Similarity SP101 & J frame

[Hoffy]

This was mentioned earlier but I didn't want to hijack the thread.

Is shooting an SP101 similar to shooting a J frame of similar weight?

What are the differences?

I know some of you have both and I'd like to hear from you. I have a J frame on the way (my first modern revolver) and I'd like to know how you folks compare them, particularly you folks that have both.

 

[Drail]

My wife alternates between those two guns for CCW. The Ruger is heavier and is easier for most people to shoot (recoil). The J frame has a better trigger feel but is lighter and a little harder to control. I like both but I'd rather shoot the ruger. But I'd rather carry the J frame. They're both very capable CCW revolvers.

 

[Hoxviii]

A steel J-frame and an SP101 have very similar feels, but a lot of that depends on the grips you have on it. The grips also determine a large portion of what your percieved recoil will be.

To me, a model 36 with stock grips and shooting .38's has a percieved recoil about on par with the SP101 and light .357's.

With a set of nice grips on the model 36, you hardly know you're shooting it.

The action on the 36 is much more fluid, especially the thumb reach for the hammer to fire single action. The double action trigger is also quite a bit better and has a MUCH shorter reset than the Ruger. The trigger isn't any lighter, but is much smoother.

For carry, i couldn't tell the difference between the two when using a good holster. The SP101 is a little bigger and a little heavier, but nothing major.

This is comparing a mid-60's 1 7/8" model 36 to a 2008 production 2 1/4" SP101.

I like them both, but the Ruger does get more play time.

 

[rcmodel]

Is shooting an SP101 similar to shooting a J frame of similar weight?

There is no J-frame of similiar weight!

A steel 2" J-frame weighs 19 1/2 oz.
A 2" SP-101 weighs 25 oz.

A full-lug 3" J-Frame weighs 24 1/2 oz.
A 3" SP-101 weighs 27 oz.

rc

 

[Wolfeye]

I've shot an SP101 a lot more than a j-frame; I own the Ruger but have borrowed a j-frame at the range a few times. I'd say that the Ruger is fun to shoot magnums out of on a regular basis, but I'd only want to shoot magnums out of a j-frame a few times a session.

The SP101 also feels like it recoils backwards more, while the j-frame rolls my wrist back. That's probably a difference in grips that I've used more than a difference in the guns themselves. For what it's worth, I prefer Ruger's factory rubber grips to Hogue's.

If an SP101 and some varient of a j-frame were sitting side by side, I'd rather carry the j-frame. If I wasn't carry-minded then all of my guns would be Rugers.

 

[Benzene]

The lock...

...then there's the issue of the internal lock on the J-frame - 30 now-removed web pages on it!!! What if I had to defend myself with the J-frame (God forbid), and it locked up on me too? True, my 342 AirLite PD does not have the lock, but it is a "mule" to shoot. So, my SP 101 gets to accompany me instead of the my J-frame.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Oddly I find them roughly equal in terms of how well I can shoot them, perhaps with a slight edge to the J-frame 642.

 

[rdrancher]

These photos of the SP101 and 642-1 (before fitting stag grips) show the size differences.






The weight and size differences are substantial in actual use.

rd