Doc, the killer on the SP101 with full mag loads is the grip. They have small, funky shaped grips that facilitate concealment but do nothing to mitigate recoil. As discussed in another thread, the Hogue grip (similar Pachmayr grip has been promised but not yet delivered) will improve shootability but at the cost of decreasing concealability.
What would you get
- Thread starter Doc Holliday 1950
- Start date
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
Yes, I keep going back and forth with the Model 60 and the SP 101 & still like the Rossi (go figure). I know the rap. "It's a poor man's S&W". Anyone that's followed me since I first joined looking for my first quality wheel acquisition knows I research the daylights out of everything. Obsessions.Drives me crazy.
I'm like this at work.
Got on offer for a S&W model 19-3 2.5" 357 mag 85% quality it's going for $750.00 any thoughts on this baby??
I'm like this at work.
Got on offer for a S&W model 19-3 2.5" 357 mag 85% quality it's going for $750.00 any thoughts on this baby??
If you're comfortable with a heavy gun, go all the way and upgrade to 44.
44 special that is. But only if you reload.
Taurus 431, five shots, 44 special, 3" barrel, smooth "combat trigger", full length ejector rod, K-frame size so it fits holsters for a K-frame Smith & Wesson. Less apparent recoil and noise than a .357 in a similar size gun, at least in my opinion.
As I said, factory ammo is not common or inexpensive. At least for range ammo, you'll want to reload. They're not made anymore, so it's a used gun hunt.
Not my cup of tea for a carry gun, too heavy. Personally I carry a 642 airweight, 38, but if you don't mind a heavy gun, you might as well carry one with a big hole in the end of the barrel.
44 special that is. But only if you reload.
Taurus 431, five shots, 44 special, 3" barrel, smooth "combat trigger", full length ejector rod, K-frame size so it fits holsters for a K-frame Smith & Wesson. Less apparent recoil and noise than a .357 in a similar size gun, at least in my opinion.
As I said, factory ammo is not common or inexpensive. At least for range ammo, you'll want to reload. They're not made anymore, so it's a used gun hunt.
Not my cup of tea for a carry gun, too heavy. Personally I carry a 642 airweight, 38, but if you don't mind a heavy gun, you might as well carry one with a big hole in the end of the barrel.
Well we know you're not going to stick with the Rossi or you would've still be here.
All I know of the M60 and SP101 is that I held 3" versions of each at an LGS. I preferred the feel of the SP slightly but either would be good if you want a hammer. I think either would need some action work. If you don't want a hammer for your carry gun, go with a 2" SP - or LCR357 but I think you've decided against that or you wouldn't still be here. Even though a Model 19 is a beautiful piece of machinery, I would not deliberately buy one with the intention of shooting .357 out of it. You have no way of knowing how many low-weight rounds that gun has shot. To me, it isn't a matter of "if" but "when" that forcing cone will break. Plus, that $750 price is way out of line. If you got a good deal on one (Less than $400) then I'd say Ok, buy it and hope that the forcing cone lasts but definitely not at anything near that price.
$750 is high, but old S&Ws are going for crazy money these days, and the 2.5" barrel 19 is a rare variant, which adds further to the price. And, its not like they are making new ones...
To me, its a matter of "shoot the right ammo and you won't have any trouble". Forcing cone issues in the model 19 are well documented, and even if the gun has been abused by large amounts of 125gr JHP, cracks, chips, and wear are easy to spot with careful inspection.
Model 19s were in service for a long time, with no abnormal issues when 158gr .357 was the standard ammo. Problems didn't show up until police depts. began firing large amounts of 125gr JHPs in training.
Personally, I'm not a fan of short barrels on medium or large frame guns. Nor am I a fan of tiny .357 mags. For concealment, the bulk of a revolver is in the cylinder and grips. An additional inch or inch and a half of barrel is a minor matter, comparatively speaking, but does yield a significant improvement in velocity with some loads.
My personal snubnose is a Colt Agent .38 Spl. It is a tiny bit larger than the smallest S&Ws but it holds 6, not 5. I also think that the blast and recoil of the .357 in a snubnose is not worth the slight added velocity and energy the magnum gives, in the short barrel.
.38 special in a snubnose is a bit of a blast. .357 Magnum in the same gun is a small stick of dynamite. No problem with that first shot, but maybe following shots might be more problematical.
As to Rossi, Taurus, etc., Some of them seem ok, some are not as good, and it seems to be a flip of the coin, if you get one that works right, or not.
