[jgo296]

Im fully aware that if put to a poll the j-frame would win hands down.
The question i ask is... Does the internal lock on the j-frame sway anbody choosing a compact 357mag away from it and towards the ruger?

also is the ruger just as small as the j-frame?

[Brian Williams]

Yes,
No.

I prefer a Ruger Sp101 for shooting 357s in and the looks of the J Frame better. An SP101 is a bull of a gun and will take a lot of abuse. I do not like the idea of an internal lock or the fact that we have been dumbed down so we have to depend on others to protect us from anything dangerous.

[batmann]

I have had both and I really liked the Sp better than the Smith. My S&W was a 442 Airweight and was a great pocket gun, but the SP just felt 'right' almost like a Colt DS.
My S&W DID NOT have the lock.

[BikerRN]

I have an SP101 that I bought to take the place of the J-Frame.

I wear the SP101 on my Belt. The J-Frame is an Airweight and resides on my ankle, or in my pocket. I don't like the "Lock" and as soon as I can find one without that abomnation I will buy it or trade for it.

For serious purposes I've switched from S&W to Ruger if you are talking about new guns. I've had a "Lock" fail on me and have to go back to S&W. As far as size, the S&W is smaller and lighter.

BikerRN

[9mmepiphany]

No
No

i've also had both and i wouldn't be swayed away by the lock. i would however be swayed away from the Sp by it's size and weight

i don't think either was much fun firing .357 mag loads and i wouldn't buy with that i mind.

my little J-frame is a 642 which i stroke with 135gr gold dots.

i will admit that the SP has a nice heft to it. but, if i wanted somthing that big, i just hunt down a Colt DS or Cobra

[bulbboy]

I have both - to me they are apples and oranges. The Ruger is heavier and goes on my hip, and the 642 is in a pocket holster or ankle holster.

[jgo296]

is the sp101 so large it cant be pocket carried?

[BoneDigger]

I have had J-frames and they are fine revolvers. My last was a 642 and it was a good gun. I couldn't shoot the snubbie very well so I sold it. But, never a problem at all in how it functioned.

Presently I own a SP101 with a 3 inch barrel. I shoot it better than a snubbie and it isn't difficult to hide with a good holster. I have actually carried the 3" in a pocket with a Desantis pocket holster and it fit just fine. It's a little heavy for pocket carry, but it can be done. As with any type of carry, a good belt is a must.

Todd

[bulbboy]

Some people pocket carry it - to me its way too heavy. But, everyone is different.

[made2cut]

I carry my sp101 in a Galco iwb holser made for a J frame. The fit is a little tight but by that fact they must be almost the same size. The sp101 is more beefy which I like. Mine has the target grey finish which is very appealing IMO. Another plus for the Ruger are the outstanding stock grips. And yes, the internal lock was a factor when I bought the gun. My J frame is a 3 inch model 60-15 that has the lock :barf:. I did however disable it :p

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o278/made2cut/sp101_1.jpg

[Marshall]

I prefer the S&W Model 60 to the Ruger. It's lighter but still all steel and capable of handling magnum loads. The main preferences are trigger, size and weight. With Both guns being all steel I would rather carry the lighter of the two with the better trigger. Both great guns though. Just personal preference.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c274/bunnfuzz/dcp_0555.jpg

[jad0110]

is the sp101 so large it cant be pocket carried?

Some people can manage it, but most who carry them do so IWB or OWB. If I was to purchase one (and I may one day), I would buy a 3 1/16 barrel length 357 and carry it IWB, where the extra barrel length has little if any impact on concealability or comfort. For pocket carry, most folks (including me) seem to prefer the lighter S&W airweights and airlites and the Taurus equivalents.

YMMV though, so try before you buy.

[10-Ring]

I prefer shooting magnum loads from the Ruger, but even the 38 +Ps from the j frame aren't bad -- for carry, the S&W is the way to go

[Ghost Tracker]

Yep, if you're gonna' mostly pack it, the edge goes to the S&W. If you're gonna' mostly shoot it (highly recommended) then the edge goes to the SP101. I have a S&W 642 & it's a fine pistol...but I REALLY like my 3.06" SP101.

[Dgreno]

I vote for the SP101. I think its stronger than the J-frame... of coarse, IMO.

[Rob1035]

If I could only have one revolver for daily carry, woods carry, HD, range time, everything, then I'd choose a SP101.

Since I don't have to make that choice, I carry a 442, and shoot my M10 for range fun.

You can really go wrong with either (SP101 or J-frame), just they both have their strengths