[RancidSumo]

I went to the gun shop with my dad on Saturday and we found a Ruger SP101. He picked it up and instantly fell in love with it. He liked it so much that I couldn't even get him to pick up the S&W J-Frame right next to it to compare (and he has always been a huge S&W fan). He wants it since he is considering getting a CCW and wants something bigger then his .380 to carry. So in your opinion, what is a better gun, the Ruger Sp101 or a S&W J-Frame (mabey M360)?

[lanternlad1]

Had both. Loved both. That said, my 642 is WAY easier to carry than the 101 was. Just need them to make a j-frame in the new .327 mag and I'll be set. :)

[RancidSumo]

speaking of the .327mag, is it better then a .357 for SD? I know I won't get everyone with the same opinion on that but I would like to know why some think it is better and others don't.

[GrandmasterB]

SP101 and S&W J frames are both great. Hard to go wrong with either, but they each have different applications. J frames can be had in airweight styles that are much easier to pocket carry than the heavier SP101. The flipside is the heavier SP101 tames the recoil of 38+p and/or 357mag loads better.

[gggman]

For carrying, the J-frame, for shooting, the SP101.

[tinygnat219]

RancidSumo (wierd name, interesting imagery :neener: )

speaking of the .327mag, is it better then a .357 for SD? I know I won't get everyone with the same opinion on that but I would like to know why some think it is better and others don't

I am withholding judgement on the .327 Magnum and its usfulness until I can actually SEE one and fire one in person. I thought Ruger was out of this kind of marketing. :rolleyes:

That being said, history is on the side of the .357 Magnum and I am of the school that a bigger bullet moving faster or as fast as a smaller bullet will introduce better results than the latest hyped up version of a .32.

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Ruger to actually shoot. The Smith will fit into tighter spaces (e.g., pockets) and is a little easier to carry.

[Vonderek]

What's already been said before. The j-frame for toting in a pocket. I have and love both. The SP-101 is a good range/nightstand/glove compartment/and belt gun...but a bit too beefy for the pocket. J-frame goes anywhere.

[Working Man]

double tap

[Working Man]

For overall HD I'd go with the SP101.
The weight is a factor for some but helps while shooting .357 for the 2nd and
3rd shots. The weight and size is just fine by me. It is built like a small tank.
You can go with 2 1/4 or 3", hammer or none.

[Beachcomber]

I personally prefer the S&W j-frame and your Dad appears to really like the Ruger. To me the choice is simple... Dad likes the SP101... therefore the SP101 has already been chosen by Dad! ;)

[Working Man]

Crud... tripple tap.

[RancidSumo]

RancidSumo (wierd name, interesting imagery)

It is my Xbox Live gamertag. By the way, if anyone wants to play some COD4 just throw RancidSumo a friend invite. (and a pm telling me your going to so I will know to accept it)

[RancidSumo]

I don't think that my dad is to interested in pocket carry so that shouldn't be too much of a factor but that might just be because he thought that the SP101 was to heavy. So the general concensus is that the SP101 is a more fun range gun right? I am sure that he will wan't to take that into consideration when deciding what to buy

[Doug S]

I vote the Ruger for just about everything, except maybe pocket carry (and you can even do that with it if you want).

The Ruger has a nicer stock grip, most likely stronger and heavier (handles recoil better), and I hate to say it, but no built in lock.

I keep reading that the S&W has a better trigger, and that may be, but that wasn't the case with the two 642' and the 340 M&P that I've owned. The Ruger trigger is a little longer than I'd like, but nice and smooth.

[stiab]

I am a J frame guy but think the SP101 would do fine, except for someone trying to move over from S&W to the Ruger. The Ruger has a longer trigger and more importantly a longer trigger reset. If you are accustomed to the S&W reset, you will pull the trigger too soon on the Ruger and get no response.

[RancidSumo]

The Ruger, has a nicer stock grip

The grips on the ruger were very nice. That was one thing that definatly stood out.

[esq_stu]

I have an SP101 and a J Frame (642 Airweight). If I were going with all steel, I'd go Ruger. I carry the Ruger in a belt holster and the 642 is more suited to the pocket. But my SP101 is in my pocket as I write this.

