JHP. I'm trying to decide between the Ruger SP101 3" in 357mag or the 3 inch LCRx in 38+p. Makarov PM: Russia's Warfighting 'Walther'. Ruger LCR 357MAG - Bad Luck.. You tell Justin that your novelette reviews are just perfect. Thus, the LCR is my go-to revolver. Fobus International was the first holster maker to introduce molded injectedpolymer holsters into the market, contributing greatly to the firearms industry.Established by Chanan Har-Shen in 1978, starting out with leather holsters. Intersting thing is dealer cost on the S&W BodyGuard .38 is about $30 more than the Ruger LCR w/o the laser making the S&W a better value if you want a laser. All Rights Reserved, Ruger's Revolvers: The LCR vs. The single-action trigger pull is clean and breaks around seven pounds. However, the LCR - though not the LCRx - can also be had in .327 Federal Magnum and the LCR's popular 9mm variant. A little background on this project. This year, as an end-of-year release, Ruger fans who have waited for a blued version of the SP101 are finally getting their wish with a classic 2.25" barrel, 5-shot .357 Mag. But it feels a bit light. The GP100 vs SP101: Which is Better For Personal Protection? ... Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver 5718. Get Guns.com offers and news, Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 ©2019 Guns.com. Both have short grips and timeless snub-nosed lines. But what about aiming a double-action-only gun? If I didn't mind a heavier gun or felt .357 was necessary I'd probably seek out one of the heavier all steel S&W models. For more than 70 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. In terms of changing the front post, the LCR makes it easy. Figured I'd get some opinions on what gun to get next. To be completely transparent here, I didn’t even know they made rifle scopes. Ruger should consider an all-steel LCR size. A fully loaded SP 101 comes in over two pounds. And I don’t mind the added mass. I thought a comparison would be in order. With the addition of the Big Dot on the LCR, however, the gap closed significantly. Both are chambered in .357 magnum (about as good as it gets for hard-hitting concealed carry rounds). I carry the SP101 and the LCR357 all day every day. I have not replaced them, however, since they conceal great and the after-market options for the Sp101 tend to be full-size grips, thus hindering concealment. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. https://reflexhandgun.com/2019/06/14/ruger-lcr-vs-sp101-clash-of-the-tiny-titans Too much gun for my … ( Log Out /  Its footprint is measurably less than a k-frame. Condition: pre-owned with small area of 'modification as shown in CLOSE-UP photos here Please see info below, which is directly from manufacturer's website: The SP101 is more limited. It features a monolithic frame with a grip peg allowing for use of a variety of grip styles, and an extensively fluted, high-strength The Ruger LCR. The dao sp101 I tried just didn't seem to scratch that itch. It’s easy to shoot for such a small revolver, but heavy compared to a lightweight like the Ruger LCR. Ruger LCR 9mm “The important thing is reliability, and like .38 LCRs I’ve tested in the past, the 9mm LCR was 100-percent reliable.” 2 of 23 Ruger LCR 9mm Top to Bottom: Ruger LCR 38 .SPL +P, Ruger LCR .22 LR, Ruger LCR 9mm Luger The S&W BodyGuard has the laser built into it. The SP 101’s hammer spur, the functional piece that makes cocking the gun so easy and efficient, is also highly likely to get hung up in clothing. After comparison, the GP100 is evaluated as the better pistol for personal protection and concealed carry. Made in the USA by 5 … Looks. Here is another angle. Ruger 5439 LCR LCRx Single/Double Action .22 WMR 1.87 6 Round. The SP 101 fires in double or single-action modes. And it is the first hammerless revolver I’ve shot that I wouldn’t hesitate to carry. the Sp101 has only been shot with 125g. If, however, you are interested in a small revolver only for limited deep concealment use, that you may need to carry it in a pocket or on the ankle, and you don’t plan on doing that much shooting with it, then the LCR is the way to go. 357 mag ammo. 5 (9mm Luger) 6 (327 Federal Magnum) 5 (357 Magnum) 6 (22 WMR) 8 (22 LR) *Buying ammo from LuckyGunner.com helps support HandgunHero Defiantotter. My two favorite revolvers are the Ruger SP101 3” and the Ruger LCRX 3”. 