S&W M60 vs. Ruger SP101

O

OldFart

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My sister recently purchased her first handgun, a Ruger SP101 .357Mag with the 2 1/4 " barrel, weight 25oz. Really nice shooting gun; can whack the 50 yd reaction targets all day with it, and like all the other Rugers I've shot, it feels like it can stand up to lots of use.

I've been considering a current production S&W M60 (.357Mag, 2 1/8 " barrel, 22.5oz), but since shooting a Sp101 I'm having second thoughts.

Whichever I choose will get fired alot with a mix of .38Spec/.357Mag handloads.

What you folks think would be the better choice? Thanks for your replies.
 
I had the same decision to make, and I think I even posted a similar question on this board. I went with the Smith.

The 60 is smaller and lighter. It also feels a little more precise and crisp. The SP101 is bigger and heavier. It's clear that it's built like a tank, though. The 60 is kinda like an M-16, while the SP101 is more on par with an AK-47.

I've had very good luck with my .357 60 with 2 1/8 inch barrel (stock except I had them change the standard 3 finger boot grip to a 2 finger grip off the .38 60). If you're planning on carrying, go with the 60. If you're planning on feeding the gun a steady diet of full house .357's, go with the Ruger. If you're planning on doing neither, flip a coin.
 
I love my SP101. It's easy to carry and is built to last. And I must admit, the price for Rugers tend to be a bit easier on the wallet than some other brands. I guess that explains why more than half my handguns are Rugers.
 
This is a subject on which I have a strong opinion. I have 2 S&W J frames in .38 Special...both Bodyguards (a 638 and a 649). I abosulutely love these guns. They would be among the last I would ever part with. When the .357 version of the 649 came out, I was thrilled. I thought that it would be everything the .38s were and more. The very next gun show, I rushed out early and found one and bought it. I probably paid too much, but I really wanted it bad. Well, unfortunately, I was right about the "and more" part. More weight...more barrel heavy/very unbalanced...more recoil. And when I say more recoil, I don't mean just a little...I mean ungodly more recoil. I shoot .357 and .44 Magnums routinely and don't mind the recoil, but this little SOB actually hurt to shoot. I cleaned it, stuck it in my closet, eventually sold it, and went back to carrying my .38s.

I have fired a SP101 .357 and found it much more pleasant to shoot. If I wanted a small 5 shot .357 snub, it would be my first choice. But it is not as trim and compact and light as a S&W J frame. If I wanted a 6 shot .357 snub, my choice would be a S&W 66 2 1/2". If a wanted a 5 shot .38 snub, the S&W J frames are unbeatable.
 
Never owned a Ruger SP101, but based on the over-engineered size and weight of this product I would not want one for concealed carry. Likewise I never had a desire to have a .357 Magnum in a small frame revolver, so my preference has always been for the S&W Model 60 in .38 Special.

I have 2 - S&W Model 60 revolvers in .38 Special caliber. Both are 3" barrel which can be just as easily concealed in a IWB type holster as the 2" barrel version. I prefer the 3" barrel as it has a better sight radius, and less muzzle blast.

My favorite Model 60 is a limited production factory DAO with the hammer spur removed. The trigger pull is long but very smooth and accuracy is excellent with various 158 grain ammo and good with some 125 grain ammo.

No doubt, the Model 60 is best for carrying and shooting.
 
I gave my SP-101 to my dad about two years ago and have regreted it every day since! The SP101 is a very well made gun with a very smoooooth double-action trigger. The SP101 is a great IWB or belt holster gun, but for ankle carry I like my S&W, Model-360Sc only 12oz. I don't think you can go wrong with either gun, but why not take a look at the S&W Model-640 Centennial.
 
SP 101

I have the SP 101, 2.25", 357. I shoot it extensively with everything from std. 38's to home brew magnum plus 357 loads. It will consistantly hit milk jugs at 50 yards (eyes getting old so I haven't tried things much smaller). I did make a few changes to it though. I installed the Wolf spring kit and ended up using the next to lightest main spring (the lightest had a couple of misfires) and I put on Uncle Mikes boots grips (lets me carry in front pocket of my jeans with Galco pocket holster). I also did a little polishing of parts. I found that my eyes pick up the sights on the Rugers better than the Smiths so that's what I went with.
I don't think you could ever wear out the 101, I can't say that about the 60. If you are going to shoot it alot, I think the 101 will be the better gun. Either will serve your defensive needs though.
Bob
 
A couple of months back I posted a comparison of the 3" barrel versions of these guns. As I stated then, it was based on only a single range visit with the model 60 (not a good sample size). Did not fire many .357 rounds because I had recently injured my hand.

