Ruger LCR

Lore & Background

The Ruger LCR operates in double-action only (DAO), as the hammer is concealed within the frame handle's fire control housing and cannot be cocked prior to firing. In order to create a lighter trigger pull, it features a friction-reducing cam. The LCR was originally released chambered in .38 Special. In June 2010, Ruger released the LCR-357 chambered for .357 Magnum. With the rising popularity of the LCR, in December 2011 Ruger announced the new Ruger LCR 22, chambered in .22 LR with an eight-round capacity. In the summer of 2013, Ruger introduced a .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) version of the LCR, with a six-round capacity. In the autumn of 2014, Ruger introduced a five-shot 9mm Luger version, and a six-shot .327 Federal Magnum version a year later.

The LCR frame is aluminum alloy and synthetic glass-filled polymer finished in matte black with Synergistic Hard Coat. Per the Ruger website, the 'monolithic frame is made from aerospace-grade, 7000 series aluminum in .22 LR, .22 Magnum and .38 Spl +P models and from 400 series stainless steel in the powerful .357 Magnum, 9mm Luger and .327 Federal Magnum models.' Ruger announced the LCRx variant in December 2013, which features an external hammer, allowing it to be fired in single-action or double-action. All the other features of the LCR are also present in the LCRx including the polymer grip, trigger housing, and fluted stainless steel cylinder. A 1.87 in barrel version of the LCRx in .357 Magnum and a 3 in barrel version in .22 Magnum and .22 LR became available in April 2017. The 1.87-inch barrel version became available as a five-shot 9mm Luger and a six-shot .327 Federal Magnum in the fall of 2017.

Reader's Guide

The Ruger LCR represents a significant departure from traditional revolver design, using a polymer grip and trigger housing along with a monolithic receiver to achieve a weight of 13.5 oz—nearly 50% lighter than the stainless steel SP101. Its constant force trigger and friction-reducing cam aim to provide a smoother double-action pull. The LCR's modular design allowed Ruger to offer it in multiple calibers over several years, from the original .38 Special in 2009 to .327 Federal Magnum in 2015. The introduction of the LCRx variant in December 2013 added an external hammer for single-action capability while retaining the LCR's core features. The LCR's lightweight construction and variety of chamberings made it a notable entry in the compact revolver market, with models available in rimfire and centerfire calibers. Its use of aerospace-grade aluminum or stainless steel for the monolithic frame, depending on caliber, underscores the engineering focus on reducing weight without sacrificing strength. The LCR's legacy is that of a modernized revolver that adapted traditional revolver functionality to contemporary materials and manufacturing techniques.

Did You Know?

• The LCRx variant, announced in December 2013, features an external hammer for single-action or double-action firing.
• The .22 LR version of the LCR has an eight-round capacity.