Henry Rifle Forums

Ruger has recently released (2019) a new revolver in their LCRx series. It is a 3-inch .357 Magnum. I've read quite a number of Folk out there have been waiting for this barrel length as opposed to the 1.87" snubby.

I have a 3-inch LCRx in .38 Special + P caliber, and it is a perfect, lightweight CCW/SD revolver. The configuration of these two models is identical; just the caliber and weight differences. My .38 Special is 15.7 oz., and the .357 is 21.3 oz. Not at all a heavy revolver to carry in an IWB holster or a shoulder rig.

Here is a Ruger photo to check out for those who like the .357 Magnum caliber in a wheel gun. My LCRx is great to handle/shoot. I'd bet this new .357 model is a cut above.

PT7

In spite of the polymer 'fire control housing' I like it - and might have to take a look at one. I have been wanting a mod 60 Smith in 3" for some time - specifically a 60-4 in .38 Special (kind of a rare model) but they are hard to find.
Anyway regardless I am a fan of Ruger, owned many and I'll definately give this a look. The adjustable sights are a big plus as well.

My wife may go for it. She claims my S&W 65-5 is too heavy for her. I has often thought about getting a Ruger though.

GFK wrote:My wife may go for it. She claims my S&W 65-5 is too heavy for her. I has often thought about getting a Ruger though.

S&W make really good revolvers. I had an S&W Performance Center .38 special + P, 1.87'' snubby, and thought it was top-quality.

Is your model 65 a K-frame? Probably also made in stainless steel? So I'd think the weight might be 33-35 oz. easy. That's kinda heavy for a lot of Folk. If she were interested, just a reminder that the .38 Special + P like I have is even lighter than this new .357 Magnum, unless of course she's looking at specifically the .357 caliber. I've read both models have steel cylinders. But my .38 frame is made from aluminum, and the .357 frame is stainless steel. Think those are the main weight considerations.

I'm not an ad for Ruger. But this LCRx is an excellent D/A revolver for me, and I plan to have it for a long time.
If you do check one out, let me know what you and your wife think about it. And ask me whatever questions you might have. I'll try to give you an answer, if I know.
PT7

I like it and maybe its because they are new. But the price of them seems a little steep to me. Saw them on GB for 600 plus

I love my S&W's, but that does look like a sweet wheel gun. I guess it's a good thing my wife doesn't let my leash stretch too far.

The leash aint bad Mark its that choke collar its hooked to that will get ya

got that right!!

PT7 wrote:

GFK wrote:My wife may go for it. She claims my S&W 65-5 is too heavy for her. I has often thought about getting a Ruger though.

S&W make really good revolvers. I had an S&W Performance Center .38 special + P, 1.87'' snubby, and thought it was top-quality.

Is your model 65 a K-frame? Probably also made in stainless steel? So I'd think the weight might be 33-35 oz. easy. That's kinda heavy for a lot of Folk. If she were interested, just a reminder that the .38 Special + P like I have is even lighter than this new .357 Magnum, unless of course she's looking at specifically the .357 caliber. I've read both models have steel cylinders. But my .38 frame is made from aluminum, and the .357 frame is stainless steel. Think those are the main weight considerations.

I'm not an ad for Ruger. But this LCRx is an excellent D/A revolver for me, and I plan to have it for a long time.
If you do check one out, let me know what you and your wife think about it. And ask me whatever questions you might have. I'll try to give you an answer, if I know.
PT7

Thanks PT7. I am no expert, but I think it is a J-Frame (has a small butt). As I understand it, it is based on a Lady Smith. So, I guess the thought was a woman might use it. I put a wider grip on it (fits better and more manly ). The one it came with was small. We were at a gun show, and she picked up a revolver (Ruger I think). It was a light weight frame, and she told me that it was the right weight for her. It was too light for me. But, she was not ready to let go the money (less than $500 if I recall correctly). Below is what she compared it too. I may do a .38 Special. But, reaction time and firing time come to mind, if it has to be used. A .38 Special +P may not be a bad way to go though.

Yeah, the S&W Lady Smith is built on a J-frame, and that's what the LCRx is also. BTW, I'm not an expert either.

Anyway, the best way to really know/learn about a new-to-me-revolver is to try to find one at an LGS to handle. It took me a while to locate this model, and finally was successful at the KCKS Cabelas. That company almost exclusively sells their firearms at the MSRP. After I was satisfied with handling the LCRx there, I found a decent price at Bud's Gun Shop in KY.

