When Ruger released their LCR unto the world, gun pundits hailed the “Lightweight Compact Revolver” for possessing the world’s best wheelgun trigger. Better than Smith & Wesson’s best? Yup. The LCR’s patent-pending friction-reducing cam creates a positively glassine trigger pull without a hit of sticking or stacking. Added to a polymer housing, aluminum cylinder and stainless steel barrel, the LCR is, was and will be a perfectly practical pocket pistol. As the proud, happy owner of an LCR chambered for .357, I approached the LCR-22 with high hopes . . .

Initial impressions: more of the same. Despite the reduced (as in barely noticeable) recoil of the .22LR round, the LCR-22 comes equipped with the same Hogue Tamer Grip as its larger caliber cousins. The LCR-22’s front sight is a pinned blade; you can swap it out for another style if you please. As you’d expect for a pocket revolver, the LCR-22’s rear is a barrel length channel. Snubbie-loving sharpshooters may beg to differ, but chances are you won’t win any trophies for distance shooting with an LCR-22.

The significant difference between the LCR-22 and the same gun in .38/.357 calibers: weight. The smaller chambered revolver tips the scales at 14.9 ounces, versus 17.10 ounces for models offering more ballistic punch. A lighter weight lightweight gun in a less recoil-generating caliber. What’s not to like?

The design? The LCR’s parts bin aesthetic makes you wonder if Ruger told its designers to do everything possible to deny the LCR the classical elegance of a Smith & Wesson snub-nosed revolver. While I like the LCR’s space age looks, most gun folk reckon the revolver rivals the Chiappa Rhino on the other end of the “uh OK” scale. More troublesome: the $792 LCR-22’s finish is just average. The cylinder arm showed wear after just wiping it down with CLP after my first range session.

Upon unboxing, I noticed two small marks near the firing pin housing (when the cylinder is swung outward). I didn’t think much of it at the time. The extractor shaft was a tad tight into the cylinder. The extractor lacked the smoothness of the LCR .357. When I pushed on the plunger, I could hear a slight grating sound of metal on metal.

You don’t have to hit the range to know that the Ruger LCR-22’s trigger is, in a word, diabolical. While it’s as predictable and creep and grit-free as its bigger brother’s go pedal, contestants on The Biggest Loser start the show with less weight than the LCR-22’s trigger pull. James Bond’s bartender couldn’t pour a drink stiffer than this trigger. It’s so heavy it’s off the charts on a trigger pull gauge. Literally.

Not to belabor the point, but the LCR-22’s trigger pull is heavier than the pull on my Ruger GP100 in .357 Magnum. And that’s saying something. Sure, a .22’s trigger needs more weight to ensure reliable ignition strikes on rimfire ammunition. But this is an LCR; the gun that revolutionized revolver triggers. In this case, not.

A strong wind was kicking-up dust during my first range session with the Ruger LCR-22. Even when I wasn’t shooting the revolver, the wheelgun was collecting a nice layer of sand and grit. Under those conditions, accuracy testing was relatively pointless.

I will simply say that the LCR will shoot to point of aim. If you’re plinking, you can fire away with a reasonable chance of hitting your target. As with any snub-nosed revolver, precision shots require a lot of experience and good technique. As a short-range self-defense weapon, the LCR gets it done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LgxJPvx2vg

To check the LCR-22’s reliability, I shot 50 rounds (each) of CCI Stingers, Velocitors, Velocitor hollow point and .22LR Shot shells. No problems. Ditto Federal Premium Target Loads and Winchester Super X (Hyperspeed Hollowpoints). When I fired 100 rounds of CCI Mini Mags Solids, I had more than a few “duds.”

The LCR-22’s owner’s manual—well, the insert inside the standard LCR manual—points out that rimfire manufacturers use different types of brass for their cases and various lubricants on their bullets. The company advises LCR-22 owners to avoid ammunition with heavy coatings of bullet lubricants. (Thanks for that.) Ruger has one recommendation for any extraction issues or misfires: clean the weapon.

When the LCR-22 went click instead of bang, I took a small patch and wiped down the frame area by the firing pin and cylinder channel. The problem dissipated; I attributed these misfires as gunk build up.

And then I fired Federal Premium Game-Shok Solids. After a few cylinders, the trigger was almost impossible to pull. I had to use a small ammo box to push/force the plunger to extract the rounds. I didn’t make it through ten rounds.

