SP101 vs. S&W J-frame.

[RancidSumo]

I went to the gun shop with my dad on Saturday and we found a Ruger SP101. He picked it up and instantly fell in love with it. He liked it so much that I couldn't even get him to pick up the S&W J-Frame right next to it to compare (and he has always been a huge S&W fan). He wants it since he is considering getting a CCW and wants something bigger then his .380 to carry. So in your opinion, what is a better gun, the Ruger Sp101 or a S&W J-Frame (mabey M360)?

 

[lanternlad1]

Had both. Loved both. That said, my 642 is WAY easier to carry than the 101 was. Just need them to make a j-frame in the new .327 mag and I'll be set.

 

[RancidSumo]

speaking of the .327mag, is it better then a .357 for SD? I know I won't get everyone with the same opinion on that but I would like to know why some think it is better and others don't.

 

[GrandmasterB]

SP101 and S&W J frames are both great. Hard to go wrong with either, but they each have different applications. J frames can be had in airweight styles that are much easier to pocket carry than the heavier SP101. The flipside is the heavier SP101 tames the recoil of 38+p and/or 357mag loads better.

 

[gggman]

For carrying, the J-frame, for shooting, the SP101.

 

[tinygnat219]

RancidSumo (wierd name, interesting imagery )

speaking of the .327mag, is it better then a .357 for SD? I know I won't get everyone with the same opinion on that but I would like to know why some think it is better and others don't

I am withholding judgement on the .327 Magnum and its usfulness until I can actually SEE one and fire one in person. I thought Ruger was out of this kind of marketing.

That being said, history is on the side of the .357 Magnum and I am of the school that a bigger bullet moving faster or as fast as a smaller bullet will introduce better results than the latest hyped up version of a .32.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The Ruger to actually shoot. The Smith will fit into tighter spaces (e.g., pockets) and is a little easier to carry.

 

[Vonderek]

What's already been said before. The j-frame for toting in a pocket. I have and love both. The SP-101 is a good range/nightstand/glove compartment/and belt gun...but a bit too beefy for the pocket. J-frame goes anywhere.

 

[Working Man]

double tap

 

[Working Man]

For overall HD I'd go with the SP101.
The weight is a factor for some but helps while shooting .357 for the 2nd and
3rd shots. The weight and size is just fine by me. It is built like a small tank.
You can go with 2 1/4 or 3", hammer or none.

 

[Beachcomber]

I personally prefer the S&W j-frame and your Dad appears to really like the Ruger. To me the choice is simple... Dad likes the SP101... therefore the SP101 has already been chosen by Dad!

 

[Working Man]

Crud... tripple tap.

 

[RancidSumo]

RancidSumo (wierd name, interesting imagery)

It is my Xbox Live gamertag. By the way, if anyone wants to play some COD4 just throw RancidSumo a friend invite. (and a pm telling me your going to so I will know to accept it)

 

[RancidSumo]

I don't think that my dad is to interested in pocket carry so that shouldn't be too much of a factor but that might just be because he thought that the SP101 was to heavy. So the general concensus is that the SP101 is a more fun range gun right? I am sure that he will wan't to take that into consideration when deciding what to buy

 

[Doug S]

I vote the Ruger for just about everything, except maybe pocket carry (and you can even do that with it if you want).

The Ruger has a nicer stock grip, most likely stronger and heavier (handles recoil better), and I hate to say it, but no built in lock.

I keep reading that the S&W has a better trigger, and that may be, but that wasn't the case with the two 642' and the 340 M&P that I've owned. The Ruger trigger is a little longer than I'd like, but nice and smooth.

 

[stiab]

I am a J frame guy but think the SP101 would do fine, except for someone trying to move over from S&W to the Ruger. The Ruger has a longer trigger and more importantly a longer trigger reset. If you are accustomed to the S&W reset, you will pull the trigger too soon on the Ruger and get no response.

 

[RancidSumo]

The Ruger, has a nicer stock grip

The grips on the ruger were very nice. That was one thing that definatly stood out.

 

[esq_stu]

I have an SP101 and a J Frame (642 Airweight). If I were going with all steel, I'd go Ruger. I carry the Ruger in a belt holster and the 642 is more suited to the pocket. But my SP101 is in my pocket as I write this.

I much prefer shooting the Ruger, even with magnum loads.

 

[cpirtle]

If he liked the SP101 better why try talking him out of it?

I have all kinds of S&W's and all kinds of Rugers and they are all great so he can't go wrong.

FWIW, shooting my M&P 360 (Scandium) in 357 is downright painful and I am not recoil sensitive. My [avid shooter] buddy shot it once and swore he would never pick it up again. Sure it's light but even if shooting a BG doesn't make you think twice before pulling the trigger -- the recoil will.

I should also add the 360 is what I carry most.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

He wants it since he is considering getting a CCW and wants something bigger then his .380 to carry. So in your opinion, what is a better gun, the Ruger Sp101 or a S&W J-Frame (mabey M360)?

You really can't answer the question, which is better. Both are great revolvers but both are very different. The Ruger SP-101 is bigger and heavier than any J frame, even the 2 1/4" SP-101 weighs 25oz.

The S&W J frames come in at least 3 types not including all the Classic revolver remakes. The Stainless revolvers like the M640 and M649 are .357 Magnum revolvers and have 2 1/8" barrels and weigh 23oz. The Airweight line of .38 Special +P revolvers including the M637, M638, M442 and M642 have a 1 7/8" barrel and weigh 15oz. Then there are the Aitlite .357 Magnum revolvers. They include the M340, M360, M340 M&P, the M360 M&P and a lot of variations in the middle. They weigh only 12oz. and kick like a Mule. Of course there are many others in the J frame line but none are really like the SP-101.

 

[IRONFIST]

Here's mine, and I love it to death. Always in my pocket when I leave the house.
Sorry for the crappy pics.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Like others said, it comes down to whether or not you want pocket revolver.

However, I have large hands and both are relatively difficult for me to use well. So, I'd go with the political angle as a deciding factor.

Smith installs locks, but Ruger has a bit of a blemish for their politics. So, I'd have to go with the Smith. Though, the new 327 does seem kinda neato...

 

[Virginian]

A Ruger for shooting; a J Frame for carrying. It's simple. Get one of each. The controls aren't all that different that I would feel uncomfortable switching back and forth. Just find the right grips for the J Frame and the shooter.

 

[FullEffect1911]

Since I had this same personal dilemma and went with a 2" spurless hammer sp101, i voted that way. If you wear khaki pants or loose fitting jean with pockets that you can at least fit a wallet in easily then the sp101 isn't to large for pocket carry (a bit heavy, but it can be managed). The all steel .357 magnum versions of the S&W J frames are only 2 oz lighter and I really like the SP101 feel. All around a great little revolver for multiple duty defense needs. Now if pocket carry is your main concern the 642 is probably the better choice.

 

[Brian Williams]

If I am going to step up to the extra weight above a S&W 642, I will go to one of my S&W K frames.

the Ruger SP101 is a great gun, and will make a person a great one and only. My Daughter has one and really likes it, I like it but I prefer a 642 for the pocket and a 65/13 for the belt.