So I looked it over pretty carefully, and the Hogue Tamer grip felt really good in my hand. The light weight was about a after my last D/A revolver, which was a Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum, 4.2" barrel, stainless seal @ almost 30 oz. The LCRx cut my belt carry weight by 50%!! In spite of the LCRx not being all stainless seal, it is a solid, well-built revolver.

I guess you might tell I'm satisfied with it....both for looks and easy all-around functionality. My kind of revolver!
PT7

GFK wrote:A .38 Special +P may not be a bad way to go though.

Assuming you made the purchase PT,...congrats!! Sounds like a good acquisition to me.

markiver54 wrote:Assuming you made the purchase PT,...congrats!! Sounds like a good acquisition to me.

Think I'm missing something here. No, I've not made any purchase. I posted this thread only to share about Ruger's new .357 LCRx with a 3-inch barrel. Thought that others might be interested in it, since not many smaller revolvers have that barrel length. The thread was just info for anyone looking for that design in a J-frame snubby.

I didn't buy one. I just compared the new .357 to the LCRx I do have, a .38 Special + P caliber in the exact same configuration. A couple of Forum Folk commented that they might have some interest, and the posts have just been discussion so far about the new Ruger offering. Hope this clarifies things.
PT7

Sorry PT. Mis-understood.. thanks for the info and comparison.

How is the trigger on these guns?

I have both a Super Redhawk Alaskan.480 and an SP101 .327 4.2" and both had pretty horrible factory triggers. They perked right up after lighter springs, shims and light polishing, but you would think that in this day and age you would not be forced to do that to get a nice smooth light action.

I would be interested in a 3 or 4 inch LCRx .327, but I have no desire for anything shorter. I carry my SP101 daily in a fanny pack or a Simply Rugged OWB pancake holster, so a shorty barrel is just a liability... plus I think stubbies look dumb.

Thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA

Is your model 65 a K-frame?

The mod 65 is a stainless 'K' frame fixed sight .357 magnum.
If the gun is a 'J' frame it would be a mod 60 or one of the variants in .38 special until the early 90s when the model 60 was redesigned into a .357 magnum.
Below are my mod 66 and my mod 60 - both early 'no dash' models.
I am on the lookout for a mod 60 in 3" - preferably a 60-4 with adjustable sights but they
Are very difficult to find as they are highly sought after by collectors of pre-lock Smiths.

Mistered wrote:

Is your model 65 a K-frame?

The mod 65 is a stainless 'K' frame fixed sight .357 magnum.

Mistered, I give you two thumbs up! I did purchase the gun in 1991, and it had the small wood grip like your .38 Special. But after taking off the rubber grip, I notice that it is a Uncle Mike grip for S&W K&L-Frames. So, thanks for the clarification!

I notice that it is a Uncle Mike grip for S&W K&L-Frames.

Providing it is for the 'round butt' (as your 65 has) as opposed to the 'Square butt' (such as my Mod 66 Has).

Nice 65 - 3" with round butt is a very desirable configuration! One of the nice things about the K frame round butt is you can put a set of K frame square butt grips on it but a square butt can only use square butt grips.
There have been cases of people modifying early square butt K frame models to round butt but it is now frowned upon as it will hurt the value of the gun.
I have since put a set of 'Diamond Pro' grips on my Mod 60 as a 'J' frame is nearly impossible to shoot with the stock wood grips - or any non 'wrap a round' style grips.

.
Nice pair! Like the larger framed one though the best.

Mistered wrote:

Is your model 65 a K-frame?

The mod 65 is a stainless 'K' frame fixed sight .357 magnum.
If the gun is a 'J' frame it would be a mod 60 or one of the variants in .38 special until the early 90s when the model 60 was redesigned into a .357 magnum.
Below are my mod 66 and my mod 60 - both early 'no dash' models.
I am on the lookout for a mod 60 in 3" - preferably a 60-4 with adjustable sights but they
Are very difficult to find as they are highly sought after by collectors of pre-lock Smiths.
IMG_0270.JPG

Nice pair! Like the larger framed one though the best

Yea - kind of an interesting story behind these.
I had been wanting a 4" mod 19 (again) to replace one I stupidly sold many years ago. I had also been looking for a mod 36 (2" j frame snub)
Well a friend of mines father passed away and these had been a part of his collection my friend inherited. He did not have any particular attachment to them so he sold them to me.
So instead of a mod 19 and a 36 I wind up with basically the same guns but the stainless steel versions - which I find I like much better!