The Ruger Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR) is the revolver counterpart of the Ruger LCP, produced by Sturm, Ruger & Co. from 2010. The LCR is the lightest revolver Ruger produce and was originally chambered to fire the .38 Special cartridge.
Design Details[]
The LCR, like its counterpart the LCP (the Lightweight Compact Pistol) is intended for sale in the concealable weapon market. Therefore the hammer is concealed within the frame, hence meaning the LCR is a D.O.A. or Double Action Only revolver.
To prevent a heavy trigger the LCR is fitted with a friction reducing cam, located on the trigger within the frame, to reduce the trigger weight and make the trigger action smoother. The trigger is therefore, unusually for Ruger, a constant force trigger.
At 13.5oz (380g) the standard LCR is substantially lighter than most revolvers, and unlike most Ruger revolvers is made from an aluminium alloy frame, with a stainless steel cylinder, being the main reason for the LCR being around 55% of the weight of the SP-101.
Ammunition[]
The Ruger LCR was originally released chambered to shoot the .38 Special cartridge. However it was quickly chambered and sold to fire the .357 Magnum cartridge.
The growing popularity for the LCR meant that from 2012 an eight-shot LCR would be produced, chambered to fire the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. These models are sold as Ruger LCR 22.
Usage[]
The Ruger LCR has recieved wide praise, particularly for its lightweight trigger, prompting Ruger to patent the design soon after the LCR's release. As demand for the LCR grows more versions, in more calibers have been announced, the most recent being the LCR 22 WMRF.
A review by Payton Miller for Gunsandammo.com states:
| “ | The range situation for accuracy testing forced me to shoot groups at 25 meters, which is admittedly a stretch for a snubbie. It wasn’t quite as onerous as it sounds. The LCR has a very good, smooth DA trigger that broke at a hair over 10 pounds but actually felt lighter, so much so that I didn’t worry about trying to stage it, which is a bit tougher for me with a coil-spring mechanism anyway. Recoil was surprisingly tolerable, even with magnums. When Dick Metcalf shot the original .38 version a couple of years back, he felt that the polymer lower frame seemed to diffuse the recoil impulse in a kinder, gentler fashion. That certainly makes sense to me. | ” |
–Payton Miller, Gunsandammo.com - 24th April 2011 |