Ruger LCR 9mm

[Antlion]

Ruger LCR: Now in 9mm
Posted 15 hours ago in Pistols by Richard
Johnson with 14 Comments
Tags: 9mm, lcr, ruger
Ruger announced they will now be making a
version of the LCR chambered in 9×19. This
brings the total number of calibers in the LCR line
to five.
The new gun is a five-shot revolver like its
rimmed-cartridge cousins. It is heavier than
the .38 Special guns (17.2 ounces vs. 13.5
ounces) and even a touch heavier than the .357
Magnum that weighs in at 17.1 oz. The gun
comes with three full moon clips.
Like the existing LCR line, the gun has a stainless
steel barrel and cylinder and a polymer fire
control group (i.e. handle.) The gun is double-
action-only. Unlike the other LCR revolvers, the
9mm version has a white front ramp sight.
The MSRP is $599.
From Ruger:
“Ruger Expands the Popular Line of
Lightweight Compact Revolvers with the
Addition of the 9mm LCR
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR)
announces the introduction of the 9mm LCR®,
the newest variation of the revolutionary
Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR).
“Since its introduction in 2009, the LCR has
become extremely popular with conceal carry
customers seeking the simplicity of a revolver,”
said Chris Killoy, Ruger President and Chief
Operating Officer. “Customers have been
asking for a 9mm version due to ammo
availability and compatibility with pistols. We
were listening and have added a 9mm version
of the LCR,” he concluded.
The newest LCR retains all the features of the
critically acclaimed original LCR. Its double-
action-only trigger pull is uniquely engineered
with a patented Ruger® friction reducing cam
fire control system. The trigger pull force on
the LCR builds gradually and peaks later in the
trigger stroke, resulting in a trigger pull that
feels much lighter than it actually is. This
results in more controllable double-action
shooting, even among those who find
traditional double-action-only triggers difficult
to operate. The LCR is elegantly designed with
three main components: a polymer fire control
housing, an aerospace-grade, aluminum
monolithic frame, and an extensively fluted
stainless steel cylinder. When originally
introduced, the Ruger LCR revolver was one of
the most significant new revolver designs in
over a century and it has since been awarded
three patents.
In addition to 9mm, the LCR double-action-
only model also is available in .38 Spl. +P, .357
Mag., .22 WMR. and .22 LR. The exposed
hammer LCRx™, which can be fired in double-
or single-action modes, is available in .38 Spl.
+P. All LCR models feature replaceable ramp
front sights with white bar, and a fixed U-
notch rear sight. Some models are available
with Crimson Trace® Lasergrips® instead of
the Hogue® Tamer™ Monogrip®, which
comes standard.
www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/09/22/ruger-lcr-now-9mm/

[cz-rami-2075]

The new 9mm LCR should really be called a K (Stainless) LCR as its the same as a .357 KLCR.

I've owned two LCRs and the KLCR.

A 9mm version would be 17 ounces, but 9mm is lighter than most 38 or .357 Magnum
ammo. Esp. some rounds like the BARNES TAC-XP or Glasers.


In RSA, I'd load up with your SENTRY 9mm and feel very protected.

Add a few moon clips full of deeper penetrating ammo like 124 or 147 or Hardball,
in a pocket and you will be set.

I might wait and see if they offer a LCRx version with a hammer though.

[pdh]

I dont think there is any reason for someone to pick a 9mm revolver over a .38 special one, unless they want something to play with at the range.

Same sized gun, why downgrade in power

[KnifeOfWar]

I dont think there is any reason for someone to pick a 9mm revolver over a .38 special one, unless they want something to play with at the range.

Same sized gun, why downgrade in power

Your comment made me curious (being a noob and all) and this is what I have found.

http://www.ballistics101.com/9mm_vs_.38special.php

I am posting solely for interests sake and not trying to be a prick at all.

I am seriously considering one of these as a second firearm, will be a back-up for in case my primary has to go in for ballistics (hopefully never), and it gives me the option for pocket holster carry for when a full size pistol is not an option.

Plus, the 9mm means one set of dies for reloading

[BigT]

I dont think there is any reason for someone to pick a 9mm revolver over a .38 special one, unless they want something to play with at the range.

Same sized gun, why downgrade in power

9mm is more not less powerful than 38.

My worry would be the durability of moon clips.

[Ds J]

9mm is more not less powerful than 38.

To think that both cartridges are almost the same age. German engineering yet again.

[KnifeOfWar]

Where would one be able to have a look at one of these?

[Ds J]

VLT are agents; two months ago I saw a new generation rollie at S&O Jhb but it could have been a S&W. Big T had a S&W BG38 for sale.

[A-R]

I dont think there is any reason for someone to pick a 9mm revolver over a .38 special one, unless they want something to play with at the range.

Same sized gun, why downgrade in power

The 38 Spl operates at about 18 000 Psi max.
The 9mm P operates at about 36 000 Psi max.
The 357 Mag operates at about 36 000 Psi max.

Note the similar operating pressures, of the 9mmP and 357 Mag. Out of short (2") barrels, the difference in case capacity (powder volume) between the chamberings has little influence on MV, but does make a big difference in noise and flash (and recoil).

So, if using the same bullet weight, the 9mmP will deliver ballistics much closer to the 357 Mag, than the 38 Spl. For comparison, a 9mmP defence load, out of a snubby revolver, will deliver the same performance as from a 4" pistol. So, a 124 gn JHP will leave with a MV around 1100 - 1250 fps. (The latter number is for +P rated loads.) A 357 Mag 125 gn JHP factory load will leave a snubby (2") barrel at around 1250 fps. (Go test it, if you don't believe me!) The 38 Spl will likely produce around 900 fps, with 125 gn +P, from a 2" barrel.

So, the 9mm chambering should be ideal in a snubby, since it's on target performance is close to the 357, but the recoil and noise is much less. And the moon clips make re-loading a snap.

Having worked with a Ruger SP101 in 9mmP, I can support the above data with facts. I suspect that the much shorter case of the 9mm, compared to the 357, also helps, since the effective "barrel length", meaning the distance the bullet travels from case to muzzle, is longer. Hence more "barrel length" to gain speed in.

The SP101 in 9mm was not very popular, and production was stopped when very few were made. Has public perception changed since then? Makes me wonder how popular the new 9mm revolver will be.

The moon clips are not very robust. But I have not managed to destroy one either. Loading and unloading the clips, does take some time and effort. Just order extra moon clips. I suspect the older SP101 moon clips will fit the LCR.

Licensing the Ruger 9mmP revolver was an interesting exercise, at the time. It seems the CFR had never heard of a 9mmP revolver before. They insisted that a 9mm MUST be a pistol, and any revolver MUST be either a 38 or 357. Maybe that's the reason the new license just refers to "handgun"?

And since I like the 9mmP SP101, I think I will like the LCR9 just as much.

[KnifeOfWar]

I just spoke to VLT and they have the .38 in stock, but not the 9mm. It sounded like it was the first time the gentleman had heard of it...