Opinions on Ruger SP101 versus a Smith snubbie

[Cosmoline]

A better comparison would be between an SP-101 and a heavier Smith, such as a Model 19 with a short barrel. Even then, the Smith is easier to pocket than the Ruger. I feel that the SP-101 is better as a light belt gun with perhaps a 3" or 3 1/2" barrel.

 

[Tacoma]

Frandy, the site is probobly closer to "as delivered" weight. I forgot that I pulled the larger / heavier issue grips off and put on the boot grips you see in the pic before weighing ( on a digital postal scale). This probobly shaved a 1/2 oz or so. As for the "pre magnum J weights, they are also based on weighing my "colection" of J's. They actually range from something like 19-20.5 depending on model, year, grips etc. The 49 is the heaviest of the old ones. A early model 36 beign the lightest. ( Intereresting to note that I have two 36's of earlier vintage that differ by 1/2oz with the same grip! One is nickle though) Just points to for comparison , not direct / precise weight quotes.
hth

 

[P95Carry]

I like the Smiths a lot but - always prefer some weight in my piece - plus I carry OWB with a revo, even a snub. Thus the SP-101 suits me very well ... even tho not quite as ''refined'' in the trigger division, as compared with Smiths. My old M85 was almost as good, and that of course is more ''Smith-like"

The SP with CT grips makes for a great carry piece for me - certainly it takes care of my summer requirements, being easily concealed beneath a simple vest. Right now with more clothing still, options for larger items are easily accomodated!!

 

[BJPARKER]

Check the trigger

I do carry a SP 101 in 3in, and it is comfortable and accurate to shoot, but had to get a trigger job done on it first. While I don't have anything comparable in .357 in a Smith, I have noticed that the 3 Smiths I do own , 629, 657 and 37 all had much better triggers right out of the box, and are dead accurate.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I have a spurless hammer SP101. I carry it OWB in a Don Hume holster with thumb-break! Tight, close in fit, hides well under a loose tshirt even. The Thumb-break goes over the very top of the grip, just under the hammer. I do have a nice tuckable IWB holster for it, but it's currently missing somewhere in my house, so I haven't carried it all day in that yet.

I bought the spurless model specifically because I knew it was going to be my primary CCW piece. Therefore, I didn't want a hammer poking me in the side. (Which, the right holster would prevent). But, I also feel that in a 'gunfight', I'm going to draw and shoot. Probably not draw, Cock the Hammer, then shoot.

I shoot all my revolvers single action, including my Double action ones. The SP is quiet a challenge to get and stay proficient with DAO. And I do put magnums through it, some loads are rather painful to shoot too. I've got a pretty good 158 grain handload that is stout, but not painful. I also found that the S&B 158 mag loads are not too bad either.

But, the SP is a pussy cat with specials! Great against plates and for draw and shoot practice.

(I have no experience with the S&W snubbies, but I wouldn't want to shoot mag loads out of a lighter snubbie, that's for sure!)

 

[c_yeager]

The SP101 is about as big as it gets in the 5-shot snubbie category so, it really isnt a pocket gun. However looking at it the other way it is also about as small as you can get for a TRUE .357 magnum. I wouldnt say that it is pleasant to shoot full-house loads with but, it isnt horribly painful either. I can shoot well over 100 rounds of magnums in addition to any number of .38s without ill-effect at a single session. I could not do that with an airweight gun.

I guess it just depends on what your looking for. If you want a pocket gun the SP will dissapoint you. If you want a small and easily carried (on a belt or jacket pocket) .357 then the SP is hard to beat.

With my example the trigger has smoothed up significantly over several thousand rounds of use but, it will never be quite as nice as my smith and wesson triggers. They are close enough that it doesnt matter much though.

 

[Frandy]

Again, thanks for the replies. Much to consider. I really am leaning toward a Smith now. I need to go to my dealer and get my hands on a few.