65,071 Posts . I really like the way Ruger has addressed the trigger pull. I've wanted an LCR since I've put eyeballs on them, I love the slick looks and thinness, not to mention the nice trigger and Ruger … And it has a hammer — which could be an asset or a liability, depending on your skill level. The Ruger LCR, introduced in the 2000s as a dedicated, purpose-built concealed carry revolver largely took over the concealed carry role from the SP101, although a … Ruger SR22 22LR Threaded Barrel. The 686 first debuted in the 1980’s alongside the Model 581, 586 and 681.Since then, th… Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. Both hold five rounds in their cylinders. Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced another expansion of its popular SP101 line of revolvers. If you are going to carry the gun every day I will tell you, even though the SP101 is stainless steal, it will rust. Can a Ravin crossbow keep pace with a budget rifle? However, it is still very small and concealable. The sights on both guns are very similar. The new gun has a 3″ barrel and is chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge. At this point sticking with my Ruger .357 LCR using the .38 Special +P for carry will have to be what I focus on. I have owned 7 other SP101's In the last 20 years. I know most of our minds are already made up. When comparing the sizes of the GP100 and SP101, you might compare them to their S&W counterparts. This gun marks an improvement of previous handheld revolvers because it has been good enough about the fit of barrel lengths and caliber. There’s more to consider than just these two options. The new gun has a 3″ barrel and is chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge. But the SP 101 is a classic, and it is over-built. 5:08. Therefore, I can’t really discount either gun; they are both excellent, or capable of excellence, with the trigger. They are both very small. Guns.com finds out. This is a table top review and comparison of the Colt King Cobra the Kimber K6S and the Ruger SP101. I finally got the chance to shoot a quick 50-rounds box of Blazer Brass ammo through my SP101 that I picked up in January 2018. The SP 101 is a beast. The Hogue grips on the LCR feel much more ergonomic than those of the SP 101, but it is impossible for me to get my pinkie on the grip. The SP101 is chambered in 357 Magnum, and the LCRX is chambered in 38 Special and is +P rated. Thought I'd ask for some opinions, since I'm at a toss up. A premium rifle? Made by Fobus. The SP101 has a 4.6 inch barrel while the LCRX has a 3 inch barrel. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. For concealment purposes, the SP101 and the LCR have the same problems: width. In fact, I’ve developed an unconscious habit of drawing the SP 101 with my thumb already on the hammer (which makes me much more dangerous to myself, honestly). The LCR, on the other hand, is impervious to rust. The only night sight option that I can find for it actually requires you to drill the tap-hole into the sight before you can install it. I don’t care for double-action-only guns. An acronym for “Lightweight Compact Revolvers,” the LCR was unlike any revolver to hit the market at the time and was a total revitalization of the popular designs of the 1950s, ushering in the new era of the American compact revolver. The width is … Out of the box, the SP101 trigger is total shit. It leaves the pinky dangling under the grip, but I find that necessary for the concealment. Since I live according to reality, I occasionally need deep concealment, and I have found that only the small-frame revolver can provide decent power, yet disappear in almost any dress. I think that the LCR proves to have a great revolver trigger for someone like myself, who is predominantly a pistol shooter. You get the classics, .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum. The LCRX is an ugly little dog in comparison. Its footprint is measurably less than a k-frame. Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced another expansion of its popular SP101 line of revolvers. Same with this model of SP101, though some SP101 models come with superior sights. The LCR is lighter, but not by all that much. Ruger LCR Revolver .38 Special 5rd Black - $529.99 Ruger`s LCR is a lightweight, small-frame revolver with a uniquely smooth trigger and highly manageable recoil. The aluminum and polymer construction make it resilient against corrosion and the cylinder coating is indestructible. The SP101 is constructed completely out of steel, while the LCR has a polymer frame and a steel barrel with an aluminum shroud. The SP101 is a small frame, 5 shot comparable to the J frame 60. It worked, and the SP101 has had a reputation as being the best compact .357 Magnum pistols to carry. Yet the LCR is a fantastic gun. 7:53. They have the same barrel length and cylinder width, but the LCR frame is about a quarter inch taller through middle and the stocks or grips tend to be about a quarter inch