I own both a bobbed hammer SP101 and a mode Smith J-frames than I'm comfortable saying.

Both Smiths and Rugers Sp101s are good guns.


As others have said, the Ruger is chunkier. If the plan is to shoot 357s, I think it's the more controllable gun.

The slimmer Smith's carry a little easier.

The Ruger WILL need action work to get a good DA trigger. The Smith might but probably won't.

I own more Smiths than Ruger and that says something I think. That Ruger is no slouch though and handles .357s better I think.

Good luck but you can't really make a bad decision here.