Better than an SP101?

[The.Tumbleweed]

I usually carry a S&W 637 Aiweight 38 special in a belly band. Because of it's light weight, it's hardly noticeable. A steel framed version of the same would bounce up and down as I walk and it would be noticeable.
I have a low opinion of 357 magnums in "carry" length barrels. They're as loud as a 44 magnum. When I think I need more than .38 special I carry a .44 special snubby.

.357 is my favorite cartridge, but .38 is a bit nicer to shoot, especially if needing to use at night.
That said, the 4 foot ball of flame from a .357, and the loud report, does have a tendency to impress those using lesser cartridges.
I was at a range in Florida, with a group of state troopers at the far end, using my S&W 649-3. Every round I fired shook the structure, and they had to investigate what unholy thing I was using. Naturally, I let them fire it. They were able to nail their targets, and were duly impressed.
They decided they needed to "get me one of those".
I just chuckled.

 

[Armybrat]

Nuthin’ wrong with either one of mine….
.327….357

 

[gramps]

I live in Middle Tn with a transient population of Black Bear, and Mountain Lion, Bobcats are everywhere. I used to carry my SP 101, .357-3” barrel, and had it on me when I had a Black Bear bluff charge me. I love the gun for its shootability, and it carries well in a good holster. I now carry a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Spcl with a 2.5” barrel as my woods bumming gun. It is lighter, it has a 240 gr bullet. I carry an LCP Max in .380, when I go to town. Good luck with your quest!
gramps

 

[peachhead]

I like the SP but it is heavy to carry. LCR, 642, 637 are all lighter but then again not 357. There is always the LCR in 357 but shooting serious loads in it will make your eyelids hurt. Just my .02

 

[Fox Mike]

I have a SP 101 on my hip as I type. In 38 sp it hits were pointed, as does the 357. I would say though, if you are recoil sensitive it may not be what you need. In 38 it is manageable but in 357 it can be a handful. Something lighter would have even more felt recoil.

 

[eveled]

We are lucky to have so many choices.

 

[Heliman]

When it comes to woods carry in 357 revolver I have owned and carried many different makes. A couple of years ago I chose a current generation Colt King Cobra 3”, 6 shot revolver. Meets all my requirements for a woods carry smaller platform revolver. Very accurate and reliable.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

To me the truth about revolvers is in the grip. If the original grip doesn’t fit you like you want try other grips. My wife’s SP 101 wears a rubber hogue grip for her hand. For mine it doesn’t get any better than the Trausch grips. It gives great control of the magnum rounds. I’ve got bigger hands and the oem grips seldom work for me, especially with the more compact grips. I like a grip that is hand filling and keeps the trigger guard from whacking my knuckle.

 

[Fox Mike]

To me the truth about revolvers is in the grip. If the original grip doesn't fit you like you want try other grips. My wife's SP 101 wears a rubber hogue grip for her hand. For mine it doesn't get any better than the Trausch grips. It gives great control of the magnum rounds. I've got bigger hands and the oem grips seldom work for me, especially with the more compact grips. I like a grip that is hand filling and keeps the trigger guard from whacking my knuckle.

Any idea where to go to acquire a set of Trausch grips?

 

[hittman]

eBay or maybe classifieds here.
If the seller knows what he’s got they may be priced in the $100 range

 

[rammerjammer]

LCR 2" or 3"

 

[cybersnow]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am now looking seriously at an SP101 M# 15710 or a S&W 686. The 686 is heavier than the 101 but since I will be loaded with .357 mags in the woods, it may make a big difference in putting multiple rounds on target quickly. It is not an issue between 5 or 6 in the pistol but the ability to put 3 on target in a few seconds. I had a 10mm but sold it simply because after about 500 rounds I was still not able to do that.

 

[cybersnow]

Took the wife’s SP101 out with a box of .357 mag ammo. Bottom line I will stick with .38 ammo and gave the weapon back to the wife. Any recommendations on a better revolver for the mag ammo?

