Looking for an LCR replacement

[308Scout]

Title says it all. I have a .38 spl + P rated revolver (13.5 oz)that I'm looking to replace. I'm not recoil sensitive, but damned if shooting a box of 50 +p doesn't cause perceptible disturbance to the nerve running up my thumb using Hogue G10 grips. This is preferable to the blistering/tearing that occurs with the Hogue "tamer" rubber grips... while they do cushion things a bit, they are tacky enough to grab skin and cause blistering/tears at the base of the thumb inside 25 rounds. Still looking for a smaller size, but heavier, revolver to replace the LCR's niche. The S&W 640 Pro is currently at the top of the list due to it's heavier weight and slightly longer bbl (the three dot night sights are a bonus as well). Also thinking of the Kimber K6s in the ~2" bbl variety. Anyone with either of these revolvers have any notes to share?

 

[Sundazes]

I have a K6xs and it is my EDC. +p are snappy but very manageable. I really like it. So does anyone who shoots it.
I am recoil sensitive to due a severe arm injury from a car accident. It works for me. 6 rounds as well.
The Kimber won out over a 38 PD J frame. That said, I will pocket carry the j frame since it is a bit smaller.

 

[308Scout]

I have a K6xs and it is my EDC. +p are snappy but very manageable. I really like it. So does anyone who shoots it.
I am recoil sensitive to due a severe arm injury from a car accident. It works for me. 6 rounds as well.
The Kimber won out over a 38 PD J frame. That said, I will pocket carry the j frame since it is a bit smaller.

Solid feedback! Diet for what I select will be almost exclusively +p. What dimension do you notice the difference with the j frame the most? Width? Get that the grip lengths are different.

 

[Art3]

If you want heavy, a Ruger SP101 would still use your existing speed loaders and run the +P all the way up to .357mag.
But it's heavy!

 

[Sundazes]

Solid feedback! Diet for what I select will be almost exclusively +p. What dimension do you notice the difference with the j frame the most? Width? Get that the grip lengths are different.

The width since the Kimber is 6 shots and the smith is 5. The Kimber is just a bit bigger over alI. i do have a hogue on the j frame.

 

[ohen cepel]

I am a big fan of these, have the 32mag version;

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-432-ultimate-carry-revolver-32hr-mag-black-with-no-lock

They also make it in 38.

Gemini Custom will also port a J frame for you if that interests you (I will do that when I am in America) and can drop it off to them; https://www.geminicustoms.com/sw-custom-revolvers/

I don't shoot hot stuff through my J frames (or 66) much as I don't see a training gain to it.

 

[308Scout]

If you want heavy, a Ruger SP101 would still use your existing speed loaders and run the +P all the way up to .357mag.
But it's heavy!

looking for heavier, but not necessarily at the extra dimensions that the SP101 provides. I use speed strips with revolvers, so loaders aren't really a concern.

ETA: not terribly different aside from length.

 

[308Scout]

The width since the Kimber is 6 shots and the smith is 5. The Kimber is just a bit bigger over alI. i do have a hogue on the j frame.

Good point. Willing to give up some width on a small revolver if it gains an extra round.

 

[INMY01TA]

Funny, I had a pre lock 357 640 I sold to get my LCR 357. I like the LCR much better.

 

[hogarth]

Why the +p? I think conventional wisdom today is that a 2" barrel doesn't provide enough time for all the powder to burn. So you're increasing muzzle flash/blast and recoil without a significant increase in velocity.

Current best practices for defensive purposes out of a 2" revolver seems to be 148 grain wadcutters.

I'll also add that all the older people I know who used to professionally carry snubs AND who were actual shooters advocated for having a .22lr snubby as a training tool and would only shoot the .38 enough to maintain proficiency.

 

[Sundazes]

Why the +p? I think conventional wisdom today is that a 2" barrel doesn't provide enough time for all the powder to burn. So you're increasing muzzle flash/blast and recoil without a significant increase in velocity.

Current best practices for defensive purposes out of a 2" revolver seems to be 148 grain wadcutters.

I'll also add that all the older people I know who used to professionally carry snubs AND who were actual shooters advocated for having a .22lr snubby as a training tool and would only shoot the .38 enough to maintain proficiency.

I agree with this. Not much of a difference in a 2 inch barrel.
Same with the wadcutters.

 

[calicojack]

Any reason you don't want a 380 mouse gun? I know - not the same. Apples and oranges.

 

[308Scout]

Why the +p? I think conventional wisdom today is that a 2" barrel doesn't provide enough time for all the powder to burn. So you're increasing muzzle flash/blast and recoil without a significant increase in velocity.

Current best practices for defensive purposes out of a 2" revolver seems to be 148 grain wadcutters.

I'll also add that all the older people I know who used to professionally carry snubs AND who were actual shooters advocated for having a .22lr snubby as a training tool and would only shoot the .38 enough to maintain proficiency.

Mostly because I have a lot of it lying around (got a really good deal on bulk a while back). Not really the best of reasons, for sure.

Any reason you don't want a 380 mouse gun? I know - not the same. Apples and oranges.

View attachment 484488

Already have an LCP Max and a PPK/s to fill the small .380 niche. Excellent job getting that foot in there for scale!

I was out visiting LGSs earlier today and got my hands on a lot of revolvers. I ended up trading the LCR in for a 2.25" SP101 chambered .357. The grip shape and angle on that one just felt like it was custom made to fit my hands perfectly.

 

[linkstate]

When I first got a Smith 442 which is a couple oz more than your LCR, I had the same issue with that nerve/tendon at the base of my thumb.

