ruger sp101 or SW pro series 60

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lobo9er

lobo9er

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what do you think? Is the model 60 pro series worth an extra $150-200 dollars? Application will be hiking and back up side arm when hunting. The Sp101 was my 1st pick and then i stumbled on the pro series now i am not sure. I like the no frills approach to sp101 but i like the style and adjustable sights on the model 60
 
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Given what you have said here, I see no reason to go with the 60 Pro Series. For your intended use, the SP101 will probably do what you want just fine--and, should you be shooting the bigger 357 rounds, will absorb that recoil a bit better.

I've owned an SP101, a 60 Pro-3", and a 60-3"HB. I actually liked the standard 60 (with adjustable sights) with the 3" heavy barrel best. The Pro will have a better trigger, one or two other features, and cost that extra. Not worth it, IMO. Of the two basic chassis, though, I prefer the S&W over the Ruger.

Jim H.
 
Klinton Lock

This is the Internal Lock System or ILS on the newer Smith's. People will say they have never had any problems with them, but every once in a while somebody has their gun lock up when firing. It's up to you. I recently purchased a S&W 442-1 without the lock and brand new from Bud's Gun Shop online. I use my snubby for defense, and I can't take the chance on it locking up during a confrontation.
 
Ruger SPs feel a little heavy and clunky to me.

I will probably own a 60 Pro 3" some day, I just really "want" one and I think it would IWB very well when the family and I are on some of our light-woods vacationing excursions. ...but I'm not looking forward to paying 30% more than I think it actually ought to cost.

For now, my 2-1/2" 637 will do.
 
I have a 2.5 SP101 and love it for woods carry. It is built, and the sights are very usable and well regulated for 158g loads. I would guess it is somewhat "tougher" than the Smith.
 
You can shoot any load in the SP-101, from +P .38 Spcl to very hot .357 Mag. This is not recommended for the Model 60. I was in teh same dilema. I bought an SP-101 with a 2.25 barrel in .357. It is built like a tank. The S&W was smoother but not nearly as strong. The Ruger just felt and looked stronger.

I smoothed out the trigger and action myself. Just put a Wolf Spring kit in it. You can see the video on "how to" on YouTube.
 
You can shoot any load in the SP-101, from +P .38 Spcl to very hot .357 Mag. This is not recommended for the Model 60.
Click to expand...
I have to disagree, the M60 will shoot anything the Ruger will shoot. The only reason why the SP101 is so much larger than other revolvers is the way they are made. Investment Casting requires the frame to be larger to equal the smaller frame of a forged frame.

I'm also not a fan of the trigger on the SP101. It's not only rough it does that thing the SP101 is known for, it gets "stuck" if you're not sure to let it reset completely or if you try to fire it too fast. AND NO, I do not hate Ruger products. I own several Rugers and wouldn't trade or sell them for the world. (mostly SA revolvers)
 
My pick is for the SP. I bought a SP in .357 when they first came out in that caliber. It is my favorite .357 for wearing on long days, because it is the smallest and lightest I own. I have the 2 1/4 barrelled job. Don't let the short barrel and fixed sights fool you. They are very accurate or at least mine is. Paper plates are easy hits out to about 25 yards. That's pretty darn accurate for a snubby in my book.
 
I vote for, and will soon get out of layaway, a 3" SP101. I shot a friends before I decided. It handled 180 gr castcore loads well and was accurate. I've never shot a Model 60 so I can't compare them.
 
sooooooo, ColtPythonElite--where did you find the 24" dia. paper plates?

Jim H.

PS: (That's a joke, folks.)
 
I have owned a new SP-101 - a 4" in .32 H&RM. It came with more QC issues than any two other of my 'worst' other revolvers combined (And they were Rugers, too!). I have fewer revolvers now - but they are dependable - and all S&W's.

In January of this year I bought a new 60 Pro for ~$631 + s/t. Yes, it was over a C-note more than a Ruger SP-101 2.25" .357M - and a steal at that.

IMG_4578.jpg

If you need a good holster, here is mine in my new S&W/DeSantis holster, from S&W Accessories ($65 + s/h):

009.jpg

That's my previous purchase, another 3" J-frame that fits in the holster,too - and a fun 8 x .22 LR.

Don't let anyone kid you, the 60 Pro, all 23+ oz of it, is SAAMI spec'd for .357 Magnum. To me - it's a .38 Spcl +P (+P 158gr LHPSWC's in the speedloader.), but your wrist will be the limiting factor. I expect you will want to swap those great wood grips for rubber for a full diet of .357 Magnum. I'm not as fond of the Tritium Night Sight it comes with, either. The trigger is great riight out of the box. I got burned out on Rugers several years ago, so I am biased. Oh, the Internal Lock on the S&W's started appearing ten years ago - after Clinton. Interestingly, S&W has not spent the first dime defending themselves from a faulty IL suit. Most of my S&W's have the IL - including my 642-2 pocket protector. It is a perceptual problem - in my world. YMMV.

