Snubbie: Taurus or Ruger

[Quoheleth]

Based in no small part on a cop at church telling me to get one, I've started looking for a snubbie for a hide-out in my office desk at church and hopefully future CCW. (Apparantly on his "beat" he responded to a call where a small church pastor was beaten up pretty bad...punks thought he was hiding a $$$ stash somewhere. While I try to be safe, keeping doors locked, etc., all it takes is someone pretending to need gas money or food and I'm all alone with a madman.) I've narrowed my choices (based in large part on price) to either a 9mm Taurus 905 series (their steel pistol) or a Ruger SP101 in .357 (that way I can also shoot the .38, .38+P, too). I can get a new Taurus, or I found a used Ruger for the same money - about $300.

Both have advantages: the 9 offers good ballistics & cheap ammo. The .357 offers a wider range of ammo choices because of the .38 capability; also, full-house .357 stuff is significantly more powerful than 9.

The Ruger is built like a tank; the Taurus, while not as tough, isn't too bad from what I read (with the steel...not so sure about their alternate metals). Since it would be a CCW gun and not target use, it should last for what I want it to do.

I like S&W's stuff, but I haven't been able to find any good used Smiths in my area.

Thoughts on which way to go, or does it boil down to which one feels/fits me better? Right now I'm leaning towards the Ruger, unless someone can convince me strongly of another option.

Thanks,
Quoheleth

 

[ewayte]

Ruger. I have a SP101 and it's built like a tank. Here's one gunsmiths opinion on Taurus: http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html

 

[Mortech]

I have a Taurus 85CH in 38 Spec , it is a fine lil revolver . Depending on your ammo/recoil sensitivity you might look into the 9MM version .

 

[.45 Cal]

I love my little SP101 and find firing .38 +P in it is easy.

 

[Gustav]

I would go with the Ruger any day over the Taurus,.
Ruger is a no BS rock solid pistol with a proven track record made entirely in the USA.
I have seen too many Taurus revolvers have problems (especially if shot a lot of times) to ever want to own one again they have a great warranty which does come in handy for a few people I have known who ended up having repairs done so they can then sell theirs off and upgrade to a better built pistol.
Ruger, Colt or Smith & Wesson would be my choices in a compact revolver.
YMMV

 

[Vern Humphrey]

When I bought a CCW revolver for my daughter, I got her a Ruger. There ain't no higher recommendation that that!

 

[Slamfire]

I have the Taurus Ultra Light, blued finish, two inch barrel. Exposed hammer. If they had the shrouded hammer http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=298&category=Revolver version I would have got that. The little Taurus revolvers are excellent and outstanding values. They are +P rated. My revolver is sighted in for 158 grain bullets.

I read the unfavorable article by the gunsmith on Taurus revolvers. The main compliant seemed to be that he was unable to gunsmith Taurus firearms. Boo Hoo!. Well I don’t plan to gunsmith mine as it works just fine as is.

If you want a lightweight, portable, affordable revolver, the Taurus is just fine. If you want to spend twice as much, well Ruger and S&W also make fine revolvers.

357 Snubbies weigh more than a 38 Special and are absolutely unpleasant to shoot. Like a bomb going off in front of you. For someone who is not going to be spending a lot of time cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining a firearm, the revolver is a better choice than a semi auto. They are dead nuts reliable, dead nuts simple.

 

[461]

Ruger without question.

 

[slow944]

Look around Houston at some of the pawnshops and see what you can find. I've found several good buys at them. I just picked up a Ruger Security-Six NIB for $350. Picked up a S&W M66 for $300. But I'd go with the Ruger over the Taurus and I've owned both, Had a Taurus 462 that was a hand cannon.

 

[mavracer]

either should work well I have owned both.the ruger is more durable,but I doubt you would ever shoot enough hot 357s to wear either out.ultimately get wichever fits and practice alot. enjoy

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a fan of the Tauri...I'd go w/ a Ruger SP101

 

[mnrivrat]

I think either would work out just fine.

50 years of shooting, collecting, buying , selling , gunsmithing, and there are still a lot of guns I haven't owned, or fired, or worked on. I suspect this is true for most others on this board as well.
However, most major companies put out a good product it seems. You can get a bad one from any company - I repeat - from ANY company , but most firearms manufacturers that are in business today produce mostly good product.

That's why it's hard to give good advise on which one over the other. A lot of personal traits effect good choices. When carried, the method of carry makes a significant difference, as does the manner of dress and the stature of the individual.

Truely, the best is to spend some time handling what's available and seeing what fits you best. SP101 is a great gun in the limited experience I have had with them, so is the Taurus guns, and I carry a Taurus snub every day. Part of the fun is in the hunt for the one that fits you . Good luck and there realy is a lot more good choices out there than bad ones.