Firing (or attempting to fire) Hollowpoint CCI Mini Mags led to total lockup. Another frame wipe didn’t solve the problem. I didn’t make it through 16 rounds.

After my range session, I checked the LCR-22 again to see how the finish held up. New marks had appeared. It seems that the starfish shaped ejector was cutting into the frame below the firing pin, causing the marks as the cylinder rotated during firing.

When I rotated the cylinder and tried to lock it back up into the frame on some chambers, the release button would pop out immediately (as it should). On others, the button would take a brief moment to pop back out (maybe half a second). Perhaps the cylinder was not fitted properly to the frame and/or the timing was off.

Other reviewers have recommended the LCR-22 for elderly or less-abled buyers looking as a relatively foolproof (compared to semi-automatic pistols) lower recoil (compared to higher caliber handguns) self-defense firearm. I don’t see it. The LCR-22’s ammo issues are deeply worrying. And there’s no getting around it: the revolver’s off-the-charts trigger pull makes the LCR-22 a no-go for shooters with limited hand strength.

Given LCR-22’s steep price of admission, RF’s identical trigger troubles with the SP-101 in .22, and Ralph’s condemnation of the SR-22’s stiff double-action trigger pull, I believe older or new shooters would be better off with a “regular” .38 caliber LCR—damn the recoil. Either that or a Smith & Wesson Airweight Model 351PD, seven-shot .22 Mag revolver.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Ruger LCR .22LR
Caliber: .22LR
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds
Materials: Polymer and Stainless Steel
Weight empty: 14.9 oz.
Barrel Length: 1.875”
Overall length: 6.5”
Sights:  Replaceable, Pinned Ramp
Action: Double Action only
Finish: Matte Black, synergistic Hard Coat
Price: $792 retail

RATINGS (out of five stars):

Style  * * * *
A space-age futuristic concept revolver made real. Alternatively, fugly.

Ergonomics (carry)  * * * * *
A lightweight, easily concealed handgun that fits any LCR holster, of which there are many.

Ergonomics (firing)  * *
Heavy trigger pull ruins the gun. The effort required to make the LCR-22 go bang may reflect Ruger’s desire to avoid light primer strikes at any cost, but at $792 (retail) I expect more. Or less.

Reliability  * * *
Fired all types of ammo—save the mini mags and highly lubricated ammo.

Customize This  * *
Laser grips and that’s it. Not a big deal for a snubbie.

Overall Rating  * * *
Its big brothers offer the world’s best revolver trigger. The LCR-22 does not.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

76 COMMENTS

  1. Damn, I had been eyeing the LCR-22 to go with my LCR-38+P because I love shooting .22lr but not at this much hassle. Maybe I’ll go for the SP101 in .22lr instead.

      • I have an sp101 .22 and a gp100 .357. These triggers are super easy to fix with spring kits from wolffe.

    • I made the mistake of believing this gun would be a good gun for young shooters, in particular, my daughter.

      My gun has all the attributes I’d expect from a Ruger revolver, sound, sturdy, and ugly. The trigger that is touted about by Ruger themselves leaves a lot to be desired. My gun is no better than any other .22lr revolver I’ve fired. Whatever the friction reducung cam was suppose to do, it didn’t with the LCR 22.

      The ruger web site says you can change out the front sight with those offered on shopruger.com. This is not true, every sight option they offer for the LCR says they are not compatiable with the .22lr version.

      I’d rate my gun along the same lines of a Charter Arms Pathfinder but I paid more for this without any benefit.

    • i WOULD recommend getting the lcr-22, not sp101-22. i have shot the sp101-22 and it had a super heavy trigger pull. i have dry fired the lcr-22, easy easy easy trigger pull.

    • I bought a LCR 22 for my wife and I to try as a possible carry gun for her. She has no problem with the trigger pull and has had an issue with other double action revolvers. The low recoil has allowed her to concentrate on form and has improved her accuracy. I’m able to hit a 12×12 consistantly at 25 yards and I’m fairly new to hand guns. I have had some issues with ejecting some ammunitions but it has improved with use and cleaning, maybe some breakin time. The strong trigger pull for me is a good thing for a pocket gun.

    • I bought the LCR LR22 and tried several types of ammo but had no problems. Federal Punch worked very well. The trigger is stiff but I find that to be a great safety feature.

