Ladysmith vs SP101

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twoblink

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I had a 2.25" Ruger SP101 in .357Mag as well as a matching one in .22LR that's now discontinued. Matching his and hers set; a friend of mine asked if she could buy it off of me as their 1 year anniversary gift...

I had taken their picture at a church BBQ; both were single at the time; everybody thought the pic looked great; and they would look great as a couple; and so because of my pic; they started dating and eventually got married.

So.... I said yes; and sold them my set.. Fast forward 3 years; I'm back stateside now; and now in need of a new nightstand gun.

The shortlist:

Ruger SP101 2.25" .357Mag
SW Ladysmith in .357Mag
Ruger SP101 3" .357Mag


I think the action on the Ruger is much stronger; but I thought for my Asian hands; and for my wife's hands; the Ladysmith would be a slightly better fit. Will be mostly a nightstand gun. I had the 2.25" before and I thought it fired a bit hot; the muzzle flip was significant; and I thought perhaps a 3" would be a better choice a second time around..?

Thoughts and opinions..

Thanks.
 
I looked for a 3 inch SP101 and did not have any luck locally so I went with a 2.25 inch that I am very happy with. The extra length will add some velocity but from what I have read (please read this as I am not nearly as knowledgeable any most on here) you need 4 inches to get the best results for .357. That being said I qualified for my CCW with my SP101 and can carry it as well as it being what stays within arms reach for me at night. I don't know if I could carry the 3 inch as easily.
 
I can think of no benefit of 1" less barrel length for your purposes. Hope you plan on loading up with .38's for potential in home use and not the blast of .357
 
While I'm a S&W fan, the SP101 DAO 2.25 inch snub for a house and occasional carry is what I'd get.

Exceptionally strong, easy to shoot even with magnum loads (I have pachmayr Jordan grips on mine) and quite carryable.

Deaf
 
...SP101 DAO 2.25 inch snub,,,easy to shoot even with magnum loads
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You have to know that is not a popular assessment. 357's earliest platform was a Smith N-frame, so we've come a long way in compromising the cartridge. It needs mass and barrel length to be controllable, especially for this person of smaller stature. What seems to be missing is empathy for what others might need or conclude.
 
My 3" sp101 has fairly stout recoil with 158's chronographed going 1150fps, but is still enjoyable to shoot, and I'm not a huge person.
Carries easily in a simply rugged iwb holster, after a few minutes I forget it's there.
 
1150 fps with 158 gr is a modest velocity for 357 and probably an okay choice for the SP101. The thing is the smaller guns are better with the lighter loads and even lighter bullets.
 
RealGun said:
You have to know that is not a popular assessment. 357's earliest platform was a Smith N-frame, so we've come a long way in compromising the cartridge. It needs mass and barrel length to be controllable, especially for this person of smaller stature. What seems to be missing is empathy for what others might need or conclude.
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Well you have to know that with those Jordan grips I've shot .357 DPX cor-bon low flash 125s from that very SP101 and one most certainly can control the little Ruger (popularity notwithstanding.)

Deaf
 
You made reference to Asian hands , and to your concern for fitting to your wife's hands.

My recommendation is a Smith 60 in 3". Ladysmith/60 , either way a J frame with 3" barrel. Good fit for your/her hands , good barrel length for pointing and stability , and a good carry piece. Load with .38+p and you meet your criteria.

I like my SP101 a great deal , but I believe that the J frame is for you.
And --- not a polymer light weight which will have a snappy recoil , but good stainless steel.
 
I think that the four inch SP101 would be the most versatile of all. They have adustable sights which makes it easy to adjust POA/POI. This is important if you decide to use 38spl ammo in it.
 
I can't argue against the SP-101; it's a great gun. However, I have to echo Waveski's recommendation on the 3" Model 60. I own both. You should at least try the fit to your hand and the double-action trigger pull of both guns. Then you could choose and never have second thoughts on the purchase. With a purchase this important, I'd say that it is worth a day trip (if you have to go far) to get to a gun store that has both for side-by-side comparison.
 
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Seven High said:
I think that the four inch SP101 would be the most versatile of all. They have adustable sights which makes it easy to adjust POA/POI. This is important if you decide to use 38spl ammo in it.
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If carrying the gun concealed at all is a desire for the OP, then I whole heartedly disagree with the 4" model as a preferred choice. Fixed sites and a shorter barrel would be beneficial for concealment and snag free draws.

If the gun will not be carried concealed at all, the GP100 or a S&W 686+ with a very narrow, minimal grip to accommodate the OP's hands would make a more controlable HD gun. It would also hold an extra round or two.

