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

Unless I missed it ....you really need to shoot both / before you buy ....

It comes down to what fits your hands the best / and which one you can shoot the best. What fits me - isn't the issue / it needs to be what fits you.

I don't carry a revolver much / but when I do ....its a K frame S&W ( model 19 or 66 ) either in 2 1/2" or 4" ...and in a good horsehide leather IWB holster they're both easy to carry with a good belt in a temperate climate ( but I'm 6'5" and 290 lbs ...) so it depends on what suits you the best.

But carrying it is one thing / the caliber is one thing (but the .38 spl is fine) / --the question is which one do you shoot the best ? And which one are you really confident with at 15', 21' and 30' ( so you can hit that upper chest area 99% of the time - with it / drawing the gun - and a double tap under 4 seconds at the slowest / preferable around 3 sec )...that's how to pick your gun.
 
SW 638 or a 642 would be my choice

I agree with the comments on the Smith & Wesson 638. I own the 642 and it very good for pocket or iwb carry. You may want to try one out at the range first. Enjoy. In attached picture you will see my SW 642 as well as others.
 

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Carry a lot, shoot a little= Smith.
Shoot a lot, carry a little= Ruger.

I love my SP101, it's a great shooter. But between your two I'd choose to carry the Smith any day. The weight does factor in and make a difference. If your main thought re: the Ruger is being able to use .357's, you're missing the mark IMO. .38's are a fine round and more than capable if you do your job- which is be accurate initially and in follow-up. Better chance for that to happen with .38's, especially if this is your first.
 
I carry a Smith & Wesson M&P 340 and I love it. You won't need more knockdown power than a .357, it's a decent weight, and the internal hammer design is nice for conceal carry so you don't snag it on clothing. The XS tritium sights are a Godsend as well. I threw some crimsontrace laser grips on it and I've never looked back. Paid about $750 for mine.
 
OP

Smith & Wesson 638 - $350

Or

Ruger Sp101 2 1/4" - $480
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I carry a Smith & Wesson M&P 340 and I love it. You won't need more knockdown power than a .357, it's a decent weight, and the internal hammer design is nice for conceal carry so you don't snag it on clothing. The XS tritium sights are a Godsend as well. I threw some crimsontrace laser grips on it and I've never looked back. Paid about $750 for mine.
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So...., what should he get, a 638, or a SP101?:rolleyes: And what is a 340?
 
BTW, there are loads of lightly used SP101s on the market for a ton less than 480.00
They are built like a tank. Don't be afraid of a used 101.
 
I think practice is a real chore with S&W Airweights. I sold a 642 because of that - just no fun at all to shoot. If you want to enjoy going to the range, go with the heavier gun and buy a good belt for carry.

And if you have a female significant other, my bet is that she will not like shooting a light S&W even if you do.
 
I practice with my 638 shooting 148gr lead WCHB's loaded with 3.2gr of W231. It is a nice light target load, that allows me to put 100-150 rounds downrange per session. I usually finish up with a couple of cylinders of stout +P carry loads.

Practicing with these little carry revolvers is a must, the skill developed is very perishable.
 
unless there is a health related issue you should be able to carry a propper sized gun. I find that a longer barreled firearm in an IWB holster works out better than a short barreled model. It can be a pain in the butt to get used to carrying a propper sized gun but if you ever need it even once it's worth the effort.
 
They are both great guns. The biggest difference between them is that you'll be able to shoot .357 Magnums out of the Sp101.

But assuming you're only going to be firing .38 special, then the biggest difference will be that the 638 would be better to carry in a pocket because of the shrouded hammer. It does not catch clothing like the spurred or even filed hammer on an SP101.

The next biggest difference is weight, but both are relatively light. And carrying a service caliber weapon isn't supposed to be comfortable; it's supposed to be comforting. So this really matters much less than other reasons.