  2. Four stars of style for being uglier than Sarah Jessica Carter after a bare knuckle boxing match?

  4. Steven:

    Very good & thorough review, thanks. I had looked forward to testing this gun myself for research I’m conducting about ease of trigger pull and I’m so sorry that the trigger on this one is so hard. To me the triggers on the .38 and .357 LCRs are not only very smooth, but they seem to offer more leverage to someone with a weak hand. And, there are some ammunition manufacturers (Buffalo Bore, among others) that sell standard .38 Special, short-barrel defensive ammunition that may be more manageable for those that are recoil-sensitive.

    I have my (purchase) sights set on the Ruger SP-101 in .22 caliber and I wanted to see Robert’s review that you mentioned, but I cannot find anywhere on the site the review for an SP-101 in .22 caliber. (Your link #2 takes me to a 2/21/11 review for an SP-101 in .357.) Is it possible for you to publish that specific link?

    • Uh, well, I haven’t written it yet. In the interests of our readers, I took the gun to a gunsmith for a trigger job and added a Hogue grip. The initial mod didn’t work; at eight pounds—down from 14—certain types of ammo didn’t ignite. I’m picking it up again this week. Hopefully, done by Friday.

      • Thanks, and I look forward to the review. (No pressure, just have it on my desk by 0700 on Friday!) 😉

      • RF,

        I too am looking forward to your review of the SP101 in .22 caliber. A customized eight pound pull and certain types of ammo didn’t ignite? Interesting to know. Hope the second mod attempt works.

  5. It’s a shame that they went the SP101 route and ignored the LCR platform when they developed a 3″ revolver for the .327 magnum.

  6. I’ve got a S&W Model 63, stainless steel, 3″ barrel, 8 shots. It’s as easy to conceal as any J frame and has a great trigger. After literally thousands of rounds, I’ve never had any ammo problems. It shoots accurately and is worth every penny of the $680 I paid for it. I love it.

  7. Good review. The retail price of the LCR 22 without the laser grips is $525, with the street price under $450. That’s still not cheap, though, compared to the Taurus 94 revolvers. And a .22 plinker is about fun and value. I was fortunate enough to find a used 617-4, 4″ barrel, no lock, 10 rounds in good shape for a little over $500. Pricey, but it’s one of my favorites.

  8. Thanks for the review. I am a Ruger man (plan to buy more Rugers) and yet I really enjoyed reading a published review that criticized and found faults or weaknesses with one of Ruger’s guns. Personally, I have never seen a use for the LCR in .22 caliber. The LCR versions in 38 or 357/38 are only a few ounces heavier and make for a far superior defense weapon. The LCR 357 version is one I am considering for purchase in the future.

  9. To author,

    Note that the weights that you are quoting for the .22 are correct, but there are two different variations in the models offered in .357 caliber. The models chambered in .357 have blackened stainless receivers to handle the extra pressure and recoil of the magnum chambering an weigh your quoted 17.1 ounces.

    The .38 special model is made with the same aluminum receiver as the .22 and weighs almost the same as your .22. The only weight difference being the material in the cylinder due to chamber size.

  10. Steve, thanks for a very revealing review. As you noted, I was extremely disappointed with the DA trigger on the SR22 pistol, and you had similar issues and worse problems with the LCR-22. I cannot understand why Ruger would risk a brilliant reputation that it’s nurtured since 1949 by bringing guns to market with such poor triggers and sketchy manufacturing.

    Ruger’s management has been widely (and IMO correctly) regarded as superb, top notch and investment worthy. They need to get out in front of this situation now, before we change our minds.

    • I am getting to be of the opinion that people shouldn’t get their hopes up with a double action .22. As mentioned above, rimfire requires more energy to ignite the primer, so all the springs have to be stiffer. In the case of the LCR, there isn’t a hammer spur to cock for single action shooting, so there was bound to be disappointment.

      • Here is the thing about the trigger, as you shoot it, the trigger smooths out. Had one with smooth as silk after 200-300 rounds.

        Unfortunately, was stolen out of car! Replaced with new in the box from favorite gun shop. Since it is new was so dry, had to use Frog Lube on it. Will take to the range and put some rounds through it. Reported to local police. He said they have a software program that send notice to Pawn Shops over a three countries. Apparently their experience is stolen to get money for drugs. Sure hope it shows up at a local shop

    • 800 for a .22 period = no thanks.
      Though of course it could probably be had for 500-600.

