The American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Award for "Handgun of the Year" is symbolic of excellence and innovation in the field of firearms. It is no wonder then, that the Ruger LCR won the award in 2010. As noted, the LCR is a scaled down revolver that presents the shooter with a lightweight, compact product without sacrificing performance.

The most noticeable feature, and the one that plays most significantly in the light weight of the revolver, is its use of polymer in its construction. The lower frame assembly, dubbed the fire-control housing by Ruger, is manufactured using a lightweight polymer that serves to reduce both recoil and weight. This is complemented by a monolithic frame made from aerospace grade, 7000 series aluminum. And though the cylinder is made from stainless steel – never a bad idea – it is fluted, serving to further reduce the overall weight. Not only that, but it is treated with Ruger's Target Grey® finish for enhanced durability and rated for +P ammunition.

So the Ruger LCR is light, but what about its performance. The LCR is built using a patent pending friction-reducing cam. What does that mean? It means that the fire control system features an optimized cam that provides smooth, non-stacking trigger pull – perfect for self-defense. But enough about that, our obsession with size and weight means it is time for some specifications.

The Ruger LCR is one of the company's smallest and lightest offerings to date, featuring a 1.875-inch barrel and an overall length of just 6.5 inches. As noted, the frame is manufactured from aluminum and the fire control housing is manufactured from polymer. Coupled with a fluted stainless steel cylinder, the LCR weighs in at a meager 13.5 ounces. Other features include a notched rear sight, a pinned ramp front sight and a Hogue® Tamer™ grip that is replaceable with a variety of aftermarket grip styles.