Wanting a Snub nose Revovler

B

BredanSIG

New member
Well lately I have been dreaming of a snub nosed wheel gun, and so I have been looking around the local shops. Surfing the net is also yielding lots of information. However I have come to a stopping point. What revovler would you folks suggest? Models that are being considered include the SP101 2 1/4 barrel in .357, the Rossi R46202(.357 w/2 inch barrel), the Taurus 617 unported, and the EAA Windicator in .357. I have settled on the .357 magnum models should I sell off the gun, it would offer an option .38 or .357.

I plan to shoot the bejesus out of the gun so as to master it, therefore issues with timing and spitting lead are concerns. Thanks alot and I look forward to your replys as always.
 
Get the SP101, it is made for shooting a lot. Nothing else its size has the solid build of the sp101. I have 2 , a 2-1/4" and a 3-1/6" and love them both. Resale will also be better than the taurus,but you will not want to sell the Ruger. Good luck on your search
 
I have an SP101 and recommend it. I sent it to Gemini Customs for their package and recommend them too


You can also think about a dedicated 38. I got a Detective Special the I really like a lot.

 
Of all the ones mentioned , the SP 101 is the choice hands down. It's built consistantly the best of the lot. Just as important, will allow you to find aftermarket grips, speed loaders and holsters. Hunting up those items for the others is at best, more restricted, at worse near impossable. Also , the Ruger will give you best resale if you decide to move on. You'll beg to get 50 cents on the dollar with the others.( Especially true with the Rossi and EEA) Been there-Done that. :(
FWIW, I don't see why a S&W J, K or frame ( mod 60, 66,19 ,65, 686 etc.) isn't on your list? S&W arguably makes one ofthe best ( if not THE best) DA wheelguns around . Best of all, there are ALLOT of them to be had in the used market (which is what I'd suggest anyway.)

hth
 
I chose the SP-101 for my snub nose. It's Ruger-tough (important if you want to shoot the bejesus out of it), and a bit bigger with wider, soft rubber grips, which makes it easier to shoot a lot of magnums out of (important if you want to shoot the bejesus out of it). It's also fairly accurate.
 
Of those mentioned I would go with the SP101, and the 3 1/16" barrel. I found my SP101 to be very tight, and the trigger heavy. I had it to a GS twice for tigger/hammer problems before I traded it. Others have also reported heavy trigger action, however, a large majority of SP101 owners report no problems.
 
I used to have a SP101 until my wife said it was hers. :( It is a very reliable and fun but it is kind of heavy compared to the others. The added weight will help through when shooting more powerful loads. The DA trigger was a little heavy at first but after time it smooths out.
 
Compared to the South American crap pot metal guts that is Taurus, the Ruger is the best.

Rugers are generally the strongest guns.. able to handle a steady diet of the HOTTEST loads. May not have to much else going for it, but with a little love they can be made to be pretty sweet.
 
Having owned various Ruger and Taurus revolvers, but having no experience whatsoever with the Rossi or EAA brands, my first choice would be the SP-101, and my second would be the Taurus.

The Ruger is built like a tank but is somewhat heavy for its size, which could be a consideration if you are buying it for carry. I have three Taurus revolvers, all built in 2004, and have been very pleased with the performance, fit and finish.
 
I would start with S&W or Ruger and end up with an offering from either. There are many fine choices. I really like my S&W 642 Airweight; she goes with me most everywhere.
 
Dear BredanSIG :

Of the brands you mention clearly the Ruger is, far and away, the best choice. The others are of significantly less quality when it comes to strength and endurance. You mention that you intend to shoot the revolver a lot. Given the strength of Ruger firearms that certainly would be my choice.
 
1:SP101
Has to be about the best ccw for holster carry. An action job will turn a great gun into a fantastic gun. For belt carry it's my favorite snubby.
2:Taurus:
They make some really nice snubbies. I have an 85,605 & 606. A little action work and they make great ccw's.
3:Rossi:
Now owned by Taurus. I have a 461 (blued version). The fit and finish are really good for a lower priced gun. It seems to be fairly accurate. D/A trigger pull is fairly heavy.
 