    • msrp for the lcr-22 with laser grips is $792, but with the regular grips, its $525. but you can get $100 off of those prices at the actual dealer. a family member of mine got this gun and the final total with tax, background check, and a stupid handling fee was only $508

      • a friend of mine got it. 2nd one i have shot now. LOVE both. my friend got it for $400 used w/ 2 speed loaders.

  12. “With the gold standard .22 caliber Smith & Wesson Model 617 weighing in at 39 ounces and costing another $100, what choice is there?”

    The Smith & Wesson Model 351PD, 7-shot .22 Mag revolver in airweight configuration, with a hammer, and a fiber optic front sight. Used with the Hornady defense loads, about the same ballistics as a .380.

    About $500.

  13. Bought one today and put 100 rounds of remington golden saber plinking. Nice to shoot and more accurate than I thought it would be. Experienced some problems extracting the cases.

    • Make sure you try different ammo in this pistol. Remember that Mini-Mags and highly lubricated ammo caused this gun to lock up completely.

  14. My LCR22 has been problematic. Difficult extraction with different types of ammo. And cylinder binds up. Sent it in for service, came back Friday, shot it again Saturday. Improved, but problems still there. Going to send it in again, if they don’t get it right, will sell off at a loss (with disclosure). Very disappointed.

  15. Thanks for the review. I have the LCR .357 and .22. The .22 allows me to get lots of range time practicing with the short site radius of a snubbie. Additionally, the trigger may be a little heavier, but after shooting 500 rounds with the .22 when I switch to the .357 I find I am right on, and have better trigger technique because of the heavier trigger on the .22. Perhaps not for everyone, but it works for me. I have shot over 3000 rounds without any problems, nor would I expect any with a Ruger. I have some wear marks as you mentioned, but, I am ok with that. This is a gun that gets a lot of use at the range.

  16. I havent shot as many rounds as some have but the counts somewhere close the 500 mark and myself have found it to be accurate, maybe not a target gun but what distance are you shooting a little sub 2″ snubbie? The trigger is heavy yes but my wife has strengh problems in her arms and hands do to health issues and for years has shot her 4″ Smith but it’s too heavy for her to hold steady. She looked at others and found she liked the little LCR22 so much that she bought one as well I did also, both of us like plinking with them.
    I think some are trying to get something out of it thats not thereand never will be, if i want to punchholes in paper or animals then I will get the long bbl’d Ruger target out but for screwing around these are great. By the way I feel the same way about the SR22p but then like others these are just my opinions.

  19. I think it’s Great little revolver. Light and very accurate. The only thing that irritates me is ejecting the spent rounds. They stick! I have to knock out the spent shells then . . lube it with G96 Gun Treatment. Is there something better to lube the cylinder eject?

  20. Extraction problems seem to be a common problem with these air-lite .22 revolvers, I have the same extraction problems with the S&W model 317, after 16 rounds I have to use either a handerchief to force the extractor or tap it with a small hammer to eject the shells, what causes this ?

  21. Seems with these air-lite .22 revolvers after they have been shot after several cylinder reloadings the cylinder expands from heat and extraction becomes more and more difficult especially with the brass casing .22 bullets, today I used the .22 CCI stinger ammo which has nickel plated .22 shells, I did not have any extraction problems, try CCI stinger ammo and avoid the cheaper bulk ammo, 500 rounds etc !

  22. I bought this little LCR for my wife…..I like the gun, but my wife and daughters have a real issue with the trigger pull, in fact they have to use both their trigger fingers to pull the trigger. (Not the proper technique, I know!! I know!!) The other thing that I dislike is the extractor… it seems like the brass is suck inside the cylinder, its almost like the firing pin squishes the brass between the cylinder and the chamber.

  23. I bought one and so far it is great. I have extremely compromised hand strength but no problem with the trigger pull or recoil. I am a jeweler and my thumbs are nearly out of commission, so could not use a hammer. The Judge makes my hands sore for days. Mine may just be a fluke, but we get along fine.

