Kahr CW40/45 vs Ruger LCR 38

[onebadcaballero]

I purchased a Ruger Speed Six 2.75" (sweet gun) about a 6 months ago as a kind of an all around range, carry, plinker, woods gun and I think I underestimated the heft of this revolver. I tried it with an IWB holster @ 6'o clock and it was pulling my pants down. Anywhere else the gun seems to print and get kind of heavy. It works good in shoulder holster out in the woods and the extra weight makes the gun perfect, fun and accurate for extended range and plinking sessions but I guess I'm not dedicated enough to carrying an all steel medium frame revolver.

So this leads to my question. I'm looking to spend around $400 for a dedicated carry gun. After looking around I came up with ruger LCR (in 38 special)for option 1. They fit the bill price wise, they fit my hand well and the trigger on the one I dry fired at the store was probably the best out of the box wheel gun trigger I've felt.

Option 2 would be a Kahr CW40 or 45. I've only ever held and dry fired the 40 but my experience with it was this. The gun is also ergonomic and the trigger is probably the best double action automatic I've felt. Price is in the high 3's.

As you can infer I like double action triggers and an ergonomic grip is important to me. I was set on a j frame smith but I wasn't really a fan of the trigger on my buddies 638. If anyone has these guns please post pics. None of the stores that have these guns have both or all three so I cant get a side by side comparison. Any input from experience with all or either would also be much appreciated!

[onebadcaballero]

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd429/onebadcaballero/cw45lcr38.gif

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd429/onebadcaballero/cw40lcr38.gif

A side shot of the guns for a size comparison.

[Gianpal]

No argument with the advances in Self Defense ammo they are all adequate choices. The LCR seems cheaply made to me just my observation, and only 5 shoots as I remember. I carry a P9 and P45 depending on my mood at the time. To be honest I carry the 45 most of the time. I have a number of 40’s and do not like to shoot them on a regular basis due to what some say is a more snappy recoil (I tend to agree the 40’s seem to have more of a snap to them). You can reload a semi faster than a revolver, two more shoots to start. Go for the CW45 you will not be sorry I would say that perceived recoil is about the same as a full size 45 and quite manageable. The P45 is a tack driver, I have not shoot the CW I would think that the pistol would perform similarly as far as accuracy. After about a thousand rounds the trigger just keeps getting better. JP

[Bawanna]

I rented a LCR once. I only shot 1 cylinder full and let my son finish a box. I did not like it at all. As highly as people speak of them I suspect I may have got a bad one. Trigger slapped my finger every shot, recoil was atrocious and I couldn't hit a barn door with it.

I've often wanted to find another just to see if it was a fluke.

You need to visit your photobucket and make your account private. Your entire photobucket account is wide open for viewing, your vortec, another gun, a house. Didn't look any further, weren't none of my business ya know.
Then when you link a picture only the picture you pick will post.

[berettabone]

I also own a Ruger ss speed six in 9mm.................they are a sweet gun indeed.....I feel that the Ruger lcr is not a good choice...........I think that the trigger on my speed six is much better than the lcr. Ever think about getting one of the M models....PM, CM...................................choice of calibers, best da trigger on the market. I have an MK, but you seem a bit bothered by weight. I think they make a good all around firearm for your needs.

[b4uqzme]

I agree with berettabone. Any of the Kahr CM or CW guns should fit the bill. But don't forget about 9mm.

[garyb]

This choice looks simple to me. The Kahr. Good choice on the 40 cal....go snappy! I'm glad I did. Other cals available are OK too. Kahr's width will conceal better for you. You have a good feel for a good trigger. Try to get your hands on one to shoot it first. Then you'll be sold for sure.

[addictedhealer]

Don't know what these guys are talking about. The LCR is a great gun. Isn't cheaply made at all and the trigger is great. I love my LCR and wouldn't ever trade it. It isn't exactly the best range gun because of recoil. Although I can shoot steel very very well with it. I generally choose my cw9 over it because of capacity and night sights. The 38 LCR is 13.5 oz unloaded. Hard to beat for a backpack or carry weapon.