longer as well. Both guns are quite small, the SP101 being slightly larger than the LCR or the well-known Smith and Wesson J Frame. There are really good reasons for choosing a revolver. A couple months later I purchased a Ruger Sp101 … You can change the front sight on the LCR whereas the 642 is not changeable. I have shot both of them a lot. Guns and Shooting Online reader Bruce Johnson, who was pondering whether to purchase a new Ruger LCR or a used Colt Cobra .38 snubby for daily concealed carry, suggested this comparison. I carry an automatic pistol when I carry a gun, but the revolver won’t go away. In a way, it is a return to the past. Rating: 95%. Compare Close. Change ), Ruger LCR vs SP101: Clash of the Tiny Titans, Appearance on The Home Defense Show: Front Door Defense, Appearance on Modern Combat and Survival Podcast: Shooting on the Move, Reloading from the Pocket: A Strategy for Consistency, Shooting at Longer Distances with the Handgun, Everything on the Band: The Deep Concealment Solution, Review of the Craft Holsters Kydex IWB Holster. The SP101 is chambered in 357 Magnum, and the LCRX is chambered in 38 Special and is +P rated. I like the LCRx for it's light weight and adjustable sights. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. I simply pull so hard that I can’t hold the sights on a bulls-eye. The 642 is more aesthetically pleasing and there are more grip options available. The brushed stainless SP101 is definitely the best looking. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The grip is fat, but I find that this thick grip provides excellent control of this fly-weight gun. ( Log Out /  I worry that it wouldn’t stand up to the number of rounds I put through my guns. I find that the factory SP101 grips are a bit thin for my liking and the gun tends to fish around in my hands. The pull allows for a solid and smooth pull that is easy to control. The most obvious different between these two Rugers is that the SP101 is all stainless steel in construction, and it is a beast for its size. It’s the secondary that shoots like a primary. 5cm Belt Holster. But we’re talking about functional, concealable .357s that won’t jam, fail to feed, or shoot .380 ACP. It is thriving. 11 . However, and this a big however, with a simple replacement main spring and trigger return spring it can be improved to excellence. The grip is a bit longer and the barrel extends more than a quarter of an inch farther. Obviously, the LCR carries much more conveniently since it is so scanty in weight. The weight makes a huge difference in terms of shooting: the LCR is a chore to shoot, even with regular pressure 38 specials. Here are two from Ruger that illustrate the point. The idea was that it would be big enough to handle the .357 Magnum, but small enough to conceal and carry. Both are reported to have heavy trigger pulls although the LCRX might be a little better. This makes the SP 101 heavy, more than a pound and a half. The Ruger felt like a young boy’s cap gun in comparison to the all-steel Cobra, as it does when pitted against my all-steel S&W 640 (around 22 ounces) or Kimber K6s DC (23 ounces), as well. The SP101 can be improved with the usual Ruger trigger job. Browse more videos. The double action pull is quite heavy, coming in above 11 pounds. In terms of overall build quality, the SP101 is a tank that will probably go tens of thousands of rounds of even high-pressure ammo without issue. The handy DBX 57 pistol works well and fits a niche in the ever-growing category of innovative new firearms chambered in 5.7x28mm. LCR® and Ruger SP101® 22 LR Speed Loader: Item Number: 12053 Review Average: Number of Reviews: 4 View Reviews | Review this item: Unit Price: $19.95 In Stock: Quantity Detailed Description: Speed loader for the Ruger LCR® and Ruger SP101® in .22 LR, 8-shot. For more than 70 years, Ruger has been a model of corporate and community responsibility. The LCR probably won’t hold up to that, but I don’t see many people putting that kind of round count through the LCR. Whiskeyresolved. The LCR has no external hammer. It is built from a mix of stainless steel, blued steel and polymer. The SP 101. