Which .357 snub, S&W M60 2 1/8" or Ruger SP101 2 1/4"?

[DMK]

Thread Dredge!

I'll throw in my 2cents while it's here though. About a month ago I was looking for a .357 snubbie to fill a hole in my collection and compliment my .38 Special S&W 642. I thought I wanted an S&W, but local pickings were slim and the only good quality .357 snubbie that I could find was an SP101 in the display case of a local pawn shop. I remembered reading some positive comments about this little firebreather on the interweb, did the revolver checkout, and everything looked top notch, so I plunked down my cash, scooped up the revolver and took it home for a detail clean, lube and a couple boxes of ammo in my back yard range.

Boy am I glad I couldn't find an S&W! This thing is built like a tank, detail strips almost as simply as a 1911, and shooting .357 mags is no sweat. I did a few simple mods; added a tritium front sight, Hogue grip, some fluff and buff to smooth the internals, added a lighter trigger return spring (left the factory hammer spring to ensure reliable primer ignition). The gun is a joy to work on, a gearhead tweaker's dream. Now with a couple hundred rounds through it and countless dry fires, it has become my default night stand gun, my favorite CCW and it's tough enough to double as a regular range gun too.

Thanks Bill Ruger, where ever you are!

 

[ronto]

I carry the DAO SP101 in a Mika pocket holster in my jeans front pocket daily and don't find it to be too heavy.

 

[Evocatii]

I have had a S&W m60 snub for quite some time and have found it to be a joy to shoot and to shoot accurately. I have no qualms about relying on it for my defense. Just as well, one would be hard pressed to do any damage to it. It can take a beating and still perform as expected.

 

[SAWBONES]

This question or issue seems to have been brought up a lot on gun-related BBs lately. I assume more folks are actually becoming interested in carrying revolvers with .357 Magnum rather than just .38 Special+P for CCW, and
I certainly understand the desire for adequate penetration in a load carried for CCW.

I have two S&W (pre-lock) Model 60s and three Ruger SP101s, not to mention a handful of other S&W J-frames and Colt Detective Specials. I've carried all of them.
I've shot lots of .357 Magnum in all of them that weren't specifically limited to .38 Special (which is a First Series DS and a Smith 649).

All can "handle it", but ONLY the Ruger SP101s are actually comfortable to shoot at length with full-power 158gr or 125gr premium .357 Magnum loads, IME. The SP101s are a tad bigger than the J-frames, and weigh in at 25 oz or so, so they're belt guns AFAIC, not pocket guns, but are still eminently portable and easy to have with you.

 

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Go Ruger!

 

[Pistol Toter]

My son and I both carry the Ruger SP101. Mine is the 2.25" while his is the 3.0625" length. We both like each others gun with no real preference. But if I may make a suggestion go look at the 3" gun; it gives you a little additional up front weight to help negate the recoil and provides a little extra sight radius. In a self defense situation the sight radius will probably not make much difference but the recoil control will help in quicker follow shots. We both carry our guns in the Bianchi model 7 pancakes style leather and the same holster holds either gun. Needless to say, we like our little Rugers. I think he has a name for his but I call mine Miss Piggy.

 

[Katana8869]

I have a 2 1/4" SP101 and a newer S&W 640 with the hidden hammer. IMO the Ruger is a much better handgun overall.

Everything that I like about the SP101 has already been said so I won't go in to it again here. I will say that I agree with every one 100%.

The S&W's advantage is in concealment. It's not as bulky as the SP101 and I find that it hides easier in a pocket or down a boot top. In every other category, I consider the Ruger to be the hands down winner.

If I was going to use a snub as my primary CCW, the Ruger would be the one that I would go to. My SP101 was my original choice as a carry gun before I switched to bottom feeders. I would have no problem going that way again if if circumstances called for me to do so.

 

[1 old 0311]

I have them both, but prefer the 60.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I picked the third choice, "Neither, another SNUB would be more appropriate for primary carry"

There's nothing wrong with either revolver you listed but for CC I would rather a concealed or shrouded hammer so my choices would be either the S&W M649 or M640. Since they are both made from Stainless Steel with a weight of 23 oz they are heavy enough to handle .357 Magnum rounds yet still light enough to carry comfortably.

If you hate the idea of the two I suggested then I would pick the M60 because of the slightly smaller size and weight.

 

[Corner Pocket]

I'm one who had nothing to do with guns for many years, having only recently gotten interested in them. Thus far, I have purchased three handguns -- two semiautos and a wheel gun. The SP-101 is the latter and I absolutely love this little thing! I just got my CHL last week and am enjoying carrying the revolver each day... It's rock solid, and it rocks!

Corner Pocket

 

[mavracer]

I chose the Ruger because they're both a little heavy for pocket carry so I carry it IWB and the ruger was easier to put a front night sight on

 

[GaryP]

Without a second thought the Ruger SP101! I have owned both, but the J Frame Smiths do not handle recoil as well as the Ruger SP101's and are not as heavily built. I no longer own the S&W J Frame .357 but the Ruger goes with me from time to time as my Primary CCW.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

Definitely the Ruger for reasons stated earlier. I'd never carry something with one of those stupid locks either...

 

[steak-knife]

Sp101

Had the S&W 640, and while it was a bit smaller than the SP101, shooting full house rounds through it on a range day was painful. Also, while non-scientific, I felt that my 640 was going to rattle apart after a while.