As I remember, I found the Smith more accurate in SA but about the same as the 101 in DA. Recoil was more noticable with the Smith (lighter gun).

The Smith seemed to fit my hand a little better not I preferred firing the Ruger. Personal preference.

The blowback I referred to was probably due more to shooting magnum loads through a short barrel and to being the confines of an indoor range than to something wrong with the gun.

Both are good guns. My only substantive comment would be that you will likely feel recoil more with the Smith.

For whatever this is worth.

GDB
 
I went through this same process, even after shooting them side by side. I initially chose the SW 60. I did so, because I have a bunch of grips and accessories. For a J frame it was pretty comfortable to shoot. But, I traded it and now have the Ruger SP 101. I enjoy shooting my Ruger more without a doubt. The extra couple ounces really help. Granted, I don't shoot .357, but the hot +p's are comfortable all day long!! The sight is easier to acquire on the Ruger. Not as many aftermarket grips to choose from-c'mon PGS-please!! Either way, you will not be disappointed. Have fun. The Ruger is a breeze to totally disassemble, which I love because I love to tinker.
 
I owned a S&W 640 .357 and sold it after the first range trip.It absolutely hurt to fire it.I'm looking for another smaller .357 and the Ruger 101 is the likely candidate.I passed up one at the last gunshow and regret it.The next one I see I'll buy if the price is fair.tom.:)
 
Ponder this: if you have a 3" tube SP101, and you ever need a small woods gun in the 48 states for defense against Black Bear, the Ruger can shoot monster hunting loads, and probably stand up to them better than a K-Frame S&W.

That's in addition to being a good general CCW gun.

I'd go with a 3" Ruger.
 
Both are great guns. The 60 is a better candidate for pocket/ankle carry..but the SP101 is a very good CCW.
The weight difference in the stainless guns isnt enough to bring up in "a carry situation" but will help the Ruger last longer.
The 60 is a little smoother in its action and the 101 is the tank of snubbies....both have their merit.
I bought the SP...trigger is nice, very accurate and it will handle 125gr defensive loads forever.
Shoot well
 
Does anybody have some pictures of the two guns side by side from different angles so that we can see a size comparison? The weight difference is only 2.5 oz.; however, I have shot both and the Ruger is much more "shootable" and much less painful. I love the S&W in .38 Special, but not in .357 Magnum. If anybody has both guns, break out the digital camera and get to work. "A picture is worth 1000 words!" Thanks!
 
Here you go....

Size comparison pic......The SP has a Crimson Laser grip..larger than the OEM grip. The 60 is a Lady Smith with the 3 finger wood grip...just plain nice. Shoot well
 

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The trigger on the S&W will always be better. I carried a spurless DAO Ruger SP101 as my first concealed carry handgun.

It was too heavy for comfortable pocket carry. The trigger action eventually forced me to trade it for a Glock. However, if I had known that Jack Weigand could have made the trigger action comparable to the S&W, then I would have never sold it.

If you buy the SP101, then plan to send it to Mr. Weigand for gunsmithing. Thereafter, you'll have a combat ready revolver that will rival the S&W. Otherwise, I would buy a used S&W J frame.
 
Stoic,

I went out the Weigand web site recently. A notice states that Jack will not be turning out any work until he gets over some health problems. Could be a year or more. Too bad. I was packing up a SP 2.25" and a classic speed six 2.75" for the full bore treatment.

Oh well. They are pretty fine as stock.

Out West
 
Tuning SP-101's

Teddy Jacobson of www.actionsbyt.com does a pretty mean action job on the SP-101. It comes out much smoother and around 9 lb. double action. He has a quick turnaround for cash, too. The other person I know of who works on Rugers is TJ of TJ's Customs in Ontario, CA at http://www.tjscustomgunworks.com/
and they come out pretty smooth and light there, too.


Jim T.
 
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