Can't make up my mind on a new wheel gun

[corton93]

So we just got back from vacation. We had rented a cabin paid $1500. The entire mountain was frozen so we just got a hotel for $500 and got the money for the cabin back. So saving $1000 dollars my old lady said I could have roughly half, give or take, to spend on a new gun.

My choices (purchasing new):

Ruger SP101 357 2.25" With hammer.

S&W Mod 60 357 2.12"

S&W Mod 637 AirWeight 38sp +P 1.87"

So, I'll be rotating whichever one I get into my carry rotation. Im not a weight nut so carrying a 26oz Ruger vs a 15oz S&W is not really a big deal to me. My real question, will the recoil of 357 in the all steel Ruger and S&W be comparable to the recoil of 38sp +P in the Airweight? (i've never had an aluminum or scandium frame) Im not so much concerned with the ballistics, im comfortable with both 38 and 357.

 

[REB]

Recoil is very subjective. I have both a Ruger Sp101 and S&W airweight. Even with +P 38 special the recoil in the airweight is quite a bit less that the SP101 with 357 magnums.

 

[bannockburn]

corton93

I have a S&W Model 638 (aluminum frame), and a Model 649 (all stainless steel). Love carrying the Model 638 and recoil is not that excessive with +P ammo but shooting the Model 649 is a bit more comfortable with less felt recoil. I would say if carry weight is not an issue for you then go with the one that can best handle the .357 Magnum if that's the one you decide to go with.

 

[Fla_dogman]

Any of the three you mentioned sound good, I have a model 19 2-1/4 and a colt agent air weight, while the 19 is a great shooter the colt is a pleasure to carry in the summer due to the weight.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Never shot or even held a S&W 60. Do own both SP101 & S&W 638. The 638 is easier to carry. However, something comforting about being loaded with 357s. If I owned neither & was going to buy just one, I'd go with the Ruger. But that's just me.

Tuckerdog1

 

[sequins]

I have an sp101 and it's amazing. I actually don't mind .357 in it at all and found .38sp to be entirely pleasurable. I've done 150rds of .357 in one afternoon and would happily do it again, for what it's worth.

It's a bit heavy for a snub (weighs as much as my old automatic) but that's not a downside imo because it makes the .357 cartridge actually workable to fire. I almost forgot the best part, no lock!

 

[Wildfire]

Recoil in from my Taurus Titanium in .38 special is stout. It says +p on it. Not sure I would care for that. It is ported and very loud. Not a practice toy by any means. But, it makes ya feel good about having it with you.

 

[Captain O]

Charter Arms Undercover .38 (five shot) Titanium/ Stainless Steel. MSRP $388.00

http://www.charterarms.com/collections/undercover/products/43820-undercover-grey-ss-std

At 16 ounces, it would make for lightweight, durable carry.

A good carry gun... (and you can put the remainder of the "folding green" back in your pocket).

 

[gbran]

I had a 15 oz .357 once. Never again. I have the 638 Airweight in 38spcl and a 649 stainless 357, which is still more kicking than the 38's from the Airweight.

 

[Waveski]

I have a 60-10 and have carried it for years. I highly recommend it as a comfortable carry and a great shooter.

The AirWeight will be no fun to shoot. I would not care to own one.

If the 60 is only available with the dreaded (IMO) lock, the get the SP101. That little tank is a great shooter ; although you may want to regrip it.