Archived Posts » 59,757,950
Ruger LCR or S&W 642?
3/22/2012 4:30:55 PM
I'm in the market for a snub nose revolver for occasional pocket carry and carry while I'm jogging. I've been planning of getting the 642 but saw a LCR yesterday and it was appealing too. I've generally had S&W revolvers in the past but had a Ruger Service Six which I wish I still had. My main concern with the LCR is the corrosion resistance, I'm in FL and sweat is inevitable. I know the 642 is stainless and aluminum so it should be fine. The LCR is partially polymer and the cylinder is stainless but what about the smaller parts, any rust issues? How do the LCRs hold up?
3/22/2012 7:31:40 PM
Im a huge S&W fan
every single j frame I have shot excellent ragged 5rd hole at 21 feet
640 & 649 357
640 38spl +P
637 38+P
37 38spl only
and soon a 642 with laser EDIT TO ADD
scratch that I bought the 642 with the famous internal lock
every single j frame I have shot excellent ragged 5rd hole at 21 feet
640 & 649 357
640 38spl +P
637 38+P
37 38spl only
and soon a 642 with laser EDIT TO ADD
scratch that I bought the 642 with the famous internal lock
3/23/2012 8:14:06 AM
Smith
3/23/2012 10:23:43 AM
LCR fan here. I have owns several J-frames. They are great guns; I just prefer the LCR. Shoot both and get what you like.
3/23/2012 4:00:14 PM
What about corrosion resistance?
3/23/2012 5:02:39 PM
Originally Posted By HUMONGO:
Smith
Smith
+1.
3/23/2012 8:43:00 PM
Originally Posted By 217:
Shoot both and get what you like.
Shoot both and get what you like.
This.
Both are good guns.
3/24/2012 9:55:41 PM
Durability I would go S&W. I prefer the M&P 340 no lock.
3/24/2012 10:25:38 PM
I don't think this decision is really much of a problem. No real bad choice here.
I have owned and carried a 642 for years and due to the trigger I have always been a S&W guy over pretty much any other revolver.
The LCR however has in my opinion a trigger that is every bit as good as the S&W.
Of course the S&W is proven and we know it will hold up .
Price as far as I can see is pretty much the same
So I guess just because I am an old grumpy guy I would vote for the S&W because I suspect it s proven action might hold up better in the very long run
I have owned and carried a 642 for years and due to the trigger I have always been a S&W guy over pretty much any other revolver.
The LCR however has in my opinion a trigger that is every bit as good as the S&W.
Of course the S&W is proven and we know it will hold up .
Price as far as I can see is pretty much the same
So I guess just because I am an old grumpy guy I would vote for the S&W because I suspect it s proven action might hold up better in the very long run
3/25/2012 10:09:54 AM
Im in FL as well. I have carried revolvers now for years, i have never had an issue with any carry firearm and corrosion......that said why not look infto a smith 340pd or 360pd....scandium frames with titanium cylinders
3/25/2012 12:41:58 PM
Originally Posted By survivorman:
Im in FL as well. I have carried revolvers now for years, i have never had an issue with any carry firearm and corrosion......that said why not look infto a smith 340pd or 360pd....scandium frames with titanium cylinders
Im in FL as well. I have carried revolvers now for years, i have never had an issue with any carry firearm and corrosion......that said why not look infto a smith 340pd or 360pd....scandium frames with titanium cylinders
You know, I actually haven't had much issue with corrosion myself but I generally use Glocks or stainless guns. I did have a Kahr that had a little rust on the slide but I carried it IWB in a cheap nylon for a couple years and it was still only a minor issue. I just figure carrying while jogging and in a pocket in the summer will be more apt to get sweaty than other types of carry. I think I'm going to stick with the 642, I just can't justify the extra cost of the Ti/Sc models.
3/25/2012 12:44:58 PM
I carry a LCR in Kentucky when it's hot. When it's hot in Kentucky, it is also humid. So far, no corrosion issues whatsoever.
I do practice basic maintenance, but nothing heroic.
I do practice basic maintenance, but nothing heroic.
3/26/2012 9:00:16 AM
Just try to handle both if you can. I'm a Ruger SP101 guy so the LCR was my first choice when looking for a smaller revolver. However, the large trigger guard on the LCR made it uncomfortable to me, so I got the Smith. I do wish it had the cylinder release of the LCR though, the one on the Smith chews on my thumb when firing it.
As far as the trigger pull goes, after handling and dry firing several Smiths and LCR's, and shooting a couple of each, I don't understand the praise some give to the Ruger, as I found them both to be equally crappy. The APEX kit for the J-frame made a world of difference in my Smith.