Stainz
 
id prefer to not buy a defensive gun with a built in lock needing a tool to disengage it.
 
the lock might have other ideas of its own. small as they are, it has happened before.

too many good S&W on the market to buy one with a built in lock.
 
Edge to S&W

Both the Ruger 101 and the S&W 60 are reliable, durable, and accurate. But the "built like a tank" assumption always seems to float to the top for the Ruger fans. Actually neither are built like a tank for a lot of hot .357 magnums and few people shoot a lot of hot .357's in them anyway as the recoil is rather stiff.

1. The S&W adjustable sights are a plus if you do more than clay pit plinking. It allows for zeroing different loads and different shooters individual grip styles which affect point of impact.

2. The larger S&W adjustable sight is quicker for the eye to align.

3. The S&W has a larger array of after-market grips available.

4. The S&W trigger system is smoother than the Ruger.

The Ruger balance is just clunky to me. (subjective I acknowledge.)

This whole debate is admittedly somewhat of a Coke vs. Pepsi debate as a lot depends on personal preferences. 1-4 will matter more to some than others. But do go with the 3" barrel version if Ruger is the one you choose.
 
FOr the application the OP stated: Ruger SP101, I like fixed sights, for a rugged backup weapon that lives in a holster which can take the abuse of a demanding hunt, and the Ruger is plenty accurate at defensive ranges Sure, if this was to be a primary paper - puncher the Smith has the edge but in that case, most here would argue for a heavier N-Frame or Ruger GP-100 for the same cash outlay. I wouldn't want to shoot more than a box of .357 out of either a SP101 or a S&W 60 in any given range session. But, I can shoot .38s out of the Ruger SP101 all day. The Ruger can be had for approx < $500, which is a bargain.
 
Both the Ruger 101 and the S&W 60 are reliable, durable, and accurate. But the "built like a tank" assumption always seems to float to the top for the Ruger fans. Actually neither are built like a tank for a lot of hot .357 magnums and few people shoot a lot of hot .357's in them anyway as the recoil is rather stiff.
Click to expand...

Ruger was confident enough in their gun to provide one for a torture test right after they introduced it in .357:

(In fact, a few days after testing the gun, I received a memo from Ruger explaining that they had performed their own torture test on the revolver by allowing 10 shooters working in relay to put 5,000 rounds of .357 Magnum through the gun. When the revolver got too hot, they dunked it in a bucket of water, and at the end the gun showed no signs of damage or fatigue.)
Click to expand...

Here's a source for it online. The original quote is from 1992:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3197/is_n7_v37/ai_12789747/

I remember reading that torture test in a gun rag and knowing I wanted one.
 
The Ruger is a better gun.

like the taurus locking thing?
Click to expand...
Don't use the lock...problem solved
Click to expand...

Since the Taurus lock works perpendicular to the recoil of the gun, ignoring it works
The Ruger lock is hidden under the grips and is does not work on the same axis as the recoil of the gun.

Ignoring the S&W lock is a little less sure. It works on the same axis as the recoil of the gun and to make matters worse...opposite.

They tend to lock themselves
 
Wife has a 60 Pro. It's a fantastic hand gun! The grip is great! and the trigger was good out of the box. Two springs and stones and it's great!

It's eat's everything my 686P does. Mag's are not a problem at all. The wife had issues with .357's in the beginning. Now she shoots them with no issue's. The grips are very good. A high grip is indeed easy. The front night sight is a nice touch.

It really is a fine shooting hand gun. And takes to a tune very well. It is deadly accurate and a joy to shoot. :) We got a great deal on the pistol from Lipsey's thru a local FLL this time last year. It looks to me over all prices have dropped about $50 on them.

It really looks great in OEM trim. For the wife, it's her full size. She cant stand my 4" 686P. For me it is a true tool in my hand. Very quick and on point in my hand.

When we were shopping she hated the little Ruger. The trigger was overly heavy as was the pistol. She said it felt like something made in Russia in her hand. Why is it so bulky? I explained the investment casting. Why Ruger has it dialed in. They have to over build it a tad to insure safety and stability.

I think,,, no I know I like the pistol more than she does. :)

It's only flaw IMHO is side plate fit. She looks at it as character. :)

m60pro2.jpg
 
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