I shot about 50 rounds and my thumb was sore for weeks. I’m not a novice revolver shooter but that was a lesson. Now when I fire my airweight j frame, I kind on force my support hand thumb down more which moves that nerve/tendon out of the way.

I picked up a Smith 640 and put the hogue tamer grips on for when I want to do an extended snub session. That thing is a joy to shoot comparatively with .38 specials. Still a handful I guess compared to a full size revolver but much more comfortable than an airweight.

I usually end the session with 15 rounds or so though the airweight since that is what I carry sometimes.

Also, I’ve never had an issue with the rubber grips. Got to grip that thing hard.

 

[Worsley]

Title says it all. I have a .38 spl + P rated revolver (13.5 oz)that I'm looking to replace. I'm not recoil sensitive, but damned if shooting a box of 50 +p doesn't cause perceptible disturbance to the nerve running up my thumb using Hogue G10 grips. This is preferable to the blistering/tearing that occurs with the Hogue "tamer" rubber grips... while they do cushion things a bit, they are tacky enough to grab skin and cause blistering/tears at the base of the thumb inside 25 rounds. Still looking for a smaller size, but heavier, revolver to replace the LCR's niche. The S&W 640 Pro is currently at the top of the list due to it's heavier weight and slightly longer bbl (the three dot night sights are a bonus as well). Also thinking of the Kimber K6s in the ~2" bbl variety. Anyone with either of these revolvers have any notes to share

I like my Kimber

K6xs

THE K6XS™ IS AN EXTRA SMALL, ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT REVOLVER with all the features of its larger framed sibling the K6s™. The K6xs™ uses the same lightweight, non-stacking trigger system from the K6s™. Also features a fluted glass-bead finish cylinder and barrel slot cut to further lighten the K6xs™...

www.kimberamerica.com

 

[308Scout]

Pretty sure that I figured out the issue with this one. During my handling of a metric S*** ton of revolvers yesterday, I think that I may have gained additional insight on my problem and it comes down to rear grip angle and the shape/anatomy of my hand. I noticed that a number of the less comfortable options for me (including the original LCR) were those with enclosed hammers. The rear angle of the grip is steeper in a number of these models as it approaches the hammer enclosure (Straight-up J frames being an exception). The top of the grip in them nested in my hand a lot deeper higher up than does a more traditional grip. This "hot spot" was in the exact spot where I experienced the issue (factoring in recoil and rotation).

 

[Art3]

Pretty sure that I figured out the issue with this one. During my handling of a metric S*** ton of revolvers yesterday, I think that I may have gained additional insight on my problem and it comes down to rear grip angle and the shape/anatomy of my hand. I noticed that a number of the less comfortable options for me (including the original LCR) were those with enclosed hammers. The rear angle of the grip is steeper in a number of these models as it approaches the hammer enclosure (Straight-up J frames being an exception). The top of the grip in them nested in my hand a lot deeper higher up than does a more traditional grip. This "hot spot" was in the exact spot where I experienced the issue (factoring in recoil and rotation).

View attachment 484630

I have pretty big hands, wide mostly. The difference between the LCR and SP101 is night and day for me. The extra weight on top of a more "big gun style" grip should let you shoot .38sp all day. .357 is still a little spicy, but not unbearable. It makes an impressive fireball, especially at night.

Congrats. If your experience is anything like mine, the only time you won't think the SP101 is superior in every way is when it is pulling down your pants in your pocket

 

[308Scout]

I have pretty big hands, wide mostly. The difference between the LCR and SP101 is night and day for me. The extra weight on top of a more "big gun style" grip should let you shoot .38sp all day. .357 is still a little spicy, but not unbearable. It makes an impressive fireball, especially at night.

Congrats. If your experience is anything like mine, the only time you won't think the SP101 is superior in every way is when it is pulling down your pants in your pocket

Never pocket carried with the LCR, so pretty sure the Sp101 is good to go!

 

[Cowboy T]

Never pocket carried with the LCR, so pretty sure the Sp101 is good to go!

Well, it ain't like you chose badly. The SP101 is a mighty fine wheelgun. Most importantly, it's comfortable for you.

I've shot standard .38 Spl and the +P rounds through an LCR. Yep, both loads are a bit snappy, much like a S&W J-Frame Airweight. My solution was to handload and develop a "powder puff" load in .38 Spl. It uses a 105gr bullet with a light-ish charge of Bullseye. It replicates in-flight ballistics of typical .38 Spl rounds up to at least 25 yards. With that load, something like an LCR or J-Frame Airweight is quite tolerable when shooting a box of 50 or so.

I originally developed this load with my then-girlfriend, now-wife, in mind, as she is recoil-sensitive.

 

[308Scout]

I have pretty big hands, wide mostly. The difference between the LCR and SP101 is night and day for me. The extra weight on top of a more "big gun style" grip should let you shoot .38sp all day. .357 is still a little spicy, but not unbearable. It makes an impressive fireball, especially at night.

Congrats. If your experience is anything like mine, the only time you won't think the SP101 is superior in every way is when it is pulling down your pants in your pocket

Picked the SP101 up today and put some lead down range this afternoon. Put various loads of .357 and .38spl down the barrel, up to and including some spicy "bear load" .357 180gr. I shot ~100 rounds total. You were spot on - absolutely night and day compared to the LCR. I wouldn't call anything that I shot today punishing by any stretch and no discomfort or hot spots on my hand at all. Not regretting making the switch at all. Wish I'd gotten around to it sooner.