  24. Wow… Glad I did not read this review prior to buying the revolver. These negative remarks would have stopped me and I would have possibly been deprived of this very cool handgun. I have had it for one week and have shot 1000 rounds through it with about 20 different kinds of ammo. No issues at all. The trigger pull is no where near as bad as these comments would suggest. In fact, I like it and can shoot this pistol just as accurately as my Walther P22 which has a longer barrel and has a much easier trigger pull. This gun is fun to shoot and feels great in the hand.

    I did have some of the cheaper ammo stick in the cylinders but nothing that a little tap on the shell extractor wouldn’t resolve. Which happens on my Smith air light 442 and my Ruger New Vaquero as well. And the comment above about the gun totally locking up due to oily or greasy ammo is just ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with my Ruger LCR 22.

    • I agree. I bought this as my first handgun. Plan on also buying the 357 version but thought this would be a good way to start. first day at the range i fired almost 400 rounds with no problems at all. My friends who went with me are seasoned gun owner and all thought it was a great little revolver. I see the crazy high prices listed for this gun. I paid $420…Thought that was fair. Can’t wait for the weather to get better again so I can get back to the range.

  25. i don’t know where you guys are buying your ruger lcr, but you are getting hosed by your dealer paying 7 to 800 for them. i bought the 22 and 38 for under 420 each. my 2 daughters and my wife shoot them both with no trouble with trigger. somebody is blowing smoke about trigger pull.

  26. Love this gun! I have a S&W 9 mm and a S&W 357 revolver. I wanted something for self defense to carry. This is lightweight but has no recoil. My 357 has enough kick that, as a woman, I anticipate that kick sometimes. I didn’t want to have to think about the slide being locked in on the 9 mm. I didn’t want anything that would deter me from my objective, which is to pull a trigger at close range and get the job done. The trigger is smooth and not at all hard to pull. It goes with me wherever I go. My daughter shot mine and is now buying one too. btw I only paid $450 NEW so somebody took you to the cleaners.

  27. First, the “reviewer” should not quite his day job. this was a very poorly written review. Secondly, it was . . . only one guy’s . . . limited experience with this revolver. Before moving my daughter up to my 640 I bought this for her to practice with something similar. As an inexpensive trainer, this revolver fills the bill. Would I trust it beyond that, no. I have read several dozen personla accounts of this revolver buying it and this is without the most biased. More trugger pull required than a GP100, put the crack pipe down, clean out, and review it with a clear head.
    BTW, I paid $430 for it and it was a LOT cheaper than a S&W J-Frame .22 . . . Have fun!

  28. It was very misleading about the sight when XS sight system had an ad in the box and I bought the pistol because I intended to install that sight ! Very misleading for Ruger to allow them to do that to me. NOT happy. Can’t put that sight on the .22. or at least XS told me.

  29. Just bought the LCR 22 by Ruger and am anxious to pick it up in a couple of days. I did find the trigger
    quite heavy and a bit hard to pull at the gun shop, but I think I can manage it. Am a beginner and like
    this little piece a lot. I had wanted Ruger 22/44 Lite, but I have read and was told by gun shop owner that they are a bear to get back together after taking apart..so the revolver won out. I paid $479 for mine. The
    MSRP is $525 and I know they can be had for a bit cheaper.

  30. I’ve had several Rugers over the course of 30 year.and as of today I own none of their products.quality control as well as some other new designs have went to hell since the introduction of Prescott Arizona facility.and I know I’m not the only one that sees that.

  31. Okay, took my new Ruger LCR 22 to shoot at the range for the first time yesterday. I absolutely love
    this piece. Used CCI 22 LR and it performed flawlessly, aside from casings sticking a couple of times when I went to unload. I am a beginning shooter and hit the target fairly well with this baby at 30 feet and even got a couple of bullseyes. Today I will receive a trigger mount laser which goes in front of the
    trigger and which cost me $79 through Amazon. Can’t wait to get it and go shooting again.

    Somewhere I read that 22 short ammo should not be used with this gun. I did purchase some of this
    ammo bc it was cheap, but am hesitant to try it. Has anyone used 22 short in this piece.

  32. I have this in 22lr and 357. Love them both, tho the trigger pull in each are completely different. Paid 409 for 22 and 439 for the 357.

  33. LMAO! If anybody here thinks that the LCR-22 has a stiff trigger pull? Then you have never handled or shot the smith and wesson 317, or for that matter the smith and wesson model 63!! The LCR has the best double action of any 22 on the market period!

