[Balog]

Planning on purchasing a .357 revolver, but I'm having trouble finding a good side by side comparison of the models I'm thinking of. Could anyone post side by side pictures of an SP101 and a Speed/Security/Service Six? If a Md 66 and 640 could find their way in there that'd be even better. :D Thanks guys.

[cyclopsshooter]

im always up for gun porn but you could do searches on gunbroker.com

[Balog]

I've googled a bit but true SxS comparos (esp between Rugers and Smifs) are rare.

[cyclopsshooter]

oh, i get it now

[jad0110]

Don't have pictures, but the Ruger Sixes are a bit wider than the SP101. Not enough to make a huge difference for me carrying IWB however, so I went with a Police Service Six. The extra round and interchangeability with S&W K-Frame speedloaders is a nice bonus. OTH, SP101s and J-Frames share their own 5-shot speedloaders. See, Rugers and S&W really can get along!

As for K-Frames and the Ruger Sixes, they are almost identical in size, including width. The Sixes may be a hair wider, but they can often use the same holsters anyway. If my micrometer wasn't busted, I could give you exact measurements :cuss:. Interestingly, the grip frame of the Sixes are a little smaller in all dimensions than those on the Ks.

If I have time for some pics, I'll post them in the next couple of days.

[Cosmoline]

jad summarizes it well. The Sixes are very slightly beefier in the frame and of course don't have a side panel. The grip frame is very lean. I've shot both though I sold off the Smith K's years ago. The Sixes seem to handle just a little better under magnum recoil.

[Balog]

Excellent, thanks for the insight. How do the Sixes compare to an SP101 in terms of handleability (is that a word?) with magnum loads? Also, how much do the short barrel 6's weigh? Only listed weight I can find is a generic 33oz for the 4in. Is there much weight difference between the Six models?

[Cosmoline]

The SP is a little more compact and the Speed is a little easier to control with magnums, but the SP will function fine with full power loads. I like both but the Six gives an extra round and a little more barrel length. I also prefer the trigger on the Speed Six.

Not sure on the weight, but probably just over 30 oz loaded. A notch more than the SP but still pretty easy to pack. I carry mine in a hybrid shoulder rig and I barely notice it.

[jad0110]

Cosmoline summarizes it well. :)

I'm not sure how the bore axis height compares on the two, but I assume they are fairly close. The lower the bore axis (the closer it sits to your hand), the easier the gun is to control, all other things being equal. The SP101 may have a slight edge hear, with it's smaller 5 shot cylinder. But as Cosmoline points out, the Sixes probably weigh approximately between 4 and 12 ounces more, depending on barrel length of the guns being compared (2 1/4 and 3 1/16 on the SP and 2 3/4, 3, 4 and 6 on the Sixes).

Also, fitment to your hand will have a significant effect on felt recoil. Again, I'd assume the Sixes are more controllable , but if they don't feel right to your hand and the SP does, it is likely that the SP will be more controllable for you. Perhaps unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility.

Maybe others can comment who have actually fired both.

[MCgunner]

I can sorta help. Here's a shot of a Taurus 3" 66 against an SP101. The 66 is K frame size, very close to the Security Six and Smith and Wesson 19 in size.

I had a Security Six, but traded it off a good while back, even swap for a 6.5" Blackhawk. I really prefer the little SP101, myself, stronger gun, lighter gun, and easier gun to shoot with a Hogue grip on it. JMHO, though, but I've owned both. That Security Six had a lot of felt recoil and muzzle climb with heavy loads. The SP101, amazingly, seemed to handle those loads a lot better. I think bore axis had a lot to do with it. The security six, with it's Hogue, sat tall in the hand. The grip it came with, though, was a pathetic joke. The SP101's grip design is miles better IMHO and a Hogue is sweet on 'em.

I also have a shot of a 4" 66 against a Taurus 85. The 85 is close to a J fame and the 66 is near identical to a K frame.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=65369&d=1192115085