 

[nmlongbow]

I have a Taurus 617 7 shot .357 and while it's not as nice as a S & W or Ruger, it works just fine as a CCW gun. The main reason I bought it is the 7 shot capacity which I couldn't find in the others for a comparable price.
.357 Loads are real easy to shoot with 1 hand and .38's are a piece of cake.
The action on the 617 wasn't nearly as smooth and light as an S & W but for $40.00, my local gunsmith did an action job, reduced trigger pull and shaved and smoothed trigger.

 

[ugaarguy]

Previously posted by Pax, here's what Grant Cunningham, a great revolver smith, says about Taurus wheel guns; http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html

 

[ronto]

No Contest

Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I own and carry a model 905. I like the 9mm in a snubbie as it does not lose as much velocity in a 2" barrel as a 38spl. My 905 is very accurate out to 15 yards. I'm very impressed with it's accuracy. My buddy has the sp101 and I love the way it feels and shots. I'd say it's a nicer gun, but the taurus will get the job done. Many people won't work the action or trigger, but I got used to it and I'm concerned anymore.

Shoot safe
lovesbeer99

 

[gunzrfunz]

Neither..get a S&W

J-frame Smith and Wesson in .38spl, best bet. When it comes to a tool possibly saving your life, don't go the cheap route. Save an extra cpl bucks and get something that will hold it's value. The Taurus won't, and although Ruger makes a fine tank, errr, hammer, errrr..I mean revolver, I wouldn't say it is in same class as a Smith. Here's what my wife has at her disposal when I'm not home, just in case:

I got it for $300, then added some nice grips for around $75.

 

[Bob]

My vote is a 101 in 357. Mine are accurate, durable, give good recoil recovery times, and will shoot anything from very mild 38's through very heavy 180gr hunting loads. It's the most versatile of my handguns. If I could only have one, that would be my choice.
Bob

 

[tbtrout]

Ruger

 

[Dave Markowitz]

How experienced are you with shooting handguns? How about snubbies? The reason I ask is because if you are a newbie (not saying you are, but I don't know), snubbies are not good beginner's guns. Due to the short sight radius and light weight, they are difficult to shoot accurately.

If you are new to shooting handguns, I recommend picking up a medium frame revolver in .38 Special or .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel. E.g., a S&W Model 10, 13, 15, 64 or 67, or a Ruger Security/Service Six. If you get a .357, shoot it with .38s until you're proficient.

On the other hand, if you have a fair amount of experience with handguns, then I recommend the Ruger SP-101 over any Taurus. The Rugers are better made and beefier. They are heavier and less suited to pocket carry than a Taurus or S&W with a concealed hammer, so you'll need a decent holster and belt.

My normal carry gun is a S&W Model 640 2" .38. If it had been my first handgun I'd have stopped shooting. It's no fun to shoot with .38 +Ps.

 

[bestseller92]

I like Taurus revolvers, but you cannot compare them to Ruger. Rugers win every time.

 

[Mr. Designer]

Ruger or S&W

 

[Quoheleth]

Thanks to all for the replies. I was leaning towards the Ruger from the get-go. The major reason I was thinking the Taurus 9 is ammo price. I know if a 9 is what I wanted, I could do an auto, too - something like a Sigma - those are inexpensive, and as a SHTF gun, are fast to get into action (no manual safety to fiddle with). But the more I thought about it, the more I liked a revolver.

And, I like the idea of the .357's versatility: when at mom's Texas Hill Country home, I can stoke it with the shot cartridges for snake repellant. I can load it with mild .38s for "fun", and warmer stuff to keep in the desk drawer just in case a BG is determined to rob a church with me in it.

As far as pistol experience goes, Dave (and I appreciate the caveat you give), I am a noobie to snubbies, but have been shooting long guns since I was a little feller, and pistols for the last five years or so. I have experience with various autos and my revolver (Ruger GP161). I'm not the most accomplished hand-gunner, but I'm trying. The SP101 wouldn't be a target/range gun, per se (although it would obviously see it's fair share of time, just so I can get used to the short sight radius); it's Big Brother would be my target & hunting wheelgun.

So...that's where I am. Thanks again, y'all!!!

Q

 

[normal]

I have 2 Taurus snubbies and had a Ruger SP-101. The Ruger was the worst revolver I have ever had. I have never had a problem with my Taurus revolvers (an 85 .38 sp. and a Tracker .44 mag.), but the Ruger had an awful trigger pull that would hang up and stick. I wlso could not carry .357's in it, because I needed a hammer to get the empty cases out due to the tightness of the cylinder. I traded it for the Taurus .44 and am happy I did.