I have a soft spot in my heart for revolvers, that will likely never change. Whenever a new revolver is announced or even just a new edition, my ears get hot, and I have to track it down. Ruger makes a few of my favorites, especially for concealed carry. This year they are displaying two new takes on two older designs.
The J-Frame
The first is the Ruger SP101 now with a dark black finish. The SP 101 is a tank and one of my favorite .357 Magnum revolvers. This five shot revolver wears a 2.25-inch barrel, has an exposed hammer, and the new finish is drop dead gorgeous. The standard SP 101 wears a stainless steel finish, which looks nice too. However, the classic blue alloy look carries with it some authority.
The Ruger SP101 is not your typical J frame style revolver. It’s a little larger and to me, much more comfortable to shoot when chambering the powerful .357 Magnum round. The grips offer a literal handful of gun and best of all do not have any exposed metal backstrap. This keeps the gun from digging into your palm.
The Polymer Frame
The next gun is one the Ruger fans have been clamoring for. The Ruger LCRx with a 3-inch barrel in .357 Magnum. The LCR and LCRx started as a polymer frame revolver with one of the most outstanding double action triggers on the market.
The Ruger LCR series has grown in size. They now do a full sized 3-inch model. These five shot revolvers are very lightweight and somewhat compact. They have fully adjustable sights and are perfect wood’s companions and kit guns. The .357 Magnum model will take advantage of the superior ballistics of the round by tossing it down a 3-inch barrel.
Additionally, the grips are more prominent and therefore its more comfortable to fire the blistering fast .357 Magnums. The gun still has a fantastic DA trigger, but as a grown-up LCRx, the hammer is exposed to allow you to take single action shots as well. A lot of us have wanted a 3-inch LCRx in .357.
Thankfully, Ruger finally heard us and has definitely delivered.
About the Author:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies.
Good gun. I’ve had four but can’t figure why they don’t put a decent length ejector rod.