Doc Holliday 1950
New member
I'm sure this has been asked a zillion times. What would you carry in either a 38 spec or 357 mag revolver? WOULD IT BE TODAY'S S&W or TODAY'S RUGER?
DOC
DOC
which would you rather carry?
- Thread starter Doc Holliday 1950
- Start date
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
Ruger LCR is hard to beat.
Either or... There are great models from both available now. Practice makes perfect. I like to think I'd go s&w but I don't know. My experience with the sp101 has me craving a potentially better trigger from s&w, but I dont know if that would be the case. I'd prefer an all steel revolver. I've shot the light weight revolvers from Ruger and s&w and while both are very light and shootable I prefer the heft and potential durability of the all steel guns.
I had an sp101, it had fixed sight and the gun shot a little left so I sold it. I don't regret it. I'd be willing to try another, but I might go smith next time to see how it feels...
Ruger is less expensive though.
I had an sp101, it had fixed sight and the gun shot a little left so I sold it. I don't regret it. I'd be willing to try another, but I might go smith next time to see how it feels...
Ruger is less expensive though.
For -carry- in new production only, I would choose the Ruger but I would not feel a problem if I were stuck with a new S&W.
For pride of ownership, enjoyment and heavy work on the shooting range for fun and skill building, I would also choose the Ruger if I am stuck with new production.
With all that said...
I've got pre-lock S&W revolvers, a slew of them, and when it comes to revolvers, THAT is always going to be my top choice, far and above all others.
If someone forced me to choose my ten most favorite revolvers of all that I own... Nine of them would be Smith & Wesson.
For pride of ownership, enjoyment and heavy work on the shooting range for fun and skill building, I would also choose the Ruger if I am stuck with new production.
With all that said...
I've got pre-lock S&W revolvers, a slew of them, and when it comes to revolvers, THAT is always going to be my top choice, far and above all others.
If someone forced me to choose my ten most favorite revolvers of all that I own... Nine of them would be Smith & Wesson.
My answer is BOTH.
I foolishly traded away an LCR a few years ago. It was really a great gun with a great trigger. I shot it well too. For some reason, I had it in my head that I needed a gun with more capacity so i ditched it.
I'll be picking up a S&W 637-2 early next week. Yes it has the lock. Really doesn't bother me all that much. While the trigger isn't quite as nice as the LCR, I'm willing to bet it will break-in nicely with a little trigger time. It doesn't seem as bulky as the LCR either which should lend itself nicely to pocket carry.
I foolishly traded away an LCR a few years ago. It was really a great gun with a great trigger. I shot it well too. For some reason, I had it in my head that I needed a gun with more capacity so i ditched it.
I'll be picking up a S&W 637-2 early next week. Yes it has the lock. Really doesn't bother me all that much. While the trigger isn't quite as nice as the LCR, I'm willing to bet it will break-in nicely with a little trigger time. It doesn't seem as bulky as the LCR either which should lend itself nicely to pocket carry.
Well Doc I think you already know what I like. I've tried to like other brands but I just feel Ruger builds a much stronger and safer firearm using sold bar stock without side plates and screws. (screws to work lose)
Rugers are not safe queens, they are meant be shot and shot hard. Pass down from generation to generation.
There's a guy right now over on YouTube has close to 10,000 rounds of full house .357 through his LCR. Sent it off at 7,000 rounds to a gun lab for testing and it came back with a note saying they could not find any wear and tear. Not bad for a gun that's only been in production for 5 years. And has not entirely won the gun guru's over yet cause it doesn't have x amount of years behind it. (but it will in time that's for sure)
Anyway check out this video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3CrI9SEd7Y&feature=youtu.be
(note the new productions no longer have the under grip child proof locking system which I thought was ingenious myself but whatever makes no difference to me)
______
Rugers are not safe queens, they are meant be shot and shot hard. Pass down from generation to generation.
There's a guy right now over on YouTube has close to 10,000 rounds of full house .357 through his LCR. Sent it off at 7,000 rounds to a gun lab for testing and it came back with a note saying they could not find any wear and tear. Not bad for a gun that's only been in production for 5 years. And has not entirely won the gun guru's over yet cause it doesn't have x amount of years behind it. (but it will in time that's for sure)
Anyway check out this video here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3CrI9SEd7Y&feature=youtu.be
(note the new productions no longer have the under grip child proof locking system which I thought was ingenious myself but whatever makes no difference to me)
______
I'd RATHER carry a 3" heavy barrel K-frame (Smith & Wesson). I have one made in 1984 and another made in 1979. But, alas, they are rather heavy and I am a bit weight sensitive. I carried a Ruger SP101 for awhile (actually two different ones), but I never could get them to shoot well. So now I carry a lightweight alloy framed S&W (442) or a small 9mm auto.
Smith 442 no lock with added crimson trace laser grips.
It's got the history, the track record, the performance, the aftermarket, just the right weight and a decent caliber all going for it. Pocket, belt, ankle, deep cover it will do all of that well.
I will say the Ruger LCR has a FANTASTIC out of the box trigger.
I really like Ruger revolvers in the larger varieties (GP, SP, RedBlackYellowMagenta Hawks etc) but for EDC the no lock 442 and 642 are kind of a sweet spot IMO.
Shoot safe,
Chris
It's got the history, the track record, the performance, the aftermarket, just the right weight and a decent caliber all going for it. Pocket, belt, ankle, deep cover it will do all of that well.
I will say the Ruger LCR has a FANTASTIC out of the box trigger.
I really like Ruger revolvers in the larger varieties (GP, SP, RedBlackYellowMagenta Hawks etc) but for EDC the no lock 442 and 642 are kind of a sweet spot IMO.
Shoot safe,
Chris
Cosmodragoon
New member
This is my general opinion but I've made a few exceptions. Smith releases so many different guns and every once in a while, something amazing or unique comes out. That said, those are range guns. I carry Ruger. If unavoidable danger should come our way, Ruger is what I trust for my family.
lee n. field
New member
Depends. Either. For which one can I get a grip that works well for me?
Pond James Pond
New member
I'd quite fancy a 6-shot SP101 in .38Spl, or even an LCR in 22Mag.
I would take the Ruger for the hevier frame and no lock. I would also look into a trigger mod.
Either one.
Like them both.
Can't get hung up about the Smith lock nor
about the super strength of the Ruger.
Considering how many Smiths exist today
and have seen yeoman service, I think the
strength aspect is much ado about nothing
unless you're one of those who must fire
off thousands and thousands of full house
magnums.
Like them both.
Can't get hung up about the Smith lock nor
about the super strength of the Ruger.
Considering how many Smiths exist today
and have seen yeoman service, I think the
strength aspect is much ado about nothing
unless you're one of those who must fire
off thousands and thousands of full house
magnums.