Ruger SP101 vs. 3" K-frame

I got a new SS S&W 686 4" 6 shot about 3 months ago, and have shot IDPA style 3-400 rnds of decent hot 38s weekly, and she isn't a bit looser. She's just silky smooth. Most of the new S&Ws I've handled lately would have quite nice triggers with just several hundred rnd fired thru them double action.
The 686 is a great shooting pistol but at nearly 40 OZ That would get real heavy real fast. And it's a K frame 357mag I beleave.
I'm looking a getting a S&W model 60 357mag 3" bbl holding 5 shots and rnd grip and I think it weighs in at 23oz. And I think that will be a great lil CC pistol. And I beleave it is a J frame.
The 686 was made for shooting and shooting alot. The CC revolvers like the Model 60 are really made to carry alot and shoot alittle or shoot alot of reduced loads..
Yes Rugers are very well built But S&Ws are very good quality pistols and by the time you shoot one to bits yu will probubally want another one anyways. So get which one you carry and shoot well and enjoy it!
 
I own both of these guns, the newer 65,s with the two piece barrell has the flat spot at 6 o,clock corrected, allthough i cc these guns with 357 i usually target with 38, I find it easier to define my shooting skills with the less power loads. When you shoot 357 out of either one of these guns you know it. I would buy either of them again with no worries, and if you want a model 65 better get one before they are gone. The sp is pickier on what ammo it likes, while the smith eats anything.
 
Wow boa2, that was a great post! Thanks for all the Ruger info, it helps a lot!!!

I've already read it twice, and I'll go back and read it again, and again. You laid out all the models and size/options for me. That would have taken me a long time to figure out. Now I know what to look for.

Let me ask you another question, since you seem so knowledgeable about the Rugers.

As you know, I have a S&W 65 (K-frame) with a 4" barrel that I bought for CC.

I am wanting to buy another .357 mag for CC, (hopefully a little smaller, or at-least a shorter barrel), and I would like to be able to practice with ONLY .357 mag loads, if I could, and not have to go to .38s to "save" the gun.

I don't mind having only 5 rounds, but I really like that service six you showed me a picture of. I liked it a lot, along with the speed six. Either one of those look great. Would you consider them to be more durable than a S&W 65 (K-frame)? If so, then that's probably what I want. Could I shoot all the .357 rounds I want through them?

Another question, are the new ones just as good as the old ones? With the S&W, and I had to search to find a pinned & recessed one. And also, now they're putting locks on their newer revolvers, that no one seems to like. I'm tired of having to search for the good old ones, that were made over 20 years ago! Is there anything particular to look for on the service or speed six, or will any new one be great?

BTW, I've got a few other S&W revolvers that are "Pinned & Recessed", in the .44 mag caliber. All my S&Ws are P&R. I've only lately been getting into the .357 mag caliber for CC. That's why I've been looking at the m65s so hard. But I like how tough everyone says the Rugers are, and I am tired of searching for really old models of guns, that I have no idea how much they've been shot.

Thanks again.
 
I don't mind having only 5 rounds, but I really like that service six you showed me a picture of. I liked it a lot, along with the speed six. Either one of those look great. Would you consider them to be more durable than a S&W 65 (K-frame)? If so, then that's probably what I want. Could I shoot all the .357 rounds I want through them?
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Yes, they are more durable than the Model 65. Yes, you could shoot all the .357 Magnum round you want through them.
Another question, are the new ones just as good as the old ones?
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There are no new ones. The Speed Six/Service Six/Security Six are all discontinued and have been for close to twenty years. The Speed Six can be a little difficult to find (though I've seen a couple--DAO/ex-NYPD models--on the internet recently).

FWIW, you're obsessing too much over durability and strength. The earlier K-frames in particular had a problem with the old super-hot 125-grain SJHPs loaded by Remington and Federal. It is that particular ammo--not .357 Magnums in general--that caused forcing cone issues with the K-frames. That's why people have warned you away from that particular round. You will probably NOT see any difference in durability and strength between a Ruger and a S&W in your lifetime (or even your children's lifetime) shooting a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads so long as you avoid the old super-hot 125-grain loads and the hot/heavy hunting loads. If you stick with the 145-158 grain factory loads from the major manufacturers, your K-frame should outlast you with lots of room to spare.
 
There are no new ones. The Speed Six/Service Six/Security Six are all discontinued and have been for close to twenty years.
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That stinks. Why do these companies stop making the COOL revolvers? Did Ruger replace the Service Six with another very similar model? It was so nice looking. I'm guessing the Sp101 and GP100 are the replacements, right?

Now I have to go hunting for more old revolvers.
 
FWIW, you're obsessing too much over durability and strength.
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I agree with JC. You can find allot of services six's in good shape on the major auctions. I bought this one for $179...
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They were replaced by the GP-100
 
I can't speak for the S&W's but I recently took on the Sp101 2.25 DAO, I have carried it in my pocket and also an IWB holster that makes weight a non issue. As far as the trigger goes, im not concerned at all as im not taking it hunting or using it for competition shooting and its smooth enough for me for ccw and at the range. I heard alot about how heavy they are before I bought mine, but the heavier the better with .357's IMO and I think the SP101 handles both of my concerns, small enough to conceal in pocket and built to last. I also like the GP100 but its much beefier then my needs for a daily carry.
 
Shanewomer, the Speed/Service/Security Six were all replaced by the GP-100 (and later SP101) because the newer models were supposedly stronger (although the first ones were more than strong enough for a steady diet of .357 ammo) and I suspect even more so because the GP-100 and SP101 make more use of investment casting and require less hand-fitting and are therfore cheaper to make. Double action Ruger "Sixes" seem to be somewhat hard to find and somewhat expensive (for a used revolver anyway). My guess is the people who have them tend to like them and therefore don't part with them without due compensation. Many still prefer them over the GP-100 because they're smaller and lighter but still Ruger-strong.
 
Nice piece on the speed six, I had that on my watch list on gunbroker, you got a nice gun at fair price, enjoy.
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Thanks. I'm really looking forward to receiving it. After everything everyone said, I'll be happy to know I can shoot what I want through it.

Even though I'll probably never shoot too much through it, that would have even hurt the S&W, still, I think a .357 should be made to shoot .357s, not only 10% .357s, and the rest .38s. If I had known S&W suggested that, I never would have bought the m65 in the first place. I only recently got it, and then read all this on here, so I've never even shot it. You can check Gunbroker tomorrow night though, to see my listing for the S&W, 'cause it will be on there!

:cool:
 
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