Decisions, Decisions - S&W 637 or Ruger SP101-LG

[Armed N. Free]

I'm thinking about buying a revolver to CC. I've read the 637 has a habit of blowing back hot gasses and powder onto the shooters face and arms. The airweight is nice at 15oz., but I wonder what the recoil would be like??

The SP-101 is built heavier of course being a .357, but it also shoots 38's which is nice. Only 5 shots in the Ruger is a small consideration - not too serious.

I definitely don't want something that jumps around in my hand and burns my arms. Any opinions??

 

[atlanticfire]

+1 for the Ruger

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've read the 637 has a habit of blowing back hot gasses and powder onto the shooters face and arms.

Who is saying this? All revolvers emit a small amount of hot gas and sometimes powder particles from the barrel-cylinder gap, but not severe "back-blast" as you seem to be describing. A 637 in proper working order is no worse than any other revolver.

 

[C-grunt]

I had a 442 and now have a 3 inch SP101. If you plan on carrying in your pockets, I would suggest the SW. The Airweights do have some recol to them but it wont jump out of your hand. The stock grips that expose the backstrap do sting your palms pretty good. Replacement grips will help with this. It was a great gun, but didnt fit my needs at the time.

I love my SP101. Shooting light magnums in it has about the same perceived recoil, to me, as the .38s had in my old 442. Its a good bit heavier and would be my suggestion if you plan on carrying on a belt.

 

[fourdollarbill]

I have a 637-2 it is about one week old. After shooting it at the range last Friday I gave it a name and told it how much I loved her. Now I keep her with me all day long. Really now, it was the very most accurate out of all I think it is the very best choice. Plus you get a $30.00 mail in discount up to Dec.31st from S&W so you can get it for $389.00 after rebate if your guns shops are fair.

PLEASE LISTEN: If you buy one, ask to see the exact gun your buying and look at the barrel to cylinder gap to see if it was filed crooked. I have bought a 642 j frame with a whacked out gap and it has to be returned. I have seen on the shelf new J frames with crooked gaps and I have seen them as straight and as tight as can be. Pick the straight one!!!

 

[Armed N. Free]

Who is saying this? All revolvers emit a small amount of hot gas and sometimes powder particles from the barrel-cylinder gap, but not severe "back-blast" as you seem to be describing. A 637 in proper working order is no worse than any other revolver.

Proper working order may be the key. A member of a forum on gunandgame had mentioned it and I read about the powder in the face on a couple of other forums. I suspect it may be an issue of barrel to cylinder gap as fourdallarbill mentioned. I've read many posts about quetionable fit and finish from S&W. Being a machine shop inspector, I'll be able to check for this specific issue when I go shopping. Good "heads-up" fourdollarbill

 

[aHFo3]

Have you held the sp101 and the 637? I am am ruger fan, but the sp101 grips don't do it for me, maybe with some after market grips it would be better, but in the stock configuration, my middle finger knuckle in wedged uncomfortably behind the trigger guard. I really like the feel of the S&W J frame.

As far as weight and recoil is concerned, you're buying it for CC, not as a range gun, so lighter is better. If the recoil of the Airweight doesn't prohibit you from practicing with it, then I would go with the lighter S&W.

 

[jaydubya]

I've fired around 4,000 rounds from my 637, and have never had any of the problems you describe. However, range shooting is a duty, not fun. If I don't take precautions (a J&J knuckle bandaid over the web of my strong hand) I will create, and pop, a blister in about twenty rounds of range loads. Both revolvers carry five rounds, so that is a wash. The 637 is the better choice for pocket carry (in a pocket holster, not naked), but the heavier Ruger absorbs more recoil if you belt carry. To my eye, the 637 is more elegant. Insofar as recoil is concerned, in a real life situation you won't even notice it until afterward -- along with the fact that you can't hear too well.

My 637 sits in a special place in my house, loaded with Remington's version of the FBI load. Unlike the Winchester and Federal versions, whose bullets seldom expand from a snubby, the Remington version has dead soft lead bullets, which usually expand.

Cordially, Jack

 

[Angus Lincoln]

I've had my 637-2 for about 3 years now and carry it almost daily. I practice fairly often and find the recoil to be insignificant. The only issue I have had with it , is the factory clear coat finish started chipping away easily soon after I bought it. Eventually, I just removed all of it and now I have a shiny alluminum alloy polished finish, which holds it's shine very well. I really didn't care for the clear coat finish anyway. looked like a nicotene stain on the gun.

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, I have a 642 and I've shot other similar guns (637, 640). None of them have any problem with blowing hot gas anywhere that other revolvers don't blow it.

Just keep your fingers behind the cylinder gap of all revolvers. The added benefit is that you won't blow your fingers off -- a small gun is short enough that you can easily put fingers in front of the muzzle.

 

[dstark]

I'd go with the ruger, it's a little bit heavier but I like that it soaks up some recoil of the .357's. Witch are no problem to shoot.

 

[AdamSean]

I have owned a S&W airweight in the past and highly recommend them. It is the perfect pocket .38 and very accurate. I wanted a bigger bang so I just picked up the Ruger SP101 .357 magnum. I will be shooting it for the first time tomorrow, but being that it has a heavy steel frame, I don't think it will be that bad. I used to have a Taurus 605 and shot it well. The Ruger has a better grip so I expect it to be much better.

I would say that if you will carry in your pocket, get the S&W. If you are going to carry on your belt or IWB, get the Ruger.

Here is my new Ruger SP 101

 

[JayL]

"I would say that if you will carry in your pocket, get the S&W. If you are going to carry on your belt or IWB, get the Ruger." - Adam Sean

+1 on that!