Ruger LCR aluminum framed vs stainless steel framed

[schuetzen]

I have been looking at the Ruger LCR as a pocket CC revolver.  Saw a NIB LCR .38 Special for as low as $380 at a gun show yesterday.  The trigger felt very nice.  I like the light weight and small size of the LCR .38 Special, but I am also concerned about the aluminum frame and potential damage shown in the following video.  Is this problem endemic with aluminum framed revolvers in general?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0h3tz4pAF0

Also considering the LCR 357 Magnum as it has a (blackened) stainless steel frame although it's a little heavier.  They appear a little harder to find compared to the LCR .38 Spec.

[Mohawk]

I think aluminum framed firearms have always been a bad idea. They just don't seem to have the endurance of steel anyway you slice it. Only one I would buy would be a gun that is shot very little and I wouldn't practice very much with it. definately not a carry gun. I will sacfifice a lttle extra weight.

[drdougrx]

Alu guns hold up fine,,,,they are generally NOT to be shot allot.  Think about this, if you are going to carry a gun everyday, all day, can you deal with the weight, whatever it is???  Will they hold up like steel...maybe not...if you are going to shoot 5-10k rounds per year....yeah maybe steel....50-100 rounds per month and then carry....alu in ok IMO.  That's just me though, you have to be happy....carry guns are like hunting knives and holsters...there's a lifelong quest for the perfect one.....

[schuetzen]

I thought to myself this evening, maybe I will just go with the LCR .38 Special version, since it is a little lighter and I don't plan on shooting 357 Mag or at least not often if I had one.  The .38 SP version is also more readily available and a little less expensive.  But then I ran across this case of "kaboom".  I guess, I'll go for the 357 version with steel frame.

Ruger LCR Kaboom...
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2010/05/24/ruger-lcr-kaboom/

[kid_couteau]

I have one in 38 and so far so good

If weight is not an issue I do prefer my SP101 though


Kid

[schuetzen]

Picked up the LCR .357 at a recent gun show.  I've only shot .38 Sp +P so far with it, but I like it.  Although only 5 rounds, it is less weight and less bulky than a fully loaded baby Glock (26).

[NickSS]

I have looked at the LCR several times and although light weight I could never see a real benefit to it.  I personally find that My Taurus 357 mag 2" is no big deal to carry in an in the pants holster with complete comfort and it is stainless steel all over and cost less than the LCR.  I did a trigger job on it and it has a trigger that is just about the same as an LCR.  So as I am not burdened by it now why do I need a lighter gun that will wear out faster? At least than was my reasoning not to get one.

[SHOOTALL]

flame cutting is a problem for most 357 mag guns. With SS its is not as noticable. Things that contribute to flane cutting is cyl length, powder type, pressure level and frame material to name a few. S&W must alloy their 38 aieweight frames to take care of the problem. With the 357 mag such as the 340 PD they add a SS shield to protect the frame and vent the gases away from it. With steel guns often the cut only cuts to a point then no more. Ruger is now getting feedback on real world use of their new gun. We will see how they address it. Last time they had a major flame cutting problem 357 max. they removed the gun from the market.

[Mohawk]

SHOOTALL has a good point. I have seen heavy use Smith327's used with light fast full blown 125's zero flame cutting. And the forcing cones, though N frame, are holding their own. The "rounding off" is minimal leading to the throat.

[Mattkc]

Ruger claims they fired 10,000 38 +P's in a 38 cal. LCR with no harm to the gun. They also put 10,000 rounds of full house 158gr. 357 through a 357 LCR with no harm to the gun. I wouldn't even consider putting 10,000 158 gr. 357's through my model 60.

[Doublebass73]

I have approximately 1,000 rounds through my LCR with no problems whatsoever. I'd guess 300 of those have been +P's including my carry round which is the 158 grain LSWCHP Buffalo Bore +P which runs 1,000 fps from a 2 inch barrel. It's a great carry gun that I'd recommend to anybody.

[gcrank1]

For some years now I have been carrying an airweight. I love the fact that I dont notice it is there. I dont shoot it a lot, but 38Spl WC or light SWC loads are great for playing, thus familiarity. SD loads have been tried and are in it for carry.
Did I mention that I love the fact that I dont notice it is there? Im more likely to carry it. The one you carry will be the one there when you need it.