Harrison
US Veteran
I have never owned or handled a Ruger SP 101. What would be the pros and cons of a 2.5 or 3" 101 as opposed to a J or K frame snubby for CC and/or a car gun?
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SP 101 vs. J/K frame
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Arizona Commander
Member
It's been a while since I handled the Ruger but what I remember most was the weight, it was a heavy little bugger,
I own a Model 60 LadySmith, and my son-in-law has an SP101. Based on shooting those two, I'd say the SP101 is more comfortable to shoot, and the J-frame is more comfortable to carry. The SP101 has a more hand filling grip than the J frame unless you use large rubber grips - and the large rubber grips make it harder to conceal. It weight 3 oz more, IIRC, so nearly 1/4 pound. Not bad on the waist, but not fun in the pocket.
If you want a fun range gun you sometimes carry, get the SP101. If you want a good carry gun you can enjoy shooting 38+P with at the range, get the S&W. If you don't plan to pocket carry (which is my favorite), buy the SP101 and save some money.
With wood grips on the M60 & shooting full 357 loads, my hand gets tired after about 50 rounds. With Pachmayr grips, I can shoot it all day - but it becomes a waist carry gun only.
FWIW, I'm not convinced the 357 is any better at stopping a man than 38+P. The J frame shines at shooting 38+P, but is a bit light IMHO for regular shooting of 357. And I wouldn't get any airweight.
Also, if you are looking at occasional carrying on the waist or in a car, weight isn't as important. Then I'd go with a 4" K frame in 38+P, or a 686 snubbie. All just opinion.
If you want a fun range gun you sometimes carry, get the SP101. If you want a good carry gun you can enjoy shooting 38+P with at the range, get the S&W. If you don't plan to pocket carry (which is my favorite), buy the SP101 and save some money.
With wood grips on the M60 & shooting full 357 loads, my hand gets tired after about 50 rounds. With Pachmayr grips, I can shoot it all day - but it becomes a waist carry gun only.
FWIW, I'm not convinced the 357 is any better at stopping a man than 38+P. The J frame shines at shooting 38+P, but is a bit light IMHO for regular shooting of 357. And I wouldn't get any airweight.
Also, if you are looking at occasional carrying on the waist or in a car, weight isn't as important. Then I'd go with a 4" K frame in 38+P, or a 686 snubbie. All just opinion.
J-Frame Shooter
Member
I was debating over the same thing, This month I bought a Smith 640 and a 649 in 357. I chose not to purchase the SP101 cuz it's heavier and not quite as refined. I love my 640. I handload so I'm shooting slightly reduced 357's, I can shoot 150 rounds at one sitting and feel no discomfort at all.
I really like the 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel bullets. At 25-30 yards I can dump 5 shots into my steel target (IDPA size) in about 3.5 seconds. Hope this helps.
I really like the 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel bullets. At 25-30 yards I can dump 5 shots into my steel target (IDPA size) in about 3.5 seconds. Hope this helps.
lance22
Member
I think you can't go wrong with either an SP 101 or a J Frame. I was hard-pressed in my choice between the two a few months back, and I went home with a 640-1 [same story as the previous poster almost] (no lock) 2.1 barrel. You are looking to fill the 'car gun' niche and that's sort of what I do with mine. It goes in backpacks, center-consoles, pockets, ...
For some reason I don't think the SP 101 looks good without a hammer. But, the 640 looks great without a hammer. And it has a better trigger, and it is lighter (22 oz rather than the 26 oz SP101), and there are WAY more after-market grips and holsters for the J Frame, including an ample market of used stuff.
SP101 is probably the better choice if you are totally bent on shooting defensive-load .357s; I'm ok with very light .357 or 38+P. It'll do the job.
Let us know what you decide!
For some reason I don't think the SP 101 looks good without a hammer. But, the 640 looks great without a hammer. And it has a better trigger, and it is lighter (22 oz rather than the 26 oz SP101), and there are WAY more after-market grips and holsters for the J Frame, including an ample market of used stuff.
