s&w 60 or sp101?

[sobrespetsnaz]

My girlfriend will be purchasing her first firearm soon. I took her to the gun shop and showed her a few J-frames. She liked the s&w 60 and the sp101 the best. She can't seem to decided which one to get. I am leaning towards the sp101 as I know the quality is there. Its cheaper and also I have heard many people swear to its accuracy.

So I ask all of you your opinions. What should we get.

 

[easyrider604]

Are you buying new?

If so, the SP 101 might be a better buy because it doesn't have MIM parts and that built-in trigger lock, it's cheaper to boot.

If buying used, well, toss a coin. Personally, I'd still get the Ruger because I'm not a J-frame fan.

Now if you were choosing between a S&W M-66 snubbie (non-MIM) and the Ruger SP-101, I'd have to say go for the M-66. But then they're apples and oranges, M-66 being a medium frame and the SP is small frame.

Whatever she decides on, get lots of ammo. This is another thread altogether.

 

[Gator]

The SP 101 is a bit larger than a J frame, so it might be more comfortable for her to shoot, but other than that they are both good guns, she won't go wrong with either.

 

[xring44]

The model 60 is lighter at just 24 oz. I just bought one yesterday in a 3" with the high vis front sight and V notch rear sight, I like the ajustable sights on the S&W better, although I am not a fan of the high vis front sight. A quick run by the range with some full bore .357s convinced me of one thing, the recoil is there, a cut on my shooting hand thumb from the cylinder release left blood everywhere. Either its not as accurate as a previously owned SP101 or the sights must be changed OR the late hour and less than decent light was the culprit, At 15 yards my groups ran about 2 1/2 inches. I'm not in love with it at the moment but a range trip in better light with a lower thumb hold may change my mind. IMO, either will be a fine choice for her.

FWIW, I love the grip on the model 60, it feels good in the hand and recoil is tamed quite well, exception being the sharp lower edge of the checkered cylinder latch. A lower thumb will eliminate that problem.

 

[easyrider604]

At 15 yards my groups ran about 2 1/2 inches.

xring44,

That's great accuracy, considering the 3 inchers sight radius. IMO, nothing wrong with the shooter or the gun. Better lighting and a healed thumb should improve your group. Then again, from your User name, I suppose you expect better

If your M-60 doesn't have the newer style "speed" cylinder latch, replacing the "flat" latch may help prevent thumb cuts.

Jet

 

[1 old 0311]

I own both. The 60 gets carried, the SP101 stays home.

 

[xring44]

Update on the model 60, I just returned from the range, its a shooter, from the bags at 15 yards I managed to put four in one hole about the size of a penny, the fifth shot strayed about 1/2" from the group.

I'm still having some dificulity with the sights, I'd absolutely love a partridge front and square notched rear.

I managed to stay away from the cylinder latch for almost 50 rounds, then old habits cropped up and I gouged my thumb again:banghead: I'll either take easyriders suggestion or make a modification to the existing latch, it has a very sharp checkered edge that would be easy to cure.

Knowing what I know now about the two revolvers, I'd pick the model 60, especially if they offered it with the above mentioned sights. Either one you choose will be a good choice, I believe the felt recoil is less with the mod. 60s grips, or shape of the grips, All shots were mild .357s consisting of 10 grains of blue dot pushing a 158 grain Hornady XTPs. I also tryed some 110 grain XTPs, some 125 grain XTPs and some 140 grain XTPs, my best accuracy came with the 158 grain.

Hope this helps you with your decision.

 

[Oro]

I prefer the S&W 60. The older ones without the lock and the 2" barrel are just classics, and excellent used ones run $400 these days. Very easy to carry in a purse or large pocket. With some finger-grooved combat grips and standard .38 rounds, it shoots almost as easily as a 4" K-frame. Empty, the older 2" guns weigh only 19 ozs and that steel really helps absorb recoil more than the "airweight" and alloy models out there.

 

[tubeshooter]

SP-101 grips seem to be replaced fairly commonly and early on. I know I did; went with a Hogue Monogrip and like it much better than the factory style. They do seem a bit grabby so you really need to watch your shirt tail if you CC, but that's usually the only major knock I see against them.

A minority of people seem to like factory, but seems to me like most posters here opt to replace. Which I can't substantiate with hard data, just something I seem to notice since I always pop in and check SP-101 threads. At any rate I just wanted to state that for the record so people could hear the other side of the coin on SP-101 grips.

 

[ashtxsniper]

I prefer the SP101 since the weight doesnt bother me.

 

[don95sml]

I suspect she would appreciate being able to hit the target at the range. So I'd go for the model 60 with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. More money, yes, but worth it. The SP101, while a fine gun, is just not as accurate.

 

[GTSteve03]

Will she be shooting mostly .38s or will she shoot a lot of .357s?

I ask because the SP101 will be able to handle a steady diet of .357s with no problem, but the J-frame will wear out a lot quicker. Now, if you are mostly shooting .38s then either will probably be OK, but I'm partial to the SP101 for its strength and ease of field-stripping to clean.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I've had both the Ruger and a closely comparable (to the M60) Smith. The Ruger is far easier to actually shoot, even with magnums.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Whatever you do let her make the final decision on what to buy.

I'm a S&W fan but either revolver will serve her well. Both companies stand behind their products 100%.

 

[shooter429]

Both good, Smith has better action and lighter trigger

If I had to choose (and I don't cuz I have both) but I would choose the one she thought was most comfortable and easier to shoot small groups with. Experience tells me that will probably be the model 60. That is the way I would lean not knowing her. They make a lady smith that is pretty nice. Gotta have Pachys on a .357 though.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e339/shooter429/Nae357.jpg

Shooter429