imjin138

I was thinking of trading my RIA compact 1911 for a Ruger revolver for ccw and am torn between the LCR or SP101. I will probably make my decision before the end of August.

Any pros or cons for eac?

Jtiv19

The SP101 is great for CCW even with a 3" but the LCR has a much better trigger.

The only cons I can think of is holsters for my SP with a 3" barrel.

The LCR is easy to shoot even with 357. Its a hell of a lot more easy to carry than the SP and its a lot lighter.

I say get them both.

Trad Archer

I agree about the 3" holster.

I have a SP101 in 327 FM. Love it. It shoots great out to 20 yards. I carry it with me all the time. I truely love that gun.

I just came back from the gun range today. The guy next to me was shooting a brand new LCR for the first time. He told me the recoil was pretty harsh.

FXWG

I have them both. Really like them both.
Since it is for CCW, I recommend the LCR.
Strictly for the weight advantage.

tshark

Tough question. I have both and love both. While the SP101 is my favorite revolver, if I were forced to choose one for CCW it would have to be the LCR. It is so light, you don't even know it is there. Furthermore, the trigger pull is probably one of the best double action trigger pulls I felt in a defensive revolver out of the box. So, my vote: LCR.

shootist

SP101 2 1/4" barrel 357

Johnny Numbers

The closest I have been to an LCR is checking one out at the LGS...and I agree that the DAO trigger is superb and they're very lightweight. Since they intrigue me so...I'll probably end up getting one before to long.

On the SP101... I love my 327 Federal!

As soon as my holster comes in, I'm going to carry it as often as I can without giving it a second thought.

Neon Horse

The SP101 is such an awesome snubbie. I love firing it. It is built rugged and I will never sell it. BUT its like carrying a brick compared to the LCR. If its primary purpose is ccw, go with the LCR. The SP is concealable, and I do, but it does not compare to the lightweight polymers. You really should get both!

ikar

While the LCR has a great pull, I like the ruggedness of my SP. I have the 2 1/4" and carry it all the time. After a while, you don't even notice the weight. Most of the time I use a Fobus paddle holster and it works great.

shootist

Agree you have the same set up I do, and I don't hardly feel it after getting use to it, the few extra OZS. the gun weighs is not the big deal some make it out to be.

Waveform

From the CCW perspective my vote is the LCR - light weight, great DA trigger out of the box. I selected the .38+P with the XS sight and like it. From the revolver in general perspective I like my 3" SP101 but I plan to do the "trigger job", change springs, new grip, new sight - tweak it to my personal tastes. In that sense the SP101 offers me more fun and the LCR is a gun with a dedicated purpose. Either choice is a good one. If you can try them both at the range that will help make up your mind.

rdp357

I carry the SP101 3" and the weight doesn't bother me, love the gun, I've shot the LCR and the recoil was to much for my old hands. If possable buy both, you will then have the best of both worlds......

terry_p

I have both the SP101 with a 2 1/4" BBL and an LCR in 38 Spl. The Sp is built like a little tank and will last a lifetime and is as reliable as you can get. The OTB trigger on mine was gritty but a polishing and smoothing and it is heavy D/A but smooth. I did not do any spring replacement as my SP is a carry piece, although it does get shot a lot, in the heat of a confrontation I did not want a lighter trigger. My SP came with the Lett grips and they are perfect for me so except for a set of rosewood grip panels they are stock and fine for carry. I carry the SP in a Cross Breed Supertuck IWB holster and find that works well for me as the holster spread the weight of the SP over a wide section of my belt. A good belt is the key to carry which I'm sure you are well aware of.

I carry the LCR when I pocket carry and a pocket holster is the only holster I have for it. It is light weight and the stock grips hide ok although a smaller grip profile like my Charter Undercover 38 would be better for carry but nasty with recoil. I have heard several issues with the LCR and short stroking the trigger. I have experienced something similar once but it did reset for me and didn't render the revolver inoperable. With +P 38 Spl ammo the recoil is stout but it is manageable and if you have shot bigger bore handguns like the 44 mag the LCR recoil is certainly less but just different in the 13 1/2 oz revolver. Overall the trigger is smooth and the light weight puts it in the carry a lot and shoot some category.

Overall if I had to keep just one it would be the SP101 hands down. I pocket carried it for years before the LCR and could do so again. I have since retrieved my Charter Undercover back from my mother so I would use that for pocket carry now. I also bring the SP to the range each trip and shoot a lot of ammo thru it. I don't carry around the house but it is in a drawer next to me right now.

Benemorte

Wife and I both carry SP101's in 3". Both guns have been tuned, with new springs and shims, as the triggers on both were unnecessarily heavy and gritty OOTB.

The SP101 is a tank, and will outlast the LC by a huge margin IMO, and gives the ability to handle hot loads the LC cannot (or perhaps should not). The added weight of the SP is the downside to this extra strength, but is acceptable nonetheless.

Because of the rarity of holsters for the 3" SP, we had Steve Kelley of Kelley Gun Leather make custom holsters for our SP's, based upon their OWB "Outlaw" model. After I contacted him, he got a blank from Ruger within days. We chose horsehide, had him add an additional slot for crossdraw, double stitching all around including the slot holes, and stuck with the 15 degree cant. Kelley's CS was the best I have ever seen, and I really should get busy and get a thread started with pics of his work.

ikar

I tried someone's 3" SP in my Fobus holster and it fit just as good as my snubbie. Some other open ended holsters would probbly do the same.
Hmmmm, maybe I should start saving up for a 4".