SP101 is probably the better choice if you are totally bent on shooting defensive-load .357s; I'm ok with very light .357 or 38+P. It'll do the job.
Let us know what you decide!
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Badkarma 1
US Veteran
Had a SP101 and it was fun to shoot with the lighter loaded 125gr. .357 loads, while full house 125s were brisk but doable. But I went with a Smith model 60 because it fits in my pocket better and is just a lot of fun to shoot being .38 only. Size wise the SP is about the same size as a Colt DS,IMO.
I say if you can get to a range rent 'em both a buy the one you like the most.
I say if you can get to a range rent 'em both a buy the one you like the most.
I went to the gunshow and fondled a few SP101s. I ended up getting a 3" in 357. NIB the price was just over $400. The grip felt good and it is heavier than my 642 by a bunch. The weight ought to soak up recoil from 357. The trigger is kind of gritty feeling in DA, but not too awful heavy. It sure doesn't feel like a S&W trigger.
I have to admit that this is kind of a butt ugly revolver. Only its mother could like its looks, but it appears to to be sturdy, kind of heavy duty even.
I got it for light belt carry and/or a car gun. My 642 will continue to ride in my pocket. Luckly the 101 takes J frame speed loaders.
I have to admit that this is kind of a butt ugly revolver. Only its mother could like its looks, but it appears to to be sturdy, kind of heavy duty even.
I got it for light belt carry and/or a car gun. My 642 will continue to ride in my pocket. Luckly the 101 takes J frame speed loaders.
Groo01
Member
Groo here
The m-60 in 2 or 3 in is a wonderful carry gun but with 357mags
is quite a handfull.
The sp-101 is heaver and somewhat larger but eats all weights
of 357mag from 110gr to 200gr hunting loads without a wimper, and because of the weight and grip design ,can be made
easier on the shooter.
I have both and it boils down to this--
carry a bunch and shoot a little [ mostly 38s or SD- 357] the M60
would be my choice- shoot a bunch with heavy 357's and carry
little or in a holster , the sp-101 is better...
Ps- Both are great in 3in for trail/walk around guns..
You pick what you like...
PPS there are good smiths that can put good triggers on either
so don't let that sway you.. [ you can find good triggers and bad
in both]
The m-60 in 2 or 3 in is a wonderful carry gun but with 357mags
is quite a handfull.
The sp-101 is heaver and somewhat larger but eats all weights
of 357mag from 110gr to 200gr hunting loads without a wimper, and because of the weight and grip design ,can be made
easier on the shooter.
I have both and it boils down to this--
carry a bunch and shoot a little [ mostly 38s or SD- 357] the M60
would be my choice- shoot a bunch with heavy 357's and carry
little or in a holster , the sp-101 is better...
Ps- Both are great in 3in for trail/walk around guns..
You pick what you like...
PPS there are good smiths that can put good triggers on either
so don't let that sway you.. [ you can find good triggers and bad
in both]
David LaPell
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This is a question that only you yourself can really answer. My grip on a revolver is going to feel different than yours because our hands are not the same size. I prefer the J frame but I wouldn't pass up a ruger if the price was right. I also have had Colt Detective Specials. But between the two guns, MY pick is the J frame. I like the trigger, I like the way it works, and it just fits right in my hand. Again, try to see which one fits you better and go from there.
Tracer_Bullet
Member
For CC, the j-frame is the smallest, lightest, and easiest to conceal. A snubby drops into a pocket pretty easily and carries well in an ankle holster or belt holster, and you can get them in weights ranging from ridiculously light to about 23oz with an all steel gun. I prefer the steel guns myself because they are easier to practice with and the weight doesn't bother me. The j frame also makes a fine car gun since just about anything you would use it for defensively in a car would be at point-blank range.
The SP101 is in between the j and k frames in size and weight. My wife has the snubby version with the bobbed hammer and I have a 3". IMO the SP101 is a bit bulky and heavy for pants pocket carry but works pretty well in a coat pocket if you have the bobbed snubby model. The 3" is a good compact belt-gun that disappears under a t-shirt, makes a nice car gun, and is a little easier to shoot than the j frame.
