lightweight snubbies is not just the short sight radius, but the weight of the guns themselves coupled with a trigger pull which may be heavy and usually is not smooth. Pulling the trigger more easily influences the muzzle of the gun due to the light weight of the gun. I recently traded my SW Bodyguard revolver, partially for that reason (I still have a couple of alloy framed snubbies).
 
I have a 357 LCR - mainly so I have the option of either 357 or 38 spl - however, I rarely shoot 357. I got mine as i wanted a light weight CCW as opposed to carrying a semi-auto - I much prefer revolvers. That said . . .

I find it accurate enough for SD ranges. I have no problems hitting central mass with mine at 25 feet or so. Longer distances? I would imagine the pistol is more accurate than I am. I sometimes practice at longer distances but I probably wouldn't be "takin' home the bacon" in a turkey shoot with it. I've always shot SA - that said, with practice, I'm very comfortable with the DAO of the LCR - mine has a nice smooth trigger pull. It's lightweight and an easy - I carry on the belt. And I will add that I'm personally "plenty comfortable" with the 5 rounds for SD purposes. Hopefully, I'll never need it. If something occurs at a longer distance than I practice at, I should have plenty of time to turn and retreat and hopefully evade the situation.

If you aren't used to shooting a lightweight like the LCR - you accuracy may have been affected by a lot of things - anticipation of firing, you hold, a different trigger pull than yo are used to, etc. I'm not saying you aren't an accurate shooter and that the LCR may not have been "off" . . . I'm saying that if you fired a few hundred rounds out of it and got used to it, you may very well have done better.

I view snubbies as a up close SD weapon and I think you'd find that the LCR, the Bodyguard and similar lightweights would be very adequate for the closer SD ranges and that you'd have no problem with "central mass". Lets face it . . . regardless of how good a shooter a person is and if they can put all of them through the same hole . . the proof in the pudding is how well will they actually shoot in a SD situation when the adrenaline is pumping, you're scared to death and you have to react. I think the secret to the LCR . . . or any snubbie . . . is to practice, practice and then practice some more - "learn the gun" and then make you decision on if it's "accurate" or not. I've shot a lot of different pistols and very rarely did I shoot well with one right off the bat until I became familiar with it . . . which for me, usually takes a couple of boxes of cartridges. :) Now that I'm used to my LCR . . . I'd be hard pressed to want to switch to a different snubbie . . . and I'd have no hesitation in buying another one.
 
I was at the range last night and set up a 12"x10.5" target at 50 yards. I then proceeded to shoot 20 rounds through my LCR .38 and was rewarded with one hole (from one bullet) on the edge of the paper. I'd like to say that the other 19 rounds just barely missed, but the puffs of dust kicked up all over the range told a different story. Guess I need to practice more. :o
 
training, recoil mgmt, laser aimers....

I shot my friends new Ruger LCR with a add on Centerfire laser.
The red dot went all over the center mass but with the regular sights, the .38spl shot well.
If you purchase a snub or light weight DA only revolver, be ready to adjust the laser so the point of aim lines up with your laser. ;)
Recoil and load selection can be dealt with.
The Ruger LCR is a robust, well made defense or BUG revolver.
My other friend didn't care for it but the LCR's owner is satisfied.
Ruger as a few well produced videos on www.Ruger.com too.
 
I have an LCR in .22 mag, it shoots great at SD distances -- 7-10 yards ... I too am not totally delighted with the trigger; to me it feels gritty and maybe a pound or two too heavy ... overall, I really like the gun, got a holster coming for it from Wright ...
 
Wright Leather Works....

My friend with the new Ruger LCR may buy a Wright Leather Works IWB style rig.
I'm not fond of that style holster but I know its very popular with armed professionals who may need a deep concealment rig or who do EP/PSD details.
If I bought my own Ruger LCR .38spl or .357magnum snub I'd get a Wright Leather Predator holster in coffee. I'm debating buying the format with the Lasermax red laser.
It has its merits but as noted, the LCR is meant as a close range/defense revolver & the lasers do lend itself to pocket holster designs.
 
Mine from Wright is an OWB; not a fan of IWB carry ... they have a long waiting period, but their work is excellent ... still got a month or so to go, according to their 12-14 week info on their website ...
 
Yes.
The .22 LR in DA outshot a lightweight Smith in SA off the bench.
Free-standing, with no support, the single-action feature of the Smith would take the nod.
Denis
 
Anyone have experience regarding accuracy with the .22 versions?
Click to expand...

My LCR-22 was quite accurate in itself, but very difficult to shoot accurately. I could do fine by using a 2-handed grip while staging the trigger and slooowly applying pressure until the hammer drops. But to grab the gun and pop off 8 quick shots at a can 20 feet away, forget it. There is too little feedback from the trigger and too much wagging of the muzzle through the heavy trigger pull. Definitely an expert's gun requiring much practice and honing of technique to shoot well. I ended up trading the gun.
 
I shoot my LCR .22 as an understudy. I wouldn't try a coke can a 20 feet. I draw shoot at 3yds & 7yds. I keep all 8 in the k-zone. I'm really thinking about a LCR .38 next. I have an SP101. Ruger works for me.


Phil
 
Keep in mind that most self defense shootings occur within 9 feet - that's only 3 yards. Chances are good that you will be firing one-handed and point shooting rather than using your sights.

At 7 yards, I can consistently fire 2-1/2" groups with my LCP with Crimson Trace laser. Granted, I can shoot 1" groups with my 1911 or H&K at that distance, but the LCP is certainly good enough. It's a great pocket gun.
 
The light weight and super short sight radius inherently make it difficult to shoot. I would stick with the 38 special over the .357 for those reasons. In the end I went with the SP101.
 
Since this tread is not dead I feel like I need to make a small update.

After a started it little over a month ago I obtained SW Model 38 vintage bodyguard, which is very light and small gun, totally comparable to Ruger LCR. The only real difference between two is that SW has a single action mode. After a few trips to the range and getting more familiar with fixed sights and short sight radius I am fine with it.

I can easily stay within 2-3 inches from 25FT in SA and work on getting similar results in DA. I can safely assume at this point that my "less then stellar" performance with LCR was based purely on my incompetency with this style of a gun.
 
Sure, but doesn't the S&W have a steel frame? Those extra ounces really help steady a small gun. I believe the S&W is about 19.5-oz compared to 13.5-oz for the LCR.
 
I have an LCR22. grouping is not the issue for this snubby, its point of aim/point of impact; the gun shoots low. the greater the distance the lower the groupings.

the front sight is simply too tall if used as a normal sight picture. using the standard sight picture of today you have to aim at 12 o'clock to hit center at 7 yards on an 8" shoot-n-c. there just isn't a ruger fix for this design flaw.
 
I've only fired one once and thought it had very acceptable accuracy and a much better gun than I thought. I still think its hideous but I could get the job done with it for sure if necessary.
 
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