More pre-SHOT Show goodies, this time from Ruger – an eight-shot .22 LR LCP. Like its .357 and .38 bigger brothers, the .22 comes with a Hogue Tamer™ grip (not that there will be much taming needed) and will weigh in at a comfy 14.9 oz. MSRP is $525, so a street price somewhere around $450 seems a good bet. Full press release after the jump…
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to announce the new Ruger® LCR-22, an eight-shot revolver that offers all the features of the award-winning LCR®, chambered in the popular and economical .22 Long Rifle cartridge.
“The LCR has proven its worth since its introduction in 2009, and has become an extremely popular compact revolver for concealed carry,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our customers asked for a rimfire LCR for low cost practice at the range, and the LCR-22 fills that need. Furthermore, this gun disputes the notion that small-frame, rimfire revolvers come with heavy trigger pulls; the LCR-22’s non-stacking trigger pull is highly manageable. In fact, we believe the LCR has the best trigger pull of any factory double-action revolver on the market, and we urge our customers to visit their retailer and try it out for themselves,” he concluded.
The newest LCR maintains all the features of the critically acclaimed original LCR. The 1-7/8″ barrel and eight-shot cylinder are constructed of stainless steel, and the cylinder is highly fluted to reduce weight. The frame is machined from an aerospace-grade aluminum forging, and the fire control housing is molded from rugged and durable glass-filled nylon. The fire control system utilizes Ruger’s patented friction reducing cam that provides a uniquely smooth, non-stacking trigger pull.
For more information on the new LCR-22 revolver, or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the LCR-22 and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com.
I want to love this so badly, since i love my LCR 38. But I just can’t… I would essentially have the same gun twice, since handloading 38s is pretty cheap… and Im not sure I would carry a 22 as a CCW when I could carry the 38… am I missing something?
Yes….you are
You mentioned handloading. Most people don’t. This is for those people.
Both my parents are over 70. My Dad carries a variety of things but his pocket pistol for the summer is a Ruger LCR in .38. My mother has trouble with the recoil of .38 and larger. But she can handle .22 just fine. Perfect carry gun for her.
You may be ‘missing it’ because you are younger, stronger, and can handle the recoil. Many elderly aren’t so able but i’m sure you would agree, its better to have something then nothing.
How about one of these in .22 Mag for concealed carry/personal protection for someone who has problems with the .38 recoil? Not a perfect caliber for personal protection, but the ballistics on a solid point, 40gr bullet in .22 Mag are pretty close to the .380 as far as muzzle energy and penetration. Some of the ammo makers are now selling personal defense loads in .22 Mag, designed for snub nose revolvers.
I have a 7-shot S&W lightweight J-frame (Mod 351PD) snubbie revolver in .22 Mag. It has decent sights (fiber optic front, notch rear) and weighs about 14oz. Very little recoil, although it is one noisy little sucker.
I know its a perfect gun for some people, and I really want one to have, i would just feel like im doubling up. I have a Ruger Single six that I use for practice for my Single action, It makes sense to have a 22 snubbie — in fact I was looking for one 2 days ago, thinking — i wish they made an LCR in 22… lo and behold this comes out!
Am I crazy for wanting one? If it were $100 less, I think I would jump on it.
I love the 22 mag, but the muzzle blast from a hangun is ferocious. Out of a rifle it is vastly superrior to the LR. but I think you lose most of that advantage in short barrels.
Yeah, that’s why some of the ammo makers (Federal and Hornady, I think), are making personal defense .22Mag ammo specifically designed for short-barrelled handguns. Say an article on this recently in one of my gun mags – American Rifleman, Shooting Times, or Handguns.
There is a .22 magnum Gold Dot short barrel load available. There are in my S&W 51 that I gave to my mother to use as a house gun. She can’t handle the recoil of anything heavier.
