Ruger LCRx .357 Mag
Model: 5460
Ruger LCRx .357 Mag
Model: 5460
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The LCRx in .357 Mag weighs 17.1 oz. That number needs to sit with you for a moment. This is a 5-shot revolver with a 1.87" barrel chambered in a cartridge that generates over 500 ft-lbs of energy from longer barrels. At this weight, firing full-power .357 Mag is genuinely unpleasant. The recoil is sharp, fast, and difficult to control for a second shot. Reviewers and owners are nearly unanimous on this point.
And yet the LCRx sells well, because it fills a role nothing else does. At 6.5" overall and 1.28" wide, it is one of the smallest .357 Mag revolvers ever made. The polymer lower frame with a 400-series stainless steel insert keeps weight down while maintaining structural integrity. The Hogue Tamer Monogrip does what it can, but physics are physics. The exposed hammer (the "x" in LCRx) allows single-action shooting, which the standard DAO LCR does not.
The practical reality is that most LCRx .357 Mag owners carry .38 Special +P daily and keep the .357 Mag option available for woods carry or emergencies. At 17.1 oz with .38 Special +P, the LCRx is a very manageable carry gun. The Ruger SP101 at 26 oz handles magnum recoil far better, but it also weighs 9 oz more on your belt every day. The Kimber K6s splits the difference at 23 oz with 6 rounds. The LCRx is the lightest option if minimum carry weight is the priority and you accept that .357 Mag will be saved for when you really need it.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- At 17.1 oz, the lightest .357 Mag revolver Ruger makes. The SP101 weighs 26 oz, the Taurus 605 weighs 24 oz, and the Kimber K6s weighs 23 oz. Nothing else in .357 Mag comes close to this carry weight.
- The exposed hammer allows single-action cocking for accurate shots. The standard LCR is DAO only, so the LCRx variant gives you that option without changing the carry profile.
- The Hogue Tamer Monogrip and the friction-reducing cam trigger system are the best features Ruger put in the LCR platform. The trigger pull is long but remarkably smooth for a compact revolver.
- Full-power .357 Mag at 17.1 oz is harsh. The recoil is sharp enough that most owners report difficulty placing a fast second shot. The muzzle blast from the 1.87" barrel is severe, with visible fireballs in low light.
- Five rounds with fixed sights and a 1.87" barrel. The Kimber K6s offers 6 rounds, a longer sight radius at 4.1", and drift-adjustable sights, all at 23 oz.
- The 1.87" barrel gives up 150-200 fps compared to a 4" barrel with the same load. The .357 Mag advantage over .38 Special +P narrows significantly at snub-nose barrel lengths.
Category Rankings
How the Ruger LCRx .357 Mag ranks among compact .357 Mag handguns.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .357 Mag ammunition.
.357 Mag Ballistics →Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Alternatives to Consider
Similar compact .357 Mag handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Kimber K6s Stainless .357 Mag
Kimber
|
— |
|
Taurus 605 .357 Mag
Taurus
|
— |
|
Ruger SP101 .357 Mag
Ruger
|
— |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is .357 Mag worth it in a 1.87" barrel?
Barely. Chronograph data from multiple sources shows .357 Mag out of a sub-2" barrel typically runs 1,050-1,150 fps with 125gr loads, while .38 Special +P runs 850-950 fps. That is a real difference, but the gap is much smaller than from a 4" barrel. The main advantage is the option to load magnum rounds for specific situations rather than using them as a daily carry load.
What is the difference between the LCR and the LCRx?
The hammer. The standard LCR is double-action only with a fully shrouded, internal hammer. The LCRx has an exposed hammer that allows you to cock it for single-action shots. Both share the same frame, trigger system, and dimensions. The LCRx adds a small snag risk on a draw from concealment due to the exposed hammer spur.