As far as the trigger pull goes, after handling and dry firing several Smiths and LCR's, and shooting a couple of each, I don't understand the praise some give to the Ruger, as I found them both to be equally crappy. The APEX kit for the J-frame made a world of difference in my Smith.
3/26/2012 10:50:17 PM
Originally Posted By AirRaceFan:
Just try to handle both if you can. I'm a Ruger SP101 guy so the LCR was my first choice when looking for a smaller revolver. However, the large trigger guard on the LCR made it uncomfortable to me, so I got the Smith. I do wish it had the cylinder release of the LCR though, the one on the Smith chews on my thumb when firing it.
As far as the trigger pull goes, after handling and dry firing several Smiths and LCR's, and shooting a couple of each, I don't understand the praise some give to the Ruger, as I found them both to be equally crappy. The APEX kit for the J-frame made a world of difference in my Smith.
Just try to handle both if you can. I'm a Ruger SP101 guy so the LCR was my first choice when looking for a smaller revolver. However, the large trigger guard on the LCR made it uncomfortable to me, so I got the Smith. I do wish it had the cylinder release of the LCR though, the one on the Smith chews on my thumb when firing it.
As far as the trigger pull goes, after handling and dry firing several Smiths and LCR's, and shooting a couple of each, I don't understand the praise some give to the Ruger, as I found them both to be equally crappy. The APEX kit for the J-frame made a world of difference in my Smith.
I would recommend the S&W over the LCR mostly for this same reason, you can modify the trigger easily, not so with the LCR.
3/30/2012 3:18:18 PM
I debated this same question and finally went with the LCR in 357 and plan to shoot 38 special out of it. But I will likely end up with an M&P340 when I find one at a good price 
3/31/2012 4:37:09 PM
Smith, but you really can't go wrong with either.
3/31/2012 4:53:26 PM
After handling both of them a bit more, I'm going with the 642. The LCR just didn't feel right, probably due to my prior history with Smith revolvers.
4/1/2012 12:32:25 PM
I have a 637, 642, and LCR in .357
DAO Trigger = Ruger > S&W
Cylinder Lockup = S&W > Ruger
Overall Quality = S&W > Ruger
I REALLY like the LCR shape and poly frame, and I have no problem in trusting my life to the LCR. But having owned several S&W revolvers its hard to find anything I like better but YMMV
DAO Trigger = Ruger > S&W
Cylinder Lockup = S&W > Ruger
Overall Quality = S&W > Ruger
I REALLY like the LCR shape and poly frame, and I have no problem in trusting my life to the LCR. But having owned several S&W revolvers its hard to find anything I like better but YMMV
4/1/2012 10:22:15 PM
I'm a SW guy and own a bunch but I did pick up a LCR and I really like it.
I'm probably gonna grab the next used .357 LCR I come across as well
I'm probably gonna grab the next used .357 LCR I come across as well
4/5/2012 9:51:05 PM
Originally Posted By survivorman:
Im in FL as well. I have carried revolvers now for years, i have never had an issue with any carry firearm and corrosion......that said why not look infto a smith 340pd or 360pd....scandium frames with titanium cylinders
Im in FL as well. I have carried revolvers now for years, i have never had an issue with any carry firearm and corrosion......that said why not look infto a smith 340pd or 360pd....scandium frames with titanium cylinders
+1
I havent had any problems with rust here in SWFL even with a canal in my back yard
4/5/2012 9:57:49 PM
Originally Posted By scromer:
I debated this same question and finally went with the LCR in 357 and plan to shoot 38 special out of it. But I will likely end up with an M&P340 when I find one at a good price
I debated this same question and finally went with the LCR in 357 and plan to shoot 38 special out of it. But I will likely end up with an M&P340 when I find one at a good price
That's what I did. That M&P 340 with the big dot tritium front site is money.
4/8/2012 7:07:59 PM
I have had both and I am carrying the LCR in a pocket holster. I find the LCR easier on the hands when shooting.
4/9/2012 12:46:18 AM
Originally Posted By gunnut284:
After handling both of them a bit more, I'm going with the 642. The LCR just didn't feel right, probably due to my prior history with Smith revolvers.
After handling both of them a bit more, I'm going with the 642. The LCR just didn't feel right, probably due to my prior history with Smith revolvers.
Hands-on experience is a good basis for a decision and asking for general advice is complementing it. But all recommendations will not come close to first hand experience when such a personal choice is made.
