Ruger SP101 vs LCR: Steel Snub or Polymer Snub?

Both are five-shot Ruger snubs. One is built to be carried all day; the other is built to be shot comfortably. The right choice depends on which of those you value.

Two answers to one question

Ruger makes both revolvers for the same job: a small five-shot revolver that goes where you go. They arrive at the job from opposite directions. The Ruger SP101 is the steel one, in .357 Magnum with a 2.25-inch barrel. The Ruger LCR is the light one, in .38 Special +P, with an aluminum-and-polymer build and a hammerless profile. Our LCR review covers the second in more detail; this comparison is about the choice between them.

What the listings tell us

For weight and dimensions, use Ruger's published numbers for your model. We have not weighed either revolver, and we will not quote specifications from memory.

The weight story

The main difference between the two guns is what they weigh. A steel revolver is heavier, and weight is both a burden and a benefit.

On the burden side: the SP101 pulls on a belt and is awkward in a pocket. If your plan is pocket carry, particularly in lighter clothing, the lighter LCR is more realistic. The best carry gun is the one you do not leave at home because it is uncomfortable, and many carriers find a heavy revolver comes off the belt first on a long day.

On the benefit side: mass absorbs recoil. A heavy revolver shoots the same cartridge with less recoil than a light one, so the SP101 is the easier gun to practice with over a long session. If your plan involves regular range time, that matters, and the confidence it builds is worth something too.

Recoil and the .357 question

A .357 Magnum revolver can also fire .38 Special. In a short barrel, magnum loads produce a lot of noise and flash and give up part of the velocity advantage they have in a longer barrel. That is a reason not to treat the SP101's chambering as an automatic advantage. A common compromise is to practice with .38 Special and keep a magnum load for the self-defense cylinder, but you should run the carry load through the revolver enough to know what to expect.

The LCR, being lighter, can feel harsh with +P loads. If you find +P unpleasant in a light revolver, consider a standard-pressure self-defense load that you can shoot accurately. A load you can control beats a load you flinch from. Our practice versus defensive ammo post explains why the two can be different.

Trigger and operation

The LCR is double-action only: the trigger does all the work, and there is no hammer to cock. The SP101 gives you the option of cocking the hammer for a lighter single-action shot or pulling through in double action. For carry, many people train exclusively in double action, because that is how a defensive shot would be fired, and keep single-action for precision at the range.

An exposed hammer, as on the SP101, is a feature and a liability. You can thumb it back for precision; you can also snag it on fabric when drawing from a pocket. A hammer shroud or a belt holster answers part of that, so the SP101 is best carried in a belt or inside-the-waistband holster designed for it.

Carry methods

• Pocket: the LCR is the better candidate, in a proper holster. See our pocket carry guide.
• Belt or inside-the-waistband: both work; the SP101's weight is easier to manage here. Our carry holster positions guide covers where each position makes sense.
• Ankle or off-body: possible with either but not recommended as a primary method.

Whichever you choose, the holster covers the trigger and stays put. Browse specialist makers before buying whatever is bundled.

Reloading

Neither revolver is quick to reload, and both hold five rounds. If you carry a spare load, speedloaders and speed strips are the standard options, and each takes practice to use smoothly. A reload plan for a five-shot revolver is a matter of realism: for many carriers it is a backup, not an expectation. If a long gunfight is a concern, a 9mm pistol is a better tool, as the 380 versus 9mm discussion implies.

What a day of carrying each might look like

These are hypothetical scenarios to illustrate trade-offs, not accounts from anyone who has carried them.

A carrier in office clothes with lightweight trousers and no jacket might find the LCR's lighter weight the difference between carrying and not carrying, because a heavy steel revolver in a pocket drags the trousers. Pocket carry in a proper holster solves the concealment problem and leaves the belt free.

A carrier who wears a sturdy belt and a loose shirt every day may prefer the SP101's heft in a belt holster. The extra weight is distributed by the belt, and the steel frame absorbs recoil that the lighter gun passes to the hand. If that carrier also shoots regularly, the SP101's comfort could translate into more practice, and practice is what makes any carry gun useful.

A carrier who wants both a pocket gun and a range gun might reasonably buy one of each. That is not a cop-out; many people end up with a light carry revolver and a heavier one for practice, and use the heavier one to build skills that transfer.

Questions to put to yourself

• How many days a month do you expect to shoot it?
• Do you want to practice with .357 Magnum, .38 Special or both?
• Where on your body will it ride?
• How will you reload it, and have you practiced?
• Is five rounds acceptable for your carry plan?

Honest answers settle the choice better than any spec table.

Holsters and accessories

The holster market for these revolvers is smaller than for popular semiautomatics but healthy. Look for holsters listing the exact model, such as the SP101 with a 2.25-inch barrel or the LCR in .38 Special, since barrel lengths and variants differ. Some LCR versions include a laser grip or other accessory, and that changes the holster you need. The SP101, with its exposed hammer and steel frame, tends to work well in a belt holster or an inside-the-waistband rig with a stiff belt. You can browse the holsters category for a sense of the range, and be sure to read each listing for fit.

Speedloaders and speed strips are separate purchases. Check that the loader matches the cylinder; a loader for a six-shot cylinder will not fit a five-shot revolver.

If you can only own one

If the choice is truly one revolver, think about the situation where you will use it most. If that is carrying all day in warm weather with lighter clothing, the LCR's light weight is the more practical choice. If that is a mix of carry and regular shooting, with a belt as your usual carry method, the SP101's weight pays you back in comfort and in practice. If you are unsure, hold both in a shop. A revolver you can shoot comfortably is a revolver you will practice with, and practice is the real return on investment.

Choosing between them

Pick the LCR if:

• You want the lightest practical carry revolver.
• Pocket carry is your plan.
• You prefer a double-action-only trigger and no hammer to snag.

Pick the SP101 if:

• You want a sturdy steel revolver that is comfortable to shoot.
• You plan to carry on a belt or inside the waistband.
• You like having both single-action and double-action options.
• You are willing to accept more weight in exchange for less recoil.

Skip both if: your priority is capacity, fast reloads or the widest range of accessories. Small 9mm pistols, many of which we cover on this site, are better at that job.

If you are weighing the SP101 against other snubs rather than the LCR, the SP101 versus Taurus 856 comparison is the useful read. Whichever revolver you pick, plan on practice ammunition, a reliable holster and time with a trainer.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.