3" SP101 or 2.5" K Frame?

I love my K frame .357's but I'm gonna have to go with the SP101, just for the rust resistance.

Who's selling the 19 I might want it.


But seriously go with the Ruger, the 19 can't take the really hot rounds but the ruger can.

I would go with the Ruger SP101.

I have a Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum 2.25" barrel and really like it.

Luke

Well if for camping and hiking the Sp-101 is your best bet. I have one, I like it.

The intended purpose is hiking/fishing companion.

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The SP101. Hands down.
1) Easier to strip and clean if it goes for a swim.
2) Esier to replace should something happen (tragic boating accident anyone? )
3) Stainless so more rust corrosion.
4) Lighter, so easier to pack all day.

I really enjoy my SP101. I've owned various barrel lengths in wheelguns, and the only downside to the "longer" 3-1/16 inch barrel is that it doesn't work well for pocket carry. If the gun will be on your hip and not in a pocket, I'd go SP101 for sure. And I'll bet once you shoot a few .357's out of your SP101, you will reconsider carrying it with .38 Specials. It handles the .357 round very, very well.

Both are great choices, I went this way
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=85265&d=1222403274
My favorite load is a 180gr XTP/FP with a max load of AA#9

SP101. I sold my S&Ws for Rugers. I couldn't be happier.

If it's for hiking and fishing I'd take the Ruger as the stainless will hold up better to the elements. If the choice were a SP101 or S&W 66 it would be a toss up.

If you're debating which one to put up for sale, does the price you'd get on the used market factor any weight into the decision?

Because you'd get more money out of that Model 19 than you would an SP101.

Seabee, looking to replace the snubbie that I gave my daughter so if you decide to "shuck" one please let me know. Thanks. Just between you and I, you should keep them both-lol.

But seriously go with the Ruger, the 19 can't take the really hot rounds but the ruger can.

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C'mon now! Do you seriously think the smaller Ruger can handle "hot rounds" better than a K frame Smith? I'm guessing you are going by what you read and don't own a K frame. Besides, the OP said he will be shooting .38's anyway.

Investment casting used by Ruger forces the frame to be larger than forged frames to achieve the same strength. Add the fact the K frame is a larger frame than the SP101 it will handle "hot rounds" as well or better than the Ruger SP101. (not that there's anything wrong with a Ruger) Because the K frame holds 6 rounds and probably has a smoother trigger that would be my choice as a woods gun. I'm not being a S&W fan just to be a fan. If you asked about a S&W Model 60 and a GP100 I would have picked the GP100.

Carry the Ruger SP101, because if you lose or damage the .357 K frame you have lost a gun that is going to be very difficult to replace!

The 19 can take the ultra hot rounds just fine. If you are thinking of forcing cone cracking, that is mostly attributed to the old Super Vel ammo which was a 357 on steroids. Combined with the funky powder they used that made "flame cutting" prolific and it quickly wore out some K frames. They just happened to be 125 grain which is not a magic 357 Mag bullet weight that destroys K frames.

If it were me, I would hold onto the 19. It is not made anymore and I like the nice hefy 6 shot 357.

sexy revolver.

Well they are both very good firearms. The ruger lends it self to a working format very well. But in my opinion it is the S&W that is a sexy revolver.
I think the m19 in a four inch is to die for. It is like a winchester lever gun (NO SCOPE)just about as good looking as they come.

I'd keep the 2.5" model 19. Won't be anymore as nice as that sixgun........from S&W anyway.

SP101's are a dime a dozen, locally. NIB, used, LNIB. Very easy to find, or replace. My 0.02 TJ

For outdoor use like you propose, I too would pick the Ruger. Stainless, of course, will rust if neglected just as blued carbon steel. However, the nice thing with the Ruger is the ability to more simply take it apart, dry it out, and oil the internals if it should get drenched somehow.

I have a stainless 65-3, but I still use my 3" and 4" Ruger Service Sixes for trail use since I don't like to have to take the side plate off the S&W any more often then necessary for basic maintenance.

Of course, more then a few LEO's have carried blued steel handguns for years, out in the elements, and you see examples of those all the time that are still in wonderful condition - but it does take more attention to care and rust prevention then a stainless gun will.

I don't think I'd get rid of the 19 though, just as I won't get rid of my 65 - I just don't take it camping or hiking is all.

I'd take the Smith. One more round, smother action, better sites, better choice of grips and unless you loose it in the rive it should increase in resale value should you ever decide to get a different gun.

Personally I prefer to carry a 4" or 6" revolver for hiking but then I'm not worrying about concealed that much. Rather have a .22 for snakes if fishing.

I would try not to get rid of either. My 2.5" 19 sits in the safe. None of my non-current-production Smiths get out much. I'm too concerned with parts breakage. I find certain spare parts are getting harder to find. I'm more inclined to use the SP101 because it is still in production.

The model 19 will most certainly have a smoother trigger... and cost a little more =/
You wear out parts on a model 19, I will be impressed LOL! Many, many, many rounds that would take...

Bflobill69

I think you already own and have shot both so you may not have this problem. I have a Smith 65-1 that is a beautiful gun that I love as a range gun where follow-up shot speed is meaningless. But I have stubby fingers and can't shoot it without regripping most every shot for some reason compared to my SP 101 or even my Speed/Security/Service Sixes. For me, the K-frame just wouldn't ever be a carry gun but maybe the grips I have on it are the issue now that I look at the picture.

I can't dispute the knock on Ruger vs Smith factory triggers but I will also say that my DAO SP-101 that was worked over by Mark M at Gemini Customs has the smoothest trigger of any gun I own. I swear he must have snuck tiny little permanetly oiled precision ball bearings inside it.

Here are the 4" Smith 65, a 4" Ruger Service Six that happens to be DAO and .38 spcl. and the 3" SP-101 in .357 and then just because I had the pics handy a few of the SP with a Ruger Speed Six (which would be my choice if I wanted 6 rounds).

1+ Ruger

Keep the Smith, sell the Ruger.

Just my .02 for all the reasons previously stated.

Or better yet, keep the Ruger and sell the Smith...to ME .

Tim