What to do in .357/.38spl ? Which one in my future?

What would you pick? Price is about the same.

  • SP101 factory engraved

    Votes: 23 35.4%

  • S&W model 60-15 Pro Series

    Votes: 42 64.6%
  • Total voters
    65
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
Bullseye

Bullseye

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2008
Messages
1,598
I have been thinking of getting a lighter revolver in .357/.38spl and
instead of going back in time for a nice used stainless Ruger Service or Speed Six ( which I have had in the past ) I have been looking at these beauties.

S&W Mod 60-15 Pro Series
or
Ruger Factory Engraved SP101 Deluxe


I have been wanting that Ruger for quite sometime, but handled the S&W today at the gun shop and boy-o-boy, is that trigger smooth, especially in DA.
I prefer fixed sites but the quality of the S&W sites could easily persuade me to bail on the Ruger.

I am torn between which to get. I would get both if I could.
 
No question in my mind, I'd go for the model 60. Actually, that particular model is one of the few guns that I would like to have that I don't have. It is great for ccw; it is the perfect woods/trail gun, and it is a fun range gun. Ypu will be glad to have the adjustable sights if you hand load in the future or if you want to switch between .38 and .357 ammo.

The engraving on the Ruger is laser cut and cheapens the gun rather than enhancing it. I love good engraving on the right gun, but fake engraving sucks.
 
I voted S&W , but my next 357/38 will most likely be the new Ruger Match Champion
 
I have carried a SP for 20 years and like it. I have been keeping my eyes open for one of those engraved jobs. I like that cheesy look.
 
smith all the way on this one, sure i dont like the newer slab style barrel but its got real sights. and it looks like a gun.

the ruger, ugh, shudder. it looks like a prop from a zombie movie. and makes me remember what patton said about pearl handles and pimps.
 
I waited about 6 months to finally find a 60-15 (non-pro) at a local dealer. At the time they were unavailable on line. It is an absolute joy to shoot. I have "more than 20" Smith's and the 3" Model 60 goes to the range quite frequently and also gets carried. Just knowing it can take any mad house .38 Special I brew without blinking is nice. I shot one 357 Mag in it once and that was enough. I've gone through the action and polished everything that required polishing but these MIM guns have pretty smooth parts to begin with. I only used a few light licks at 2500 grit. Full power hammer spring and only slightly lightened rebound spring. Wonderful revolver. One thing that really helped the double action feel was to polish the inside of the rebound slide with a cratex rod (fine and then extra fine). The machining or casting was pretty course in there and the polishing really helped the feel in double action.
Stu
 
Last edited:
My vote if for the S&W, I have lusted after one of those Mod 60-15 Pro models for a long time. 3" barrel, adjustable night sight, stainless, nice wood grips, love the look.
 
I voted for the Model 60. Have always had a J frame of one kind or another and honestly the engraving on the SP101 doesnt really do anything for me.
 
What to do in .357/.38spl ? Which one in my future?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been thinking of getting a lighter revolver in .357/.38spl and
instead of going back in time for a nice used stainless Ruger Service or Speed Six ( which I have had in the past ) I have been looking at these beauties.

S&W Mod 60-15 Pro Series
or
Ruger Factory Engraved SP101 Deluxe


I have been wanting that Ruger for quite sometime, but handled the S&W today at the gun shop and boy-o-boy, is that trigger smooth, especially in DA.
I prefer fixed sites but the quality of the S&W sites could easily persuade me to bail on the Ruger.

I am torn between which to get. I would get both if I could.
Click to expand...

I have both guns, minus the engraving on the SP101, which to me is not a class of gun to be engraved. Of the two, I prefer the Smith & Wesson, which definitely conceals better and has a very adequate grip. Noting that both have lock systems, my S&W has the plug, so it's a non-issue.

Both guns require toned down ammo, if shooting .357. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel is all I need for carry, and I reload my own for practice shooting.

While the Smith gun does have adjustable sights, a big plus for those who like that, the night sight intensity is notoriously weak.

The Smith and Wesson weighs 1 LB 6.6 OZ, while the SP101 weighs 1 LB 10.9 OZ. To me, the difference is not that noticeable, but the Smith wins.

Upper right gun is 327 Federal Magnum.