I much prefer shooting the Ruger, even with magnum loads.

[cpirtle]

If he liked the SP101 better why try talking him out of it?

I have all kinds of S&W's and all kinds of Rugers and they are all great so he can't go wrong.

FWIW, shooting my M&P 360 (Scandium) in 357 is downright painful and I am not recoil sensitive. My [avid shooter] buddy shot it once and swore he would never pick it up again. Sure it's light but even if shooting a BG doesn't make you think twice before pulling the trigger -- the recoil will.

I should also add the 360 is what I carry most.

[ArchAngelCD]

He wants it since he is considering getting a CCW and wants something bigger then his .380 to carry. So in your opinion, what is a better gun, the Ruger Sp101 or a S&W J-Frame (mabey M360)?
You really can't answer the question, which is better. Both are great revolvers but both are very different. The Ruger SP-101 is bigger and heavier than any J frame, even the 2 1/4" SP-101 weighs 25oz.

The S&W J frames come in at least 3 types not including all the Classic revolver remakes. The Stainless revolvers like the M640 and M649 are .357 Magnum revolvers and have 2 1/8" barrels and weigh 23oz. The Airweight line of .38 Special +P revolvers including the M637, M638, M442 and M642 have a 1 7/8" barrel and weigh 15oz. Then there are the Aitlite .357 Magnum revolvers. They include the M340, M360, M340 M&P, the M360 M&P and a lot of variations in the middle. They weigh only 12oz. and kick like a Mule. Of course there are many others in the J frame line but none are really like the SP-101.

[IRONFIST]

Here's mine, and I love it to death. Always in my pocket when I leave the house.
Sorry for the crappy pics.

[wheelgunslinger]

Like others said, it comes down to whether or not you want pocket revolver.

However, I have large hands and both are relatively difficult for me to use well. So, I'd go with the political angle as a deciding factor.

Smith installs locks, but Ruger has a bit of a blemish for their politics. So, I'd have to go with the Smith. Though, the new 327 does seem kinda neato...

[Virginian]

A Ruger for shooting; a J Frame for carrying. It's simple. Get one of each. The controls aren't all that different that I would feel uncomfortable switching back and forth. Just find the right grips for the J Frame and the shooter.

[FullEffect1911]

Since I had this same personal dilemma and went with a 2" spurless hammer sp101, i voted that way. If you wear khaki pants or loose fitting jean with pockets that you can at least fit a wallet in easily then the sp101 isn't to large for pocket carry (a bit heavy, but it can be managed). The all steel .357 magnum versions of the S&W J frames are only 2 oz lighter and I really like the SP101 feel. All around a great little revolver for multiple duty defense needs. Now if pocket carry is your main concern the 642 is probably the better choice.

[Brian Williams]

If I am going to step up to the extra weight above a S&W 642, I will go to one of my S&W K frames.

the Ruger SP101 is a great gun, and will make a person a great one and only. My Daughter has one and really likes it, I like it but I prefer a 642 for the pocket and a 65/13 for the belt.

[mnw42]

I'll stick with my Cobra. It is light, but not S&W Scandium light.

[Doug S]

This is interesting. I don't know why, but I just figured that there would be more J-frame fans signing on to this thread, and that the J-frame would be the favorite. The Ruger is more popular than I realized.

[cpirtle]

I would say that's because most of us are "revolver" fans first and give credit where credit is due.

Almost everyone has a favorite but Smith, Colt and Ruger are all very highly regarded and hard to fault.

[rj112275]

broken record...

i eventually traded off my SP101 because it was too heavy for pocket carry. my j-frame fills that need for now. the SP101 is a great gun, but i think it limits itself to holster carry because of the weight, which in that case, i'll be carry my glock.

the SP101 is probably the smallest and best .357 revolver out there, that i enjoy shooting. the weight is an advantage in that respect. also, i think the ruger is much easier to service and take apart, trigger job, etc.

[Snubby 38]

I've got mostly all J Frames, but I really like the Ruger. Reliable, affordable, shootable... that covers it.