  34. I haven’t had the extraction problems at all with at least 8 different ammo brands and types including shorts and shot loads. I had to send the gun back to Ruger because the cylinder would slide off the crane with pressure. Got the gun back in less than a week good to go. I did have the little screw under the cylinder release button back out, but a little lock tite solved that. Accuracy is good. 15 yards, 3″ and 25 yards about 5-6″ depending on the ammo. I bought the gun to carry in a back pack and in my game vest while hunting and for this its great, Very fun gun to shoot. I think a extraction problem could be easily fixed by polishing the chambers with some Flitz, much like one would do to and auto’s feed ramp. The trigger is stiff but with practice, can be staged and shot like a single action.

  35. Can’t quite relate to any of what you’re saying, but maybe Ruger has made improvements to later models of the LCR 22. Fit and finish seem very good. The trigger pull is heavy initially but the break point is short so you don’t have to cope with that heavy pull all the way through. I’ve put about 400 rounds through mine and not had a single misfire so far. I also only paid $400 for mine, so I think you got ripped off price wise. My youngest son, who has never shot, tried this gun on his first trip to the range and loved it. He had no trouble with the trigger pull and, at 7 yards, consistently put his shots inside the 8 ring at worst. All this from a total beginner. I think you might be expecting too much from a snubbie. They’re always crude and rough, but challenging and fun to shot. My only complaint with the LCR 22 is the aluminum cylinder heats up considerably after you shot it a lot, kind of like the aluminum cylinder block in my friend’s old Chevy Vega that was always leaking and overheating.

  36. The quality control on the Ruger guns since the founder passed away is all over the map. Some guns are fine and many like this LCR-22 reviewed have problems. Parts that are out-of-tolerance are being let through the manufacturing process. That’s why you see people with the same experience and others claiming, “Haven’t had any such problems.” Sure you can send it back to Ruger, but it is a hassle. Usually they get fixed (or you might get sent a new gun), but people have reported that sometimes they come back without the problems completely fixed.

    The problem is that Ruger obviously doesn’t employ “statistical process control,” which almost every manufacturer of mechanical and electro-mechanical devices has used for years. In the old days, they did something similar, and just inspected parts leaving each manufacturing process on some set schedule. These methods are a well-known engineering practice which guarantees that parts within specification do not get assembled into final assemblies that leave the plant. This means that part inspection for proper tolerances is as important an any part of the manufacturing process. Ruger has instead decided to “throw the dice” and live with all the returns and complaints. This is a decision by the Ruger bean counters who believe that their profit will be higher this way. It is very bad engineering practice but the engineers at many companies often get overruled by these people. That is why the Freedom Group may destroy Remington and Marlin. They are doing the same thing, but it is even worse at those companies.

    FYI, Ruger used to make an SP101, six-shot, 22LR with 2-1/4″ barrel. I have one. It has a fairly smooth 10-pound double action trigger pull, and about a 4-1/2 pound single action pull. It fires nearly every brand of decent quality 22LR ammo without a problem. Their are inherent problems with going to eight rounds in the cylinder, including thermal expansion, that causes some brands of cases to stick. There are also other problems with the trigger/hammer mechanism introduced by going to eight rounds that required a heavier spring, due to a shorter hammer cycle. But the marketing people made the engineers design an eight shot in this new LCR and the new SP101 22LR. Result – extraction problems and heavy triggers.

  37. I have this little gun and it’s the wife’s carry gun. I put the XS tritium night sight on it. It fits this just like it does the .38. The reason they say it doesn’t work is the XS is adjusted for the larger calibers. it’s supposed to be too high for the .22LR version. I found that the stock sight for the LCR .22 was shooting high the way I sight it and the XS sights brought it right down to my point of aim. YMMV.