I guess I've never understood the use of a 4" SP101. The two benefits of the SP is its small size for concealability, balanced with a bit heavier build than a Smith j frame, which makes them more controlable with magnums than the Smith alternative. A 4" barrel completely screws up that balance and tries to press the SP101 into open carry service when there are far better options. JMO
 
A Ruger revolver is not "stronger" than a S&W - only heavier. This not an internet myth - I have been able to damage both brands over the years with heavy handloads back when I was young and dumb. Don't take my word for it - look at Jerry Kuhnhausen's Ruger revolver shop manual. In it he has lots of photos of Ruger revolver destroyed by owners who fed them heavy loads over time. I still own a GP 100 with almost no forcing cone left in it from firing lots of 110 gr. light bullets over heavy charges of powder and it only took about 2 months to do it. These loads came right out of the Speer No 11 manual - yet they ate the forcing cone away just like a oxy-acetylene cutting torch. Just use moderate medium to heavy bullet loads and your gun will last a very long time. Loads that produce a huge flash when fired from a snub revolver simply waste powder and shorten the service life of the revolver and gain you nothing in performance. A 3 inch snub revolver with .38 Spl. loads is all the power you need in a carry piece.
 
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While I do have j frames for concealed carry, for a full outdoor expedition I have a 65-5 Lady Smith. 3" barrel and 357 mag is perfect for wood walking but it is just a touch too heavy and large to work for me as concealed carry. I also have a snub 357 SP101. Best shooter in my hand, S&W 65-5 rosewood grips.

blindhari
 
Those of us who, resistant to multiculturalism, still wear our pants high enough and tight enough, maybe assisted by suspenders, still define concealed carry as a holster gun, not a pocket gun. In any case, I don't agree with references to a 3" gun as a pocket carry. The advantage to 3" for carry is that it can clear a holster easier than a longer barrel, when carried high and tight. What I have that could be a pocket gun is alloy for weight reduction and a sub-2" barrel. My bedroom gun is a Glock 22 for its rail light and laser, but it could be a 38 Special or 32 H&R Magnum also, either a good low flash, controlled-noise choice.
 
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There really is no vs. The term 'Ladysmith' was a marketing thing aimed at women for small frame 2 to 3.5 inch barreled revolvers and pistols. Usually with coloured grips. Pick the one that fits your hand best.
 
The term 'Ladysmith' was a marketing thing aimed at women for small frame 2 to 3.5 inch barreled revolvers and pistols. Usually with coloured grips. Pick the one that fits your hand best.
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No, this is a Ladysmith. These tiny seven shot, M frame, 22 caliber revolvers were made from 1902 until 1921.

LadySmithInHandM_zpsc0bf4acb.jpg

Anything else called a Ladysmith, particularly those multi-colored J frames, is using the old name, but it is certainly not a Ladysmith.

A myth about the Ladysmiths has been going around for years. It seems when stern old New Englander Daniel Wesson found out they were very popular with ladies of the night, he ordered production of them to stop. True? Well, Daniel Wesson died in 1906 and the Ladysmith was in production until 1921.
 
Unless I missed something , pocket carry was not a stated criteria for the o.p.
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Why does that bother you? A number of posts have alluded to concealed carry, snagging pockets, etc., including the post immediately preceding mine. It is reasonable to project that the OP will use the gun for other than a "house gun". He stated that use would be "mostly". He is actually going for a grip for smaller hands, so then choosing a barrel under 3" would be serving other motives.
 
The S&W 357 LadySmith looks like an excellent possibility at 21.1 oz. It is a much better weight than the really light weight offerings that have a much higher felt recoil. The finish beats the powder coated alloy on some guns.

It is not too heavy for CC so it could do double duty. And like all Smiths it will go up in value unlike most Rugers like the SP101.

In the end it may be the Op's preference for brand.

JMHO

162414_01_lg.jpg
 
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I've at one time or another had all the guns the OP listed and have only kept 1 of them. The Ruger sp 101 DAO 2.25 barrel. Here are some of the reasons. Difference in accuracy between the longer and shorter barrel was small if any, recoil? same thing. I like the avalbilty of grips and 357 option, although I run 158g wadcutters in mine. The Smith is good for carry but thats about it for me. I like practice and the sp makes range time fun. If I could have only one it would the sp 101.
 
Adjustable sights I think in this case are a liability; snagging; breaking etc.. Fixed sights and snub.

I didn't think 2" vs 3" I'd want the 3" for the added velocity; just added control. If you are standing in my living room; and I'm at the entry way and I shoot you with a 2" snub even with 38Spls; you are going to die or wish you were dead. 1980's cops all carried a 2 or 3" revolver in 38spls; and plenty of dead people from getting shot last time I checked.

I thought shooting 357 hot houses out of the 2" was a painful experience; until I got the Hogue grips for it; then it became very very annoying instead of painful. 38Spl's is just fine for homeD.

I have shot a friend's Ladysmith before; and it was excellent; so I am lucky in the fact that whatever I choose; I don't think there's a "bad" gun in the bunch.

TreeDoc might have the most convincing comment though..
 
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