The Ruger LCR is a great, little revolver, so this review was a lot of fun. The Grip Peg allows a variety of grip styles to be installed, leaving ample room for recoil cushioning. You could drop the LCRx, hit it with a hammer or throw it from the top of a skyscraper without any danger of accidental discharge. The LCRx has a more traditional double action (DA) look and feel with an external hammer that allows the shooter to cock and shoot single-action if desired. . ; largest group 3-3/16 in. Going The Extra Inch: 3-Inch Barrel Ruger LCRx .357 Magnum. It has a 1/16 barrel with a flat face and target crown. +P 125 gr. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. ; mean average group = 3.0 in. It has plenty of power, and there is a broad selection of ammunition. The grip angle of the LCR fits me a little better than my J-Frame Smith & Wesson 340PD. I currently have the LCR in .38 Special +P that Im trying to sell locally to fund one in .327 FM. It has a partially exposed hammer, which I prefer, allowing for DA/SA action. Thats more energy than a .45 Automatic produces with a 230-grain bullet at 850 fps (367 ft.-lbs.) No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Ruger revolutionized small, lightweight revolver design when they introduced the LCR, made with a cylinder frame of aerospace-grade aluminum, and a grip frame of high-tech polymer. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. (I) Giveaway ends May 31, 2023. #5. a big advantage of a handgun chambered in 327 mag is its versatility, chambering 32short, 32long, 32mag and maybe 32acp. These included Sig Sauer 125-grain Elite Performance V-Crown, Federal 130-grain HST .38 Spl. Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources. S&W 632 with 3" barrel & adjustable sights in .327 Fed! Incidentally, for those desiring a short grip, we swapped the full size grip for the short grip from a two inch LCRx snubby and it fit perfectly. Therefore, you must keep in mind to tilt the revolver back to clear it completely (a review of Massad Ayoobs stressfire technique to clear the gun might be in order). Introducing the Leupold LTO Tracker Thermal Sight, 20 Best Concealed Carry Guns In 2023 (Updated! You might find this article interesting: Why the Best Snub Nose Caliber is .32 - Lucky Gunner Lounge As far as hammer vs hammerless, the hammerless is going to be much more snag free, especially in a purse. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. By the Guns and Shooting Online Staff. The DoubleTap load with the 115-grain cast bullet produced 1,264 fps and 408 ft.-lbs. (We waited about four years to get a Ruger Gold Label shotgun for review! The 3" models on the market now are all based on the light frame adapted to a longer barrel. High-strength stainless steel cylinder, featuring a PVD finish for excellent durability, is extensively fluted, reducing weight. Ive carried a S&W snubbie since the late 70s. Think it is possible, as Ruger keeps expanding the LCR Models. They are excellent point-and-shoot guns because they dont have a safety to fiddle with. True confession: I do alternate the . These included the standard pressure Remington/UMC 130 grain Metal Case (MC) and Winchester/USA 130 grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) loads, which are very popular for practice. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. I have to bend my wrist downward a little to properly align the front sight until it is even with the rear sight. While this pushes the five-round revolvers weight up to around 21 ounces, the heft is welcome. The most important advantage is for the person who reloads. And, it would be one more ammo to find or reload for. For my range test of the 3-inch-barrelled LCRx, I shot three different defensive roundsincluding one in .38 Spl +Pand a full metal jacket round. For carrying concealed, the three inch LCRx requires the same (large) size fanny pack or holster a Diamondback or K-frame S&W needs. That means the DLC is very durable, indeed. Please note that due to export regulations, this service is not available to international customers. JavaScript is disabled. As you would expect from a Ruger product, and in particular a revolver, during our testing there were no malfunctions of any kind. The LCR holds six rounds of .327 Federal Magnum, but only five rounds of .38/.357 caliber ammunition. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. They are not needed for reliable function. The elements might have squeezed in a fraction of an inch here or there; nevertheless, from 15 yards off a rest and in single-action mode, I was capable of groups 2.25 inches or under across the board with .357 ammo. With the return of the 3 barrel .327 Magnum, Ruger fans can once again get a SP101 in this caliber that is more suited for concealed carry. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. The original LCR design has its parts in a polymer fire-control unit, which has something to do with the smoothness. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Subscribe to our email list and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events and more! Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Monolithic frame is made from aerospace-grade, 7000-series aluminum in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special models and from 400-series stainless steel in the powerful .357 Magnum, 9mm Luger and .327 Federal Magnum models. Although very light for its size and commendably thin, the three inch LCRx is a medium frame (except for the cylinder window), service size revolver and therefore probably not suitable for most civilian concealed carry purposes. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. . Ruger LCP II w/ CT Laserguard; Ruger LCR (1.875") .22, 38, 357; Ruger LCR /w Lasermax Centerfire; Ruger LCRx 3" Ruger Max 380; Ruger Max 9; Ruger P85 P89 KP P90 P91; Ruger P93 94 95 and KP 95; Ruger Redhawk; Ruger Security 380 Holster; Ruger Security 9; Ruger Security 9 Compact; Ruger SP 101 2.25" Ruger SP 101 2.25" w/ CT LaserGrip; Ruger SP . We measured the single action trigger pull at a clean six pounds, which is exactly the same as the LCRx snubby previously reviewed. Mag. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, State Agency: Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of The 3-inch-barreled LCRx in .38 Special +P (officially Model 5431) is part of Ruger's LCR lineup of revolvers with polymer grip frames. Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal MAG Revolver 5.5 in Barrel, Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal Magnum Revolver with 4.2 Inch Barrel, Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal Magnum Revolver with 7.5 Inch Barrel, Ruger SP101 327 Federal Magnum Double Action Revolver, Ruger LCR 327 Federal Magnum Double-Action Revolver, Ruger LCRx 327 Federal Magnum Double-Action Revolver, Ruger SP101 327 Federal Mag Double-Action Revolver with 3-Inch Barrel, Ruger GP100 Standard 327 FED MAG 7-Shot Double-Action Revolver, Ruger GP100 Standard 327 Federal Mag Double-Action Revolver, Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal Magnum Revolver with 5.5 Inch Barrel and Satin Blued Finish, Ruger Single Seven 327 Federal Magnum Revolver with Black Micarta Grips, Ruger GP100 327 Federal Mag Double-Action Revolver with Smooth Walnut Grips. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. They are easily concealed and easily accessed. Contest void where prohibited by law. The trigger guard is generous and should present no drawbacks with extra-large fingers or when wearing gloves. Ruger SP101 327 Federal Mag Double-Action Revolver with 3-Inch Barrel $649.99; Brand: Ruger; Item Number: 5784; Ruger GP100 Standard 327 FED MAG 7-Shot Double . The LCRx's ejector rod is too short to completely remove fired cases from the cylinder. It would lighten the gun a bit, look sexy and possibly help break-up heat waves from the barrel during extended shooting sessions. Guns and Shooting Online staff members Chuck Hawks, Rocky Hays and Jim Fleck handled the shooting chores. Ruger claims that the polymer grip frame and Tamer grip combine to deliver about 50% less felt recoil than other .38 Special revolvers of similar size and weight. A .327 revolver can fire .327 Magnum, .32 Magnum, .32 Long and .32 S&W. The three inch LCRx's superior sights and longer sight radius definitely help when compared to the typical two inch snub-nose revolver. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM Old West 2023, PO Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Hogue Tamer grip goes a long way in reducing the light revolver's recoil. The gun features a Hogue Tamer rubber grip that incorporates a very soft insert at the web of the hand to take the bite out of recoil. For example, the hottest round I shot was Sig Sauers 125-grain Elite Performance V-Crown, which clocked in at an average 1,281 fps, as measured by my chronograph 6 feet from the muzzle. That said, my 327 needs appear to be covered. Thankfully, a little goes a long way. Ruger LCRx. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, State Agency: SP101, 357 magnum, 3 inch barrel; concealed carry: S&W 642, Ruger LCR 38 +P; deep concealed carry: NAA Sidewinder 22 magnum. Short Barrel, or Federal 130 gr Micro HST against the 327 Federal Magnum's SD ammo, What, if any is the difference in recoil? +P 125 gr. The .327 Federal Magnum also produces less recoil than the .357 Magnum, which makes for faster follow-up shots. Letter is written & sent - but I may be too impatient. However, you can make the argument that they do themselves a disservice by going so small. The LCRx revolver features aerospace-grade aluminum construction, a polymer fire control housing for reduced weight, a grip peg that accommodates many different grip styles, a Hogue Tamer Monogrip for reduced recoil and comfortable handling, a friction-reducing cam for a smooth trigger pull, a stainless steel cylinder with a PVD finish and fluted design for excellent durability, an external hammer, and a replaceable pinned ramp front sight with a white bar. We compared the new LCRx to a classic Colt Diamondback .38 and found that the silhouette of the two revolvers is almost identical in size and shape. Sign-up now to get more revolver content every Wednesday! Halfway through the second day of testing, Rick Maccia, my gunsmith friend, picked up my LCRx and inspected it. Exposed hammer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It is because of the LCR's high recoil velocity that titanium, instead of steel, is used for the LCR's cylinder lock pin and front latch. It would be the perfect little "kit gun" IMO. Elwood Shelton is an online content developer for Gun Digest. Rugers website states the cylinders are refinished with a durable, black Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). However, if you stay stock, the inset white stripe proves highly visible, even in the gray and hazy conditions I used it in. This is awfully close to the power of a .357 Magnum when it launches a 125-grain bullet at 1,250 fps from a 2-inch barrel producing 434 ft.