How many here own the Ruger LCR in a .357mag? How manageable is the recoil? I'm looking at it for a back packing/hunting pistol. Of coarse it's main purpose will be defense from black bear at close range. Or maybe a gas robbing tweeker at a trailhead.

Anyway Is it just too much gun in such a small package? I really don't like recoil but bears at very close range prolly won't like being hit with the 357mag.

Thoughts on the LCR in a 357mag please..

Thanks

I have no experience with a 357 LCR, but the SP-101 would be an excellent choice IMHO

^^^This^^^ I Agree.

This again.....

I have shot one and I own a Model 60. The LCR is not bad and weight is always a concern when backpacking. The SP-101 is heavy.

LCR = 17.1 oz
SP 101 = 26.0 oz

I use a 329pd and it is a 6 shot 4" barreled .44 magnum and is only 25.1 ounces. If you are willing to pack the weight of the SP 101 I would get the 329 and gain 1 shot, 1 3/4 inch of barrel, and a bigger caliber. But that's just my opinion.

My opinion.......the LCR is a good, dependable and smooth shooting revolver in .22 or .38 special. I think in .357 chambering, recoil and muzzle blast would be intolerable.

That's what I'm thinking as well. Hitting a bear at close range in a hairy situation might be hard enough.

My wife has a S&W 640 in .357, weighs 23 oz. It's a hand full with .357's, we keep +P's in it. Friend has an LCR .357, he carries +P's also. Just too much blast and buck in a revolver that small, IMHO it is better to get back on target quicker.

Exactly why the SP-101 makes so much sense. I love mine, easy to shoot.

+ 1 0n the SP-101.

I have a 3" with "Big Dot" front sight installed and it is a thing of joy to shoot.

SC

You guys all have tougher hands then me!

I had a 3" SP101 and fired a cylinderful of factory Federal 158 grain HP loads as fast as I could one day. Five shots were all I wanted to shoot at that level, it was like getting slapped in the hand with a swung baseball bat each time. I can see doing it in an emergency but only in an emergency.

It was okay with moderate handloads, in fact one of its redeeming features was that it shot to the same POI with any 158 grain bullet whether from a .38 Special to those full power loads. However 125 grain bullets would shoot a full 14" low at 10 yards.

That one experience soured me on any of the lightweights unless it was for low to moderate loads only. As emergency only pieces they'd be okay but I'd rather get proficient with something a bit heavier that's easier to handle and more fun to practice with using its duty loads. Even a GP-100 isn't obtrusive to carry all day in a good belt holster, that's what I carried in the field, that or a 6" S&W 586.

That's just my opinion but I offer it as a counterpoint and something to think about. You might see if you can find a place that rents handguns and try an LCR in .357 before buying. If you're good with the recoil then that's okay, if not then you've saved money that could go to something else you might end up shooting more.

Three things:

1.) I own an LCR but not in 357

2.) I love backpacking

3.) I don't like recoil


With that information I can tell you this, my backpacking handgun is light and a .44 Special. It hurts to shoot. And that's not just me talkin' either. I've passed it around and nobody likes shooting it. But, I can shoot it well enough to deal with a dickhead or a bear.



I've backpacked with heavier guns, but always regret it.

So if you're doing 3 mile day hikes, I'd err on the side of the gun being fun to shoot and get a nice holster. If you're doing 15 miles in a day, go with the LCR. If your hikes are gaining 1K' over one mile, go with the LCR.

And if you are going to go with a heavier gun, be sure you can actually shoot it better than the lighter gun. Some people shoot the same no matter what you give them. If the best you can do is a 12" group @ 15yds, you might as well go light.



Travis

Don't forget to ask Phil Shoemaker about this. Fella knows a lot about shooting bears up close.

I solved the bear issue by taking a kid hiking with me when I go.

When it looks like they will be able to outrun me, I either have another kid, fatten the ones I got, or tell my adult children that Mom would really like another grandchild.

I'm set for about 10 years.

With rifle, yes with handguns not so much.

I was looking at a brand new ruger lcr yesterday, that was going back to the factory. The star wheel was misaligned, and while brand new in the box, once opened, the cyclinder could not be shut in the gun.
How it got out of ruger, I don't know. There quality control had to be asleep.

I have an LCR in 357 mag. It's light so not as controllable as my SP101 but it's certainly shootable and is not like shooting a light Smith. Not the fastest recovery time but you can get some pretty fast shots off once you get used to pulling the trigger everytime the front sight comes back on target. The flexable frame and the smooth trigger makes a big difference IMO. I like mine and carry 357's in the open. +P's in the house.

Jim in Idaho,
It's not about tougher, it's smarter.
After trying full power 357 loads in my SP-101 the factory grips went away and I switched to some nice wood Hogues.

My standard 357 loads are 11.0 grains AA9 with 158gr Keith style w/ GC or 158 XTP's and are not too zippy. I also set up a 158 gr. in 38 Special + P brass (think 38/44).

You are right about 158's hitting the same POI out of the 3 inch, kind of a nice thing.

Here as of late my new woods bumming gun is a S&W M696 3" with 240gr. Keith style with 7.0gr. of Unique.

SC

haven't shot anythings but 38's in the LCR, but I do carry and from time to time, shoot full house 357's from a 12oz smith 360 3"

yes recoil is brutal, It hurts, but my backwoods carry is a lot of carry and very rarely ever shooting so its a good combo. It will shoot pretty well (I can hit a soda can at 25 yds with good regularity, but I expect if I was shooting at a bear the range would likely be in feet not yards.

I do realize that 600lb black bears do exist but most are in the 125-300 lb range and I my guess is that a stout 158g load will do well enough and it will certainly be enough for a dog/coyote or a two legged vermin.

I figure that its about as much gun as I can bring for 12oz.


In the op's position I would go for the LCR

I have shot about a box of .357 ammo through an LCR. Based on that very limited experience and given your 4 stated scenarios, I'd say:

1. Yes.
2. No. It's a 1.875" bbl and DAO.
3. Not a huge concern. Including the one in your neighborhood recently, there have only been 7 reported bear attacks in the entire state in the last 40+ years. But, if you are actually attacked, and you actually are able to pull your gun, the .357 is as likely to save you as anything else.
4. Yes, but remember, here in Washington you cannot use deadly force to protect personal property.

Take care!

I have no experience with the LCR but I do have a S&W model 60, 3" in 357. It's 28 oz with it's five chambers loaded. It is not difficult to manage at all with full throttle 357 loads though as a light framed 357 I use it trail side mainly with 38 S 158-gr semi-wad cutters.

These at 800 + fps may even be a better option trail side as this slug will easy pop through the skull of any black bear at end-of-barrel-range though I would expect they'd get low score as a tactical round for two-legged scavengers.

Bottom line this weight firearm in 357 is manageable with some practice IMO.