Taurus 651 .357 vs SP101 DAO

L

LH2

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Was just checking this one out, what do you guys think? Just over 17 oz in the ultralight version, or 25 oz in the steel framed model.

I like the size for CC, same dimensions as a .38 snub but with .357 punch. More compact than the SP101 and more appropriate for pocket carry.

**HOWEVER**

I guess the limiting factor here is gonna be tolerance for recoil? Although it's capable of firing .357, it must be miserable shooting them.

How about the steel-framed model? Same weight as the SP then, but more pocketable size-wise...

I think I prefer the SP, just wanted to hear if anybody was a big fan of the 651. :)
 
If it's the same weight as the SP, you may end up with a pretty heavy pocket. I can put my SP in my pocket, but then I walk with a tilt :D . It's fun to shoot, though, and .38s have been relegated to a training role for shooting one-handed, etc.

If being a little smaller suits your needs, I say go for it. As long as you can shoot the fireballs.

~Ichiro
 
I've shot the all steel 651 with full power 158's and it wasnt bad at all. The hellish recoil comes on rounds 45-50 not 1-5, which is where it counts. I should mention however the owner of that gun had 2 failures to fire that day.
 
No lock on an SP. I have a 650 CIA and it does fit in a pocket though I don't carry it that way. The SP has a better grip for 357 rounds.
 
I own a steel 651 and can attest that it is a little hefty for pocket carry, but when i do it is in a Bob Mika holster which works out well.I like this gun and have had no problems with it.You might consider a model 85UL(.38) for pocket carry,i do believe they are +P rated even in ultra-lite.:D
 
I happen to have two 651s (one stainless, one titanium) and three SP-101s (one .38, two .357, none of them DAO). I like both models. Up until the time that I got my Taurii, my SP-101s were among my favorites for concealed carry.

In my view, the SP-101s are too big and heavy for pocket carry, whereas the 651s can fit in a pocket, and particularly the titanium one is light enough for pocket carry. Shooting .357 rounds in the titanium 651 is an experience! Since the stainless 651 weighs almost as much as a SP-101, it handles .357 rounds very well.

These days, I routinely pocket carry the titanium 651, loaded with Speer Gold Dot .38+p 135 grain JHP short barrel rounds. It weighs 19.3 ounces loaded (I swapped out the factory grips for Butler boot grips).

I would think that either the 651 or the SP-101 would be a very fine choice. If, however, you are seriously entertaining the possibility of pocket carry, then the lighter-weight and more snag-free 651, while still retaining the option of single action, is the way to go.
 
I'd vote for the the SP. No lock, handles magnums better than the lighter guns, which also allows for better accuracy. If you want a gun for pocket carry, buy a .38 but get the SP for the heavy loads.
 
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