I traded my Ruger for a Smith

[357wheelgunner]

I have been searching for a snubby .357 (specifically a S&W model 60) for a while, but the only specimens I came across before last week had been shot apart and were in less than good condition. So when I stumbled on a like-new Ruger SP101 DAO last week I picked it up for $325 out the door. Today I went into the same shop and they had just recieved a S&W model 60-14 2" on a trade. The guy had bought the gun from them a month ago and decided he did not want it. He must've fired it once with .38s judging from the rings in the cylinder but lack of any other wear. So I traded the Ruger and a few glock magazines for the Smith, and $10 for the NICS fee.

So now I am preparing to dryfire away my night with some snap caps, happy that I have found exactly what I've been looking for. What do you all think of the new SS .357 J-frames?

Now I need some leather to pack the little blaster. What should I get as far as leather goes? I want an ankle and a pocket holster, and I'm on a budget, please give me somewhere to start....

 

[pezo]

you traded a perfectly good ruger for a smith!!!!!!

 

[Joe Meyer]

"I traded my Ruger for a Smith "

 

[pezo]

LOL,

 

[HSMITH]

You traded a Ruger for a Smith? Good move, be proud.

 

[357wheelgunner]

I am.

The ruger was a distant second, but it was no where near as elegant as the Smith is. The trigger on this J is light years ahead of the SP101, and the weapon is significantly smaller...Also the quality seems to be much better on the smith. The ruger was tough but rough, and the Smith is perfect

 

[JadeFalcon]

You may want to check out survivalsheath.com and take a look at the different carry options...this is a pretty nifty site I ran across in the American Handgunner Annual 2005.

 

[Marshall]

I use this Hunter holster for my Model 60. It's a suede leather and molds nicely to the gun. If it wears out I'll buy another. It really protects the gun too, almost polishes it. Yea, it's not expensive like some of the nice leather ones but it's my favorite for this gun. Oh yea, I bought the one a size larger, for a 3", it's sits nicely down inside it better, conceals better and feels better when carring. I think I paid about 15 bucks for it.It wears Pachmayr's.

Hunter Holsters, I buy them at The Sports Authority. (formally Oshmans Sporting Goods)

This OWB holster is all leather and made by Gould & Goodrich, perfect for a high ride, close to the body, slot holster. About 50 bucks

Gould & Goodrich

Wish I could give you better pics, they're very nice rigs.
Oh, here's the gun after Mothers Mag Wheel Polish.

For ankle carry I have a Uncle Mikes rig, I don't wear it much though. I use Uncle Mikes Pocket Holsters too.

 

[Boats]

a snubby .357 (specifically a S&W model 60). . .but the only specimens I came across before last week had been shot apart and were in less than good condition.

Welcome to your Ruger-less future. Enjoy your 60 while it lasts because someone else will still be enjoying your traded off SP-101 for a long time after the coming J-Frame clap out.

 

[JoeHatley]

I think you made a good trade...

Joe

 

[wundudnee]

Let's see...traded a Ruger for a S&W...Hmmmmmm.. GOOD TRADE!

 

[bbrown609]

I agree with Boats. Rugers aren't the fanciest, "prettiest" wheelguns on the market, but yours would have outlasted you. Enjoy you new "pretty" Smith, but don't shoot high powered shells in it too much as you will also be trading in a worn out gun in a couple of years and looking for a new one.

 

[Cosmoline]

I admit I"ve done the same thing in the past, but I ALWAYS end up coming back home to Ruger. There's just something about a firearm that will still be shooting when my bones are dust.

 

[Gary A]

Another Ruger believer here. They are plainer and come in less variations and are not as sleek and light but they are a wonderfully simple and robust design. Nothing against other good brands, but Rugers do it for me.

 

[timothy75]

a couple points

You didnt specify whether the sp101 was hamerles or not. Considering you mentioned carrying in a pocket holster you have a significant advantage with a hamerless gun that you may have lost with the Smith. Also like the others said the Smith will shoot itself apart before the Ruger even begins loosening up so train with full power loads spareingly. Also the grips on the Ruger are well known for dampening recoil with full power loads and they feel much better in some hands. However if your happy with the Smith more power to you, its a very classy revolver and looks great. I personally carry a S&W 642. The reason I didnt go with the Ruger is because I wanted maximum concealment with minimum weight. And I was willing to trade off 357mag power for that purpose. However if I knew I had to fight with one of them I would go with the ruger.

 

[Old Fuff]

357wheelgunner:

I recently had a discussion with an engineer who worked for a smaller ammunition company with a reputation for more-then-wimppy loads. In his opinion the only small revolver he'd recommend for use with .357 Magnum cartridges was the Ruger SP-101. "They are all fine," he said, "with .38 Special +P." "What then," I ask him, "would be your choice for regular and extensive use of high-end (power wise) Magnum ammunition?" "Either a S&W '86 series, or a Ruger GP-100 among the more commonly available models," he replied. "Why then," was my next question," do some manufacturers make ultra-light small revolvers chambered in .357 or larger Magnums?" Because, he said, "they sell, and gunmakers are in business to sell guns."

Concerning your need for a good quality but affordable pocket holster, go look at the following thread. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=138060

 

[SnWnMe]

You done good IMO.

Why drive a Civic when you can get around in a Beemer?

Besides, nobody has come forward with a worn out J frame 357 yet.

Standby for "This happened to friend of a friend" type stories....

 

[JadeFalcon]

I wouldn't classify a Ruger as a Civic...more like a tank

 

[dasmi]

You did what?! My Ruger Service Six and I are deeply offended.

 

[L-Frame]

For me, it's a moot point. Even though it comes in .357 mag. I would never carry a gun as small as a 640 with full load .357's. The only reason I'd own one in that caliber is that it would make me feel more confident that I could shoot alot of +P's in it without undue wear. The S&W is fine with .38 +P ammo and the action is great. Ruger's are great guns but they can't match a smith's trigger. If you like the smith better, it's a great move.

I wouldn't own an SP-101 simply because for a little more size you can get a GP-100 with fixed sights, a 3 inch barrel, 6 rounds, can shoot full loads till the cows come home, and is one of the best designed, ergonomic revolvers ever made.

 

[chickenfried]

Sounds like a good deal to me .

 

[Magnum88C]

Well, if it's what you wanted, enjoy it and be happy. The grips on the Smith are too small for me to fire .357s well from it.

I prefer the SP-101, simply because it's grip is bigger and handles .357s better. I've shot one box of .38 +p through it, one box of 125-gr .357s and all the rest have been 158-gr .357s. BTW the trigger smoothed up just fine.

 

[Bullet]

Quote - "I traded my Ruger for a Smith "

I think you should have kept your Ruger and bought the Smith. Both are better than either.

 

[OH25shooter]

And we have a winner: S&W. Sorry Ruger...bye-bye. Good trade.

 

[Boats]

You done good IMO.

Why drive a Civic when you can get around in a Beemer?

Besides, nobody has come forward with a worn out J frame 357 yet.

Standby for "This happened to friend of a friend" type stories....

The only worn out J Frames in this thread just happened to be the one that "357 wheelgunner" kept encountering looking for a Model 60, but let's agree to just ignore those.

If a modern S&W revolver is a Bimmer, it is the unlamented 318. Has all of the name plate and precious little of the performance for about all of the same price.

Actually, on this one, I am in the "shoulda acquired both" camp.