Revolver questions

[Clovishound]

I have always been a semi auto guy. First real weapon I bought was a Mark I. When I picked up my first CC weapon a couple years ago, I bought an SR9c. Have been very happy with it.

Earlier this year I found some Smith model 10 trade ins from a security company at a LGS. They weren't pretty, but looked good mechanically, and had a good price. I picked one up, and love it at the range. I'm thinking about picking up a revolver to rotate out for carry with my SR9c.

I want something that I can carry, but also enjoy at the range. I'm thinking about a medium frame 38/357 with a 3" barrel. I had the opportunity to shoot a J frame 3" in 38 about a month ago. It was accurate, but recoil made it somewhat uncomfortable.

I suppose I am looking for comparisons between Smith and Ruger as to size etc. I see that Ruger has their 38/357 models all in 3" barrel options. Smith does not. Price is better on Ruger as well. I really like my Smith, but I also have a soft spot for Ruger.

Looking at the GP100s and SP101s, I assume that the 101s are the same basic size as the Smith J frames, and the 100s are similar to the K frames.

I find that my 4" model 10 is a tad large for concealment. Doable, but I would prefer a shorter barrel, and the square butt doesn't help much either. I also wouldn't mind having it in stainless, as I live in a warm climate. I have shot the 2" K frame Smith a good bit in the past, and didn't care much for it then, so I am thinking a 3" barrel is the way to go for me. I have shot a couple 3" barrel Smith models recently, and they were fine for me.

So, any advice on conceal-ability, shoot-ability, trigger etc would be appreciated. FYI, I have access to rental weapons, so I will be able to test drive a similar model prior to purchase. I would just like to be able to narrow things down a bit more before buying pricey LGS ammo to run through their rentals. I have gotten spoiled shooting my reloads cheaper than today's .22lr prices.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the fun world of revolvers.
I was issued a S&W model 10 as my personal crew firearm as a crewchief in the Army. I have shot many of them. Most with the 4" bbl. Excellent guns for their purpose.
I have shot many of the S&W "J" framed guns, and like you I felt the recoil didn't allow for extended shooting sessions.
I also currently own 4 Ruger SP-101's, a few Security-Six variations, etc. I also have a S&W m-19 in 357 with a 4" bbl.
So, the SP is not the same as the J-framed S&W and as such, the GP-100 is also bigger than the K frames. In fact, there was an advertising war between S&W & Ruger back in the 80's or early 90's where the frame "beefiness" was at the heart of the spat.

I'd get ahold of an SP-101 & try it. And, if you want to conceal it a bit more, remember you can swap around the grips. We have Hogues on a few here.
For a 3" CCW revolver that won't kill you while shooting on the range, I'd have to say the SP-101 is the best choice out of what you have mentioned. It is heavier than the J-frames, and as such, much more pleasant to shoot. If you find a Speed-Six it will be a little bigger, but it carries 6 rounds vs 5 for the SP-101.

 

[pawncop]

Lot of folks highly prize the 3" model 65 or model13. One I carry is a 2 1/2" model 686 as an issued off duty sidearm. Very concealable I do not feel under gunned where I am using it.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The SP-101 with the 3" barrel is a nice compromise. It is heavy enough that 38 specials are very mild to shoot and it is accurate enough to be good target gun. It also carries CCW pretty well.

 

[MnBulldog]

Agreeing with Contender.

The SP101 has less felt recoil than a J frame and will also handle a larger diet of .357s if that is what you choose.
The trigger debate between the two could go on and on, but both can be smoothed to an acceptable level. Currently holster options for J frames are more numerous, but many more options for the SP101s are appearing all the time.
I have both and they each have their niche

 

[Clovishound]

Thanks all. Good news that the SPs are larger than the J frames. The 101 with a 3" barrel will be at the top of the list.