Also there is the point, for me, about spending what little money I have on US products, when possible, and very firm about that when practical.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
I'd get this.
In fact, I just did about half an hour ago.
It's the lightest 3" revolver out there and with great sights and a good grip.
In fact, I just did about half an hour ago.
It's the lightest 3" revolver out there and with great sights and a good grip.
HighValleyRanch
New member
i'm holding out for when they come out with the .357 version!
ranchito457
New member
I bought a sp101 357 with 3 inch barrel a little while back and even though I like shooting it,people are right it does bite a bit with full magnum 357 loads but on the other hand it handles 38's like a champ. I carry mine sometimes in a IWB holster and I hardly know it is there...
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Exactly! I bought a Ruger LCR 357 because it is built stronger (stainless steel) than the 38spl model. And can shoot 357 Magnum or 38 Special. I like having choices.
Pocket carry snubs.
I have carried one of two .38 snubs for the past several years. The one I usually carry to town is a S&W M36 that which I have bobbed the hammer. The other is a Taurus 85 that came with a bobbed hammer. I carry them both in a Bianchi pocket holster which works very well despite being way cheaper than other pocket carry holsters.
I have carried one of two .38 snubs for the past several years. The one I usually carry to town is a S&W M36 that which I have bobbed the hammer. The other is a Taurus 85 that came with a bobbed hammer. I carry them both in a Bianchi pocket holster which works very well despite being way cheaper than other pocket carry holsters.
Johnny Falcon
New member
Small gun for carry? I would go with a 642 no-lock.
Taurus model 85's have a good reputation. I have owned two, both excellent.
If you were willing to consider a 44 special, some people say that the Rossi 720 is the best revolver that Rossi ever made. I love that cartridge. They are stainless, 3" barrel, and I think a little smaller than a k-frame.
My SP101 is okay, but the trigger is too heavy. It's a nice size.
And it's hard to go wrong with a S&W!
If you were willing to consider a 44 special, some people say that the Rossi 720 is the best revolver that Rossi ever made. I love that cartridge. They are stainless, 3" barrel, and I think a little smaller than a k-frame.
My SP101 is okay, but the trigger is too heavy. It's a nice size.
And it's hard to go wrong with a S&W!
Flintstone
Inactive
I don't think you can go wrong with a Colt DS or Cobra. Six rounds and I like the trigger. I see them at every gun show, so shouldn't be too hard to find.
jetinteriorguy
New member
I bought a Taurus 85 in stainless a couple of years ago, put about 500 rounds through it before trading it off. I did put Wolf springs in it and liked the trigger after that, but for whatever reason I couldn't get the POI to match the POA. Most likely an ergonomic thing for my hand, I handload and tried a lot of different loads but it always liked to hit about 2 1/2" to the left and no matter how I held it or worked on my trigger pull I just couldn't get it to work. But the other reason I traded it off is because the bore was just so rough and pitted from the factory I couldn't stand looking at it. I didn't have my bore light with me the day I bought it but figured a new gun should have a nice smooth shiny bore, guess I was wrong. Traded for a very nice lightly used S&W model 14-3 and couldn't be happier. Now my carry is a very sweet little Ruger LC9s and it's dead accurate and a blast to carry and shoot.
Doc,
Reference the SP-101, the only negative I have ever heard about them is the regret people have when they get rid of it, you can put me in that group. I had it in .357 mag with a 2.25" barrel and kick myself for getting rid of it. It fired .38's like a dream and although .357's were fun out of it, they did grow a bit tiresome after a couple cylinders worth. I did carry it as a camp gun sometimes in my front pocket while fishing.
With all that said, if I were looking for IWB carry I would certainly go with a J-frame, hammerless type off revolver. Obviously this is just my input and preference.
Reference the SP-101, the only negative I have ever heard about them is the regret people have when they get rid of it, you can put me in that group. I had it in .357 mag with a 2.25" barrel and kick myself for getting rid of it. It fired .38's like a dream and although .357's were fun out of it, they did grow a bit tiresome after a couple cylinders worth. I did carry it as a camp gun sometimes in my front pocket while fishing.
With all that said, if I were looking for IWB carry I would certainly go with a J-frame, hammerless type off revolver. Obviously this is just my input and preference.
UncleLoodis
New member
How about a Smith & Wesson 940? I have one...love it.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=off&q=smith+&+wesson+940
U.L.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=off&q=smith+&+wesson+940
U.L.
