Ruger announces LCR in 9mm. From what I read elsewhere it takes moonclips and is +P rated.
http://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5456.html
Ok, this is quite interesting.
IIRC the 9mm recoil is generally snappier than a 38 special. The bore axis and geometry should help make recoil be manageable.
Eyeballing it looks like similar length cylinder to the 38/357.
5 rounds…
They really need to make an LCR type revolver with steel frame (like in the .357 LCR) in K-frame size with 6 rounds and chamber it in 9mm or .357 mag
Oh and make the trigger decent and remove the internal lock
Ideally it would also have a shorter cylinder but I get why it is not shorter
I’d like to have one of these. I have one in .357 magnum. The trigger is better than any factory J-Frame S&W trigger I ever felt.
And the Hogue grip and frame design really help cut recoil.
The 9mm should perform just like it does in short 9mm auto’s. Which is to say with performance and recoil between .38 special and .357 magnum. Well actually better because of all the development 9mm has had vs recent .38 and .357 loads.
Looking forward to reading reviews of it.
I’m all in. I’ve been wanting this for a while. I will order one as soon as I can.
One step closer to consolidating to 9mm!!
A 2" revolver barrel is about equal to a 3" auto.
I chronoed several 9mm loads thru my S&W 9MM 1 7/8" J frame several years ago. Velocities were about the same as from my Glock 19
If it can be used without the full moon clips, I’d be all over it. Those clips tend to get bent, and bad things happen afterward.
I wish Ruger would have shortened the frame and cylinder to better accommodate the short 9mm case. Basically build a modern version of the old S&W I-frame revolvers.
Anyway, here’s Jeff Quinn’s review. He seems pleased:
I would very much like to get the 9mm, the .357, and the .22lr. I’ll probably go with the 9mm first.
5 rounds…
They really need to make an LCR type revolver with steel frame (like in the .357 LCR) in K-frame size with 6 rounds and chamber it in 9mm or .357 mag
Oh and make the trigger decent and remove the internal lock
Ideally it would also have a shorter cylinder but I get why it is not shorter
I believe Ruger already did away with the internal lock in the LCR models. I would love to see a six-shot version of the LCR.
This has me excited for 2 reasons
First, I’ve wanted an LCR for a while but didn’t need one because it didn’t do anything better than what my J-frames already did.
Second, I hope this along with S&W making K-frames in 9mm means we’ll see M&P340’s made for 9mm.
I do agree that a full sized (6 shot 4in barrel) version of the LCR line would be cool, Just make it more like the old Security/Service Six instead of the GP100.
Going to shoot tomorrow.
What questions would everyone like answered?
I’m not writing a full review. I will be brief.
Recoil vs 38 and 38+p LCR (or J Frames) if you have fired them.
Quality and perceived durability of the moon clips.
Chrono results if available.
What reasons you would offer to choose this over 38? Ammo price/availability? Consolidate calibers? Terminal performance vs 38 (recoil trade off worth it)?
Thanks
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Definitely interested in this new LCR. Being able to only have one caliber to buy for intrigues me.
I am interested in this, I was just about to buy a SW 442. With this out, I would like to see the size comparison and the chrono results.
I am intrigued, to say the least.
I have the LCR .22 (plinker / DA trainer). I’d like a j-frame as a CCW option and like the idea of not investing in new caliber (currently carry a compact 9mm).
I, too am interested in the moon-clip durability / usability, and how the LCR 9mm compares to 642 / 442 in terms of quality, durability, shootability.
I wont have a chrono, but here are some quick size comparisons:
Dont complain about the pictures I’m not Stickman. 
From left to right .38 LCR, Bodyguard .38, S&W 438, LCR 9mm.
SW 438 vs LCR 9MM
Bodyguard vs LCR
I had the 13.5 oz .38 LCR.
Recoil was a slap not a push. Mild with the great Hogue tamer grip and Ruger frame design. (Allows more cushion between your hand and frame vs. S&W) Could shoot it all day.
With .38 +p 125 gr ammo a little more but not bad at all. With 147gr +p+ Hydrashoks it smacks the hand and you won’t want to fire much of it but it still won’t hurt you. It’s kind of like a .380 LCP or Kel-tec. Not fun to shoot but won’t hurt you like a Scandium 12 oz S&W.
I have the LCR .357 magnum (17 ounces) and standard .38 is fun to shoot. +p’s can be fired all day. .357 magnum is like firing the +p+ Hydrashoks in the .38 model but with more push and muzzle rise. Even with heavy .357 magnum bullets 5 shots doesn’t hurt at all. After about 15-20 rounds it starts to get old. I suppose you could also compare it to firing .357 magnum from a steel 25 oz Ruger Sp-101 if your familiar with that.
I just fired mine yesterday with five old .357 145 gr Silvertips I found while looking for something else. Five shots and five 6 inch plates smacked down hard. No pain.
But I digress. Having had the .38 and .357 LCR’s I’m sure the recoil of the 9mm will feel like a hot .38 in the .357 magnum gun. (the 9mm gun weighs the same as the .357 model) I wouldn’t worry about the recoil at all. But I would buy a lot of ammo clips!
Did you try +p vs non +p and if so how was the difference in recoil? And what weight bullets did you shoot?
Also, could you post a pic of the sight picture on your 438? I am thinking about upgrading mine to better match my 340.