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines. Most are very simple in their design. Therefore, do you want to shoot it a lot, or do you want the easiest carrying revolver? So far, the SP101 has lived up to its reputation. That was until I picked this one out of a lineup. Early versions shipped with a 2.25-inch barrel and were rubber grips. Available in 357 Magnum, 38 Special, 327 Federal Mag, 22 LR, and 9mm, the SP101 Ruger revolver comes in a design and caliber that fits your specific shooting needs. It's not really about the grip size or barrel length at this point. But that’s about where the similarities stop. Again, if you want to do a lot of shooting with your revolver, the SP101 is the clear champion. The factory sights on the LCR are typical trench and post revolver sights, so they generally suck. The Sp101 has won a spot on my belt for everyday carry. The S&W BodyGuard has the laser built into it. There are also .22 LR and .22 Magnum models, in both the LCR and LCRx. The light weight is important as it lends itself well to versatile carry modes. The Big Dot sight made the LCR far more accurate and shoot-able for me. The idea was that it would be big enough to handle the .357 Magnum, but small enough to conceal and carry. Ravin R20: Is Your Next Rifle a Crossbow? The SP101, I can shoot all day long. Though longer and heavier than a striker-fired trigger, the LCR is a smooth press all the way through, and it lends itself well to decent accuracy. Even with the hammer, it is a good choice for concealed carry, and now Ruger is making an SP101 without a hammer, for those of you who want the best of both worlds. At first glance, these guns seem very similar. 3:57. I found when I used to carry it for deep concealment in a belly band that I had to clean it every few days or it would form rust under the grips. The LCR feels like a lightweight version of a "real gun". Having previously reviewed both revolvers, liked both and actually carried both on a daily basis, it seemed like a comparison I was as qualified as anyone to make. The brushed stainless SP101 is definitely the best looking. If you look at the barrel profile, you’ll see that it is over-built. I do shoot it periodically but I don’t put a large round count through it. To fit Ruger SP101 revolver arms; as well as LCR .22LR, .327, .357 & .38sp. Ruger LCR Double Action Revolver 38 Special, Hogue Grip, 5rd. If it were only a carry gun, and I had another for practice…maybe. OUT OF STOCK (13) Ruger 5435 LCRx Matte Double Action .22 LR (LR) 3 8 Black Hogu. Well, I think the conclusion as to “which is best” is actually quite simple:  if you are a revolver enthusiast that wants a small-frame gun to carry on the belt where the weight does not matter so much, and you plan to train with the gun and shoot it a lot, the SP101 is the clear choice. Weighing in at 26 ounces, it is literally twice the weight of my 38+P LCR. In this instance, the L frame of the 686 denotes a medium-large frame, and is typical of modern, fullsize .357 Magnum offerings from Smith & Wesson. Add to Compare. The Ruger SP101, on the other hand, was a smaller, five shot small framed revolver with a short barrel. I like shooting the LCR and it has 3000 rounds through it with no troubles. https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/ruger-sp101-2-25-vs-ruger-lcr The LCR's grip reminds me of a D-frame Colt's grip, to me that is "Goldilocks". Out of the box, the LCR has what might be the best factory trigger of any small revolver. https://www.guns.com/news/review/rugers-revolvers-the-lcr-vs-the-sp-101 I can acquire targets more quickly with the SP 101, but its sights are not as clean as those of the LCR. Three of the guns have 2-inch barrel’s, but the S&W has a 2.13-inch barrel while the Ruger has the longest at 2.25 inches. And there something to that. RU-101 BHP Fits Ruger SP101 LCR 38, LCR .357. The LCR is double action only but has a trigger pull reducing cam allowing it to have a really smooth pull. Jump to Latest Follow ... Ruger Mark III, Ruger LCP Custom, Ruger SP101, S&W 637, Springfield XDs 9mm, Beretta 92FS Vertec Inox, Sig p238. The latter requires the use of moon clips, but Ruger sells them cheap. OUT OF STOCK (29) Ruger .22 LR Charger 15+1 Black/Polymer OUT OF ... Ruger SP101 Standard Single/Double Action 9mm 2.25 This makes concealing the LCR much easier because drawing is easier. Ruger Wiley Clapp SP101 First Impressions. Even though I love the SP101 and carried it for a while some time ago, I am primarily an auto shooter and I use the small revolver for deep concealment only. ( Log Out /  Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. I purchased a .357 LCR and immediately liked the grip. