Ruger GP100 vs LCRx in .22LR for trigger control practice?

[Chris17404]

Hi all,

I am primarily a Glock shooter, but am looking to acquire a .22LR revolver for the purposes of trigger control practice. I've found that pressing that long DA trigger benefits my Glock shooting as well, mainly from a perspective of trigger patience, letting it happen vs making it happen. The two revolvers I'm considering for this purpose are the Ruger GP100 (1757) and the LCRx (5435). I was wondering what you'd consider the pros and cons of these revolvers and which may be the best fit for this purpose. Also, with the use of snap caps would you consider them capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Thanks for your time.

Chris

[JHC]

Hi all,

I am primarily a Glock shooter, but am looking to acquire a .22LR revolver for the purposes of trigger control practice. I've found that pressing that long DA trigger benefits my Glock shooting as well, mainly from a perspective of trigger patience, letting it happen vs making it happen. The two revolvers I'm considering for this purpose are the Ruger GP100 (1757) and the LCRx (5435). I was wondering what you'd consider the pros and cons of these revolvers and which may be the best fit for this purpose. Also, with the use of snap caps would you consider them capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Thanks for your time.

Chris

Cool OP. I'm seriously considering either the 2" or 4" LCR in .22. Or rather a 2" LCR or a 4" LCRx in .22. I've got a K-22 so if I'm adding one, it'll be on this small frame.

[mtnbkr]

I've owned a GP100 357mag and currently own a LCR38. I've never handled an LCRx 22lr or the 22lr GP100.

Personally, I find the GP100 more like a traditional DA revolver. The LCR38 feels more like a heavier 3rd Gen Glock to me.
However, the Glock 48 I just bought has a more defined "wall" that my G19.3, which to my senses would be more like the GP100.

So, I'd go with whichever one feels more like your Glock(s). Either should be fine for dryfire with snap caps, but I'd consult the manuals to be certain.

Trigger "feel" aside, I'd be more inclined to get the LCRx because of the light weight and superior trigger (not comparing it to the Glock, but on the merits of traditional DA revolvers). While made of polymer and aluminum rather than solid steel like the GP100, it should be plenty durable for 22lr. If I were going to pay the weight penalty for an all steel 22lr, I'd find an older S&W 17 or 18, but that's a different discussion. :)

Chris

[Chris17404]

Cool OP. I'm seriously considering either the 2" or 4" LCR in .22. Or rather a 2" LCR or a 4" LCRx in .22. I've got a K-22 so if I'm adding one, it'll be on this small frame.

Ruger makes a 4" LCRx in .22? I didn't see one. I think it's just a 3".

[JHC]

Ruger makes a 4" LCRx in .22? I didn't see one. I think it's just a 3".

Nope, you are correct. I typo'd. I meant the 3".

[GJM]

I would want adjustable sights or, at the least, well regulated sights, since the bullet must strike where you are aiming to make this practice most valuable. After that, I would take the lighter weight, harder to shoot revolver, since that makes steering the sights while working a heavy trigger that much harder. I use a S&W Scandium .22 with a 3 inch or so barrel and adjustable sights.

[jetfire]

Hi all,

I am primarily a Glock shooter, but am looking to acquire a .22LR revolver for the purposes of trigger control practice. I've found that pressing that long DA trigger benefits my Glock shooting as well, mainly from a perspective of trigger patience, letting it happen vs making it happen. The two revolvers I'm considering for this purpose are the Ruger GP100 (1757) and the LCRx (5435). I was wondering what you'd consider the pros and cons of these revolvers and which may be the best fit for this purpose. Also, with the use of snap caps would you consider them capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Thanks for your time.

Chris

I would personally go with the LCRx 3 inch in this specific scenario. The trigger will be better than the GP100, but more importantly the LCRx can be pressed into service for a lot of different tasks. It's an excellent marksmanship trainer for sure, but it's also a great kit gun, and in the worst case scenario could be carried as well. The GP100 is awesome for sure, but its size and weight sort of relegate it to strictly a marksmanship trainer.

[Jared]

I had the GP100, currently have the 3” LCRx. I prefer the LCR. As jetfire noted, it’s the more versatile of the two. The GP was too big and heavy as a 22 for my tastes. I love me some 357 GP100 tho

[Chris17404]

Thanks for the insightful replies. Your comments make a lot of sense based on my purposes for this revolver. It looks like the LCRx is the ticket.

[Chris17404]

To follow up... with the use of snap caps would you consider the LCRx capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Any specific snap cap you'd recommend?

[jetfire]

To follow up... with the use of snap caps would you consider the LCRx capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Any specific snap cap you'd recommend?

Whichever's cheapest. Ruger claims the LCR rimfire guns are safe to dry fire empty, but it still gives me the heebies.

[jws]

I’ve been thinking about picking up a .22 revolver for a while now. At first I was going to go with a S&W 317 but after handling the 3 inch LCRx and the 317 side by side, the Ruger won. I just purchased one from Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore. They had been running around $450 for a while now but today through Sunday that are having a sale, $430 shipped for the 3 inch .22 LR LCRx. I couldn’t resist. Looking forward to putting some rounds through it.

Link:

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/193766

[jandbj]

To follow up... with the use of snap caps would you consider the LCRx capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Any specific snap cap you'd recommend?

The Hillman Group 370326 Ribbed Plastic Anchor, 4-6-8 X 7/8-Inch, Yellow, 100-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H5WVCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_PCzyEb78GR2KH

I use these in my 43c as snap caps.

