HELP! Taurus vs. S&W vs. Ruger

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TarpleyG

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Okay, I am trying to decide what 5 shot .357 Magnum revolver to buy. I will be carrying this in my front pocket quite a bit. I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

-S&W 360PD, $625 retail, 1 7/8" bbl, 12 oz., 6.25" OAL
Pros - Really light and short, outstanding quality
Cons - Hurts to shoot .357 magnum through, expensive

-Taurus 605, $375 retail, 2" bbl, 24 oz., 6.5" OAL
Pros - Inexpensive, easier for .357, and still small
Cons - Not as light as the S&W, quality not as good

-Ruger SP101, $495 retail, 2 1/4" bbl, 25 oz., 7" OAL
Pros - I like Ruger, heavy enough for .357
Cons - Expensive, too heavy and long. Can get the S&W for $100 more.

Anyone have any comments or suggestions for other revolvers to look at.

Thanks,
GT
 
Have you read this thread?

Personally I'd go with either the Taurus or the Ruger. We've got two Taurii so far (and know several people with Taurii as well) and not one problem among us. The SP-101 would probably be my first choice due to it's inherant toughness, should be able to digest as many full-power .357's as you can put through it.

Bear in mind that I think you aren't really comparing 'comparable' firearms here. The 360PD is an allow frame, the others are steel. So the 'heavy' or 'not as light' comments are really not relevent.
 
For pocket carry? I would think that the S&W would be the one. I don't own the Taurus, but I do have the SP101, and IMO it is far too heavy for pocket carry -- really needs a belt holster of some kind.
 
For pocket: Get a S&W 637 and some .38 Spcl - +P if you must. They are reduced now - $339 locally. Tried and true - hurts just a bit to shoot (small grip) - not terrible like a lightweight J-frame .357.

For .357 - get the SP-101 as a minimum. A GP-100 would be better, of course.

Want bigger - with more stopping power? The 296 L-frame, .44 Spcl, 5-shot, fixed sight, hammerless, Al/Ti is still around for <$400 if you shop, despite having been axed in 2001. It weighs in at 21 oz with five 200gr GDJHP CCI Blazer .44 Spcl loaded. I like mine. Definitely need a big pocket...

Stainz
 
That S&W 637 looks like it will fit the bill perfectly. I wish it had the option of .357 but I think .38+P like you said would probably give me close performance.

Anyone with other suggestions?

GT
 
The S&W 640 is lighter than a Ruger sp101. Having a gun for pocket carry with a hammer is not that great of an idea. It is very easy for the hammer to get stuck when your trying to draw in a hurry.
 
Yeah, but it's not as light as the 637 or 37. That seems like the perfect compromise at this point. Price and weight is right.

GT
 
I bought a SP101 for $340 last year and I have seen it cheaper since then.
I sold it cause it was too heavy for pocket carry.
I would go with the S&W 442 or 642 and use +P .38 special ammo.
Taurus revolvers feel cheap and toy-like to me and they are much harder to sell than a S&W which holds its value.
 
I have and carry a Ruger SP-101 in a Don Hume IWB holster. I don't like carrying a handgun in my pockets. I have to much other crap in there. I paid $340 for my SP-101 also. It will outlast me.
 
If you're thinking about carrying an SP-101 in your front pocket, you must have some honkin' big pockets. :uhoh:

Ruger does "small frame" about like everyone else does "medium frame". ;)
 
So true, you really need to figure out what purpose you need the gun for. If you're going to pocket carry, S&W seems to have the best selection... If not, Taurus has some nice 7-shot lightweight snubbies....

And of course the SP-101 is a good choice..
 
I need something to carry in my pocket. I currently carry a P-11 in my pocket and at 14 oz. + the ammo, I figure it comes in around 20 oz. I am giving the P-11 to the wife since she likes it and shoots it well and I will need a replacement and I want a revolver. If I could afford to spend $600, I'd get a S&W 360PD hands down. Since I do not have $600, I am giving up 3 oz. and .357 capability for half the price by going to the 637.

GT
 
.357 and front pocket carry don't go together well. The S&W 360PD is sweet and seems like your answer. You will not be getting an accurate second shot off any time soon though. I favor two 38 +P's followed by three .357s.

The Taurus is too heavy, the Ruger is too heavy and a bit large. All three are fine weapons.

With the Taurus and with the S&W - the tiny two finger boot grips that allows them to hide away in your pocket make it difficult to get that second .357 off. The larger three finger grips stick out of the pocket a little.