The k frame is the largest and heaviest of the lot, which makes it the least concealable, but the easiest to shoot. Pocket carry is out, the k frame is a belt gun (or shoulder holster). As a car gun the extra size and weight doesn't matter, you get an extra round over the j frame and SP101, and the k frame also makes a fine home defense pistol. I have a model 10 with a 4" barrel that sees a lot of carry time.
You didn't ask about ammo in your original post, but I can tell you from experience that .357 borders on painful to shoot in a steel j frame and I wouldn't even attempt it in an alloy framed j frame. .357 is manageable in the SP101, and my k frames are all .38s. I stick with 158gr .38+P LSWCHP in my carry revolvers because it is easy to shoot with all of them, I only have to carry one kind of ammo, and I am comfortable with that round for serious social situations. I carry 135gr gold dots as an alternative.
The SP101 is in between the j and k frames in size and weight. My wife has the snubby version with the bobbed hammer and I have a 3". IMO the SP101 is a bit bulky and heavy for pants pocket carry but works pretty well in a coat pocket if you have the bobbed snubby model. The 3" is a good compact belt-gun that disappears under a t-shirt, makes a nice car gun, and is a little easier to shoot than the j frame.
The k frame is the largest and heaviest of the lot, which makes it the least concealable, but the easiest to shoot. Pocket carry is out, the k frame is a belt gun (or shoulder holster). As a car gun the extra size and weight doesn't matter, you get an extra round over the j frame and SP101, and the k frame also makes a fine home defense pistol. I have a model 10 with a 4" barrel that sees a lot of carry time.
You didn't ask about ammo in your original post, but I can tell you from experience that .357 borders on painful to shoot in a steel j frame and I wouldn't even attempt it in an alloy framed j frame. .357 is manageable in the SP101, and my k frames are all .38s. I stick with 158gr .38+P LSWCHP in my carry revolvers because it is easy to shoot with all of them, I only have to carry one kind of ammo, and I am comfortable with that round for serious social situations. I carry 135gr gold dots as an alternative.
otis24
Member
I've owned a couple of different SP's and a couple of J frames. Currently, I own a 640-1. Shoot .38 +P's only. Love that it is all business, DAO. Chose the S&W due to lighter weight for concealed carry and much smoother trigger. The one thing I greatly disliked about the SP was the very stiff trigger pull. The S&W is buttery smooth.
Yurko
US Veteran
I own all 3, a J-Frame, K-Frame & Sp101.
The J-Frame is light & the smallest, but has the hardest recoil when using the same ammo in all three - especially the 357 models - that's just not fun to shoot..
The K-Frame is the biggest - especially the square butt crowd. The SB makes it more difficult to conceal, but not impossible.
The SP101 - even the 2.25" models are HEAVY. They'd be fine in a waist band type holster, but NOT good for ankle or pocket carry.
The J-Frame is light & the smallest, but has the hardest recoil when using the same ammo in all three - especially the 357 models - that's just not fun to shoot..
The K-Frame is the biggest - especially the square butt crowd. The SB makes it more difficult to conceal, but not impossible.
The SP101 - even the 2.25" models are HEAVY. They'd be fine in a waist band type holster, but NOT good for ankle or pocket carry.
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Lobo_79
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I've made wardrobe adjustments to accommodate my SP101 for concealed carry. This was necessary because my 3" version was not easily carried in a pocket. The Air Weight J-Frames are easier for that purpose. But to be honest I'm not a fan of the light weight snubbies because they tend to be hard to control with magnum loads under brutal recoil conditions.
I switched to the SP101 because for the price this gun is built like a tank and I can shoot it a lot. The 3.16" barrel is just long enough for defensive loads to develop the pressure and velocity needed to be effective (published manufacturer's test results), the sight plane is long enough for this gun to be accurate, and its stainless steel construction give it enough mass to be shootable. And yes, much of this is subjective.
