New S&W or SP101?

WebHobbit · Apr 5, 2003

I've been carrying a 2inch 640 loaded with Winchester 110 (.357) grainers for about 5 years now. During the jacket weather months I could manage to carry something larger so I was thinking about getting another 686 4 incher (my House Gun) but hearing about this stupid lock-hole thing makes me consider a Ruger instead.

Since I have very short fingers (what can I say I'm 5ft 3 hence the name!) I have a hard time with trigger reach on many guns. The 640 with Boot Grips fits me perfectly and the 686 with Hogues feels pretty good too.

A few years ago I had an SP101 .38. Like an idiot I traded it off. I'm considering a 3 inch SP101 in .357 now. Maybe with the extra weight and barrel length I can handle the 125 loads...they are a bit too much in my 2inch 640.

I'm not sure the GP100's trigger reach would be as close as I'm used to with my 686/Hogue combo. I know they have Hogues for the GP but they don't have a traditional "grip frame" so the reach will be different.

I have learned my lesson though & will NOT be getting rid of any more guns! In the past I always traded when I wanted something new...not gonna do that anymore! I'm just thinking of getting something a bit bigger for jacket weather.

Any oprinions on the silly lock built in the new S&Ws?

BTW, I was a member of TFL and I just now "discovered" The High Road.

ElmoH · Apr 5, 2003

What happened to the XD ideal?

WebHobbit · Apr 5, 2003

Well, the idea is I'm not sure the XD is ideal for me.

I still may go that way but I'm strongly leaning back toward my wheel-gun roots.

Jim March · Apr 6, 2003

My recommendation: go find a Ruger GP100, 3" or 4" barrel, with factory FIXED sights. It'll have a smaller factory grip, not too different in size from the SP101. See if that gun/grip combo works. If it does, cool, you can either buy a fixed-sight gun OR buy an adjustable-sight piece and swap grips to the smaller format either via Ruger parts at Brownell's or whatever or go to Lett Grips, Ruger's supplier. It'll be less than $40 for the smaller-grip parts, and you can then sell the big stuff

.

WonderNine · Apr 6, 2003

Since I have very short fingers (what can I say I'm 5ft 3 hence the name!) I have a hard time with trigger reach on many guns.

I have the opposite problem with my medium sized hands. I tend to wrap my finger around the trigger causing shots to go left.

moxie · Apr 6, 2003

Check the S&W 65 or 66, 3" if one is available. Also look at the Ladysmith version of the 65 which is 3" I think. Hogues are available for it. Nice gun.

ruger357 · Apr 6, 2003

Go with the S&W.

GrantLee63 · Apr 6, 2003

Go with the Ruger SP101 and be happy .... Or go with the one that fits you better.

The Ruger with Hogue grips fits my hands like a glove. Also, it handles full-house loads much better because of the extra weight.

Tom C. · Apr 6, 2003

S&W or Ruger?

I have a S&W 360 3" and a Ruger 101 3". The Ruger weighs about 25 oz and can be shot comfortably with hot 125 gr. .357 loads. The S&W 360 weighs in at 14 oz. Great to carry, but not great for hot loads. The Smith also has the internal lock. Ignore it.

HSMITH · Apr 6, 2003

The GP with standard grips is going to be too long a reach, it will be with Hogues too IMO. It is too long for me and I am 5'8" with shortish fingers for my height. The SP will fit good and like all rugers is built like a tank, if there is a compact that will take a diet of 357's for life the SP is it.

For a range gun I really like the GP100, my 4" is insanely accurate.

WebHobbit · Apr 6, 2003

Check the S&W 65 or 66, 3" if one is available. Also look at the Ladysmith version of the 65 which is 3" I think. Hogues are available for it. Nice gun

And what about the stupid lock thingie?

1) I don't like the way it looks

2) I hear it IS potentially troublesome reliability-wise.

I mean we are taking and adding a part to an otherwise perfect design that did NOT need said extra part.

I'm really wondering if this dumb addition is costing them sales to Ruger?