If you expecting/worried about an UP-Close ecounter a 38 may fill the bill. If your worried about BGs with bullet proof vests then you need a bigger gun and back-up.

Elliot
 
The 637 does seem to fit your bill. If you really want .357 cabability and can take the extra weight, you should go with a S&W Model 60 at 22.5 ounces. Maybe forget the front pocket.
 
No, I have to be able to pocket carry because I need something I can just toss in a pocket to run to the grocery, etc. I usually wear a 1911 IWB if I am in full dress.

GT
 
The Taurus 94 UL in .38+P would be closer to the Smith in weight.
Or maybe one of the shrouded or concealed hammer models.
It is hard to have a .357 and a pocket gun, unless you go with a Smith Titanium or Scandium.
They will be fun to carry, but brutal to shoot, and expensive.
(My wife has an Airweight .38, around 15 oz. empty. She wanted bigger grips, so I added some target-type grips to it. :rolleyes:
If you shoot 30 rounds of 158gr range ammo, your hand will hurt for a while.)

I agree that Ruger doesn't make a gun for pocket carry.
The winner in weight category is going to be Smith.
Ti Taurus guns are close, but they have a spotty record here and on TFL.

I have experimented quite a bit with pocket carry, and my current PM9, at 19-20 oz. loaded is the top of my comfort level.
Others can carry a 24oz gun in a pocket, but I would have to start wearing suspenders.
 
I was looking at the same class of guns recently.

Taurus seemed to have some decent products but the triggers were not as good as I wanted.

The Ruger was heavier than I wanted for pocket carry.

I looked at several Smiths, and ended up with a 637 (paid $400 or so). The fancy ultra-lite .357 model interested me, but it was over $100 more.

Having run 500+ rounds thru the 637 I'd say it was a decent choice. I can shoot about 100 rounds of full power .38/158 SWC in a session without bleeding but I bet I would start losing blood in another 50 rounds; it's a pretty small package to hang on to. I have NO interest in shooting .357 out of a 16 oz gun.

The SA pull is very good at about 4# and it's tempting to go single action on every shot; the DA pull is probably more like 14#. I can see why folks would want to have a concealed hammer to avoid the temptation of shooting SA for defensive use.

It carries "ok" in a pocket with the stock grips, but a pocket holster is probably in order.

If you have 2 dozen specialized guns, get the ultra-lite .357 rig, but if you just keep a short list of multi-purpose handguns, the 637 is a pretty good choice.
 
The Tarus appeal to me in all ways EXCEPT the porting.

I don't believe it is optional

And the last thing I want is a 2" ported barrel

Enough flames out of the end thank you!
 
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The lockwork inside the small Taurus and the Smiths is almost identical - a revolver smith can do wonders for either. The Taurus blue steel snubbies smooth out very well, much better than their TI. However, you can't just buy/find parts for the Taurus, like you can for a Smith, so gunsmiths don't like to work on them.

Elliot
 
A decent gunsmith can work on a S&W; for the Taurus, better get a magician!

Seriously, too many horror stories re Taurus material selection and parts availability for me to consider one now. They make some interesting looking goodies - fortunately, they are all ported - an instant avoidance for me. I'd rather have fewer really nice revolvers. I'll stay with my S&W's and Rugers.

Stainz
 
I paid 530$$ for sp101...I am now jealous!

I like the gun alot,it's nice having a new gun,but SF,CA
really stinks... dont move here or even visit if you can help it
be sure to write to CA politicians and tell them why you stopped visiting...dang!! you guys got a sp101 for under 400?!?!
about your choice,sp 101 is the most fun .357 I have ever shot
I noticed the federal hydroshok in 125 grain,but it didn't hurt...it was fun...the 38+p felt like 22's
 
For pocket carry......the Smith

I've owned 8-9 snubs and the only one I can comfortably carry full-time in the pocket is my Smith model 340SC. ALL others are way too heavy. It carries beautifully in an Uncle Mike's size 3.

My suggestion? Unless you MUST have a .357, opt for Smith's mod 342 in .38 spcl. Take it from me, the 340SC in .357 mag is punishing to shoot and carries ammo limitations whereas the 342 will shoot any .38 spcl.

People who own the 342 say it is one of Smith's best offerings ever and I'd probably opt for that one over my own 340SC, knowing what I know now.

A second choice would be a Taurus Mod 85 Total Titanium weighing in at about 13.5 oz and approx $150 less than the Smith.

Decisions-decisions..........................
 
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