 

[hittman]

For 357 mag I’d settle on GP100 or Speed/Service Six

 

[deac45]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am now looking seriously at an SP101 M# 15710 or a S&W 686. The 686 is heavier than the 101 but since I will be loaded with .357 mags in the woods, it may make a big difference in putting multiple rounds on target quickly. It is not an issue between 5 or 6 in the pistol but the ability to put 3 on target in a few seconds. I had a 10mm but sold it simply because after about 500 rounds I was still not able to do that.

Between those two, for woods carry, the 686 or a comparable GP100 hands down. Get the right grip if the originals don't work for you, a good holster(another rabbit hole) and you have a classic woods bumming rig.

 

[Gryff]

Depends on your definition of "better than the SP101." Nice thing about the SP101 is that it makes .357 Magnum loads more controllable than a lighter revolver. Most people will tell you that the aluminum and polymer frame small revolvers are pretty brutal when running magnum loads.

And if you are thinking about .38 Special because they have less kick, why not just stay with the P365 and 9mm?

 

[SP101x3]

My $.02 - There's pros and cons to any carry weapon. Lighter and smaller guns are easier to carry and conceal but will have more felt recoil than heavier guns in the same caliber. I like to practice with what I carry and found the recoil from full power .357 loads from an LCR .357 were brutal and made quick, accurate follow up shots difficult, and not much fun. The same rounds from the heavier SP101 were more manageable and enjoyable, leading to more and better practice.

 

[bergmen]

My $.02 - There's pros and cons to any carry weapon. Lighter and smaller guns are easier to carry and conceal but will have more felt recoil than heavier guns in the same caliber. I like to practice with what I carry and found the recoil from full power .357 loads from an LCR .357 were brutal and made quick, accurate follow up shots difficult, and not much fun. The same rounds from the heavier SP101 were more manageable and enjoyable, leading to more and better practice.

These are very good points. I personally stayed away from .357 Magnum because of the stout recoil and muzzle blast. I only use them for range toys.

OTOH, 38 special is an excellent choice (to me). Lighter, more compact revolvers but very manageable recoil makes them ideal for EDC.

Dan

 

[Crockett12]

Another option is the Lipsey SP101 in 327. Adjustable sights, blued finish and a different profile barrel.

That would be on my next buy list -- if I could find one -- but I can't!

 

[Boxlock]

A few years ago I bought my wife a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel. It was purchased as a self defense weapon and she completed the concealed carry classes. I put a laser grip on it and sighted it in. At the range, where she can use the laser, she shoots a pretty tight group. Out doors at 21 feet she can draw and put 2 rounds on a 9" paper plate within 4-5 seconds. I have to admit for a self defense weapon, it does a good job! I have been carrying a Sig P365 for about 2 years but am now considering going to a revolver as we live in a very rural area and I have never needed more than 2 rounds when in the back country. I am looking to go .38/.357mag. Any suggestions for a revolver that is light to carry and better than the SP101?
Oh, no grizzlies around here.

I have a 3” barrel SP101 in 327 Federal. That little cannon is a fire breather with full power ammo, as it should be! But I can load it with much milder 32 S&W Long and it becomes a pussycat and fun to shoot! Frankly I don’t think I need much more than the 32 S&W Longs! For anything!

 

[eveled]

I’m glad you shot .357 out of the SP101 before you tried an AirLite S&W.

You should try a GP 100 next.

 

[JackBull]

Took the wife's SP101 out with a box of .357 mag ammo. Bottom line I will stick with .38 ammo and gave the weapon back to the wife. Any recommendations on a better revolver for the mag ammo?

Sorry but mag ammo is not needed in a revolver for SD, except of course if its a 32 H&R mag. YMMV

 

[mjh]

With two SP's I thought I'd try an LCR--two range trips with the LCR and 357 and the LCR was traded in towards a 9mm. Later on picked up another SP> For a smallish revolver that I can handle 357 with I'll always pick an SP 101.

If I need more I can always use my GP 100.

 

[needsmostuff]

Any idea where to go to acquire a set of Trausch grips?