Another thing I wonder about is the K-frame's ability to stand up to Magnum punishment? I know older K's got the crap kicked out of them when you fired a lot of hot loads. That's why the L frame came about. Now that we have J-frame Magnums that seem to take the heat well I'm wondering did the K's receive similar beefing up in the critical areas (top strap, etc.) or did they not change their designs at all?

moxie · Apr 7, 2003

WebHobbit, The stupid lock thingie is a fact of life. Near as I can figure, no one has had any problems with it. Have heard no durability issues with the 65/66. But the SP-101 is a tad smaller, probably midway between the 640 and the 65, so it may be your best bet. The point is, check them all...then decide for yourself.

Rangie · Apr 7, 2003

Does anybody else think a SP-100 with a 4" barrel would be pretty cool ?

Poohgyrr · Apr 7, 2003

I'd go with the S&W. just unlock the lock, put the key in the box, put the box away and go shoot. I have a M65 LadySmith that is really handy; it's a great 3" .357. Unless you shoot a ton of ammo every week, the wear & tear with 125 gr Magnums is overstated.

I'd suggest the M65 for the handiness, or a 3" to 4" M686 because it's the same as your 4" 686- this saves you on training/ammo/ speedloaders/ holsters/ & everything else.

Rugers and other brands are OK, but Smith's are better.

WebHobbit · Apr 7, 2003

Well I have always loved Smith Stainless DA revolvers better than ANYTHING else. It's just when I heard about this lock thing it really pissed me off and let me down.

But if you all say they aint a problem maybe I could live with the look?

I'd rather buy new than used so I dunno.

No one here has ever heard of reliability problems with this integral lock? And yes if I do get one I will turn it off and try to pretend it aint there.

amprecon · Apr 8, 2003

I went through nearly the same thing not to long ago. It was between either a 3" S&W 60 or a Ruger SP101. I eventually bought the SP101 because I wanted fixed sights which S&W doesn't offer in their 3".
The Ruger is just built like a tank, yet it's small and the 3" barrel makes it look symmetrical and it feels balanced. Versus the 2", where it feels like your holding nothing but a revolver frame.
I am not dead on with it yet, but I attribute it to lack of practice. I owned a 4" GP100, but it is a full-sized handgun and if you plan to carry, won't be very concealable.
Oh, and no integral safety aside from the one inside our heads.

TheEgg · Apr 9, 2003

Hard to go wrong with either of these choices, but I sure like my Ruger SP101 .357 with 3" bbl. Grips on this gun are a big deal to me, make a huge difference in hold -- I am using Eagle Secret Service grips in Rosewood -- look nice and fill the hand very nicely.
They also make the gun point MUCH higher for me than the stock grips, had to get used to that.

The SP101 is a heavy piece though. I don't think I would like to try and carry this anywhere but in a good belt holster, but others might disagree.

I have not had any of the S&W guns with the integral lock, and I don't think I will. Just the thought of adding extra stuff to a self defense weapon that MIGHT screw up and prevent the gun from firing (no idea if it really would, just a nightmare thought), makes me go :what:

docbones · Apr 10, 2003

Rangie, you are right!

I agree that the SP-101 bearing a 4-inch barrel (half shroud would be my personal preferance) is one gun lacking in Ruger's production line. IMHO, it would be the perfect trail or kit gun. If the world were fair and perfect, Ruger would offer it in fixed and "real" adjustable sights, like they did with the Speed, Service and Security Sixes line. Yep, that would be one great gun!

Docbones

Dave Markowitz · Apr 10, 2003

I know you said you want to buy new, but heck, all my Smiths were bought used. And they are all good .

Save yourself a few bucks and pick up a used Smith at a good price, and without that :cuss:

lock.

10-Ring · Apr 10, 2003

Both will serve you well. Personally, I'd go w/ the S&W.

WebHobbit · Apr 10, 2003

I know you said you want to buy new, but heck, all my Smiths were bought used. And they are all good .

Save yourself a few bucks and pick up a used Smith at a good price, and without that ___ lock.

I found one without the lock! A new one! See here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17578

JPM70535 · Apr 10, 2003

I would go with the S&W and don't worry about the lock thing. I took my 649 apart to see if the lock mechanism would interfere with the operation of the double or single action modes. The lock is confined to the left side of the frame and in no way interferes with anything. Someone responding to your queries gave the best advice. Put the key in the box and put the box away. Then go enjoy your new gun.

FIRST RULE OF GUNFIGHTING, HAVE A GUN!!

SECOND RULE OF GUNFIGHTING, HAVE 2 GUNS

New S&W or SP101?

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