Further research: Shooting Times Dec2011/Jan2012 issue, page 58, “.22s for Defense”. .22 Mag defense loads: Speer 40gr Gold Dot HP-SB, 1039 fps; Hornady 45gr Critical Defense FTX, 1005 fps. (Velocities are out of a 1.88 inch barrel revolver).
I was hoping it would have the ability to change cylinders to .22 magnum.
Give it a year – if it sells, I bet Ruger will make one in .22Mag
Unless you’re reloading .38s for 4 cents a round its still probably cheaper to shoot .22. However if you are making them that cheap then where do you go for your components because that seems like a sweet deal.
Cast boolits are the key.
Hi Adam,
I don’t think you are missing anything.
I am a big fan of Ruger, their products and the .38/.357 LCR. However I posted a reply stating that I do not think the .22 LCR is a wise choice and stated my reasons there.
To you I would like to say that I hope you will not replace your .38 with a .22 for EDC. I think this would be a very unwise thing for anyone to do who is physically able to use a more potent load.
As far as economics are concerned the only way a .22 LCR will save you money is if you practice less with your .38 LCR. Again I think this would be unwise. I believe in practicing with the gun that may save your life as much as possible. Some will say that you can shoot the .22 after you are finished with .38 practice and get more trigger time at less cost. This is true from a trigger time concept, but it will not help with recoil control or target acquisition. The major cause of poor trigger control is flinching, which is a result of recoil anticipation. If you want to practice trigger control you can do so by dry firing. It is an effective way to practice, will NOT harm your gun and cost nothing. If you go with the .22, you will have the initial cost of the gun at +/- $400.00 + the expense of the ammo as long as you use the gun . I can’t see the wisdom in this. It is certanily not more economical.
May I suggest that you continue with your .38 just as you have been doing and if you would like to shoot .22 for more enjoyment at the range, you purchase a good Ruger or S&W target pistol. I think you will enjoy it more and find it is a better investment.
However if you really do want the gun and don’t think you’ll beat yourself up later. I own many guns I don’t need.
Just my .02.
I tend to agree. You can buy a lot of .38 target loads for the cost of the gun. If I had money to burn I’d own one of everything.
Adam,
Things tend to get a little hectic around here so from time to time I get a little rushed.
One other thing I intended to suggest is to purchase a Crimson Trace laser grip if you have not done so.
They can be useful in both live and dry fire training by allowing you to see the movement of the laser dot on target and the corresponding movement of your gun. Check crimsonetrace.com for training information at there site and they will also send you a free DVD.
They are expensive but I prefer them to other lasers because they are activated with just a natural grip on the gun and can be deactivated by slightly loosening the grip of your middle finger. This allows you to active under stress without thought. It also allows you to have the gun in a ready position with the laser off until you are ready to activate it.
At the range I like to fire one shot with the laser on and the next off or one mag./cylinder full on then off to stay in practice both ways just in case the laser fails.
Again just my .02
I have Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum/.38 Special. For someone who used to carry a semi-auto exclusively and wouldn’t touch a revolver, this has become my favorite carry gun. I developed an appreciation for revolvers as I have gotten older and hopefully wiser. The LCR feels great in my hand, is easier to carry than even my Glock 26, and does have the best trigger pull, in my opinion, of any revolver I have ever tried. This LCR in .22LR sounds like an inexpensive way to plink, train, etc. This is especially true if you already own one. If you don’t already own an LCR, then this particular model may not be for you because there are plenty of other .22 pistols on the market. As something to take with you while hiking or just a small kit gun, this would also fill that role. I am going to buy one as soon as I can get my hands on one. http://www.gunblast.com just posted a review of this LCR, which is well worth checking out.
Hi Scuba Steve,
Have you ever fired the Sp101?
If so can you tell me how they compare as to felt recoil?
Also if there is a female who has fired your LCR with either .357 or hot .38 loads, can you tell me what she / they thought?
A lady who shoots at the same range I do likes my SP101 but is looking for something lighter.
Any info. you have to offer is appreciated.
Thanks.