On the other hand...

I am not telling you what to get one way or the other, primarily because I don't know what you want it for, but I used to own an SP 101, and no one ever seems to talk about the negatives of this pistol.

For CCW, it is on the heavy side at around 25 oz. I did carry mine and as far as every day all day long, it was a bit much. I am not a small person either.

With anything less than 158 grain bullets it shoots low. +P rated .38s and .357s shot WAY too low to be considered accurate even at short distances.

Finally, the recoil from the .357 is downright punishing, not to mention bright and loud. The puny thin rubber slip on grip does little to alleviate the pain you will get experience long after touching off a few of the magnums.

I don't mean to trash this pistol, and I am not one of those who comments on something because of what I have "heard elsewhere." These are my impressions from owning carrying and shooting one. I realize there is a kind of love fest going on with this piece at least on this forum, so I will don the asbestos suit now. :p

The Ruger seems to be truly reliable. I never had malfunctions or any other problems with mine. And the size (not the weight) was appealing. The 2 inch fits in the palm of your hand. Trigger pull was very stiff. I originally got it for my wife until we discovered that she couldnt pull the trigger. :( The thing that annoyed me the most was how low the magnums impacted. I realize that is not the fault of this pistol, it's physics, but it was a bummer nonetheless. That and the oppressive recoil of the magnums limited its use at the range. Since the weight was a factor as well, and the wife couldn't reliably carry/use it I couldn't justify hanging on to it, though it always went bang. I still think they are neat little guns. I just can't find a place in my life for one.

As a knockaround gun, I have been considering the Windicator myself. Can't speak from experience, but those that have them seem happy with them. Can't beat the price. It is much heavier than the SP, so if you want daily carry may want to think again. For a range/glove box/HD kind of thing the extra weight may be an advantage.

What to carry on a daily basis really is a personal choice, and not everyone thinks alike. You may give some thought to a lady smith, or a CA Bulldog. There are many on this forum, including myself, that like the combination of light weight and firepower. As always, do your research and handle/shoot as many as you can. I am sure you will find something that meets your needs. Always better than buying too hastily and needing to re-evaluate later (see above).
 
Have you ever owned a Taurus?
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Dad had a 605, had to be sent in for warranty. The cylinder froze up and would not budge at all till it was taken apart and manually opened, everything was put back(fit and finish of guts is awful), and the cylinder was swung back into position, froze up again upon closing. Gun was clean. Gun came back, gun was traded.
 
Finally, the recoil from the .357 is downright punishing, not to mention bright and loud. The puny thin rubber slip on grip does little to alleviate the pain you will get experience long after touching off a few of the magnums.
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I didn't have any difficulty with the weight. I carry a 30oz. semi during the cooler months. I agree with TX_RGR the recoil being punishing in .357, even with Houge Grips. No problem with .38Spl.+p...
Trigger pull was very stiff. I originally got it for my wife until we discovered that she couldnt pull the trigger.
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I also had that problem with the trigger. On the other hand my GP-100 is a plus positive to shoot. No more small frames for me for a while...Telling it like it was..
 
Need to clarify if just shooting it a lot, or planning to CCW as well.

The SP 101 is a great gun, as mentioned before it is a bit heavy. Most Folks using a good belt and holster have no problem with CCW. Most Folks I know use OWB. I'm sure IWB works fine, just seems the folks I know prefer the OWB - must be a local deal.

There is a relationship to gun weight and recoil. I prefer steel guns - or - steel guns with Aluminum. Naturally a lighter gun is going to recoil more, which affects shot to shot. Some of the newer alloys do NOT suggest certain bullets, setback can cause the bullets to become unseated - binding the cyl. Something to consider is "is this gun selective on ammo?".

