I traded my Ruger for a Smith

[Ruger Redhawk]

To each their own,I personally would have kept the SP101. I have a old Model 60 in 38 spl.Nice gun no doubt.It won't hold up near as well as the little Ruger will.I see allot of Smith fans here.I used to be one years ago myself.I saw the quality of Smith's go down hill.It was probably in the mid 70's when it was really noticeable.I have some older Smith's from that era. I won't buy any new S&W's. Not when I can get a stronger Ruger at a more reasonable price.There is no comparison between the Redhawk and a model 29 or 629.The Ruger will take anything you give it. The Smith well I would be hesitant using constant full magnum loads.

Ruger Redhawk

 

[Marshall]

If you can't fire a 20 or so rounds of 357 a month from a stainless steel Model 60, your a wimp anyway so you might as well stick to a GP-100 or K/L Frame.

I have both of the above and would much rather shoot 357's out of those larger guns. Anyone that buys a SP 101 or J Frame to be their primary "go out and blow 10 boxes of 357 ammo in a day gun" is a little off anyway. You use .38's to blast away with, .357's to keep you use to shooting them and your skills up with them.

The way I see it, you carry these small revolvers for personal protection, not for everyday range guns. So, it doesn't really matter if it's a Sp-101 or a Model 60 Smith, both are going to hold up great for the amount of .357's going to be shot through them. That makes the Model 60 a much better choice for a small frame, all steel, carry gun because the Sp 101 is much more of a brick in comparison. So all this stuff about the Ruger outlasting the Model 60 is pretty much only for those people that are strange enough to choose a small frame revolver for a primary range gun, those that can't figure out that .38's are the load to practice with if doing so heavily or those just trying to make case for the Ruger.

 

[doc diel]

gosh

my vote would have been to keep both. Can you ever have too many good revolvers?

doc

 

[Universal]

Wise choice

I too traded a Ruger SP101 for a Smith & Wesson. I think the Ruger trigger was terrible and I love the S&W trigger. At the end of owning the Ruger, I shot it SA all the time but with the Smith, I prefer to shoot double action. I love the Ruger customer service etc. but I doubt I will ever own one of their revolvers again.

 

[popeye]

Ruger's are nice, but for me they fall into strange catagory. Too big to be a pocket gun. If I'm gonna be limited to 5 shots, the gun will be small enough to fit in my pocket. I'm kinda a woose when it comes to .357 out of anything smaller than a Smith 19 2.5". So if I need to have a gun large enough to need a hoster it might as well be a six shooter. Hence I carry a Colt Det. Spec. holstered, or a Smith 442 in my pocket. I've had a couple SP101's for comparison, and always go back to S&W.