I just got back from the range where a friend of mine let me shoot his SP101 with magnum loads. I shot a 1" group of 5 rounds at 15 yards... I was impressed! It was also a pleasure to shoot compared to my 642.

Which S&W does the SP101 compete with most directly, if any? I'm thinking it's between the J frames and K frames.

Probably the 640-1 and later versions. However, the SP101 is larger than the J-frames and smaller than the K-frames, so its not directly competitive with any of the S&W's from a frame size standpoint.

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Hello Cleveland, Rock and Roll

I don't think it compares directly with any S&W. The frame is heavier than any J, a good bit more compact than a K, and to me it shoots more like and has the durability of an L (e.g. my 2.5" 686). As much as I like my S&Ws, and generally have a 637 as my always-gun, the SP101 is in a class by itself. As you found out, they will usually shoot far better than expected. If I need a (somewhat) lightweight and compact carry gun with full .357 Mag capability, I'll take one of them.

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" I said, good DAY! "

Mod 65 with a 3" barrel.--Tom

P.S. No J frame is a pleasure to shoot with .357 unless you are an NFL lineman.
Weak, sickly little me is very fond of my 6" Mod 66 for the full power .357 load.
Not exactly a SP101 clone.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

The closest S&W to the SP-101 size-wise is the Model 60. These have both been made .38 Special-only and in .357 Mag. The SP-101 is a very little bit larger than the J-frame and a lot smaller than the 6-shot K-frame. It is significantly heavier than the J-frame, however. (About 22 oz. for the 2" S&W vs. 25 oz. for the SP in 2-1/4". I believe the steel K-frames are all over 30 oz.) In addition to the exposed hammer Model 60 stainless steel J-frame, S&W offers the enclosed hammer stainless 640 mentioned above, and the shrouded hammer 649; as well as their blued steel counterparts (Models 36, 40, and 49 respectively). The SP-101 also comes in a 3-1/16" barrel (~27.5 oz.).

I agree with other posters, there is no direct counterpart in the S&W line to the SP101. It's much more rugged than the J frames and more compact, particularly thickness wise than the larger framed guns with 6 or 7 shot cylinders.

I just got one to replace a GP100 that was way too large for useful concealed carry. The SP I got with the 2.25" barrel is vastly easier to carry. I can drop it in my pocket with a Desantis Nemesis or comfortable IWB, things that were impossible with the GP particularly since I refuse to wear baggy clothes for CCW.

It has a nice trigger and my guess is that it is the lower rotating mass of the smaller cylinder that allows me to "stage" the trigger and have almost a SA pull in DA shooting. Don