Load test:S&W637 vs Ruger SP-101

[Apple a Day]

I've been playing around with so.e different loads in both the S&W 637 and Ruger SP-101. The Smith is a 1&7/8 inch barrel in .38 while the Ruger is 2.25" chambered for .357 magnum. The Smith is on horizontally with whatever 158 grain ammo I've tried. Vertical shifts with muzzle velocity of course. The Ruger shoots a shade low and left with the slower Specials (750 ft/s-ish) but goes to POA above 900 ft/s with 158 grain. No surprise since it's actually a magnum. Neither are true with 130 grain target ammo, shooting slightly high and off vertical. Easily corrected with a shade of Kentucky windage but with fixed sights it's a little nicer when it shoots true by itself
I put through some Geco, Freedom, Federal, and reloads from a friend.
Just throwing out some datapoints if anyone is looking for comparison.

 

[AZAndy]

I only shoot .38 +P out of my SP-101, and I had to file the heck out of the front sight to get it right. I was mad at Ruger until I remembered that it's actually a .357... ;-)

 

[Haywood]

That's what's nice about the SP101 and the LCR, you can change the front sight if you want. I put XS Sights on both. Wish I could do that with my J-Frames. If you file them it's for the duration.

 

[Apple a Day]

I'm with you, Haywood. I did put a big dab of orange paint on the Smith just to make the front sight easier to pick up and differentiate.
I've been considering putting a tritium front sight on the Ruger