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines. Not sure about the LCRX. So, brute strength and reasonable accuracy means the Ruger. When the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge was announced in 2007, Ruger was ready to go with a 3.06″ barreled SP101 revolver. It worked, and the SP101 has had a reputation as being the best compact .357 Magnum pistols to carry. The frame, cylinder release, sideplate, and crane arrangement are unmistakably S&W. Ruger should consider an all-steel LCR size. Compare the dimensions and specs of Ruger LCP and Ruger LCR First up, my mustachioed FFL dealer Steven Fusco shooting the bone stock Ruger SP101 with a three-inch barrel, four yards, free hand, slow fire. The whole package, because of the polymer (which they have yet to find a way to cover in chrome), is black. Very Low Stock. The 686 is mostly a refinement of the S&W’s iconic revolver pedigree, established with their K/L frame revolvers. The popular Ruger LCR series made its debut as a .38 Special + P model in 2009. It’s all steel, snubby, reasonably compact, and comfortably recoils in 38+p, and even handles 357mag without punishing most shooters. Ruger lcr vs. sp101. When a crossbow company’s tagline is “meet your next rifle,” we just have to put that to the test. Ruger LC9 vs. RUGER LCP - Which one is best for your needs? Ruger LCR only way to go in small revolver–these are soft shooting guns–my 5’2″, 120# niece absolutely loves firing AE 158 gr JSP .357’s from my LCR .357–a J (junk in my opinion) frame S&W IS a terrible gun to shoot–she also connects every shot, no misses ... Ruger LCR .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver 5450. Compare the dimensions and specs of Ruger SP101 2.25" and Kimber K6s That’s not much, but depending on how you’re carrying the gun, a quarter inch could be the difference between being completely concealed and a gun that prints enou… LCR (Light Compact Revolver) is in a market of it own competing with the light weights of S&W, Charter, Taurus, etc, it even competes with LCP. But I don’t want to overstate either of those qualities. I was dramatically reminded of this during a recent shooting session when I switched from shooting a Colt Night Cobra (26.2 ounces) to the .38 LCR—whoa! Fits most Ruger SP101®, LCR® and LCRx® models. Oh, and my Ruger SP101, which I have not carried yet. The LCR has had some 38+P but, most of the time it gets 357 125G. I think this would be a good gun for shooting 38's through at the range and carrying. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of rugged, reliable firearms for the commercial sporting market. I like having the added security of an external hammer. The LCR has a better trigger pull but also a longer reset making it easier to short stroke. Byrd Carlo. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Ruger LCR 22lr Fail and Correction. $579.00 $578.99. With no external safeties, a loaded revolver is easy to operate. The weight of the SP 101 helps with the recoil. I was never able to find a grip I really liked. I was dramatically reminded of this during a recent shooting session when I switched from shooting a Colt Night Cobra (26.2 ounces) to the .38 LCR—whoa! The barrel is just under two inches long. Best prices on Ruger Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles. There are a number of aftermarket sights for it that you can simply install by removing the drift-pin. I have slightly larger than average hands. Ruger Wrangler .22 LR Single Action 6rd 4.62" Revolver, Burnt Bronze Cerakote 2004 . The standard Houge grip on the LCR is, in my opinion, excellent, but a lot of guys don’t like it. I liked the Colt D frame better than a S&W K frame. The Ruger felt like a young boy’s cap gun in comparison to the all-steel Cobra, as it does when pitted against my all-steel S&W 640 (around 22 ounces) or Kimber K6s DC (23 ounces), as well. It is fine for me, as I tend to have a heavy hand, but it would be a bit much for a smaller shooter, and I even have trouble staging super accurate shots from the double action. And the Hogue grip is heavily textured with nice finger grooves. Compare this to a single-action-only automatic, like the new Colt Mustang, and you’ll see how easy a revolver is to use. It can be even worse if it is down in a bag, like a purse (or a man purse). Compare the dimensions and specs of Ruger SP101 2.25" and Sig Sauer P365 I am no authority on guns and agree with unclenunzie but I cannot see Ruger making the SP101 lighter (currently it's betwen 25 -28 oz) and to become a 17 oz gun and compete in the LCR arena . It weights about 15 pounds and is stiff. The SP 101 comes in a hair longer than the LCR. Odd that few if any mentioned the ruger sp101 in this role. I have only the factory post still on the SP101, but I put an XS Big Dot night sight on the LCR which, for myself, completely changed the revolver for the better. [Note: I chose the SP101 with a three-inch (3.06″) barrel for the gun’s alleged extra accuracy. Right-handed only. ( Log Out /  I find that it is very good for a double-action only revolver, and it tends not to stack as they usually do. The wife likes the Model 60, even more than her S&W Model 19, so I leave it at home for her.