But it is a tradeoff. Length/weight - vs - concealability. I'd add a third dimension to this and that would be personal proficiency. For a self-defense handgun to be effective you need to be - "mussel memory" - proficient with it. For me the SP101 is more enjoyable to shoot with a variety of loads, and hence, I shoot it several times a month. For the same reason my wife enjoys shooting it too. She can't handle the recoil from my J-Frame.
Maximumbob54
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I can shoot my SP101 longer at the range than I can my 640. That added mass is better in my view to carry than the lesser training with my 640. Subjective? Yes. It's your call.
David Sinko
Member
I recently sold my SP-101 because I didn't like the trigger feel compared to my S&W revolvers. The 2" J Frame can be concealed more easily than the Ruger can be and the J Frame will handle as heavy a load as you need in the 2" revolver. My 2" Model 64 is just as easily concealed as the Ruger and carries six rounds. Plus the K Frame is easier to shoot well. The ability of a pocket gun to fire the .357 Magnum vs. .38 Special should be very low on the list of your priorities.
Dave Sinko
Dave Sinko
ab4ka
Member
I had a 3" SP101 and it was built like a tank. The only downside was that I just couldn't shoot it very well. No matter what I did I couldn't get the trigger to my liking and ended up passing it on. It is a great gun and if I fell into another one I'd give it another chance, but if I had my druthers I'druther stick with a S&W.
I considered the SP not long ago and had the good fortune of trying one out before I bought it. A guy at the range next to me was shooting one and offered to let me try it out. It shot well but the back of the trigger guard kept whacking the knuckle on my middle finger and was anything but a pleasure to shoot. Perhaps with some other grips it would have been fine.
Harrison,
As noted above, I think you should actually shoot a sp-101 before buying.
I've noticed that rugers seem always to have that longer pull. If you can get your hands on any DA ruger to try it and compare it to a comparably sized s&w, I think you'll experience my point here, FWIW.
... and what they all said.
Apologies if the length of pull was mentioned and I missed it.
1x2
As noted above, I think you should actually shoot a sp-101 before buying.
I've noticed that rugers seem always to have that longer pull. If you can get your hands on any DA ruger to try it and compare it to a comparably sized s&w, I think you'll experience my point here, FWIW.
... and what they all said.
Apologies if the length of pull was mentioned and I missed it.
1x2
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CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I've made wardrobe adjustments to accommodate my SP101 for concealed carry. This was necessary because my 3" version was not easily carried in a pocket. The Air Weight J-Frames are easier for that purpose. But to be honest I'm not a fan of the light weight snubbies because they tend to be hard to control with magnum loads under brutal recoil conditions.
I switched to the SP101 because for the price this gun is built like a tank and I can shoot it a lot. The 3.16" barrel is just long enough for defensive loads to develop the pressure and velocity needed to be effective (published manufacturer's test results), the sight plane is long enough for this gun to be accurate, and its stainless steel construction give it enough mass to be shootable. And yes, much of this is subjective.
But it is a tradeoff. Length/weight - vs - concealability. I'd add a third dimension to this and that would be personal proficiency. For a self-defense handgun to be effective you need to be - "mussel memory" - proficient with it. For me the SP101 is more enjoyable to shoot with a variety of loads, and hence, I shoot it several times a month. For the same reason my wife enjoys shooting it too. She can't handle the recoil from my J-Frame.
Where did you get those spalted wood inserts-very nice.
SP's are NOT pocket guns-period. That being said I own one and will never get rid if it-it is my suburban gun and resides in the center counsole and is wonderfully suited for that purpose. For carry, I use a 337-lightweight and perfect for front pocket carry. There is no need to ever own a steel J frame as long as the SP is available in my opinion. It is a much better platform for .357 than any J frame. and it is smaller than a K snubby (but without the panache). The only problem with owning these two snubbies is that I really can't find a niche for my 2.5" 686-4 7 shot. It just sits in my desk.