  38. Update to my last comment. The trigger pull gets easier the more you shoot this gun. I now have around 1500-2000 rounds through this gun with all kinds of ammo, Federal, CCI, Armscor, Aguila, Remington. Just to name a few. It shoots everything. The cylinder will get hard to eject with 200+ rounds in a single session necessitating a cleaning and cooling period. If you have a second gun at the range shoot that a while and let this one cool off and the ejection problems go away. Could be heat expansion due to thin cylinder walls. The trigger is heavy but extremely predictable and gives you a hand grip workout. I would trust this with good ammo to shoot every round every time I pulled the trigger. If I carried this for Self Defense which my wife does. and it is clean and loaded it will absolutely work for all 8 shots. It may not be pretty but I keep her loaded with some hyper hollow point ammo for SD purposes and shoot High Velocity or standard velocity solid nose for target practice. I have shot hyper HP and high velocity CPHP at the range to make sure it didn’t have any trouble. Wife carries this with a couple of quick strips for reloads, I do not see her as ever reloading this in a SD situation though. 8 shots and get away is the way I see it. Makes a good woods hiker, camp gun carry some snake shot and solids into the woods with it.
    I think Ruger should produce this in a 3 inch barrel LCRX with hammer configuration. It would make a perfect lightweight trail/camp gun.

  39. ive greatly enjoyed my lcr 22lr for almost two years. its a favorite practice and ccw piece loaded with rem yellow jackets because misses with larger calibers dont count. at 10′ rapid fire while moving i can shred a 3″ phone book with a 3″ group, poa=poi. im glad that i didnt see this review until now, the author likely got an early production dud. i too am very eager for an lcr-x with 3″ barrel, exposed hammer, in 22lr. ive never had cylinder freeze in my lcr but happens regularly in my sw 317 after 100 or so range rounds, sadly. the lcr 22lr is ideal for anyone recoil averse.

    • My experince as well. Purchased mid-December 2015 as a Christmas gift to myself. Already have .38 & 9mm versions.
      So very familiar with this model, the 22LR joins higher caliber
      siblings with same quality, excellent price point and looks.
      Only thing I changed was the grip for an after market one that slightly longer to accommodate pinky finger. Shot on rural property with my sister-in-law. Very accurate snub nose revolver. I had no problem ejecting spent shells, my sister-in-law had a little problem with getting all to come out but we use different methods, she uses thumb, I use heel of hand for more force. Bottom line: 8 rounds of fun! And so accurate I would not hesitate to use as self defense gun. Eight rounds to the heart would probably be as effective as one round from a 9mm. LCR 22 LR is easier to shoot than most higher calibers and loud enough to send a raccoon with a bad attitude, beating feet to get away. With four legged vermin I pay them the curtesy of a warning shot, since they got here long before any of us!

  41. I have a Scandium Model 317 S&W. Hard to beat this S&W for smooth trigger accuracy and functionability!

  42. Wish i would have read your review earlier. Picked up a used lcr22 for the low price of 299 at Gander. The plan was to get the wife something that was mechanically simple to operate. After ‘testing’ it for her with Winchester HPs I could hardly budge the extractor rod. Some slamming it againt the range table and the use of a pocket knife i was able to get it open. Well i have the repair plan at GM so off it goes along with a request for a trigger job.

  44. Why do so many people listen to one person’s complaints like this blog or what ever it is. Man this report was nonsense. I own a LCR 9mm and have been shooting it for two years now with no problems at all. And I might add a whole lot of ammo down range. I have a number of range buddies that love their LCR22’s and do not have these problems. I had the opportunity to shoot a friends last week. I put two hundred rounds down range with mixed ammo and no problems. Liked the gun so well, came home and ordered one.
    Lol, he say’s the trigger is too heavy? Give me a break. Yes more so than the other LCR’s but it is a 22.cal and of course due to the nature of the 22.cal will have a slightly heavier trigger pull. That said, it is hardly heavy. It is a very smooth pull all the way through. Maybe this guy has some form of arthritis. Egronomics are great as with all the LCR’s. On my 9mm I did go from the stock grip to the Pro Diamond to the Bantam grip and like the Bantam grip much better and handeled the gun much very well. Not to mention the concealment is better as well.
    Please do not listen to all internet crap. Get out a rent one, or borrow from a friend. These are great solid performers. If he had a bad one, they hey, sent it back. All LCR’s do not operate as his.
    I hate this title “Truth about Guns”. It is simply one person’s views and does not represent any thing but.