Hello Ron.
To answer your questions, no, I have not fired an SP101. I have looked at them and held them, but I just don’t like the grips on those. I prefer the grip on the GP100, and I plan on getting one of those.
There is a lady who fired my LCR in .357 magnum, but she preferred to fire it with .38 special – even the +P loads were fine for her. She was used to the long heavy pull of an S&W, but really likes the LCR. The .357 magnum through the LCR is pretty stout, but not unmanageable. Since the .357 weighs just a little bit more than the .38 version, it helps recoil wise whether you are firing .357 or .38.
Hope this helps.
Hi Scuba Steve,
Thanks for your reply. It was very helpful.
I like the grip on the SP101. I am able to shoot full power .357 loads all day without discomfort, but I seem to be less sensitive to recoil than others.
If I had an LCR I would not buy an SP101 either as they fill the same roll. The GP100’s are very nice.
Thanks again and enjoy your new revolver.
Make that “role”. Didn’t see it in time to change it.
Damm I hate that little box.
Actually, for some people, this would be a nice gun. I would not mind having one myself.
The new .22 SP101 didn’t do much for me. Neither did the .38 Special and .357 Magnum LCRs (I’m kind of already invested in J-frame S&Ws). But the .22 LCR just may be what I’ve been looking for. That is: an affordable, small, lightweight double-action .22 LR revolver with a short barrel and at least a 6-round capacity. Also, one that’s not a Taurus.
Take a look at the S&W 351PD (.22Mag) or the 317 (.22LR).
Also something else to consider is this: holsters for an LCR have to be specially made because of the extra large trigger guard, which most J-frame holsters won’t accommodate. If you already own an LCR and like me, you have holsters, pocket or otherwise, you should be able to use all your accessories for that LCR with this one.
When I saw that they made the SP101 in .22LR, I didn’t think much of it either because it was basically a full size handgun. If you want something to carry when hiking or something along those lines, but still carry it concealed, this would be perfect for that purpose.
…with one caveat: if you have a fitted leather holster for a five-shot revolver, it’s better to not shove an 8-flute cylinder into it. I stuck my unfluted Blackhawk in a fitted holster and had to kind of iron out the flutes in the leather.
I don’t have a fitted holster for the LCR; unless you consider the one Ruger makes that is an IWB. I have one of those, but it is not custom fit to the revolver. In fact, there is plenty of space where I don’t see a problem with an 8 shot .22LR cylinder. At least from photos, the dimensions of this pistol look identical to the .357 magnum version. I could be wrong though.
This is great. A new model that actually fills a hole in the market place.
I want one with about a 3″ barrel.
I love snubbies, I love 22s, but I hate polymer revolvers. Okay, I’m a curmudgeon, and I admit it. But steel is real, and polymer is . . . . uh, what the hell rhymes with polymer?
I agreed with you until I bought a .357 and put 75 rounds of full power Buffalo Bore 158’s through it with zero discomfort. It’s the easiest shooting .357 snubbie I’ve ever fired. Granted, the trigger isn’t as nice as a tuned old Smith or Colt, but it’s a darn sight better than the new ones out of the box. And since I live at the beach, I can just leave it out all the time without constant wiping and a bore sock. You just have to think of it like a Glock as opposed to a 1911, just a very effective tool, not an object de art.
Hi Drew,
Have you ever fired the SP101 with the same or simular loads?
If so can you tell me how they compare as to felt recoil?
Also if there is a female who has fired your LCR with either .357 or hot .38 loads, can you tell me what she / they thought?
A lady who shoots at the same range I do likes my SP101 but is looking for something lighter.
Any info. you have to offer is appreciated.
Thanks.
Oliver?
If I were in the market for a .38/.357 revolver I would purchase a Ruger LCR.
I believe it to be the best revolver choice at present.
However if I were in the market for a .22 revolver I don’t think I would.
Here are my reasons.