WP_20150115_001.jpg
 
Last edited:
I only own S&Ws and Colts in revolvers and that is just my personal preference. I usually have a S&W Model 36-1 (3 inch heavy barrel) or a S&W Model 649 as my daily carry.

Between .357 and .38 Special, I've never liked a .357 in a handgun (especially a short barreled one). Again - personal preference.
 
I only own S&Ws and Colts in revolvers and that is just my personal preference. I usually have a S&W Model 36-1 (3 inch heavy barrel) or a S&W Model 649 as my daily carry.

Between .357 and .38 Special, I've never liked a .357 in a handgun (especially a short barreled one). Again - personal preference.
Click to expand...

The bigger 357s are literally a blast to shoot with "the real deal" ammo. I too like my nickel, 3" Smith 36-1, but I usually carry something bigger or use the 36-1 as backup, cross draw.

Note that to be on topic, we are referring to either an SP101 or a S&W 60 Pro,, not some other preference.
 
Last edited:
I voted S&W. I just don't like the lines of Ruger's revolvers (New Vaq Bisley is the exception to the rule). For what it's worth, I want a Model 13 as my idea of a lighter magnum to complement my DAO Model 10.
 
Ruger. The Smith will probably be a sweeter shooter but the Ruger will eat any ammo you care to feed it and keep on rolling.
 
"...the Ruger will eat any ammo you care to feed it and keep on rolling."

And in other threads:

"There is no way you can blow up a Ruger."

"Rugers can take any load of anything, no problem."

I do wish folks would stop saying things like that. Rugers can be blown up and I have seen several that were, mainly because the owners believed stuff like the above. Rugers are darned good guns, but they aren't magic. Stick to reasonable loading data and they will last a long time; but if you work at it, you can blow them up.

Jim
 
Thanks everyone. It is a tough decision but people are helping me think this one out. I gotta look at it this way though.
Form follows function.

Most likely if it were a question of saving some money and losing the bling of what I think looks pretty nice for factory engraving, I should maybe look at a Wiley Clapp with the Novak sites and save some money. It's so obvious that there is a standard trigger guard assembly added without any factory engraving, that really sticks out the more I gawk at it, but to have real engraving done on a SP101 would cost at least 5 times more than the premium of this over a standard version. So I think it's the looks of it that is luring me in. and that's OK but what's the point? It would probably sit in the safe.

I would probably shoot mostly 38 special 90% of the time out of either, reloading my own and have some personal defense .357 on hand.

That smooth out of the box double action on the Model 60 pro really impressed me, and one guy says even that can be polished up more. Yikes!

I am leaning more towards the Model 60 today after reading and sleeping on it.
A visit to the other LGS is on my afternoon schedule. It's a matter of best price I can get now. I have to get some dies, bullets and brass and get my Birthday present for myself.

I think it's the Pro Series.
 
I vote for the Pro Series revolver.

I'm not personally fond of engraving on what is at it's core a rugged, unpretentious service gun.
 
Note that to be on topic, we are referring to either an SP101 or a S&W 60 Pro,, not some other preference.
Click to expand...

Comparing 5 shot J frames is like looking at different options on the same model car. I've owned Model 60s, Model 649s, and Model 36s. Even had a Model 40 Centennial once. The biggest difference between any of them was barrel length. Portability, weight, function, and concealability were pretty much the same.
 
I own an SP101 with a 3" barrel. It is not light compared to the newer polymer pistols. The 3" barrel doesn't add much weight, one ounce heavier than the 2.25" model. I do not know why ruger made the 2.25" model in 357. They should have made it a light gun like a rossi in 38spl.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
  • Poll
Which 3" 357 magnum?
2 3 4
Replies
93
Views
7K
Viper1357
Viper1357
D
  • Locked
S&W vs Ruger Small Frame 357 MAG
Replies
5
Views
1K
copaup
C
K
  • Locked
  • Poll
S&W Model 60 .357 or Ruger SP101 .357, I need some help deciding
2
Replies
29
Views
3K
GaryP
G
C
  • Locked
  • Poll
The better 3" .357 revolver: sp101 or 60?
Replies
22
Views
1K
4v50 Gary
4v50 Gary
C
  • Locked
Can't make up my mind on a new wheel gun
Replies
9
Views
878
Waveski
Waveski
Back
Top