-lbs. Cold Steel makes a Ruger LCR Rubber Training Revolver designed to imitate the real thing for safe training. The lightweight LCRx is much easier to carry, but equally more unpleasant to shoot. You can tune both drift and elevation with a small screwdriver. I loaded about a hundred different rounds and began shooting them. Availability: Out of stock SKU: 736676054305 Categories: Handguns, Revolver Tags: .38, 38spl, carry gun, concealed carry, double action, lcr, lcrx, revolver . That may be true, but any lightweight .38 Special revolver, including the LCRx, kicks pretty hard, primarily due to the very high recoil velocity inherent in lightweight guns firing powerful cartridges. Thread starter johnjsa; Start date Jun 23, 2016; Help Support Ruger Forum: Jun 23, 2016 #1 . This is a Magnum version, which is heavier. This means that some .32 Automatic rounds could misfire due to less robust firing pin strikes. He is a gun owner and avid reloader from Colorado. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of It never hurts to contact the company, but at the end of the day, they're going to produce what will sell. The 327 Magnum intrigues me, but comparing the 3" LCRX 3" 357, using .38 Spl. The bottom line is that, without shooting live ammunition, the gun points very low. There is a full length, solid rib on top of the barrel and a full length under-lug beneath the barrel. That Smith looks really nice. Many of the same shooters used revolvers on the steel plate challenges. LCR cylinders are made from high-strength stainless steel and are extensively fluted to reduce their profile and weight. A carbine/handgun combination is a practical tradition, and also a great way of getting practice from a single box of cartridges. We recommend using standard velocity loads for most LCRx practice sessions to (somewhat) moderate the recoil, reserving +P loads for duty use. The suggested retail price is $749. I can hear you now: Lord, hes going to talk about recoil. Charter Arms, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, Freedom Arms and U.S. Fire Arms (now defunct) also chambered revolvers in this cartridge. This radically fluted cylinder gives the LCR a distinctive look. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Of course, the three inch comes with a fully adjustable rear sight that is easier to see and far superior to the fixed frame notch that passes for a rear sight on the snubby models. Would love a 3" LCRx. The LCRx 3 in belongs to the LCRx 3 Inch family such as the aluminium upper fire control and the polymer lower. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Having both a carbine and a revolver that can shoot multiple cartridges gives flexibility. The LCRx is a true double action revolver, with two ways to fire the gun. It was designed specifically for concealed carry, so Ruger did not spend time on shiny aesthetics that many have come to expect in modern revolvers. Replaceable, pinned ramp front sight with white bar. Deployed military should use stateside address. This short ejector rod is taken directly from the snubby version of the LCRx, presumably to save money and simplify parts inventory. ; mean average group = 2.8 in. This is great when the user is upright, but as soon as they are seated, everything poking into the lower abdomen can cause discomfort. Accuracy with this small revolver was excellent. ; largest group 4-1/4 in. Sights are a pinned ramp front with a notch rear. The faster rounds produced velocities around 1,300 fps. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, State Agency: Sights. The Henry Big Boy is both fun to shoot and practical. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. The High-Strength Stainless Steel Cylinder is extensively fluted (reducing weight) and features an Ionbond Diamondblack finish for excellent durability. The original LCR models were 13 oz. Like all Ruger revolvers, the hammer requires more force than it should to thumb cock, because of an overly heavy hammer (main) spring. Once there, you can verify that the Ruger firearm you seek is available through that retailer and order it, subject to all federal, state and local laws. Double-action pull averaged around 11 pounds while single-action pull has almost no creep and registered six pounds on the nose. Longer 3-inch barrel improves the .357 Magnum's ballistics, while keeping the revolver concealable. The snubby .357 spits fire akin to a dragon for the simple reason that it doesnt burn all its powder in the bore. Only the front surface (muzzle) of the barrel insert is polished. This problem is endemic to ultra-lightweight handguns chambered for powerful cartridges. Our motto, "Arms Makers for Responsible Citizens," The Ruger LCRx 3 . Grip peg allows for a variety of grip styles to be installed. The cylinder revolves counter-clockwise, or out of the frame, which explains the need for the double cylinder latches. Plus, Fobus stands behind every holster with a 100% lifetime warranty for repair or replacement. No purchase necessary. the lcr 327 seems to be an ideal ccw as one ages. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Monolithic frame is made from aerospace-grade, 7000-series aluminum in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Special models and from 400-series stainless steel in the powerful .357 Magnum, 9mm Luger and .327 Federal Magnum models. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. The smallest group was 1.53 inches and the largest group was 2.97 inches. Twice, the round topped out at 1,307 fps. Ruger LCRX 3" Concealed Carry Question . Only Ruger and Freedom Arms catalog this caliber at present. Ruger currently has five pistols chambered for this round: three Single Seven models of 4.62-, 5.5- and 7.5-inch barrel lengths, an SP101 with a 4.2-inch barrel, and the LCR. With products made in America, Ruger offers consumers almost 800 variations of more than 40 product lines, across both the Ruger and Marlin brands. The aluminum frames are finished with a synergistic hard-coat. Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, State Agency: The cylinder release button (crane latch) has a heavy spring and requires some force to unlatch the cylinder. Stick around and Ill show you why you need to get this product as a training drone for your LCR or LCRx. Ruger LCR Type: Revolver, double action only Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum Capacity: 6 rounds Weight: 17.0 oz. Even the .357 Mag LCR was fun to shoot-just not a full . I really like the Ruger LCR combined with the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge. The entire forward half of the cylinder has been fluted and has a maximum diameter of about 1.230 inches; between chambers, the cylinder is much smaller. The LCRx 3 in belongs to the LCRx 3 Inch family such as the aluminium upper fire control and the polymer lower. 12pm-6pm CST Mon Aluminum has been the go-to material for a majority of the guns, but it just wouldnt fit the bill for the abuse a .357 Magnum doles out. Nonetheless, it was well within the bounds of .357 Magnum performance, which is what you want when you purchase a revolver with that roll mark. I've been waiting forever for Ruger to do a .327 Fed Mag version with the 3" barrel & adjustable sights. As usual, we did our test shooting at the Izaak Walton outdoor gun range south of Eugene, Oregon, which offers covered bench rests and 25, 50, 100 and 200 yard target stands. results from using a stainless steel frame rather than the aluminum-alloy frame of the .38 Spl, but the fluted cylinder helps keep . This is a Magnum version, which is heavier. He pointed out a few things on my LCRx I hadnt noticed. Deployed military should use stateside address. It's nice to have a back-up gun in that line of work. (I) Giveaway ends April 30, 2023. Factory warranties may apply in some cases. The Patridge type sights allow accurate aiming in good light and the hammer is low enough that it doesn't interfere with aiming when shooting double action. The .32 H&R Magnum is a longer, higher-pressure version of the .32 Smith and Wesson Long, which is itself a longer version of the .32 Smith and Wesson. | 13 answered questions. The 3-inch tube has a full-length rib and fulllength underlug. . Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, State Agency: Deployed military should use stateside address. It will not unduly weigh down a creel or day pack and these should provide plenty of carrying space. Its thanks to the .357 Magnums nearly perfect middle ground that the defensive revolver continues to soldier on. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Holster does not fit the Ruger SP101 in .357 with the fiber optic sight, the Ruger SP101 with the Crimson Trace Lasergrips, LCRx with 3" barrel, or the LCR with the . Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. If you want .327 performance, try the 75-grain, lead-free, 400 fpe, 1,550 fps from DoubleTap Ammunition. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. That's a lot less schlepping than carrying an all-steel 30-ounce Ruger SP101 .22 LR. Deployed military should use stateside address. Our shooters agreed that the lightweight gun's recoil velocity is subjectively worse than its recoil energy. The grip and trigger relationship worked for our testers. . The case diameters are virtually the same for all four of these cartridges, which means that a revolver chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum can fire them all. Thus, it delivers a super-charged bullet on target nearly on par with the .357 Magnum, a round recognized as one of the most effective self-defense cartridges available. This makes indoor dry firing practice with laser simulated cartridges rather strange, as the bore line is way below the line of sight without the upward jump from recoil. of muzzle energy from a 4-inch barrel, which approaches the .357 Magnums prototypical performance of a 125-grain bullet at 1,450 fps producing 583 ft.-lbs. Setting the fulcrum almost exactly between concealability and performance, Ruger has created a dandy wheelgun that flirts with being a nearly faultless carry revolver; one thats certain to keep the age-old Magnum as relevant as ever in the 21st century. Im on board with wanting one. Physics dictates nothing less in a lightweight gun.