I own a Smith 66-4" and wanted a smaller gun for bed stand so I bought a Ruger SP101 I could NOT hit the broad side of barn with it...I looked into the barrel issue (turned to far) no problems. Some of the boys where shooting this weekend and I could not hit a paper plate at 30ft more that just a few times. I was pretty embarrest...so I traded it off first thing Monday morning on a Smith Model 60 Pro Series. Wow what a differance...it has more recoil than the Ruger for sure, but it was a lot more accurate for me! Very nice gun.

Man, sorry to hear that! My SP-101 is wonderfully accurate, though it required some work to slick up the trigger. The factory trigger was awful, but it now is excellent. While it's heavy to carry (for its size) it sure is a lot more shooter-friendly than my little Smith .357s.

I think I agree that is not as shooter friendly...but I kind of like that...she really barks. I don't believe it was the guns fault really...I'm just a Smith guy...trigger is silky smooth!

I have a 60 Pro and a 3” SP101. I love both, but with Pachmayr Gripper grips on the 60, I have a nice grip. The standard grip on the 101 is a little small. I may have to change it out as well, but the big difference, after smoothing the triggers of both, is the sights. The sights of the 60 are standard J frame adjustable sights. Very nice. The 101 has **** sights. I finally broke down and sent the 101 to C&S for installation of J frame sights. It will be interesting to compare the two when it comes back.

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Tom

I think that was most likely the issue for me as well. If it would have been easier to shoot well I would have kept it. I let 4 different shooters take a try at it...some did better than others but I could not even walk them in once I got on paper.

My 101 seems to be accurate, but the sights are so small, it is tough to hit consistently, which is why it is getting new sights.

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Tom

I also think the finish is harder to clean on the 60 pro...its a satin finish maybe I need something different than hopps?

I have a 3" 101 in 327 mag. It is a nice little pistol, after doing some minor trigger work. Its built like a bank vault and more accurate than I am. My GP 100 is a nice gun also. Rugers are different from smiths, sort of like apples and oranges. Both sweet in their own way.

I agree with that...The ruger was built like a brick...very nice feel to it...but I started to second guess the gun when everyone seamed to do a trigger job and my 66 was so smooth the Ruger so tight...the 60 Pro has the same feel to the trigger as the 66 I do think it was a quality gun...just different your right.

I use Shooter's Choice. It seems to work ok.

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Tom

Evening,

Hummmm..... well, I guess I'm one of the luck ones, as my Ruger SP101 is exceedingly accurate, and a joy to shoot. My standard load is actually the 158gr LSWCHP +P, and I couldn't ask for anything better, as far as I'm concerned. It shoots great, hits exactly what I wish to hit, and does so with more damage on the target's end, than on my own. For what it's worth, I do have several J-frame Smith's, too, and like them very much. But, for a heavy-duty workhorse, I lean towards the SP101, or even an old Ruger Speed Six that I have had since the mid-'80's. It's a great, accurate, and good firearm, too. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

I got an SP101 when they first came out and the first thing I noticed was how smooth the double action pull was. Different from the Smith but absolutely ideal for a gun of this type. Hate to say it-but for a small frame 357, the SP101 has it all over the steel J frames in spades. My SP is my all the time gun in the console of the Suburban. It's the reason I can never bring myself to buy a steel J frame. Now as far as the airweights-I'll take a J frame any day over the LCR

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Forum consigliere

I really like my SP101. I did shine it up some and put a Meprolight Tru-Dot Night Sight on it. I've shot nothing but 158 grain .357's in it and I can't complain about the accuracy...puts them where I point it. One of my all time favorite snubs.

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C & L

My 101 came back today from C&S with the J frame sights. I took it to the range. It is much easier to shoot with descent sights.

Attached Images

IMG_4158.jpg (67.5 KB, 543 views)

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Tom

Smith Js are great for 38s but give me a SP like Cocked and Locked every time for 357.

I have the same SP with the Meprolight and it is a great set up.

Okay, Tom, I have to ask what that costs if you don't mind sharing. Do you have a web link?

Interesting. I have a couple J frames (642 and a much loved 60-4). They're both great guns. My first snubbie was a DAO/2.25" SP. It's trigger was pretty rough out of the box, but after shooting it a bit, it's now fine. One of the things I like BEST about the SP is its factory sights. I find them bold and very easy to pick up. My only issue with the gun was that its barrel wasn't square with the frame. A trip back to Ruger fixed that. My Ruger is very accurate and shoots to point of aim. I like it alot!

PC

Not cheap. $234 for the sights.

Smith & Wesson J Frame Adjustable Rear Sight Installed on SP101 (includes new front sight to shoot t

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Tom

I had many SA Rugers - even DA SRH, RH, and one SP101 - a 4" .32 H&RM. It was the QC nightmare from Hades - ultimately, but only after I cleaned up what I could, spelled the death knell for Rugers here. My example had burrs everywhere. I totally dissected the trigger group, cylinder, frame, etc, and reamed every hole, except the bores. They were big enough 'out of the box'. In fact, the chambers were at .337+" ID - near SAAMI max. Ammo sizes to .334" with most sizers - just like factory ammo. That .003+" extra works the brass, shortening it's life. My SA Ruger SSM was the same way. The lead was hard to find - and nearly as much as .38 lead - I decided to abandon the caliber when I said goodbye to Rugers. I have only S&Ws - fewer revolvers, to be sure - but what I want.

Ah, comparing a S&W 60 to a Ruger SP101. Let's take the S&W SKU #162420 2.13" fixed sight .357M 60 with the Ruger #KSP-321X 2.25" fixed sight .357M SP101. The teeny S&W 60 weighs but 22.6 oz, while the heavy shrouded SP101 is 26 oz. Now, let's also consider the construction: S&W still hammer-forges and heat treats their frame, cylinder, and barrel; Ruger uses cast SS - it has to be thicker to have the same strength. Obviously, make mine S&W - they cost a bit more, but, in my mind, are a bargain.

Rugers 3"+ .32 & .22LR SP's come with a cheesy adjustable rear sight - adjustable in windage only - the only SP's with non-fixed sights.. The adjustable sight 60-family members, like my 5" 63, have decent fully adjustable sights. A side note - bot the 60 & SP101 initially were .38 Specials, only! Later SP's have a lengthened frame opening, signified by the 'X' suffix, and are .357M capable. The 60's got a different heat treatment. The 60's also come in a 3" HiViz version as well as the really nice 60 Pro - no such SP variants. Hey, it's the S&W Forum - what did you expect?? No more Ruger love here.

Stainz

I'm pondering the same question. The most accurate revolver I own is a beat up old GP-100 6" blued model. Of course, it is mainly beat up on the outside, from being a truck gun and woods gun. Amazingly accurate, and a decent trigger pull with an easily installed and inexpensive Wolff spring kit.

I love the j-frames in general, and I love the looks of the 60 Pro Series. Don't know how they feel, no gun pusher in the area has one. This choice would be ready to go with just rounds downrange to sight-in and verify function and familiarity.

On the other hand, the SP-101's are diamonds in the rough. I've even thought about buying a used and abused gun show model, cause you really can't hurt one of the things. Then sending it off to Gemini Custom for some of his amazing work on the little Rugers.

I'd have about the same amount in the two guns at that point. One a Pro Series Smith, and the other essentially a full-custom gun built to my specs. Dang, I guess I'll just have to get both!