There is a difference in "shooting sometimes" as light gun that recoils heavily. Be it a dedicated .38 spl. or a .357 that one "can" shoot .38spls out of. The truth is most folks with a .357 usually load up with .38spls. Especially if the wife or gf may have to use the gun as well.

I do not recommend a J frame [sized] for new shooters , it takes practice to become good and comfortable with one. Learning and practice with a K frame [sized] is best, then one transitions what learned to the smaller frames.

The Colt Detective Special is a wee bit bigger than a J frame, "feels" like a K frame, and many prefer this gun size and weight. IWB , OWB, even pocket with a holter works great. Six rds instead of a J frame's five. Many folks find they shoot this gun much better than the J frame sized guns.

Now if you want to consider a snubby that is easier to shoot than a J frame, less monies ( usually ) than a Colt DS - find a good used dedicated .38spl in a K frame - such as a Mod 10 or 64. Six shots, a bit heavier, more stock to hold onto, because of larger grip size of the frame.

Now the old Taurus 85, the blued one, many a person bought these and shot the fire out of them. Still running, still being used for CCW as Primary, BUG, deskdrawer gun at the office - whatever. This before the locks were put on the guns. Granted not as smooth a trigger as a Smith or Colt, still with standard pressure 158 gr loads ( like most snubbies, seems to be what shoots POA/ POI best) these are great guns...getting real hard if not impossible to find an OLDer one used. I have a few folks that have who knows how many rds through them, still running, reliable, even if a bit worn on bluing from CCW-ing and using so much.

Naturally I'm going to suggest you try to shoot a variety before you buy. Then if can and not resticted in your jurisdiction to have a gun lock - find a good used Police Trade in , get the stocks that fit you, find the loads it likes and shoots POA/ POI and shoot the durn thing. Learn it and have fun. Back up 50 yds and ring a steel - big grins are expected of course. :)

DO NOT...shoot a OLDer J frame in .32 or .22lr. Addictive, I take no responsiblity if you do. Just like I don't when I warn a person about a 28 ga shotgun. I still get blamed and all ....still I did warn :D them.
 
Why not a S&W 686 2 1/2"? Very accurate and reliable. Mine here is a 7 shot...Norm.
100_0103.jpg
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Observations and experiences. My EAA Windicator threw its barrel shroud downrange alongside the bullet. I give the EAA Windicator a DON'T BUY. My Ruger SP-101 in 357 Magnum broke its transfer bar more than once. That is not acceptable. I know others are positive in their Ruger SP-101 comments but, I have not had good service from Rugers. The Taurus M85 is a solid and quality product in steel. Blued or stainless. Their total titanium and unobtainium revolvers are spotty in function. S&W has had the same issues. The revolvers become hot when fired rapidly, the material expands under the heat and frozen cylinders have been common in Taurus and S&W revolvers due to heat expansion. The factory returns solve these problems though. S&W has excellent used and new products to choose from. I prefer older S&Ws myself. These can be found at www.jgsales.com www.oldguns.net and www.simpsonltd.com Which snubs do I have? A S&W M10 2", a Colt Lawman MKIII in 357 and 2", a Enfield 380-200 2" and a S&W M30 in 32 S&W Long and 3" barrel. I have owned a few Rossi snubs and I had problems with them all. I would not buy a Rossi product again.
 
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SP101. I carry one CCW, both I and Owb.

I have the 2 1/4 DAO model. I swapped out the factory springs for a 10# main and 8# TR from Wolf. Made the trigger much better. Factory springs would wear me out after about 30 rounds, hand would literally start cramping up!

I like 158 gr Mag loads out of it. 125 mag, way to sharp of recoil. I didn't notice the severe low POI with the lighter weight loads though, it was maybe an inch lower, but for 'combat' ranges, I don't see why that is such a problem. Not like you're going be taking 100 yard shots with a snubby! (Although, I have...heh)
 
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