I've had three different LCRs, so I'm going to start with a synopsis of each:
LCR38- Installed the boot grips and fiber optic (green) front sight. Loved shooting it, no recoil issues (even with +ps), grouped really well, was comfortable shooting at anything groundhog sized out to ten, twelve yards or maybe more. Baseball sized groups were typical at 10 yards for 5 rounds. Probably ran 1000 rounds through it, had someone offer to trade (even) an SP101 DAO 357, so I did (later sold the SP101 for a nice profit, felt it was much to heavy to EDC).
LCR 9mm- Meh. Moonclips were annoying to me, and still very expensive to buy (no aftermarket) when I had it. Accuracy was same as the 38. Never tried it with boot grips, but had no problem with the recoil when using the stock Tamer. Only gun I've ever had to get repaired- the extractor wouldn't seat properly and would lock up the cylinder (Ruger CS = awesome). Ran 250 rounds through before selling.
LCR 22 WMR- Installed the boot grips, painted front sight with bright orange stripe (haven't shot since painting). 24 round group best at 7 yards is about 6", 6 round groups are maybe 4". Trigger pull is pretty heavy, but not much more than my SP101. Recoil is non-existent. Ammo is hard to find, though I've got about 600 rounds accumulated (100 rounds of Gold Dot HPs). Currently this is my EDC, and it isn't even noticeable in a Sticky IWB. Purchased with the hope my wife would learn to shoot (she has yet to) the low recoil firearm. I like that it is a six round versus five, but not sure a 20% increase in rounds makes up for the decrease in power by using a WMR.
I keep my stable thin as I don't get to shoot nearly as often as I would like, and my wife is much less fussy when I can easily say how many firearms I have (instead of the answer "let me check"). My bedside firearm is a Taurus PT92, and my EDC is the LCR 22 WMR. I also have a 3" SP101 in 357 that I hike with. I'm debating on selling/trading the 22 WMR for the LCR 357, which could be loaded with soft 38s for the wife, and would share a caliber with the SP and my 77/357. Additionally, 38s can be had for nearly as cheaply as 22 WMR, and they are much easier to get. Plus, the WMR is a little light on the defensive side (though the Gold Dots perform comparably to a 380). I used to like the single action option, but at this point realize that I prefer DA with a smooth trigger.
So my question/concern: If I go with the LCR 357, will I find any use for the SP101, or will I end up itching to sell it? I don't believe in keeping a gun "just because" when there is someone out there who will love it and shoot it regularly, just like it should be. I don't feel like I was any more accurate with the SP101 than with my LCR38. Anyone else feel similarly?
LCR38- Installed the boot grips and fiber optic (green) front sight. Loved shooting it, no recoil issues (even with +ps), grouped really well, was comfortable shooting at anything groundhog sized out to ten, twelve yards or maybe more. Baseball sized groups were typical at 10 yards for 5 rounds. Probably ran 1000 rounds through it, had someone offer to trade (even) an SP101 DAO 357, so I did (later sold the SP101 for a nice profit, felt it was much to heavy to EDC).
LCR 9mm- Meh. Moonclips were annoying to me, and still very expensive to buy (no aftermarket) when I had it. Accuracy was same as the 38. Never tried it with boot grips, but had no problem with the recoil when using the stock Tamer. Only gun I've ever had to get repaired- the extractor wouldn't seat properly and would lock up the cylinder (Ruger CS = awesome). Ran 250 rounds through before selling.
LCR 22 WMR- Installed the boot grips, painted front sight with bright orange stripe (haven't shot since painting). 24 round group best at 7 yards is about 6", 6 round groups are maybe 4". Trigger pull is pretty heavy, but not much more than my SP101. Recoil is non-existent. Ammo is hard to find, though I've got about 600 rounds accumulated (100 rounds of Gold Dot HPs). Currently this is my EDC, and it isn't even noticeable in a Sticky IWB. Purchased with the hope my wife would learn to shoot (she has yet to) the low recoil firearm. I like that it is a six round versus five, but not sure a 20% increase in rounds makes up for the decrease in power by using a WMR.
I keep my stable thin as I don't get to shoot nearly as often as I would like, and my wife is much less fussy when I can easily say how many firearms I have (instead of the answer "let me check"). My bedside firearm is a Taurus PT92, and my EDC is the LCR 22 WMR. I also have a 3" SP101 in 357 that I hike with. I'm debating on selling/trading the 22 WMR for the LCR 357, which could be loaded with soft 38s for the wife, and would share a caliber with the SP and my 77/357. Additionally, 38s can be had for nearly as cheaply as 22 WMR, and they are much easier to get. Plus, the WMR is a little light on the defensive side (though the Gold Dots perform comparably to a 380). I used to like the single action option, but at this point realize that I prefer DA with a smooth trigger.
So my question/concern: If I go with the LCR 357, will I find any use for the SP101, or will I end up itching to sell it? I don't believe in keeping a gun "just because" when there is someone out there who will love it and shoot it regularly, just like it should be. I don't feel like I was any more accurate with the SP101 than with my LCR38. Anyone else feel similarly?