  45. Give me a beak, the trigger of the LCR22 is NO where near the way this guy describes the gun. I wonder how many double action triggers it has shot. I have the LCR in 9mm and yes lighter but for sure the LCR22 is easily shot. It can be meaured, but this guy must not have a gauge. He is about 2lbs heavier than the other LCR;s but remember that are fantastic triggers. I also have not idea of what he is talking about as far as reliable, but his gun runs 22.cal like a sewing machine.
    I just came back from the range today. Shot 200 rounds of mixed ammo without one failure which is standard with this gun. I use the 22.cal as a trainer and just love shooting it.
    Sorry, there are some articles in “Truth about Guns” that simply are not close to being the truth. Unless, this guy just has some extremely weak hands and trigger finger. Personall, I think he should stick with a Light Striker Fired Pistol.

  46. Great little revolver! Had the Taurus 94/.22 LR but sold it because that it wasn’t a C.C. type of gun.And as my Rugers lcr .22 triger pull, yes it was a little heavy at first. But ,didn’t complain because I knew it takes time (shooting many rounds ) before it got easier. Especially because it was new. Alot of people have “Naggy” irritating comments that don’t make sense .And also did learn Not to use ammunition with waxy/oily crap on them. It will freeze cylinder/shell don’t eject,rod stuck, yep,happened to mine. Re-cleaned and ran a hopes .22 brush snake through each/8 cylinder ports. Lightly re-oiled each and BOOM! works beautifull . Just avoid or wipe any ammo with waxy crap off and will do fine.

  47. Wow, could not disagree more with this article. I know it was written in 2012, but I have had the LCR22 now for about 5 yrs and totally reliable. I mean crazy reliable for a 22. VERY rare to ever have a failure other than a few duds. This gun is my favorite Trainer/Plinker. Yes the Trigger is a little heavy for a beginner shooter, but I cannot imagine someone that shoots often having any problem. I typically shoot about 200 per session and shoot it weekly. This little Snubbie can be very accurate. I get the feeling the author has very little experience with a snubbie. Sounds like a complete newbie. Especially with the comment “Chances are you will not win any long distance shooting” Come on dude, you do not even know what tool you have in your hands. It is not a long distance target gun for Gosh Sake!

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  49. SURE AS HELL NOT SAME TRIGGER PULL AS ANY S&W REVOLVER …
    CONS : RUGER 5410 22LR HAS A HEAVY ? , ~ LOUSY ~ 10 LBS ? TRIGGER PULL , IF YOU LIKE SORE TRIGGER FINGER , CLYINDER LOCKS INTO PLACE FAIR TO OK … SHOT MOSTLY NO COATED BULLETS , CCI , THUNDERBOLTS , STANDARD AND HI VELOCITY , OK NO MISFIRES , SOME GOLDEN BULLETS DID OK ON 100 ROUNDS .. COULD ONLY HANDLE 150 ROUNDS PER EACH HAND … AT RANGE , BEFORE HAVING PUT DOWN … WILL GIVE IT COUPLE YEARS BEFORE TRADING OFF .. PLAY IT ALL BY EAR ..

    PROS : CAN DRY FIRE AS STATED ON PAGE 15 OF MANUEL , IS LIGHT WEIGHT , HAS STEEL CYLINDER , BEST COULD DO WITH SIGHTS WAS 24 FEET IN UNDER , ON 4″ TO 6 ” TARGETS , THIS PISTOL IS NOT A TARGET PISTOL , WAS ABLE SHOP AROUND ONLINE GOT IT NEW FOR $540 , THEN SHIP N TAX , TOLALS $606 … 11 01 2022 , ..

    OVER ALL GIVE IT 3 ON SCALE OF 5 , DUE TO HEAVY TRIGGER PULL , AND NO HAMMER ..
    WOULD NOT BUY AGAIN … DID LIKE WEIGHT AND OVER ALL SIZE … HOWEVER ???

    EACH TO THEIR OWN …

  50. AGREE IF WAS 3″ BARREL WITH HAMMER WOULD BE NICE TRAIL GUN , HOWEVER
    IS WHAT IS , TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT IS AND TRY IT OUT IF DOESN’T WORK OUT SELL IT OFF .
    WHAT GOT ME INTO IT WAS STEEL CYLINDER VS S&W ALUMINUM CTLINDER , UUH .. SHAME ON S&W , STILL WOULD ENJOY RUGER 5410 MORE IF HAD HAMMER .. THE DARN TRIGGER PULL AS IS , BIT MUCH MAYBE WILL GET BETTER WITH USE , SURE HOPE SO , WISH HAD KIT SO COULD MAKE IT / INSTALL / A HAMMER ..

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