Romac

Or do I need to go running back to semi-autos? I take my concealed carry course at the end of this month and I'm looking for a reliable, accurate and concealable gun that I will feel like I trust to keep on my person daily.

Currently my only pistol is my SR22 (which I adore plinking with and is always on glovebox duty). That being said, as far as handguns go I've only shot one revolver ever, my friends Rossi snubbie and I honestly hated the gun. Outside of that I've shot several different kinds of semi-autos chambered in different calibers and I am comfortable with that platform.

BUT, the LCR just keeps screaming at me. Everytime I swing by the gun shop or log on to a forum, I find myself drifting that way. What appeals to me most is the dead set reliability, positive reviews and accuracy I see on the net even compared to pricier S&W's. I would be getting it in .38 sp btw, and quite possibly the XS model considering I'll be using it for a defense tool primarily.

The LCR is the only wheelgun on my list to buy, my considerations are as follows;

-M&P Shield
-SR9C (or 40c)
-Glock 26
-LC9
-LCP
-LCR

The Glock is clearly a fantastic gun in every regard, but it's also the priciest so thats its main detractor for me.

Honestly the LC9 I've handled a few times now and it just doesnt quite feel right to me. Not bad, but not right.

The Shield feels fantastic in hand and I love the sights, but it's not a Ruger lol.

The SR series it seems I see too many little issues with on several forums, even non Ruger titled ones.

The LCP worries me because, well .380 seems kinda lame lol. But from what I've read its quite underestimated.

- So the LCR, any negatives you can see? Do you ever feel limited in capacity? I think for me thats the main issue I'm hanging up on coming from semi-autos, is the much higher capacity for ammunition. But outside of that it meets all my criteria from what I've read, especially reliability and durability. It doesn't hurt that it looks bad ass either lol.

gnagegrenade

I do not have an LCR, but have a SP101 and have had both the LCP and LC9. I like revolvers, I like the SP101 and GP100 specifically. I see you like polymers, so why not go for the LCR? I sold my LC9, nothing wrong, I just wasn't attached to it like the SR9. I also carried an LCP for 3 years, but finally traded it for, what I feel is a superior competitor, the S&W Bodyguard .380. I carry that now. The Body guard has a safety, in-house laser, and stainless everything (My LCP was starting to pit/rust from sweat and small wear/nicks). It sounds like you want the LCR, go for it. My only suggestion is to get the .357mag version so you won't regret the versatility later... you may never put a 357 down the pipe, but at least you have the option if you want to spice things up. I hope this little bit of experience and consideration helps.

AmbroseLee

I have the LCR in .38 (with an XS front sight) and love it. True, the limited capacity bothers me too but it is a tradeoff for the lightness and concealability.
I carry an S&W M&P40 everyday but I am glad I have the LCR as backup.
I say - Go for it!

Lead Slanger

Yes. It's one bad mama. I have the .357 and .38 LCR and love 'em both. They're awesome!

rammerjammer

Go for it. It is a great carry gun.

Mark IL NM

Really the choice is very personal. You'll really want to go to a range that rents and shoot your top choices ... Then you'll know. Rather like a spouse-one your life may depend on... Love my 357 LCR, tho.

Hans13

Not familiar with the LCR but I might suggest getting the .357 model just in case you want to bump up the power sometime in the future. The ability to switch between .357's and .38's is one thing I love with my Blackhawk.

jokersbox

I agree with Mark. Go rent one then decide if it's for you.

JaPes

You won't know if you like a LCR (38) or KLCR (38/357) until you try it. I'm a former KLCR owner.

.38 Special = feels like a kitten is swatting my palm.

.38 +P = good kick. I don't know how to describe it other than it feels like a hot-load .40 S&W.

.357 Magnum = violent, uncomfortable, tons of masochistic fun.

No exposed hammer means that you'll have to learn to shoot a true double action revolver trigger. The LCR's DA trigger is one of the smoothest I've ever felt. No stacking with a clean & predictable break.

The standard rear notch front blade sights leave something to be desired. Within 7 yards, they do the job just fine. The Hogue Tamer grips help mitigate recoil. I tried a boot grip on my KLCR, and the result was more pain.