LCR next to a g26 and my Kahr. I can give better size comparisons later when I get home.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/08/uzemeryh.jpg

[RxDoc]

I love my Ruger LCR (have the KLCR, .357mag version-greater ammo selection). Only 5 shots, but have practiced reloading with Star Speedloaders extensively and is almost as fast as reloading semi (also have a Kahr CM9-excellent pistol, reliable from day one). The Ruger LCR has arguably the best trigger in its' class, and accurate, even at longer distances-added XS Big Dot-even better. Can't go wrong with either in my book, like .40cal as SD round, but with the KLCR, .357mag or .38spl+P is no slouch either. Recoil is very manageable for me in either caliber with Tamer Grips. Good luck!

[ken_in_austin]

For concealed carry, the Smith 642 is my choice. I have fired the LCR and it does have a better trigger, but the 642 conceals nicely in my Alessi APX holster.

In my case, hand strength also plays a role. I hit 75 next week, and my hands can no longer reliably deal with racking the slide on the K9. Last week I traded it in on a nearly new Smith Model 60-14 (357 magnum). They both weigh about the same. The Model 60 is noticeably more pleasant to fire than the 642, but doesn't carry as easily.

Ken in Austin

[Alfonse]

I rented a LCR once. I only shot 1 cylinder full and let my son finish a box. I did not like it at all. As highly as people speak of them I suspect I may have got a bad one. Trigger slapped my finger every shot, recoil was atrocious and I couldn't hit a barn door with it.

I've often wanted to find another just to see if it was a fluke.


You can shoot mine. It doesn't get shot much. I don 't find the trigger bad, the recoil is atrocious but I can be reasonably accurate with it. I am just not masochistic enough to enjoy shooting it.

[bob98366]

I am very pleased with our two CW40s, but have never fired the LCR so can't comment on it. IMHO, the CW40's recoil is taking a bad rap from some folks. Both my wife and I are in our 60s and small framed but have no issues with recoil. At 1,000 rounds each, they are smooth as butter and very accurate at pistol distances. Do the break in and lube procedures.

[warbird1]

I own the KLCR (EDC) and CW40 (truck gun). Love em both. Try the Hornady Critical Defense in the Ruger for a great round with reduced recoil. Again, both are great guns.

[pineappleshooter]

PM me if you are interested in getting rid of the Speed Six.

[Bumkin]

You can't go wrong with the CW45. As you have noticed, the CW series has the best trigger (in my opinion) around. I have not shot the 40, but the 45 has a very smooth recoil with 230gr JHP. Depending on your means of carry, it is on the large side for concealed. IWB with an untucked shirt works fine. In my case, due to work clothing required (tucked in sport shirt) it doesn't work for me as EDC. Winter in NW Florida with outer wear, it will return to my EDC. I have not shot the LCP but, for summer pocket carry, I bought a Ruger LC9 & I hate it. Fits in the pocket but the trigger pull (DAO hammer fired about 11.5 lbs) compared to the CW45 (striker fired about 5.5 lbs) is terrible. Recoil is very stiff and was not fun to shoot. The Kahr, as you mentioned, just feels good in your hand and is a pleasure to shoot. As soon as I can convince my wife that my 6 pistols need another companion, I intend to get the CM9 for pocket carry. I am sold on Kahr.

[Ironballs]

I will prolly vote in ~4 weeks.

Had several J-frames (EDC for 6+ years), & had 2 LCR's.
Just got my CW45 yesterday & am looking forward to range time oday

[onebadcaballero]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I think I'm gonna go with the cw45 for now. By the way my speed six is NOT for sale:)

[Ironballs]

My first week impression.

The lcr is a tool. You 'have to' shoot it just so your proficient in it. By no means is it pleasurable to take to the range.

The CW45 you 'want to' shoot it at the range.

IMHO.

[hardluk1]

If a 38sp revolver is on the list why no CW9. Some of the +P ammo out there preforms very well in the 3.5" barrel and leaves nothing to a 38sp. Easy to control than a 40sw too. Not shot a 45 version