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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 MAKkHO5Xj4nHODtpF58J0A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000009892-03-000137.txt : 20030603
<SEC-HEADER>0000009892-03-000137.hdr.sgml : 20030603
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030603155200
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000009892-03-000137
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030603

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KELLY BRIAN P
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235353

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06926
		FILM NUMBER:		03730437

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CR BARD INC
		STREET 2:		730 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			MURRAY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07974
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9082778000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARD C R INC /NJ/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000009892
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				221454160
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		730 CENTRAL AVE
		CITY:			MURRAY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07974
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9082778000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		730 CENTRAL AVENUE
		CITY:			MURRAY HILL
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07974
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-01</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000009892</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BARD C R INC /NJ/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BCR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235353</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KELLY BRIAN P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>69.16</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-01</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>35000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>0</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-06-01</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-06-01</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>35000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>35000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options granted under 2003 Long Term Incentive Plan of C. R. Bard, Inc.  Also granted in tandem with these options are Limited Stock Appreciation Rights which can only be exercised upon a &quot;change of Control&quot; as defined in the Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Under Option Plan no exercise within 12 mos. then exercisable in installments: 25% after 12 mos., 50% after 24 mos., 75% after 36 mos., and 100% after 48 mos.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-06-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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