If at all possible, find a range that rents the KLCR. Try out .38, .38+P, & .357 Mag out of it. If you discover that .357 out of the KLCR is not for you, then go buy the LCR. No sense in spending extra money on capability you'll never use.

Whether or not you'll be comfortable with a 5 chamber cylinder is wholly up to you.

The two reasons I sold my LCR have nothing to do with it's quality or reliability. I live in Illinois, the land of no CCW, so the KLCR served no real purpose other than range toy. I also wanted to try a bigger .357 MAG revolver.

I hear this all the time. So-and-so firearm is fantastic but if not for the price...

How long do you plan to own your firearm? How long do you want it to last? Most people say that they want a firearm to last for their lifetime.

If a Glock 26 shoots well in your hands, then buy it. You'll keep it for the rest of your life. Put in that context, the cost of the Glock 26 is negligible.

terry_p

I never feel undergunned carrying a 5 shot revolver. I own the LCR it's light weight makes for excellent carry. My only complaint is the grip size for pocket carry. I actually like the profile of the SP101 better it's just heavier.

Waveform

I like your list - lots of good choices. The M&P Shield is a single stack so the grip is narrower and will conceal a bit easier. It's pretty new and I haven't heard much feedback yet. I like the thumb safety, others don't. I would go 40S&W instead of 9MM but that's just my preference. It's priced nicely, about the same as the LCR.

I own an SR40 and an SR40C. I have put well over a thousand rounds through each with no problems whatsoever. I carry the SR40C when clothing choices allow. I love the SR40C but like any double stack magazine pistol it becomes a bit harder to conceal, at least here in shorts & t-shirt country (FL). The issues you mentioned in passing related to SRs were likely SR9, not SR40.

I have been eyeing the LCR too. I was actually looking at them today in my LGS and comparing it with the S&W AirLite. The Smith costs twice as much and I held one in each hand and couldn't really tell which was lighter. The LCR grip (non-laser) feels fantastic. I haven't shot a 357 LCR but I have shot a 357 AirLite and it was a painful experience. I would get the LCR in 38 sp and carry it with a good self defense +P load. If you want/need 357 look at an SP101. (Side note - the 357 S&W AirLite I held today, Model 340PD, was marked on the barrel "NO LESS THAN 120 GR BULLET". I guess they want to make sure it hurts.)

My wife has a Glock 26 Gen4. It's small and fits her hand but feels too small in mine. If that's what really grabs your attention then I would save up and get it. I would look at the Glock 27 Gen4 while you're at it but then, I like 40S&W as I've already said. You will spend around $200 more than you would spend on an LCR but over a 5 year period that's only 11 cents per day......

If you decide to go LCR plan to spend some time on the range getting to know it. I've discovered I have a steeper learning curve as the guns get smaller. DAO is another feature to discover as was mentioned before.

Good luck and have fun with it!

Nick0410

Yep, that and it will weight more, giving less recoil

Waveform

"Yep, that and it will weight more, giving less recoil "

Keep in mind the weight difference is only 3.6 ounces. You really should shoot an LCR in .357 first and decide how the recoil affects you. Don't discount the effectiveness of 38 +P. If you shoot enough .38's in a .357 you will have to be diligent in keeping the cylinders clear of deposits.

If you decide on a Glock or an M&P Shield this discussion is irrelevant. If you decide on the LCR then you need to find a gun range that rents guns and shoot the .357 version using both .357 and .38's. That's the only way for you to find out what you experience in this. One of the gun shops in my area has one night a week where you can shoot any gun they normally rent for free - just pay the range time fee and buy the ammo from them. Ask around. You may find the .357 is fine for you. But if not you can save a few bucks and stay with .38's

Shadyw

I agree, try before you buy if possible. I have the .38 LCR and like it fine, but like my LCP it was a little snappy and I had to practice a lot to get good control on it, but now they seem to be fine when I take them for a little practice. They aren't for the range, but I do need to practice.

Dawgface

My wife had a .38 LCR and hated to shoot it as I did also, +p rounds were literally painful. Now we have a .357 SP101 that is a blast to shoot with .38+P and .357s! Get a SP101 .357! Yes it's a little bigger/heavier that makes it easier/more fun to shoot.
Just my 2c.