Waveform

Had the opportunity to spend some time on the range today with my LCR Model 5405. This is the 38 +P model that comes with the XS front sight. As you can see from the photos (sorry I'm not the best at closeup pictures) the sight has the XS logo on the side and Trijicon's logo on the top. There is obviously some relationship between the two companies.





The XS sight makes for a terrific sight picture, especially for older eyes using an indoor range with bad lighting! The white outline really pops.



Today I shot 50 rounds of American Eagle 130 gr FMJ; 50 rounds of PMC Bronze 132 gr FMJ; 10 rounds of Hornady +P 110 gr FTX and 10 rounds of Remington HD +P 125 gr BJHP. The American Eagle and PMC were both quite pleasant to shoot and I really couldn't tell much difference between them. The Hornady +P had a bit more kick but with the lighter grain bullet wasn't really unpleasant. The Remington HD +P had quite a bit more "snap" to it and would be tiring if I had stayed with it. Today I was working on getting better acquainted with my LCR and feeling out a couple of CCW rounds. At this point I like the Hornady based on perceived recoil comfort but I may try some more options next time out.

The trigger was very nice and when I acheived a "surprise break" I usually was right on target at 7 - 10 yards. This lightweight revolver requires your best technique and when I failed to concentrate I ended up grouping more to the right - more range time required!

The Hogue grip was very comfortable but I sometimes wished it had more length. I have bigger hands and I'm used to more grip places for my fingers. I like the way it fills up in my hand and I understand why it's short - it's supposed to be compact after all and when it's in my pocket I like the grip length just fine. Any longer would start peeking out of my pocket in some of my shorts.

Overall I'm really happy with my LCR and I expect to get better with it the more time I spend on the range. Maybe I'll eventually have a target I'll be proud enough to photograph - but not today! I don't regret the decision to go with the 38+P version as I have plenty of other revolvers I can shoot .357 mag and I love the XS sight on this one. Shooting .38 spec I felt I could go all day - I only stopped at 100 because I was out of ammo.

Waveform

Breadman03

Nice gun! I have one in .38, with the standard sights. The relationship between Trijicon and XS is that there are very few manufacturers of the Tritium vials, and those manufacturers sell the vials to the night sight companies.

Waveform

Makes sense. I guess I was surprised to see Trijicon's name on the XS sight since Trijicon also sells in competition with XS. I was looking for a new front sight for my SP-101 and was considering Trijicon vs. XS vs. Meprolight. I bought a Meprolight but haven't installed yet (SP-101 is back at Ruger) but looking at the XS on the LCR and the Meprolight next to it I kinda wish now I'd bought the XS. The white ring on the XS really pops in the daylight. I guess I should go compare them inside a dark closet to see what they look like in the dark. Other thread discussions seemed to suggest the Trijicon was the inferior product despite the higher price but if Trijicon is supplying the tritium to XS that argument starts to seem shaky. The Meprolight doesn't have Trijicon's label on it so I guess they get their tritium someplace else or do it in-house (made in Israel it says on the package.)

TRJeff

love my KLCR, tried the glow in the dark sight but removed ASAP. just didn't work for me at the range. If it is that dark I question pulling the trigger not knowing who / what?

Sightngrl

Waveform I know what you mean about looking down for more ammo & the speedloader, speedstrips & box are empty. I get in the zone & I don't stop. I have the LCR 357 w/ct grip & added the xs sight. The xs sight has helped me so much with concentration & grouping. I can see/focus better with the xs sight. Serious tunnel vision. I mainly practice with Federal 38 Special range & target 130 GR FMJ. I use Hornady Crt Def 38+P for CC. I have no issues with recoil. I guess I'm really determined. LOL

Spike12

I'd suggest rethinking that decision. Go outside and try to tell where your gun is, let alone pointing at, w/o night sites. I took a gun with night sites out just once in the dark and was fast and hard believer.

Waveform

I really like the XS sight and ended up ordering one for my SP-101. Guess I'll put the Meprolight up for sale in the classifieds here. This LCR has turned out to be one of the best gun buys I have made - low purchase price and a very high "happy factor". My SP-101 is supposed to arrive today so I plan to get back to the range ASAP to see how that turned out and to shoot the LCR again. This time I have 250 rounds of ammo....

Breadman03

While doing night shoots in the USMC, there were many times where the target was identifiable, but the sights were invisible, or nearly so. I see the value in night sights, or at least the front sight post.