Oh, and longevity. You'll be able to shoot the Smith for about 120 years if you really want to. But you'll be shooting the Ruger for 150 easy. Provided your health holds out;).

Honestly, they both are awesome. I'd choose the Ruger SP101 because I like the .357 magnum, or at least the option. I also think the 638's are Quasimodo Ugly, which is why I bought a 637.

SP101 gets the slight edge from me, but barely.

~LT
 
It does not catch clothing like the spurred or even filed hammer on an SP101.
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You can get the SP101 in DAO configuration with the spurless hammer. I checked one of those out although I chose the regular DA/SA model with normal hammer.
 
You can get the SP101 in DAO configuration with the spurless hammer. I checked one of those out although I chose the regular DA/SA model with normal hammer.
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there's more to it than that sure that'll keep you from catching it on the draw but a 638 or 642 gives you the option of shooting in a pocket without having cloth get between hammer and firing pin.

I often carry my 442 in the pocket of a hoodie when out for a walk.
 
I don't really have the time or extra cash to go rent and shoot both guns, I don't know how much renting a couple guns would be but I'm sure it's not cheap and the money that I would spend there could be used for ammo and/or holsters. Thank you for the suggestion.

I really can't get over the SP, more weight yes but more options, better looking IMO and from all I've been reading online a lot more "fun" to shoot.

And that's partially a reason I would pick the SP. I want to carry it, use if for SD if needed and just have a firearm that, if I want, can take out and bust a few watermelons up every now and then.

Thank you guys for the continued feedback though, I'm enjoying reading some of your opinion's and suggestions.
 
I don't know how much renting a couple guns would be but I'm sure it's not cheap
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I have seen rentals for as little as $10 per session per gun. (In addition to range time and ammo, of course, but you need to plan on spending that money for practice, anyway.) Spending as little as $20 extra to try the two guns out and be sure of your purchase decision might be money very well spent.
 
That's true Tailgator.

Anyone have any experience with gunbroker.com? Checked the site out today for the first time. Looks like eBay for guns and I've always been a little leary of using eBay for buying online. Just don't want to get shafted by some punk.

There were a few, what seemed to be, good deals on there but by the time you look at shipping your not saving a whole lot. There was a SP on there for $360 used of course but the shipping was $55! Although that is under $480, it's still a used gun that you've never laid hands on until it hits your doorstep. I think I'd prolly rather save up for a brand new one straight out orthe box.

Thanks.
 
+1 with the bandwagon on "try them both out" or "feel them both out"

That's always how I buy my guns..If I do not get a chance to shoot one on the range..I'll feel them out to see which one feels better in my hand.
 
I have held both. As far as one feeling better in my hand the edge goes to the S&W but the SP didn't feel awkward or anything just not as perfect a fit as the Smith. I think that's partially because the grip on the Smith is more "mushy" than the Ruger. It felt as if the grip melted into my hand to fit and the other felt good but stiff.

Trying to weigh both in the hand, I really couldn't tell THAT much of a difference, I mean obviously there is a difference but it didn't feel significant. Sliding each in my pocket I could feel a bit of difference as the dead weight of each hanging in my Levi's, you could definately tell the Ruger was there, hehe.

Didn't really sway my decision that much though. With a good belt for IWB I don't see weight being an issue, even in the pocket it's something I could adapt to.

Pulling the triggers, I didn't notice much difference, although some would swear by the S&W as being the smoothest, I don't shoot a lot of guns so I couldn't tell you. They both felt like, well, pulling a trigger, simple right? Pull the trigger, they both go bang.

Hold side by side for size comparison I was suprised how close in size they are to one another. Of course we all know the Ruger is the larger of the two but I wouldn't see it making a huge difference between the two when finding a good holster.

Well, have to get to work now but there's my 'hands on' opinion so far.

Thanks.
 
Hey! Hate to throw a wrench into this, but how about the SIG 229 that can go back and forth between 22LR for practice and 357SIG for, well whatever you want that cannon for?
 
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