They are hidden on the same shelf as the Uncle Mike's for Redhawk grips.

 

[sharpblade7777]

Any time I take one of these 357's out to shoot and feel the recoil is to harsh, I bring out the 454 and shoot a couple rounds and realize maybe the 357 recoil is not all that bad. Neither one of the 357's actually

put a real hurting on my hand like the 454. It is really painful for me to shoot it.

 

[cybersnow]

I have been carrying a P227 (.45) in the woods but feel very comfortable with a KISS revolver. I think I will take the SP101 out again next week and give it another try. Unfortunately the local sporting goods only carries a few weapons so I guess a days trip to the nearest city (2.5 hours each way) is on my list of things to do.

 

[WendyZXZ]

One of the good things about the heft and balance of the 3" SP101 in .357 is how well they work with the less than full power loads, or short barrel loads, like the Golden Saber which is a favorite here. Ballistically about like a 9mm load out of the 3" barrel. So, has some recoil but for its use easy to work with. 125 grain hollowpoint at about 1200 FPS. We stock up on that load, it always works well in all calibers we have tried.

 

[magnum0710]

Sorry, it doesn't get better than a SP101

I beg to differ

 

[Threespears]

I beg to differ
View attachment 80438

That is Beautiful
Why did Ruger quit making those?

 

[magnum0710]

There have been a lot of good points and I see you're looking to go 686 or one of the heavier revolvers.

Carrying a heavier gun really isn't that bad, my EDC is a Speed Six and it weighs about 2 lbs even so a little heavier than the SP101. The trick is getting a good belt and a good holster, it really makes a huge difference. You'll notice the weight for about a week then you get used to it, I forget it's even there sometimes.

As someone else mentioned grips can be a huge difference maker too. With revolvers the grip absolutely has to fit my hand, especially with 357 magnum and up. With semi autos I can usually adjust and make it work but revolvers are a different story. Now if we're talking a 22 or light 38 target loads or even 38 +p loads in a heavier gun then grips aren't a big deal. I would try some different grips on the wife's SP101 before you make a decision. What works for one person may not work for another, unfortunately I'm not seeing too many options for the SP101. If it were me I'd try the Hogue monogrip (not the nylon or wood versions just rubber) and the Pachmayrs. Pachmayr has the Compac and Diamond Pro for the SP101.

I don't have an SP101 and I haven't had the chance to shoot one yet so I can't make a specific reccomendation on a particular set of grips. All I can say is go with rubber and try a few until you find what works. Wood grips are ok on a heavier gun but even then I prefer rubber. I had an early model low back Security Six 4 inch and the factory stocks would beat my hand up like I owed em money, I found a way to make a set of Pachmayrs for the more common high back frame fit and they turned it into a whole new gun.

As for bigger heavier guns you got some options. I prefer fixed sights on my carry guns but adjustable sights aren't a deal breaker. They're out of production now but my number one pick is the Speed Six with 2.75" barrel. They made some with full 3 inch barrels but they're kind of rare, definitely not as common as the 2.75s. There's also the Police Service Six which is basically the same gun but with a square butt frame instead of a round butt but the short barrel Speed Six is easier to find. If adjustable sights are your thing there's a 2.75 Security Six too. I'd try to find a heavy barrel version if you go with one of the Sixes.

Then there's the 3 inch fixed sight GP100 which may just be what you're looking for. Since were talking a woods guns concealment may not be your top priority and the extra weight will help with recoil further. The SP101 is 27 oz, the Speed Six is 32 and the GP is 36. There's also the K frame Smiths and they're the same size/weight as the Sixes. For me the Sixes are the sweet spot, small enough to conceal yet big/heavy enough to control full power magnums.

The shorter barrels are going to have more blast and flash than a 4 inch or a longer barrel and they might have a tad more recoil but the added weight is still going to help. You could try tailoring the load to the gun too, if bears aren't a concern Double Tap makes a 158 grain hard cast 38+p load thats perfect for smaller guns. Its not 38/44 level like the Underwood or Buffalo Bore versions. If you reload then that gives you even more options.