Ruger SP-101 or S&W Equivalent

[Cellar Hound]

I am looking for a small .357 from my wife. She will likely load .38 rounds in it. I am looking for a small, heavier snub nose .357 with an external hammer.

I could use some help with two questions:

1. If you have a Ruger SP-101 with a 2.25” barrel, how do you like it? Please share specific feedback.

2. Does Smith and Wesson make (or have they made) a revolver that meets the same criteria for size, action, and weight? If so, please provide a pic if you have it.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[steveno]

if you are going to shoot it a lot get the Ruger. if you are going to carry it more than shooting it get the S & W.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

You should take here to a shop where she can hold and pull the trigger on both, then let her decide. The opinions of a bunch of dudes may vary wildly from the opinion of your wife; probably best to let her make that decision if it really is for her.

That being said. The sp101 has a notoriously heavy trigger, you should take her to pull one. Smith doesn't make cast steel frames, they are heavier, and pound for pound they are weaker, so you won't find a smith in similar diminsions (j frame) that is quite as heavy as the sp101, as they use superior forged steel in their firearms.

Bottom line, let her decide.

 

[epj]

My only beef with the SP101 is that it only carries five rounds in .357. If you were to go to a .327, that issue goes away. Loaded with H&R .32 magnum rounds it would be a pretty reasonable self defense arm. The reason I suggest these is due to the noise and muzzle flash associated with the .327, though I must admit I have never fired one.

 

[growr]

The answer would seem to be a Model 66 2.5 inch barrel ....dearly loved by most on here. Not easy to find anymore, but well worth the search!!!

Randy

 

[max]

I took a lady friend of my wife's gun shopping last month. She got a SP 101 with the 4 inch barrel because she liked the way it balanced. She only fires it double action and has turned into an excellent shot after only 2 trips to the range and a beginning class. She practiced with 38 specials. I let her fire a couple of magnums just to see. Her carry ammo is .38+P.

One other option you might consider is the 101 in 9mm. We looked at one of those, but again she wanted the longer barrel.

 

[Sistema1927]

I recently purchased a 3" Sp-101 in .327. Nice gun, atrocious trigger. It took some work to make the trigger acceptable, but I will never confuse it with a S&W trigger.

 

[Mrnurse]

if you are going to shoot it a lot get the Ruger. if you are going to carry it more than shooting it get the S & W. well thats hog wash, lots of SW products go 1000's of rds without a Issue, You should read some comments of Ruger owners with poor fit of parts on 101's' and the 100GP. I carry a 642 that has 500+ rds of 158 gr Spl ammo through it without 1 issue. Light weight weapon with 38 spl ammo is quite sufficient for Civilian Usage.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I agree that she should be the one to decide. Don't be "that guy" that buys a gun for his significant other without her input, only to have the gun be essentially worthless because she won't, or can't, shoot it.

With that said, I'm going to offer another revolver to consider, the Kimber K6S. Compact. Not too heavy, not too light. All accounts suggest it has a very good trigger pull. And it's available with an external hammer, though, in my opinion, SA capability in a defensive revolver is highly overrated.

 

[bummer]

I owned a sp 101 but traded it in many years ago for a 3913. I did like it and shot it well but i liked the 3913 better. I would buy one in a heart beat if I could find one

 

[white cloud]

I have eight S&W J frames and two SP101s and shoot these guns a fair amount. Also, I got my wife set up with her revolvers. First and most critically your wife's revolver must fit her hand and weigh enough not to beat her hands up when shooting. Someone who knows what they are talking about should verify that the revolver fits your wife. New snubbys, both S&W and Ruger have bad trigger pulls but both can be greatly improved with a bit of work. I am going to catch some flack but I think the Ruger is more ruggedly constructed. Is that important? I don't think it is. Both guns designs are plenty durable. One other point to make is pocket carry. Some like it and some don't. I like it a lot. You wife may also. If so, the Ruger is too heavy in my opinion. All guns are a set of compromises but snubbys provide conceal-ability and reliability at the expense of some other highly desirable characteristics. I don't think snubbys are good guns for new shooters. Right now there is a 649 "no dash" in my pocket.