My SP101 is something I could shoot all day, and as most will agree, it really is built like a tank.

I've sold off the 640 and still have my SP101.

BTW. I'm also more confident pistol whipping someone with the SP101 than the 640.

 

[chaim]

I voted "other"

For a primary carry I'd suggest a K-frame (or similar) snub (3" or less is a snub). I love my S&W 65LS. The medium frame gives a little more weight and thus more controllability and quicker follow up shots (especially important if you will shoot it with magnums).

If you definitely want a J-frame (or similar) I'd go with .38spl. I had a Taurus 605 and I hated shooting it with magnums (my 15oz .38spl S&W 442 probably isn't any less comfortable to shoot than a steel framed J-frame, and it is light enough for pocket carry). For my belt J-frame I have a steel framed Taurus 85CH (if you prefer S&W that is fine, the 36, 36LS, or an older M60 would all make fine snubs). In fact, when I'm able to carry I find myself carrying this more often than the K-frame (even though I do believe that the K-frame makes more sense)- partly I don't have a good holster for the K-frame and I do for the 85CH, partly the loss of one round is worth it as a trade off against the thinner cylinder (I prefer IWB tucked, with the K-frame it really is much more comfortable OWB- we'll see what happens when I get a good pancake holster for the K-frame).

A 3" J-frame may be a good compromise. J-frame thinness and concealability with a little more weight and a better sight radius.

Now, with all I said about the .38 v. .357mag, I am considering giving another small framed snub in .357mag a try. However, if I do it will not be a Taurus small frame or a S&W (too much felt recoil). The Ruger SP101 is probably the most comfortable small frame to shoot if you must shoot magnums. The other option is the Taurus "compact" frame- the Taurus 617 is a 7 shot 2" snub that is nearly as small as a J-frame revolver, that is hard to beat (though a 7 shot snub would probably be too wide for IWB and I'd need an OWB holster).

 

[AH-1]

I bought this one about 2 years ago for a snubby house gun for the wife.went out and shot it and it goes where I go now.picked up a pancake holster and it packs pretty easy.if you can't get it done with 5 rd's something is wrong.
pete

 

[jfh]

A different 2"-barreled revolver--DAO, lightweight.

Fifteen years ago, I carried a Ruger SP101, SOB--but only after I had the hammer bobbed (and an action job done, of course).

For a revolver being carried concealed, it really doesn't make sense to me to carry anything other than a DAO / shrouded hammer package. Yes, I know some of you have practiced carrying a SA/DA concealed, have no trouble drawing, etc., etc.--but why put a variable into the equation that can create a big problem.

This year, when I started carrying again, I followed the advice of friends and LEO acquaintenances and got a lightweight--the S&W M&P340. Their rationale: If you get a lightweight, you will carry it. With a heavier gun, there will be times when it's a PITA, and you won't--and we all know the first rule of a gunfight.

For pocket carry the combination of this revolver, loaded with whatever ammo you can shoot well, simply can't be beat. IMO.

Then, there's that Kel-Tec P3AT in an offside hip pocket setup--as a BUG only....

Jim H.

 

[DawgFvr]

Ruger over the S&W...this was a no brainer!

 

[chaim]

This year, when I started carrying again, I followed the advice of friends and LEO acquaintenances and got a lightweight...

You know, there is something to getting a steel framed J-frame and a lightweight. My Taurus 85CH and S&W 442 sometimes come with me together- the Taurus IWB and the S&W in my pocket. 10 rounds of 158gr or 125gr .38+P JHP and they weigh around the same together as a 3" K-frame weighs alone (hmm, 10 rounds v. 6 rounds, though the K-frame is going to give you quicker and more controllable follow-up shots).

 

[geronimotwo]

i have no experience with either of these models, but my experience with the security six, and a n frame smith lead me to say the smith will win in the trigger dept.

 

[MountainBear]

The Ruger is too heavy, give me the S&W every day of the week and (in light of recent events) twice on Sunday...

 

[jfh]

"...there is something to getting a steel framed J-frame and a lightweight...."​

I've got that capability, too--I have two other 2" j-frames, and a 3" M60. Early on I found I could carry one of the j-frames (in a pocket Mika) in that same offside hip pocket--and, even more surprisingly, I could draw and shoot reasonably well with my weak hand. But, the lump/bump under my butt was uncomfortable while driving. The P3AT, in a simple pocket holster that also can hold a 2nd magazine is more comfortable and fits just as well.

Meanwhile, with cold weather here, I'm experimenting more with coat pocket carry. I tend to wear car coats rather than jackets, and that seems to be working just fine--either in an outside pocket or on an inside vest pocket. A couple of my coats are padded / stiff enough to make a steel 2" frame (my 640 possible--but those do weigh about 5 oz. less than the SP-101.

Now, if Ruger will just produce that SP-101 / .327 Federal package in a lightweight frame, I might get interested in Rugers again. Beyond the 10-22, that is.

Jim H.

 

[mike4guns]

better trigger on the 60.

 

[Firepower!]

Ruger. You can not beat the toughness. Colt I have used but I had some work done on one of my Cobras after 13 years, even though I did not use it much.

Is dry firing not good revolver?

 

[col_tapiocca]

Ruger are very solid and has a great grip.