Ruger LCRx .22 LR
Sturm, Ruger & Co. · Pistol · In Production · 2017
Also known as: LCRx 22, LCRx .22, Ruger LCRx 3-Inch .22
Overview
The Ruger LCRx .22 LR is a lightweight double-action/single-action revolver built on Ruger's innovative LCR platform, chambered in .22 Long Rifle with an 8-round cylinder. Introduced in 2017 as the exposed-hammer variant of the LCR .22, the LCRx features a 3-inch stainless steel barrel, an aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum upper frame, and a glass-filled nylon lower frame, achieving a total weight of just 17.3 ounces (490g). The exposed hammer distinguishes it from the standard LCR, allowing single-action operation with a light trigger pull of approximately 3.5 pounds in addition to the double-action pull of approximately 12 pounds (53 N). The cylinder is high-strength stainless steel with a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish for enhanced durability. The LCRx features a patented friction-reducing cam fire control system that provides a smooth, manageable trigger pull. Sights consist of a replaceable pinned ramp front sight with white bar and an adjustable black blade rear sight. Standard grips are the Hogue Tamer Monogrip, which helps absorb what minimal recoil the .22 LR produces. The rifling is 6-groove, right-hand twist at 1:16 inches (406mm). The LCRx .22 LR is primarily positioned as a training revolver, kit gun, and small game handgun, offering inexpensive practice that directly translates to centerfire LCR/LCRx models. MSRP is $759.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 490 g (17.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 514 g (18.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 191 mm (7.52") |
| Barrel Length | 76 mm (2.99") |
| Height | 147 mm (5.79") |
| Width | 36 mm (1.42") |
| Action Type | Double Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Trigger Pull | 53 N (11.9 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 330 m/s (1083 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 141 J (104 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Revolving Cylinder
- Safety mechanisms: Transfer Bar
- Features: Exposed Hammer, Adjustable Rear Sight, Replaceable Pinned Ramp Front Sight, Hogue Tamer Monogrip, Pvd Finished Cylinder, Aerospace 7000 Series Aluminum Frame, Eight Shot Cylinder, Friction Reducing Cam
Variants
- Ruger LCR .22 LR — Hammerless
- Ruger LCRx .22 WMR — Caliber Variant
- Ruger LCRx .38 Special +P — Caliber Variant
- Ruger LCRx .357 Magnum — Caliber Variant
Service history
Operators
- Civilian Sport Shooters & Trainers
Production
Production years: 2017-present
Part of the broader LCR/LCRx family which has been in continuous production since 2009
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
The LCR platform was a clean-sheet design introduced in 2009 that revolutionized revolver construction by combining a polymer lower frame, aluminum upper frame, and stainless steel cylinder. The original LCR was hammerless (double-action only); the LCRx designation indicates the addition of an exposed hammer for single-action capability. The .22 LR version requires a heavier trigger spring than centerfire models because rimfire cartridges need a harder hammer strike to reliably ignite the priming compound in the cartridge rim. This results in a DA trigger pull of approximately 12 pounds compared to roughly 10 pounds for the .38 Special version. The 8-round capacity is two rounds more than the 6-round .22 WMR version and three more than the 5-round centerfire versions, taking advantage of the smaller .22 LR cartridge diameter. Model number is 5435. Weight estimate loaded includes 8 rounds of .22 LR at approximately 3g each.
Background
The LCR was Ruger's first clean-sheet revolver design in decades, breaking from tradition by using polymer and aluminum construction instead of the all-steel frames that defined revolvers for over a century. Gun writers immediately dubbed the .22 LR LCRx 'the ultimate kit gun' for its combination of light weight, adjustable sights, and inexpensive rimfire ammunition.