J frame trigger vs. sp101 trigger?

[iyn]

How does the Sw j frame double action trigger pull compare to the Ruger SP 101? Since I have short fingers I was thinking of getting a M-60 in 3", but I heard Ruger came out with a SP-101 in 4" barrel length. I'm looking for a revolver that both my wife and I can shoot.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Triggers will vary with individual guns. If you want a really smooth and short trigger get a Ruger lcr.

 

[ClemY]

I have a 3” SP101 and several J frame Smiths in .22 and .357. Out of the box the Smiths tend to have better triggers, but the J frames tend to be heavy. That can be fixed by putting in a slightly reduced power mainspring and rebound spring. Wolff makes them among others. The 101 also responds to spring reductions and it really responds to internal smoothing. The cast Ruger internal parts sometimes have a bit of a rough texture that can be smoothed to greatly smooth the double action trigger. The single action trigger can also be smoothed, but it probably won’t be quite as good as the Smith. For defensive use, you are probably most concerned with the double action trigger. The bottom line is, both can be very good. Slightly different, but good. Your choice will be based on your personal preference.

 

[jad0110]

In my experience, on average, the typical J Frame (particularly older examples) will have a smoother action with a cleaner release than a typical SP101. Though there are exceptions.

My S&W 642 has an ultra slick (slick as any LCR I've tried) trigger, with a nice firm return (one of my personal preferences, that's once thing I don't like about the LCR and to an extent even long action S&Ws, and a reason why I don't mess with the trigger return spring on my guns). OTH, a friend has a bobbed hammer SP101 that has one of the grittier, stiffer DA triggers this side of a Taurus 94.

As CLEM stated, both can be made plenty slick and smooth if so desired.

 

[788Ham]

As ClemY has stated, the 101 can be made to have a very smooth DA trigger, some stoning of the Hammer, trigger parts and lighter springs is what will make the difference. My 3" had a very gritty DA, smithy nearby corrected this in 2 days. Now that 101 has such a smooth DA, I can shoot it better DA than SA, course I need to shoot it more than I have to make it even smoother. Good luck on your choice, but my $60.00 action job made me a believer!

 

[Strykervet]

I have a 3” SP101 and several J frame Smiths in .22 and .357. Out of the box the Smiths tend to have better triggers, but the J frames tend to be heavy. That can be fixed by putting in a slightly reduced power mainspring and rebound spring. Wolff makes them among others. The 101 also responds to spring reductions and it really responds to internal smoothing. The cast Ruger internal parts sometimes have a bit of a rough texture that can be smoothed to greatly smooth the double action trigger. The single action trigger can also be smoothed, but it probably won’t be quite as good as the Smith. For defensive use, you are probably most concerned with the double action trigger. The bottom line is, both can be very good. Slightly different, but good. Your choice will be based on your personal preference.

That's a good explanation.

I like the J-frame, but not the 317 we have (I almost forgot we had it till just now). That one has a VERY stiff trigger, especially for a snub .22. The 340PD and 649 we have are very nice SA and DA. Nice and smooth.

I agree, the J-frames are good to go out of the box for the most part. The factory SA trigger Smith makes is almost peerless given the price.

 

[oldfool]

varies with vintage I do not doubt
but the S&W 60 no dash (snubbie) and SP101 (3" from back when SPs were still a "new thing"), both bought NIB, both DA/SA not DAO, the S&W trigger is far superior in all respects, (both stock no mods) - though both are excellent revolvers

You really cannot fairly compare rimfire and centerfire DA triggers in same/similar frame sizes, not any make/model/brand, rimfires will always be stiffer

 

[Dollar An Hour]

The SP101 has the potential to be better than the J-Frame if both are worked on by a competent gunsmith.

 

[NMGonzo]

Nothing beats the trigger on my police positive.

I wish I still had it.