[geojap]

I loooove my SP-101 (and my GP-100). It is the 2.25" barrel model with a spurless hammer. I use my SP-101 for pocket carry in a Desantis Nemesis holster. It works very well if I can wear a shirt untucked, which is 99% of the time with me. I'm 6' 0" and weight 240, so it isn't uncomfortably heavy for me to carry in my pocket. I love just being able to stick it in my pocket with a speed loader and go. And it's a .357 magnum, which I really prefer.

I've handled S&W 642s and they didn't lock up as tight as the Ruger, they didn't feel as ergonomic in my hand and the trigger pull wasn't quite as nice.

[rdrancher]

I love my j-frames, but my SP101 takes the "num" out of magnum.

rd

[ArchAngelCD]

geojap,
I can agree with most of what you said but come on, the trigger on a M642 isn't as nice as the trigger on a SP-101???

[lanternlad1]

Here is some info on the .327 mag for those who want it.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SP101-327.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/327_federal.htm

Pic of Taurus 85 in .327 mag from 2008 shot show. (Want a Smith myself tho)
http://www.gunblast.com/images/SHOT2008/Day3/DSC02524.jpg

Six shot, not five, ballistics of .357 with recoil of .38. Can also shoot .32 H&R mag and .32 S&W. REALLY want to shoot one.

[geojap]

geojap,
I can agree with most of what you said but come on, the trigger on a M642 isn't as nice as the trigger on a SP-101???

I know it sounds crazy (especially to the legion of S&W fans), but on just the 642 that I was considering buying, the trigger pull on the SP-101 was more consistent all the way through the pull. That is what it seemed like to me anyway. I think the heavier SP-101 parts compared to the lightweight 642 parts had something to do with it. The spring seemed to have much more influence over the pull in the 642 than in the SP-101.

I went to an Academy sporting goods before I got my CCW revolver, and handled their S&W 642 several times, dry firing it and such, after reading about it on the forum here. I really wanted to give the 642 a go since it had such a good reputation. But I just could not take a liking to it, mainly due to the way it fit in my hand and how the trigger pulled on the 642 compared to the SP-101.

The SP-101 is also the handgun I can shoot most accurately, along with my Browning Hi-Power, believe it or not. It just really fits my hand well and is the right weight matched with my body.

[tbeb]

I voted "J" frame. I have a S&W Model 642. It is lightweight. I can carry it in a front pants pocket. I've tried S&W Models 37 & 49, Taurus 85, Charter Arms Undercover, and Colt Detective Special--all .38's. I like the 642 the best. You definitely know you're not shooting target loads with +P 135, 148, and 158 grain bullets, but it's not that bad to fire a couple cylinders full for practice.

[tbeb]

I voted "J" frame. I have a S&W Model 642. It is lightweight. I can carry it in a front pants pocket. I've tried S&W Models 37 & 49, Taurus 85, Charter Arms Undercover, and Colt Detective Special--all .38's. I like the 642 the best. You definitely know you're not shooting target loads with +P 135, 148, and 158 grain bullets, but it's not that bad to fire a couple cylinders full for practice.

[GaryP]

I own and shoot both regularly but prefer the Ruger SP101 due to the way the Ruger handles recoil.



:evil:

[FullEffect1911]

well the results of the poll pretty much sum things up nicely, smith... ruger... can't go wrong with either.

[revjross]

The Ruger SP101 is a good gun but.......

[revjross]

It all depends on what you are looking for. I had a Ruger SP101 and traded it, as I was looking for a small revolver I could carry in my front pocket and I wanted it to be very light. I now have the M&P 360. It weighs just over 13 oz. and is very accurate. The Ruger is a great gun that is very well made. S&W made the gun that I was looking for though!

[Jframe.38]

My first revolver that I ever purchased was a S&W 442 that I added crimson trace laser grips. It is light and goes everywhere that I go. With the FBI load it hits hard and true. Although I own many quality long guns and handguns that offer far more firepower, range and ease of use, the firearm that I own that is most likely to defend my life in a real encounter is the Smith as it is always on my person. I even wear it inside the house in case of home invasion. I normally forget that I even have it on.

