Sp 101 vs model 66/65

[Firearmsrookie]

Need advice and discussion again. I hope I am not becoming a pest.. I am looking at a 3 inch sp101 and a 4 inch 66 at about the same price and condition. I know that this is a SW site but... I will use them for woods carry. I think that the sp is an easier ccw but the 66 is doable also. I am a little worried about using hot loads in the 66. What do you all think?

 

[What the]

It's really hard to beat the SP for durability plus they carry well on the belt for a little woods walking. The 3 inch guns are near perfect for CC inside the waistband as a bonus.

 

[nrb]

SP

For strength and reliability, I vote for the SP.

 

[Bat Guano]

They're really different animals, even beyond the Ruger/Smith aspects. The SP is a chunky little gun and the 66 is more elegant but bigger, especially with the standard target style grips. If you put oversize grips on the SP and something smaller on the 66, and choose your leather well--I would prefer the 66.

That's the nice thing about revolvers--you can tailor things more easily than with semiautos, not to mention the loads.

 

[Bat Guano]

PS: The little 60-4 3" .38 or 60-10 3" .357 is the best of both!

 

[Firearmsrookie]

I wish the 60 in 357 was more available at the price....of course then I would need to buy more

 

[stevieboy]

I'm not a big fan of the SP. It's a well built and durable gun but, compared to the 66 or 19 the trigger on the SP, frankly, sucks.

 

[RobertJ.]

My daily carry gun went from a 2.5" 19-5 to a 2.25" SP-101. The SP-101 is my favorite carry gun that ever had. It's powerful, accurate, and practically indestructable. I carry it when I'm out working in the rain, with no worries about what I'm doing to its finish. I can shoot as many full power loads as I need to with no worries about it loosening up. And at 10 yards, it will put them all in a 2" circle, right at the point of aim.

So, while I prefer the shorter barrel, I think the 3" model is an excellent choice.

 

[18DAI]

Kinda apples to oranges comparison, for me.

The Ruger Sp101 is an excellent conceal carry 5 shot. The 66 is an excellent 6 shot all around revolver.

For woods carry........or any other task, I'd go with the 66. Pre lock of course! Not all that difficult to conceal a 4" 66 under pretty much all conditions, for me. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI.

 

[.357magger]

Yes it IS a Smith site but...my choice would still be the 66. Extra round. Nuff said on that topic perhaps. While not critical in woods walk abouts, could truly save your life in ccw settings. And the 66 is MORE than "doable" with proper leather selection, either OWB or IWB. I know, I carried one in a variety of lengths for years, daily.

Additionally, you can find SP's by the bucket load as a still in production item, not so the 66. I think the point about .357's in K frames is somewhat overblown in that reported problems were only with 125 grain flamethrowers and the .357 magnum has a HUGE variety of loadings available should you require magnum velocities. For small game potting, plinking, snake elimination, etc. a good .38 special will be the most shot round and I can't remember any issue with any K over .38's.

Finally, I agree with the previous poster about Rugers and their triggers. The prime reason I've never gravitated toward this brand in DA revolvers is their factory triggers. But I've owned a gazillion Smith K's over the years that had outstanding triggers (and sights) right out of the box. Those two factors are THE issue with accuracy imo.

In short, of course it's your bucks, your waist (or shoulder, or small of back, or fanny pack, or whatever) and pick the one that most suits YOU. But me? It's the 66, easy choice.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Though I like the discontinued Security/Service/Speed Six series I am not a fan of the SP revolvers. I agree with the previous poster, the SP is heavy, chunky, and unbalanced (longer barrels). With the right stocks and holster, you can conceal the S&W #66 as easily as the Ruger SP. I would choose the S&W.

 

[Old cop]

While the Ruger is a tough little gun the 66 has a much better action, at least for me. Given the variety of .357 loads available it really a toss-up. I have the 66 mostly b/c of the better, smoother action, but I would feel just as well armed w/the Ruger.

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'd be willing to acquire a Model 66. One good reason is that it isn't "built like a tank." I don't want clunky revolvers.

Besides, I will never have the money to get so completely caught up on Smith & Wessons wanted to purchase the first Ruger.

 

[mkk41]

A 4in 66 would be slightly more pleasant to shoot with magnum loads than a 3in SP. Probably would have a better trigger out of the box.

The chunky lil' Ruger would be an easier concealed carry , and would lose little value with a few nicks and dings from woods carry.

 

[C Islander]

It's really hard to beat the SP for durability plus they carry well on the belt for a little woods walking. The 3 inch guns are near perfect for CC inside the waistband as a bonus.

I agree with this. I retired my 2.5 66 no dash as my EDC and replaced it with a 3" SP101. It's easier to conceal and with a minimum amount of work, the trigger on the SP is as good if not better then my 65 or 66.

 

[pmhayden]

I think the M66 is a better woods gun. It is for carry, and not for shooting .357 at pop cans.... You can plink with .38s, but carry .357 in the woods.

The M66 can stand up to .357 when it needs to, but it is not something I would do on a frequent basis. But my woods gun is a M66. The longer barrel and extra shot is nice. Stainless, reasonably short barrel, and the K frame is a nice weight for carry.

I have an SP101, but it is for the trip to the big city.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Polished up, smoothed trigger, fancy cocobolo inserts...

And she shoots pretty good too!!!

(But she won't stop me from finding a buyback Aussie 66...)

 

[Firearmsrookie]

I shouldn't say never or can't as I just saw a model 60 in 357 for $500. Is that a good price?

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Firearmsrookie,

If they are both about the same price and condition, I would definitely go for the 66 as they normally cost at least $100 more than a comparable used SP101, and are the superior gun in my opinion.
The SP101 is a bit lighter and slightly easier to CCW, and the trigger is not that difficult to clean up, but the 66 can certainly be carried IWB, has a better trigger out of the box, and has an extra round. The sights on the 66 are also far superior to the SP101 and can be adjusted for whatever loads you are using, it is easier to shoot .357s with, and for me it points more naturally than the SP101.

I have both the 3" SP101 and the 4" 66 and like them both. Here's what I did to them;

-SP101: Polish inside of frame and sides of trigger and hammer to smooth out trigger pull, polish rough edges off of hammer strut, switch to Hogue monogrip, change front sight to Meprolight tritium sight so that I could actually see it (the white dot helps a lot in daylight, and the tritium helps in low light. With the Hogue monogrip, the SP101 is very close in size to the 66.

-66: Change grips. I am considering adding tritium sights, but haven't decided if it is really necessary yet.

If I had to get rid one of them for some reason, the SP101 would unquestionably be the one to go. YMMV.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I have never shot any revolver that I can hit with any better than my 65 4". I carry it in the woods after November 15th and use it for deer hunting with Hornady 158 grain .357 JHP's. The rest of my woods bumming is with a model 37 no dash .38 special. I just don't like the way a Ruger feels. Probably from all these years of carrying S&W's. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with them but I would take the 66 or a 65 in any barrel length over the SP. I think you should be able to find a 65 in good shape cheaper than the Ruger but I don't know as I have quit with the two remaining revolvers I have. At 60 years old I bet they will outlast me anyhoo! Good luck with whatever you decide on.
God bless America,
Gordon