priv8ter
June 11, 2003, 05:52 PM
When my wife and I went to try our new Firestorms the other day, there were several friendly folks at the range, and it turned into a pleasent opportunity to try each others guns. This one gentleman and I swapped...he got to try my 2" SP-101 with magnum loads, and my wife and I tried out his 642 Lady Smith.
First of all...I was gratified to see another macho-type guy using a Lady Smith. I kind of like the look of the 60LS, but was afraid folks would question my masculinity.
Using that 642 made me realize what a tank my SP-101 really is. At 14.5 ounces, it's over half a pound lighter than the Ruger. I didn't try any +P loads in it, but in my Ruger, there is very little difference in felt recoil between standard .38's and +P's. Noise difference yes, but no recoil difference.
The 642 was snappy, but not painfull. It might just have been I was not used to the wood grips. That trigger...wow...it was much smoother than the trigger on my Ruger. My wife is usually having a hard time with trigger on my Ruger after 5 or 6 rounds. The Smith she was able to do 10 rounds without a problem.
All in all, I liked the Smith. But...I think I liked my Ruger better. I own guns for two reasons: Self-Defense, and I just plain like to shoot them. I can see the 642 being 100% easier to carry than the SP-101, but I like the Ruger's flexbility of ammo, and the way it fit's my hand better.
The experience has left me jonesing for a lighter snubby though. That Ultra-Light Taurus .32 H&R Magnum is looking better every day.
First of all...I was gratified to see another macho-type guy using a Lady Smith. I kind of like the look of the 60LS, but was afraid folks would question my masculinity.
Using that 642 made me realize what a tank my SP-101 really is. At 14.5 ounces, it's over half a pound lighter than the Ruger. I didn't try any +P loads in it, but in my Ruger, there is very little difference in felt recoil between standard .38's and +P's. Noise difference yes, but no recoil difference.
The 642 was snappy, but not painfull. It might just have been I was not used to the wood grips. That trigger...wow...it was much smoother than the trigger on my Ruger. My wife is usually having a hard time with trigger on my Ruger after 5 or 6 rounds. The Smith she was able to do 10 rounds without a problem.
All in all, I liked the Smith. But...I think I liked my Ruger better. I own guns for two reasons: Self-Defense, and I just plain like to shoot them. I can see the 642 being 100% easier to carry than the SP-101, but I like the Ruger's flexbility of ammo, and the way it fit's my hand better.
The experience has left me jonesing for a lighter snubby though. That Ultra-Light Taurus .32 H&R Magnum is looking better every day.