That said, I recently purchased an SP 101. It is a far more pleasurable gun to shoot at the range, looks cooler and is easier to unholster. I purchased it to have a belt gun that accepted the same ammo, speed strips and speed loaders as my pocket gun, the S&W 442. On the weekends I will occasionally pocket the sp 101. Over all most versatile gun goes to the Ruger, but the Smith and Wesson is the penultimate pocket gun hands down. If purchasing the gun as a dedicated With You All The Time/Back Up Gun for pocket carry the Smith wins hands down due to ease of concealment and pocketability. As Ayoob once said it can be carried in any dress code short of a nudist colony. For an overall range, home defense, CCW, field back up and plinker buy the Ruger. If your dress code allows you to always carry a Ruger buy the Ruger. If you live in a hot pocket carry only climate or need a deep cover gun buy the Smith.
Best option though is to buy both and when you need more firepower carry both. You will not go wrong with either weapon.

[ArmedBear]

A Ruger for shooting; a J Frame for carrying.

Had I done that, I wouldn't have had an excuse to pick up the nice old Model 10 I saw at the shop...:)

Ruger makes great revolvers. I have a couple, and hope to get some more.

However, they make some guns for which I have no particular application. The SP101 is one of them.

(For God's sake, don't interpret that like some people here do. I'm not telling you what to think, what to shoot, or what to buy.)

If I want to carry something, I want smaller and lighter. If I want to shoot something for fun or sport, particularly in a Magnum chambering, I'll take a full-size "sixgun".:)

[Hastings]

I've shot both, and love how a j-frame Smith gets forgotten in your pocket due to the light weight and small size. I prefer how a Smith shoots, too. I have found the Smiths to be more accurate for me in the shorter barrel lengths than the snubbie Rugers. But I do like the feel of the SP101 in the hand, and it tames the recoil of a magnum load better than the j-frames tame +p loads. Having said all of this, I usually carry a Smith 686 dash 4, 2-1/2" in my pocket during the colder months, so weight and size don't bother me. Fortunately, they don't bother my wife too much, either, cause if I was slender it would be difficult to conceal the 686 in a front pocket. Sometimes I like to carry an softball in my off-hand front pocket just to balance things out.

[P. Plainsman]

Well, there are J-frames and then there are J-frames.

- If you want a true pocket gun, the Airweight J-frames in .38 Special +P (models 642, 637, 638, etc.) are very concealable and easy to carry. Much lighter than an SP101. Like Hastings above, I "love how a j-frame Smith gets forgotten in your pocket due to the light weight and small size."

However, I personally would not use, for defensive purposes, any current S&W with the poorly designed internal lock. (But S&W did a small run recently of 642s without an internal lock! Snap 'em up.)

- If you want a small .357 Magnum revolver that you can really shoot magnums in, the SP101 is unbeatable. I consider it Ruger's finest revolver. Its competition is the steel frame S&W J-frames like the model 60. They come with the stupid internal lock. The Ruger has no internal lock (so far - act fast!). It is an extremely tough, reliable gun with good shooting ergonomics. Add a Hogue rubber grip and the ergonomics become superb:

http://www.hoguestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=569_2_27_61_398&products_id=3512

Most people find the SP101 a bit too large and heavy for pocket carry. It is a small, easily concealed belt gun. You can load it with .38 shotshells, .38+P comfortable-shooting defensive ammo, .357 JHPs, or even true bruisers like Buffalo Bore's 180 grain hardcast Magnum:

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

... that'll make your hand smart some, even w/ the Hogues, but I can assure you, the SP101 will digest that ammo and yawn.

Fine general-purpose handgun for the outdoorsman or -woman.

[P. Plainsman]

Whoa! Didn't notice the Frankenthread -- that was February of last year ...

[Guillermo]

However, they make some guns for which I have no particular application. The SP101 is one of them

I certainly understand that. This "midsize" revolver is almost as hard to hide as a larger one. On the other hand, it sure is nice.

If I were considering a J frame I would certainly not by a new one.

[ArmedBear]

From what I've seen and handled, I prefer the newer Airweights to the early alloy guns.

I'm not talking about toys here, I'm thinking self-defense. I think the current 642 is about as good as it gets at the moment, for that specialized purpose. Remove the lock if you want; the gun's made well.

To take to the range, I'll take a GP100, 686, etc. if a .357, or an older S&W if .38.:)

I like old Smiths (among other things). It's just not true that the old ones are all perfect and the new ones are all crap.