[Crow Hunter]

I would personally go with the LCRx 3 inch in this specific scenario. The trigger will be better than the GP100, but more importantly the LCRx can be pressed into service for a lot of different tasks. It's an excellent marksmanship trainer for sure, but it's also a great kit gun, and in the worst case scenario could be carried as well. The GP100 is awesome for sure, but its size and weight sort of relegate it to strictly a marksmanship trainer.

This ^.

While not the guns in question, I have owned both a S&W 617 4" no lock that I bought new in 1998 and a S&W 63 3" that I bought new a couple years ago.

I never really shot the 617 4" much at all and eventually sold it. It was very accurate but heavy and bulky enough I never really felt the urge to do anything other than occasionally bring it out to shoot.

I still have my 63 and almost every time I go shooting, I take it with me. I really, really like shooting it and it is usually with me when I go down to the pond to do some fishing.

[mmc45414]

While not the guns in question, I have owned both a S&W 617 4" no lock that I bought new in 1998 and a S&W 63 3" that I bought new a couple years ago.
I never really shot the 617 4" much at all and eventually sold it. It was very accurate but heavy and bulky enough I never really felt the urge to do anything other than occasionally bring it out to shoot.
I still have my 63 and almost every time I go shooting, I take it with me. I really, really like shooting it and it is usually with me when I go down to the pond to do some fishing.
I also have the 617, and I agree, but I will be keeping it because I like it, but more importantly, my reluctant wife likes it.

But I was coming here to say sorta the same thing, that the GP and LCR are at opposite ends of the spectrum, perhaps is the SP being skipped over?
49540

[jws]

My LCRx came in a couple weeks ago. I’ve put a few hundred rounds through it so far, it’s a ton of fun to shoot!

50331

I’ve been trying different types of ammo to see what works best. This is an 8 shot group, double action, at 7 yards with Winchester Super X Lead Round Nose Copper Plated.

50332

It is my best group so far. Overall, ammo brand doesn’t seem to have as much of an effect on accuracy for me as trigger control does. I look forward to putting many more rounds through this gun, I am certain it will prove to be an effective training tool as well as continue to be just plain fun.

[nate89]

Just another plug here for the LRCx. Honestly it is one of the most interesting guns Ruger makes for me. When I was managing a logal gun range, we got one in as a rental gun. Almost every day I would come into work about 20 minutes early, grab my bulk 22 box and the LCR from the safe, and shoot 50-75 rounds before clocking in. It did wonders for shooting the 226, and they are honestly just fun guns to shoot. It is on my own personal short list to purchase.

[deflave]

Just another plug here for the LRCx. Honestly it is one of the most interesting guns Ruger makes for me. When I was managing a logal gun range, we got one in as a rental gun. Almost every day I would come into work about 20 minutes early, grab my bulk 22 box and the LCR from the safe, and shoot 50-75 rounds before clocking in. It did wonders for shooting the 226, and they are honestly just fun guns to shoot. It is on my own personal short list to purchase.

If you could pick the "most practical" universally useful gun made, it's probably the winner.

[JAH 3rd]

Hi all,

I am primarily a Glock shooter, but am looking to acquire a .22LR revolver for the purposes of trigger control practice. I've found that pressing that long DA trigger benefits my Glock shooting as well, mainly from a perspective of trigger patience, letting it happen vs making it happen. The two revolvers I'm considering for this purpose are the Ruger GP100 (1757) and the LCRx (5435). I was wondering what you'd consider the pros and cons of these revolvers and which may be the best fit for this purpose. Also, with the use of snap caps would you consider them capable of regular dryfire practice? Any concerns there? Thanks for your time.

Chris

My first impression was to suggest a Glock 44 (.22lr) since you are primarily a Glock shooter. Between the two revolvers you list, I would go with the LCRx. The GP100 is a beast of a revolver for the .357 cartridge. You don't need all that with a .22. I think the LCRx would be more fun due to its weight savings over the GP100.

[Baldanders]

The Hillman Group 370326 Ribbed Plastic Anchor, 4-6-8 X 7/8-Inch, Yellow, 100-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H5WVCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_PCzyEb78GR2KH

I use these in my 43c as snap caps.

From my experience with my Mod. 17, you want to use something cheap and in bulk, because the heavy strike from the hammer destroys snap caps in a few dozen strikes at most.

Most of my guns have seen roughly 100x as many dryfires as live rounds. Not my 17.

Mostly I ride the hammer with my thumb and stop the blow to the firing pin when I dryfire my 17.

[Chris17404]

Hi all,

Just wanted to update you on progress. I recently picked up a Ruger LCRx in .22. It's a great little revolver, and perfect for my needs. It's solidly built with decent sights. When I first got it the DA trigger literally felt like a gritty 25lbs. Not kidding. But after about 500 dry fires and about 200 live fires, the trigger has smoothed and lightened substantially. Still heavy but in a good way. The pistol initially shot very high at 7 yards. Thank goodness it has an adjustable rear sight. Once it got zeroed, I'm able to consistently keep all DA shots within a 2" circle at 7 yards shooting at a decent pace to practice fundamentals. This is the first revolver I've shot for a long practice session and I'm loving it. I love using the long smooth DA stroke to patiently focus my trigger control. I can absolutely see this improving my Glock shooting. For now, when I go to the range I plan to either only shoot the DA revolver or my 9mm Glocks. I think shooting both in the same range session could confuse things due to the different triggers, grips, and recoil. So far, I'm very happy with this purchase. Thanks for the advice.

Chris