Self defense for seniors:
In her youth my mother owned a S&W .38 (model 10/15?). About twenty (20) years ago I replaced it with a model 638 with CTC LG-305 grips and a trigger job. This was due to the model 10/15 becoming to heavy for her advanced years.
Last year I replaced the 638 with a model 317. I took the CTC grip off the 638 and put it on the 317. This was due to her further aging and arthritic fingers.
I know that this is not the best defensive choice but it is the only realistic option at this point. If the need ever arises I am hoping the sight of the laser dot on his person and the sight of a J-fram revolver will discourage the intruder. If not eight rounds of .22 are better than screaming ” Get Out!” or a kitchen knife.
But I would NOT recommend a .22 LCR for seniors because of the double action only trigger. Even the smoothest trigger can be impossible for arthritic hands. With the exposed hammer the J-frame can be fired single action which most anyone can do. With the possible exception of those so severally handicapped as to be unable to care for themselves.
Saving money on practice ammo and /or extended time at the range:
This would be my reason for buying a .22. But there are many better choices for someone who enjoys extra time at the range after he/she has exhausted their supply of primary defense /practice ammo. So many in fact that I won’t go into them here. Just go to any manufacturers site and check them out. The exception is the person who owns a .38/.357 LCR. More about that later.
Backing, hunting, plinking, etcetera:
Again there are far better choices where exposed carry and shooting are allowed. If exposed carry is illegal, I will be carrying my everyday CCW.
At the moment I can’t think of any other reasons to buy a .22. I don’t consider .22 to be a viable option for those who are able to carry a more potent choice.
So here is the only reason I can think of for possibly buying an LCR.
If I owned a .38/.357 LCR AND I practiced with it regularly enough that I could recoup the +/- $400.00 cost in savings on ammo perhaps I would buy a.22 LCR. Also I will be spending extra money on .22 ammo so my range budget will have to increase proportionately.
This would allow me to practice trigger control with basically the same gun as I carry. But remember it will not help with recoil control ( recoil anticipation [ flinching] is the primary reason for poor trigger control) or target acquisition.
While I am a fan of Ruger products and the company, I just can’t see where a doa snub .22 is a wise purchase.
I find myself intrigued. Almost to the point that I’d be willing to trade 3″ SP101 for it (plus whatever cash may be required). I shoot 38’s, I like to reload; but 22lr is still cheaper. Plus, while the SP101 is nice, it’s trigger ain’t an LCR–and I don’t carry the SP101.
The recoil characteristics may be completely different, but I think the cheap ammo makes up for the cost. But IMO this is a range toy, and should be viewed as such. It’s only marginally better than any of the 22lr pocket autos–it won’t jam, but a 2″ barrel is only good for so much (and then you have to be able to deal with a revolver DAO trigger).
I’m probably better off keeping the SP101, and getting the 22lr LCR later on. I’ve read too many stories of “regret”. But this revolver, and maybe a 6 round 3 or 4 inch 357Mag LCR (if it ever comes out) is very high on my list of guns.
Wonder when the speedloaders for an 8 round 22lr come out…
There are obviously alot of speculators on here. Too many seem to speak from whence they dont know.If you ever shot an LCR you would know that a S and W cant compare even with a trigger job. You can prestage your LCR similar to a single action with a little practice. That 317 trigger will NEVER compare to the LCR 22,different design-superior. Its much less even at MSRP which only a few will pay to have the newest. 317″s I have seen are 550 to 600 LCR will probably end up like the others 399-450 tops.Just wait for the 22 mag. I will most likely have 4 LCRs of one type or another between my wife and I. I have arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome and my wife cant rack a slide on even a smaller gun, I love these guns and its nice with no slide to rack Yeah I dont even work at Ruger . Im hoping for a 22 similar to an LCP or LC9, compact decent capacity and easy to rack slide. Have fun all you GUN EXPERTS guess Ill return to the real world now where not everyone has a 45 and a Main Battle Rifle.
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