[10-Ring]

Better for carry & a nicer trigger -- my vote goes to the j-frame.

[Guillermo]

It's just not true that the old ones are all perfect and the new ones are all crap

That is not what I am saying either. While I prefer the older guns and pre MIM parts there are a couple of Smiths, both revolvers and auto loaders, that I would like to own.

As far as I am concerned Smith went out of business when they capitulated with the Clintons.

If they redesign or eliminate the lock I will do business with them. If not they can do without my money.

[ArmedBear]

They've started selling Airweights without the locks. Cabela's has them, here.

[sigbear]

I had a airweight, however, I traded it for a 3" Sp101 and never looked back. I do miss the weight of the J-frame but the accuracy of the Sp101 blows away the airweight IMO.

[RJM]

I have owned both, I now personally own two sp101s, one in .357mag and one in .327 federal and I like them both. I really like the .327 federal as I find it to be a perfect blend of size, power and shootability.

However, Smith and Wesson make some outstanding J frames that would be hard to vote against. I would love to pick up a model 640, but in reality I find the grip to be a bit too skinny for my hand. Actually, I think the model 60 and the sp101 need aftermarket grips.

Its a tough call, but since I own two of the Rugers and not a one of the Smiths, I am going to have to vote ruger. I would love to get that 5" barreled model 60 though, what a great tacklebox gun.

[Mr. Bojangles]

I absolutely love my sp101. And I mean love...

[silverbullet1976]

Ruger SP101's are overbuilt hog legs that are fabulous, reliable firearms. They're overbuilt, which is what makes them so great. They're so solid that you can shoot the snub's like an auto. Thousands of rounds with no worries. And because of their weight, the recoil is mild an manageable. J-Frames are extremely well made guns, but a bit more to handle because they are smaller an weigh less. They are better to carry when you need somethin' light weight. They just aren't much fun to shoot. Both are a great weapon, but if you want a snub you can enjoy shooting, and shoot for years, the Ruger is the way to go. J-Frames are meant to be carried often, shot little, and will never break

[Madcap_Magician]

Have both. A 2.25" .357 SP101 and a 642. The 642 is the carry gun. The SP101 is a belt gun. It is almost impossible to pocket carry the SP101. I love the bank vault build of the SP101, but the 642 actually shoots better for me.

Just my $.02.

[Eightball]

Trigger and ergos seem better on my Smiths. To each their own, however.

[IRONFIST]

"It is almost impossible to pocket carry the SP101."

I do it all the time.

While not as comfortable as when it is done with a weapon that is 10 oz. lighter such as the 642, it really isn't that bad overall.

I carry the heavier SP101 because that is the revolver that always gets shot when I go out to burn up ammo.

It can handle the abuse that regular shooting inflicts on even a quality gun.

Day in, day out, the SP101 is the one wheelgun I turn to and is the one I'm most comfortable with.

I have a Taurus Ti here in the house I could carry but since I don't shoot it much(especially with heavy loads), it stays home, and the SP comes with me when we go out.

Let's put it another way... My girl might have a big butt on her, but I KNOW she can perform any time I need her too!

;)

[geojap]

I also pocket carry my 2" bobbed-hammer SP-101 all the time in a Desantis Nemesis holster. Love it. It is my preferred carry gun because it's so easy to slip in my pocket. Either the weight bothers you, or not. It doesn't bother me.

[Madcap_Magician]

Pocket carry of the SP101 depends on your wardrobe and belt. I have no pants or belt that I could pocket carry it in... I tried them all. *shrug*

[ArmedBear]

It's not the weight so much; it's the balance.

I hiked around in the mountains for a while yesterday with the a 642 in a Nemesis. It was no problem. More weight would have started to get uncomfortable, just because of the unbalanced weight.

When I load them down with stuff (GPS, water, etc.), my pants can be like a backpack. They're comfortable when properly balanced, but after a few miles hiking up and down hills and canyons, an unbalanced load causes premature fatigue, back pain, etc.

I wouldn't let that stop me from getting an SP101; I wouldn't, however, trade one for the other, myself.

Bottom line?

I think these are two different guns, that will serve two different purposes.