 

[Texas Star]

My SP has the three inch barrel, which I feel is best.

Recoil is less in the Ruger, also a more rugged design for a small .357.

 

[Liftrat]

I have a friend with a 2.25" SP101 in 357. We went shooting with it recently, and I was impressed. Very accurate (at least with my 38SP loads), nicely finished, seems solid. The grip was a bit short for my hands, though it fits her's well. DA trigger was heavy, but smooth. Sights were about on par with my 64 or 640, but the front is pinned in, so we may look for alternatives. Yes, it is a little heavy, but this is not a carry gun, and the weight helps with recoil. Bottom line - I would be happy if I had one, but won't be trading my S&Ws.

 

[Retired W4]

My 2 1/2" 66-1 that I purchased in the mid-70's has had many thousands of full blown magnum rounds, and tons of 38's, fired through it over 35 years. It did develop some end shake which I cured with shims. It wears S&W RB targets now and it feels and shoots beautifully. My wife loves it, though she spent almost 8 years in the Army and is no beginner with firearms. She does not carry the 66, as we keep it at the ready in her bath room. Her carry piece is a 649 with Ahrends, loaded with 125 gr +P Hornaday XTP. During a serious social event most people don't notice recoil.
When it comes down to it the new shooter needs to try as many different weapons as possible and make that very personnel decision, and practice, practice, practice.

 

[mikerjf]

The Ruger is heavier and should recoil less. But it's heavier all the time, not just when you're shooting it.

The S&W (probably a 60) weighs a little less, recoil isn't bad, and is easier to carry.

Now... it's not unknown for someone to like the gun but find it's too heavy to carry all the time. If you get her the S&W, she can get a nearly identical Airweight for carry and use the 60 at the range. Ruger, there's no lighter version.

Also you have hammerless choices with the S&W, that Ruger doesn't do.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Also you have hammerless choices with the S&W, that Ruger doesn't do.

True, but the SP101 is available with a bobbed/DAO hammer.

 

[dubshooter]

I’m no expert. Here’s my opinion

I have a 2.25” SP101 and multiple J Frames and K Frames and old and new model Colt Cobras.

My wife hijacked my SP101. That’s the gun she likes and uses it as her bedside gun. She likes it because the cylinder release is more agreeable for her than the smith release. She is unlike me. She found her gun and stuck with it. She doesn’t have any interest I trying out the Colts.

The Smith J Frames are slightly smaller and lighter. Good for carry, not as much for shooting. Triggers are better than the Ruger. More grip options available for the Smith to cater to what feels good for her hand size

K Frames are bigger. 6 rounds.

The new model Cobra I got is slightly bigger than a J Frame, good weight to it for shooting, 6 rounds, and a very nice trigger. Fiber optic front sight. Not as many grip options.

Can you go wrong with either? No. Find what she likes and run with it

 

[LCC]

My favorite all purpose revolver is a 3" SP101 .357, as I prefer the balance and sight radius over shorter barrels, and is easier to store and carry than a 4".
I installed a Wolf 10# trigger spring on mine while leaving the return spring stock, which made the trigger very acceptable for both carry and target practice. Also installed an XS Big Dot front sight for fast target acquisition, and Diamond Pro grips for my large hands.
Whatever revolver you choose, make sure it has a set of rubber grips that fit your wife's hand well.
And do consider the SP 101 in .327, as .32 longs have mild recoil for target practice, the .32 H&R magnum is a carry round equivalent to a .38+p, and who wouldn't like an extra round in the cylinder.

 

[Sistema1927]

And do consider the SP 101 in .327, as .32 longs have mild recoil for target practice, the .32 H&R magnum is a carry round equivalent to a .38+p, and who wouldn't like an extra round in the cylinder.

Don't stop there. .327 Federal Magnum will make you sit up and take notice after firing .32 S&W Longs in it. Depending on the manufacturer and load, these rounds pack a significant punch, much greater than .38 Special +P, and not much different from .357 Magnum.

 

[pawncop]

The 640-1 would be a consideration. I carried mine inside the pocket as my second gun during my time in plainclothes.