The better 3" .357 revolver: sp101 or 60?

The better 3" .357 revolver: sp101 or 60?

  • Ruger sp101

    Votes: 69 72.6%

  • Smith & Wesson 60

    Votes: 26 27.4%
  • Total voters
    95
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C

cookekdjr

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I am very fond of the Ruger sp101 and the S&W 60. I have not shot either in a few years, although I have shot (and own) a number of Ruger and S&W handguns.
I've read Mr. Camp's excellent write-up of the sp101 (and another at gunblast), and a great review of the 60-15 at sightm1911.com.
Speaking of the .357 3"-barrel models only, which do you prefer, and why? I'm particularly interested in which one is the most enjoyable to shoot and easiest to shoot well. But you just pick your favorite, and tell my why.
Thanks,

David

P.S. I've tried the GP100 and S&W 65 in 3", and loved them. This poll is only about the smaller-framed revolvers. Thanks- David
 
I really like my S&W 60 but I feel it does not have the wherewithall to stand up to constant 357s, I have one in 38spec. My daughter has a SP101 and it is a great gun for a small frame 357.
That said I prefer a S&W 13 for a 3" 357.
 
Ruger-holic

I had to vote Ruger, It's what I shoot.
I have a couple 101's.
I have a 3" GP100 ordered now.
Ruger, Solid as a rock!.
Have Fun.
 
It's a toss up for me,the ruger is a
little heavier but studier.The smith
should have the better trigger out
of the box.The ruger has fixed sights
the smith's can be adjusted.So it
looks like a toss up depending on
your wants and needs.
 
I own and shoot both regularly:

Ruger SP101 3" .357:
Less felt recoil - Easier on shooter
Sturdier design

S&W MDL 60 3" .357:
Smoother trigger

Both are excellent choices but I vote Ruger for the criteria you posted.


:evil:
 
The answer is of course both.

I insist on lock free Smiths so I'd get the 60 first if one popped up, but most likely I'd get the SP101 and then bide my time for a Model 60 that was to my liking.
 
Hiya, Dave! It's ME, Scott!

Read my lips... SP101! No joke! If you were discussing what's best for, "business attire" that would be a "horse of a different color".

For, the "road" (read: when 'push comes to shove", or when, "the feces strikes the rotating air-motivator) the Ruger will be, a) more comfortable to shoot, b) will produce more velocity from its 3" barrel, (due to tighter tolerances) and, c) will last longer because its built like a friggin' TANK! Ahem, pardon me for shouting, but it is the pure and unvarnished truth.

Now that I carry a Glock Model 20 as an Professional Armed Security Professional (sigh, yet again)! The mindset of what is going to "put my opponent 'down for the count'" is the prime directive! I want to survive the armed encounter.

In a few short months, I intend to attend the School of Law at the University of Montana, I want to arrive on campus without having my body altered by any bullets, thank you, very much!

I hope to speak with you again soon,

Scott
 
Last edited:
Gotta go with the SP-101 (I have 3) as the more comfortable to shoot with magnum loads and the sturdier of the two to stand up to a steady diet of the magnums. Usually a few bucks cheaper as well so you may be able to afford your first box of those magnums with what you save.
 
I like Smiths, but I have to go with Ruger as well. It's no bigger then a Colt Detective Special and I've been toting one of those around for several years. However the SP101 will handle magnums to a higher degree and lie an earlier poster wrote it handles recoil better. I own an SP101 with the 2.25" barrel.
 
In my experience, SP101s respond well to gunsmithing. You can really get a nice, smooth double action pull if the 'smith knows what he's doing.

Once that is achieved, the SP101 is basically the perfect small .357, so I voted for it.
 
If you mean for 357 (not 38) use, the ruger wins hands down. If you mean a 357 to shoot 38's in, either is fine.

My personal sp101 is pushing the 60,000 round mark(98% full power magnum loads), and still going strong.
 
Both good choices.

The S&W M60 should be significantly lighter, making carry easier. The 3" version I have has an adjustable site, a negative for carry, but a positive for accuracy with more types of loads.

The SP101 is built like a tank, you will never shoot it out.

Make sure the added weight of the SP101 in not going to keep you from carrying it. It doesn't matter how strong your gun is if you don't have it one you when you need it.
 
People always love to point out that the Ruger is stronger. That may be true, but what difference does it make to most people?

I have never seen a worn out Smith and Wesson, and I doubt many people here have either.
 
I have a 60-4 3" FL .38 Spl that I like very much. Briefly had the .357 pre-lock version of it but the DA was nowhere near as good--so sold it. (The next owner blew it up.)

The gun my daughter-in-law (and I) chose for her was a 3" SP-101. More comfortable to handle and shoot, and pretty indestructible. Smoothed it up a little and dehorned it.

It'll probably be going strong when her grandkids inherit it.
 
Hello. I have a really soft spot in my heart for pre-lock S&W revolvers, but in this size 357, I prefer the 3 1/16" SP101. Were I going to the shorter barrel, again in this size gun, it would be an SP101.

Best.
 
Rugers all day

Rugers are built much more sturdy and my experience, equally accurate. Smiths---especially the newer one's with the Brady/Clinton locking system-- are unbelievably over-rated. Too many old school Smith shooters given them way too much credit these days.
 
S&W vs Ruger 357

I have owned all of the J framed S&W 357 revolvers and the Ruger 101. I wish to respectfully diasagree with most of the above participants.

In this category both are designed for carry and use in an emergency. The Smith is so much more compact, lighter and more facile in an emergency situation than the Ruger that there is no contest. In terms of strength and durability I cannot recall a "head to head" comparison. Realistically how many "thousands of rounds" are you going to put through a purely defensive handgun anyway?

I sold my Ruger and now own and rotate my various J frames including the Scandium ultralightweight model.

44 Magnum
 
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