 

[cvnhank]

I have a S&W 649 38+p. I shot probably less than 300 rounds through it when it broke. About half the rounds were +p stuff. The hammer drop safety broke(I think that was the part). The hammer wouldn't contact the firing pin. Anyway, S&W fixed it and all is well. I use it a my house gun. They also paid for shipping. Hank

 

[Frandy]

CVNHANK..I guess that's bad...and good. I have heard many say they stand behind there product and make things right. I do like that.

 

[Tacoma]

Wow Hank, that sucks. Good thing it broke in practice !
Never had a problem with any of mine. BTW, the 649 is next on my list. I'd like to carry my 49 more it's jsut to minty to beat up!

 

[Frandy]

Well, I took my time and agonized over this purchase and wound up getting a Smith 642. Good choice. I'm adding the Crimson LG-305 grips to it and a pocket holster. More good choices. Thanks everyone.

One happy dude.

 

[ddc]

Warning: Possible thread drift but hopefully not too far

Previous in this thread is a picture of a Ruger Police Service Six along with two S&W J frames, 640 and 642.

How would that Ruger Police Service Six compare in size and concealability to a S&W 65 with the same length barrel?

 

[DHart]

I see a hierarchy here in these guns. The SP, the 640, and the 642 are not really comparable guns... they each serve a different niche.

I prefer to carry my SP 3"er in a belt holster. (3" barrel is my preference as this gun is NOT a pocket gun by any means. It carries as well as a 2.5" and offers a longer ejector rod, longer sighting radius, and just a smidgeon more velocity.) A bobbed hammer is helpful in that they are less catchy when pulling from under clothing, and this modification can easily be done with any SP. Single action shooting is not something you would do in a close encounter defense scenario... it's pull and start shooting as fast as you possibly can... period! So double action proficiency is essential with any of these guns... and that is something that doesn't come easily!

But there are many times when I don't want to bother with a holster and here is where the Smith RULES. Two choices:

640 for .357 power, but on the heavy side, if you can deal with that

642 for superb carry-ability and carry comfort: .38 spl +P power is the best choice in these lightweights.

Either (especially the 642) can be carried in a coat pocket. You can even hold the gun ready to fire it while it's in a coat pocket with no one around you being aware that you are armed and capable of instant action. The gun can be fired from within the coat pocket, if necessary, in a self-defense emergency.

I often drop my 642 in my front jeans pocket (where it basically disappears) or in the pocket of my motorcycle jacket while riding. Light, small, unobtrusive, no reason NOT to have this gun with you at ALL times.

Sealed, internal hammer is superb for keeping lint and gunk out of the gun, giving a super sleek profile while drawing, and making sure you get plenty of DA practice in when shooting the gun!

Note that I don't use the 642 for pleasure shooting... it's not made for that. But I do shoot it from time to time for familiarity. The all-steel 640 is a touch larger and a fair bit heavier which makes it not as great to carry, but more comfortable to shoot. I don't use my 640 or my SP-101 for pleasure shooting either. These guns are designed for carry convenience and not for pleasure shooting.

There is one exception here: a snubby which is a pleasure to shoot... and that is the Colt Detective Special, which is all-steel, the same size and weight of a S&W J-frame Model 60, but carries 6-rounds of .38 spl +P, is very comfortable to shoot, and is more accurate on top of that! Definitely one of the best; a legendary snubby.

So depending on what size and carry method you desire... you can pick your bullet launcher accordingly. They're all fine guns which will last as long as you are likely to need them. Don't make your choice based on which you think might be more "rugged".... they're all plenty rugged enough and most likely will outlast you. And if any of them should develop a problem, those are quickly and easily fixed. Pick the gun based on your desired size and need. And feel free to buy more than one gun if you can swing it! I think one really needs at least, well, 5 revolvers to cover one's based reasonably well!

Beyond the 642, 640, and SP-101... we graduate up into the Smith K-frames and the Ruger GP-100 frames... now we're talking CCW with shooting comfort and pleasure shooting capability. But that's another topic entirely.