Smallbore Snubbie: Ruger LCR-22

Ruger’s snubnose polymer-frame Lightweight Compact Revolver has been a success since its introduction in 2009. It’s already available in four versions chambered for .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Now there’s a new LCR-22 with .22 Long Rifle chambering. It has exactly the same mechanics and features as the .38 Special LCR, except that it has an eight-round capacity instead of five, and weighs 14.9 ounces instead of the 13.5 ounces of the standard .38 Special version. (Even though the LCR-22 has more chambers, the holes are smaller and the weight is slightly greater.)

click for video

The other significant difference in the LCR-22 is that while the trigger mechanism uses the same patented Friction Reducing Cam as the original LCRs, it ramps up and maxes out about 2 to 3 lbs. higher than the .38 Special version and lets off at about 1 to 2 lbs. more.

Small revolvers traditionally have stiffer DA trigger pulls than medium- or large-frame revolvers simply because the leverage advantage of their small operating parts is inherently less than the longer/larger dimensions of the same parts in bigger guns. The original LCR solution was a new interface between the trigger and hammer involving a small camming surface dished out on the trigger, which has the effect of positioning the motion vectors of the two parts so that they operate in tandem when set in motion instead of resisting each other and creating friction.