.38 vs. .45

A

Aardvark

New member
A couple of years ago I bought a new Ruger P97 in .45 caliber at academy for $359. new in the box. That is a great deal. I brought it home, took it to the range and the gun handled well, never misfired or jammed after 50-60 rounds. Maybe it was me but Accuracy was a big issue. I figured that I was not used to it or something.
Some time later I bought a Like New S&W Model 10 In .38spl. This thing apparently had never been fired. I took it to the range and could shoot ten times better with it than the .45.
I ended up selling the Ruger but still have the S&W.
Anybody else have similar experience?
 
Some handguns, like shotguns and rifles just "fit" certain people better than others.

F'instance, in revos, I can shoot most of the S&W offerings better than a similar model Colt. :confused:

I prefer the feel of the Ruger "Vaquero" style single-action over the Ruger "Bird's Head" style.

I have shot a couple of Glocks, and I just don't feel like I have a good grip on them.

And another possibility is that maybe you are a "Revolver Guy". ;)
 
You aren't the only one! I have had 0 accuracy from Ruger P-series pistols. I tried the 89, 95 and 97 in stainless and blued. I sold/traded them all off. I couldn't hit a bullet with a barn from a Ruger P-series.
 
I agree with my friend foghornl.

Unless you have been shooting many, many years with both
an autoloader and a revolver; I doubt you will obtain the same
results with both. With that said, most people learn to master
one or the other but not both. With patience, time, and many years
of PRACTICE you can learn to shoot both well. I'm living proof of that!

That includes limited experience with Ruger P-series self loaders.

Best Wishes,
 
I agree the S&W shoots better. I have the Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag and the sights are much too spacey on it. Too much wiggle room. I don't think the caliber is making a lot of difference. Smith sights are just better. If you want really good close sights though try the Bounty Hunter.
 
Hmmmm if you have any leftover .45 acp ammo, maybe you should look at a S&W 625 revolver to keep your mod 10 company! :D
 
I like the idea of getting something to keep my S&W company. I tend to have favor with revolvers and have always wanted a .41 Magnum. I did at one time own a Ruger Blackhawk in .357. That was a good shooter. One other relic that I owned was a Colt Trooper in .357. It shot well too.
I want to step up a grade now to the .41 mag.
Does anyone want to give me ideas for thier favorite .41 revolvers?
 
Hey Aardvark

The Smith M57 is a good .41 mag..hope I got the model number right. Has an unfluted cylinder (which looks cool on any revolver) and your choice of barrel lengths
 
Smith vs. Ruger Accuracy

I agree the S&W shoots better. I have the Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag and the sights are much too spacey on it. Too much wiggle room. I don't think the caliber is making a lot of difference. Smith sights are just better.
Click to expand...
In my lengthy experience with many models from both companies, I can't say I've ever seen a factory Ruger that would shoot with the Smiths. The sights may have something to do with it, but I think an even bigger factor may be the drastic difference in the quality of S&W and Ruger triggers. I've had trigger jobs done on a few Blackhawks, and never had one end up as good as a Smith factory gun. Also, Ruger tends to have inconsistent chamber throats in their revolvers. As for the Ruger P-series, the first I ever shot was the rep's sample P97, and while I've never cared for the way these pistols handle, I admit I was amazed at the target-grade accuracy I got outta that thing. Problem is, I've never fired another P-model that performed similarly. Again, this seems to point to inconsistent manufacturing tolerances.

Please, don't anyone take me for a Ruger-basher. I own a few now, and will definitely end up buying a 50th Anniv. Blackhawk, but I think of them as reliable, robust, utility grade guns. When I want to really enjoy some good ole fashioned revolver shootin', I haul out the Smiths.

Everybody, on the count of three, run out and buy more ammo. Ready? One...two...I'm...

OutAtTheEdge
 
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