Completely torn about which revolver I should get

[chutestrate]

Money is an issue, but I have some choices in my price range. Colt detective lightweight with exposed ejector, j frame, and ruger sp101.

Colt and j frame are used at a little over 300, and ruger new at 489. They all do what I want, I'm just not sure if I want a .357 or not. In a small package they aren't much fun to shoot, but I like the ability to. All the searching I'm doing is just confusing the issue. I like the trigger on the colt better so I am leaning towards that now.

 

[BCRider]

All I've read and from the few I've tried Colts are lovely revolvers. But I'm also reading about how good Colt wheelgun smiths are few and far between. Meanwhile any decent smith can work on a Ruger with no issues and parts are easily available.

And a nicer trigger is only a spring kit and some minor tuning away. Or in the case of a defense handgun where you may not want to lighten the trigger TOO much just a bit of tuning on the parts that rub.

 

[Haifisch]

Get the Ruger SP101, they are built like a tank.

 

[Cosmoline]

A Colt Detective Special for $300?? If the timing is good, get it.

Or when you say "Detective lightweight" do you mean Agent? With an exposed ejector? RUN and get it.

That aside, you have listed two distinct classes of firearm. The SP101 is bulkier, heavier and designed for shooting .357. It's what I would suggest for magnum loads, but it's heavier and bulkier than a Colt D frame or a S&W J frame. I've owned several and liked them, though they're not as good as the Speed Six that came before.

 

[David E]

Of those 3, get the Colt.

 

[LEVRLOVR]

Get the Ruger.

If price is an issue look around a little more and find a solid used Sp-101 in the $375 to $425 price range. Gunbroker will have a few I bet.

As BCRIDER says a superb trigger on the Ruger will cost you nothing but a Wolff spring kit which is a really simple procedure to install.

Just checked GB and their are a few good examples in the $400 range CHUTE.

Including this onehttp://v2.gunbroker.com/auction/viewitem.asp?item=168061710

Buy now $375.... not a bad deal IMO.

 

[gordy]

Yes Rugers are nice but you have to do work to get a good trigger, built like a tank and as heavy as one. Colts are a good gun to start. Great bluing and nice triggers, light in the hand . S&W is a good gun to start great triggers and are light. the lightness can be a bear, so if that is something you won't like buy the ruger stick some money in the thing and you will be kinda happy.Buy the Smith or Colt and you will be happy.

 

[MachIVshooter]

This:

That aside, you have listed two distinct classes of firearm. The SP101 is bulkier, heavier and designed for shooting .357. It's what I would suggest for magnum loads, but it's heavier and bulkier than a Colt D frame or a S&W J frame.

If you're actually gonna carry it, you'll find the Colt or S&W much more agreeable. Between the Colt and S&W, assuming similar condition, that Colt is a steal. The J frame may be average, or may be a really good buy. Which model is it?

For me, values aside, I'd take the S&W. Easier to carry than the SP-101, much easier to keep running over the years than the Colt. But at $300, I'd probably grab the Colt. SP101 is a good gun, I have one. But they can be found all day long for that price, and a good bit less lightly used.

 

[Ala Dan]

Of Course-

the one with the pony on the frame~!

 

[jhvaughan2]

I would normally be in the "smith all the way" camp. But even I would by a colt at that price.

 

[Q!!]

SP101.......

I have owned a few of them and just picked this one up in a trade. I love these little guns. Not hard to conceal at all, and as others have said, they are built like a tank.

 

[David E]

they are built like a tank.

and almost carry like one !

 

[chicharrones]

That's a beauty, Q!!.

 

[Q!!]

David,

26 oz really does not seem all that bad to me.

 

[Zundfolge]

Normally I'd say get the Ruger because its the most versatile CCW gun of the bunch (since its shootable with everything from light .38 to hot .357mag). But if you can get the Colt for 300ish I'd say go for it ... its going to make a good CCW piece but also going to be an heirloom you can hand down to your grand kids.

 

[jmortimer]

I own both J Frame and SP101 - for carry I would take the J Frame and for a woods gun the SP 101 would be hard to beat. Never owned a Colt so can't address that.

 

[clang]

Why buy a new SP101 when you can find a used one at a better price? Like everyone says, they are built like a tank, so some honest use is not going to hurt it.

But if I were given the choice between the revolvers mentioned, I would go for the Dic Special. The S&W is a safer bet, only because you can find qualified gunsmith's to work on them with less hassle than finding a good Colt Double Action gunsmith.

If you plan on shooting it a lot, I would be hesitant about buying an alloy framed gun. If it is more for carry, don't worry about it.

All the above assumes you know proper procedures to check the actions and timing of all three types of guns.

 

[C-grunt]

Im trading my SP101 for a J Frame tomorrow. The SP101 is a fantastic belt gun, but I want a pocket gun. If Im going to carry a gun on my belt it will be my baby Glock. But the G27 and the SP101 dont work to well in a pocket and the J frame is an awesome pocket carry gun.

That being said, I wouldnt want a .357 that weighed less than the SP101.

 

[Nushif]

After having owned and shot a 101 ... I'd get any of the others.
The Colt especially, I have a Colt DS myself and it is a joy to shoot and beautiful to boot.

 

[71Commander]

26 oz really does not seem all that bad to me.

That's more than double my J frame.

Get the Smith and don't look back.

 

[Guillermo]

normally I would be in the "Buy the COLT!!!" camp but I do not like shooting alloy guns. If it is a Cobra or and Agent, I don't like i, buy the Smith. If it is a Detective Special, buy it.

 

[SaberOne]

No brainer for me, as I would jump on the Colt.

 

[shockwave]

For CCW, weight is a major consideration. The J-frames around 15-16 oz.s are going to be easy to carry around every day. The 101 and anything in that range is carryable, but over time that weight is going to be something you'll notice.

 

[smallbore]

Decisions, decisions. . .Let's see. . .
Colt: classic, no longer made, not to many smiths around if it needs work, designed to shoot .38 only. Parts?
Ruger: nice gun, will fire .38, .38 +P, .357; slightly heavier than the other choices, company carries parts/still repairs, comfortable shooter(?)
S&W: nice gun, newer models are +P rated, lighter (Airweight models), offered in several variations, company carries parts/still repairs(?)

 

[Voodoo1951]

One word...Colt! $300 for a DS that works properly you can't go wrong. Here is mine...