About to buy. Need Advice. "If you could only have one" scenario.

S

S.Fitz

Inactive
I'm about to buy my first handgun and need a little advice between a couple of models.

The two I've narrowed my search down to are the:

Smith & Wesson 638 - $350

Or

Ruger Sp101 2 1/4" - $480

I want a gun that's comfortable to carry all day. Obviously that would lean me towards the S&W but I like the option of .357/.38 in the Ruger.

I've been researching these firearms online for the past week and I'm stuck between the two! I can only afford one!

The only concern I have with the SP101 is weight. As ridiculous as this sounds, I've actually weighed a claw hammer at around 24 ounces +/- and I've been carrying it in my pocket and inside my waist around the house just to adjust to the weight I may be carrying all day. Not really that uncomfortable (besides it being a hammer) but the weight is definately noticeable.

Does carrying strapped to a belt IWB disperse the weight a little bit and I keep imagining the handle of the firearm printing through a shirt, how easy is it to conceal IWB with the SP101?

One more newb question. How effective is the .38 round in self defense? (Not trying to start a war here) And I'm talking about non +p rounds, if I go with the S&W I don't want to wear it out by shooting +p's all the time but would probably keep +p chambered on my side.

I think it's just a head game I'm playing with myself that I MUST have atleast .357 in my pocket for peace of mind, although I'm sure many a bad guy have been put down by standard load .38's through time. I still like having options though. =)

Thanks.
 
Either gun will treat you good. Go with whatever feels best in your hand. I know that you've been carrying that hammer around to try and get a good feel for the weight, but the distribution is totally different. There are many of members in this community that will tell you that they carry the SP101 around all day and don't even notice it. I like the SP101 in that it gives you basically two guns in one. I don't know how much shooting that you'll be doing, but if you plan on going to the range quite a bit, the frame on the Ruger is more robust and a little easier on the hands when shooting .38's through it. Going spurless also removes the worry of it getting snagged in your shirt or pocket. With all that said, there are many types of .38 rounds out there that are more than adequate in stopping your bad guy. I hope that I cleared the fog a little. Good luck in your selection. Joe.
 
I have both a SP and a 442. The factory grip on the SP and the weightmake it a bit big and heavy for pocket carry. IWB is no problem, but I carry the 442 way more often. IMHO it should be which one first as I do usually keep the 442 in my pocket and add the SP.
 
It seems to me that "most" people who have .357 snubbies carry .38 Spl +P loads for defense.

I feel well armed with my 638 loaded with 135gr GDHP's for short barrels.
 
Carried IWB the extra weight of the Ruger shouldn't be an issue, the problem will be when you decide to pocket or ankle carry. Even if you don't plan on pocket carrying now you probably will end up doing it at some point. My advice is to buy the 638, spend the extra money on a couple holsters and some Gold Dot 135's and go on with your life. Those GD's are probably the best of the breed out of snubbies and are generally the way to go. And Don Hume and High Noon both make lightweight, quality IWB holsters for that J Frame that can be had for well under $50. There ya go
 
The S&W is easier to carry and .38 special is a more than adequate cartridge.

Nothing wrong with the Ruger or .357. The extra weight will reduce felt recoil from .38s

In the end you need to rent both guns if possible and find out which you like better.
 
Thank you for all the feedback so far everyone.

I had a good long reply filled out but when I hit post reply I was logged out somehow, frustrating!

Have to reply back later.

Thanks again!
 
Either gun is fine. I actually own both a S&W 637 and a Ruger SP. Out of the two, I prefer the S&W. It is lighter and has a better trigger. The Ruger is nice and the option to carry .357 is certainly a good selling point. .357s out that little Ruger can be a handful however. While its nice to have the option, you'll likely practice and carry it with .38s.

Out of the two, it really depends on which one you like the best. With a good leather gun belt and a good leather holster, carrying either is pretty straight forward.

And yes, a .38 makes a very good SD round.
 
One more newb question. How effective is the .38 round in self defense?
Click to expand...

A friend shot and killed an armed home invader with a single 38 special hydra shok thru the chest. The round perforated the bad guy, broke a bedroom window, and lodged itself into the dirt outside. Bad guy fell dead with very little external bleeding indicating the heart stopped pretty quickly.
 
i prefer shooting and carrying smith wheelguns. nicer trigger (usually) and more comfortable to carry -- YMMV ;)
 
I'd say that's pretty effective threegun, thanks for the example.

Opinions on a smartcarry holster for toting a SP? I think this might be a good option unless your wearing some nuthugger jeans or a speedo. Thoughts?

Y'all aren't making this easy, hehe, I may just man up and get the Ruger.

You guys that own the 101, when carrying IWB does the grip sticking out of your waist print much through a t shirt? That's the only fear I have since I wear a lot of cargo shorts or pants and usually just a t shirt or polo style shirt. Of course I'm not too worried about winter as I usually wear a pretty heavy coat.

Thanks again!
 
Get the S&W 638 put a set of pachmayr grips on it and shoot the heck out of it till you get used to the snubnose. I put 75 to 100 rounds through mine when I take it to the range. What a fun gun to shoot with 38 spl. I pocket carry it with +p ammo but use 38 spl for practice.
 
My most comfortable carry gun is my J-frame. Its a 640 and it just fits really well. Its a bit heavier than the 638, so the 638 should be even more comfortable. Plus side with the 640 is its a .357.
 
I have a 638 and a SP101, but in the 3" version. I prefer the 638 because of the shrouded hammer and the weight factor is there too.

I carry it in my front pants pocket, and hardly know it's there, the SP I know it's there but it is carriable. And the .357 factor is nice if I really felt I needed it. But I feel fine woth my Gold Dots 135g +Ps.
 
The 638 airweight is by leaps and bounds the easier to conceal. The shrouded hammer allows for a snag free draw or firing thru pockets/purses. Of these two choices it would/ actually is LOL the 638 for my needs.

Snag free draw and lighter weight are much more a necessity than the 357 cartridge.
 
Been practicing carrying heavy again today.

My new system is a 2 1/2 pound dumbell plate inside a small fanny pack strapped around my waist real snug.

The weight on the scale reads 30 ounces, so that just a tad over the Rugers empty weight. I know weights would vary depending on your choice of ammo so I think I'm pretty close to overall carry weight.

I can definately tell it's there when I first strap it on but have not noticed it much throughout the day while working outside (my job). I'm sure with a strong gun belt and good holdster the weight would transfer a little better than a flimsy, although snug, fanny pack.

And I'm also still interested in the smartcarry deep conceal holdster.

Thanks for all the input so far.
 
You guys that own the 101, when carrying IWB does the grip sticking out of your waist print much through a t shirt?
Click to expand...

Everytime I go out wearing something other than a jacket, I print. I have never worried about it.
Other than another CC guy, nobody will even notice.
Hell, I don't walk around trying to "make" someone else carrying a concealed weapon.
If I'm looking for deep concealment, I'll take my single stack 9mm.
 
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