The Ruger lightweight compact revolver(LCR) is a small, light, 5-shot .38 Special caliber handgun that is perfect for concealed carry or use as a backup gun. The Ruger LCR features a hard-coated aerospace aluminum frame and a stainless steel barrel. From its 1.875 inch barrel, this little revolver can fire .38 Special +P. So that it may be small, but it packs one hell of a punch.
Grips
There are two models of grips for the Ruger LCR: the Hogue Tamer and the Crimson Trace LaserGrip. The Hogue grip features finger grooves that blend ergonomically into your hand and almost make the pistol feel like a natural extension of your body. The Crimson Trace LaserGrips give you the added accuracy of having a laser built right into the grip, which is highly convenient, especially in point shooting, because there is nothing hanging off the Ruger LCR.
Holster
You can fit the Ruger LCR into a standard holster and still have the increased accuracy offered by the laser. Another nice feature about having a laser sight on the Ruger LCR is that it gives you the ability to be on target without having to look down your sight. You can shoot the Ruger LCR from the hip, from across your body, or even out behind you while running. Wherever the laser dot is, that’s where the bullet is going to hit.
Trigger
The trigger is smooth and pulls straight back. Firing it, you’d swear the trigger was a custom job. The Ruger LCR is double action only. As such, there is a tendency to short stroke the trigger. Be mindful of that, my friend. You have to let the trigger ride all the way forward to engage again in order to shoot another round. That said, if you let the trigger go all the way forward, you have another shot at the ready, swift and sure.
Weight
The total weight for the Ruger LCR is 13 ounces, with an overall length of 6.5 inches and a width of 1.3 inches. The finish on the Ruger LCR is matte black, and there is no exposed hammer to snag on clothing or a purse. Physically, the Ruger LCR is light, smooth and ergonomic, almost like an extension of your hand.
Balance
The balance of the Ruger LCR is quite comfortable. The weight is ever so slightly shifted forward, almost elegantly so, which really helps out in the recoil department. That is not by accident – it is by design. One NRA certified pistol expert stated that shooting the Ruger LCR with Hornady 125 grain jacketed hollow points, and the felt recoil was virtually non-existent. Shooting .38 +P ammo would likely be a little more kicky, but probably not by much.
Reliability
One considerable advantage that a revolver has over a semi-auto pistol is reliability. You pull the trigger and it fires. If the round is a dud, just pull the trigger again. It’s just that simple, and in stressful situations, simple is your ally. The less there is to go wrong, the better. Murphy gets nixed out of the equation. To shoot the Ruger LCR, there is only one mechanical device to operate: pull the trigger. No safeties to disengage, no magazine to insert, and no slide to rack. Just pull and fire!
If you need a tough, lightweight, dependable little revolver for concealed carry or as a backup gun, the Ruger LCR is totally up to the job. It will serve you well, shot after shot, year after year.