 

[DGW1949]

The 101 is considerably bulkier than a J-Frame.
Both are good guns.
Both are harder to shoot well than your Model-10..... It's a matter of physics.
Personaly, If I was to limit myself to a hide-out revolver, I'd want a 3" round-butt Model-36.....but that's just me.

DGW

 

[Tommyhof]

SP101 2", I can carry this but it's mostly a camping gun, can load hot if desired or light for the range.

 

[Ozark rkg]

The SP-101 with the 3" barrel is a nice compromise. It is heavy enough that 38 specials are very mild to shoot and it is accurate enough to be good target gun. It also carries CCW pretty well.

Ditto this. I think my SP-101 is my favorite handgun. I enjoy it at the range and it is my daily carry.

 

[shaffe48]

I like my SP 3" but I don't think you could go wrong with any SW or Ruger...though I only have experience with the Ruger's, I doubt anyone would disagree.

You must already know the size of gun you can conceal from your automatic experience and you rightly say that a revolver will be more difficult to shoot for a given size/weight due to extra recoil and the fact that it recoils upward. So I would experiment around the SP since it's heavy for it's size but go up or down if you need to from there. With the revolver, you can also start with light recoiling ammo and work up from there as you gain experience with the new type of gun.

 

[Clovishound]

The 101 is considerably bulkier than a J-Frame.
Both are good guns.
Both are harder to shoot well than your Model-10..... It's a matter of physics.
Personaly, If I was to limit myself to a hide-out revolver, I'd want a 3" round-butt Model-36.....but that's just me.

DGW

Why do you say that the 101 would be harder to shoot than the Model 10? Are you referring to accuracy based on the slightly shorter barrel?

 

[DGW1949]

The 101 is considerably bulkier than a J-Frame.
Both are good guns.
Both are harder to shoot well than your Model-10..... It's a matter of physics.
Personaly, If I was to limit myself to a hide-out revolver, I'd want a 3" round-butt Model-36.....but that's just me.

DGW

Why do you say that the 101 would be harder to shoot than the Model 10? Are you referring to accuracy based on the slightly shorter barrel?

I didn't say it was harder to shoot....I said that it is harder to shoot well.
What I was getting at is;
The trigger-action is much better on a Model-10 than on either of the other two which you mentioned.
Most people find a heavier trigger coupled with a lighter gun to be troublesome. On the other side of that coin, the larger/heavier K-frame is easier to hold steady while in use, particularly when fired in DA mode. That extra weight also means that it will recoil less with a given load, which aids in quick follow up shots.

Simply put......one is made for mostly toting, the other is mostly made for shootin'.

DGW

 

[Clovishound]

Thanks DGW.

I am somewhat familiar with the different configurations of the Smith revolvers, not so much the Rugers. I haven't had the opportunity to try the trigger, feel the weight, or sight down the barrel of the SP101, or the GP100.

It is a little disappointing to hear that the triggers on the Rugers are not in the same class as the Model 10. That is one of the things I really like about mine. It is also one of the things that drew me to the SR9c. IMO it has the best trigger of any of strikers I tried out. The trigger on my Mark I target model is second to none for an out of the box production weapon.

 

[contender]

Well, I understand DGW's comments. A S&W trigger assy. is different than Rugers. But I have found I can shoot either one just as easily as the other. I currently own a 4" M-19 S&W, as well as a few M-27's. I also own about 4 of the SP-101's. At 25 yds, I can use either type just as well as the other. I see no disadvantage in the SP.
But, I will say that S&W triggers are generally smoother, and easier to operate. But a good gunsmith, versed in Rugers can slick one up quite nicely.

 

[jude]

I don't have a lot of experience with s@w revolvers, the ones ive handled all had very smooth crisp triggers. what sold me on the gp-100 was the smooth trigger, and the heft. when I bought my sp-101 the trigger was no where near as light [?] don't know if that's the correct term. ive put about 500 roumds thru it and the trigger has come around nicely. I shoot it as well as the gp-100 now. I had to put on the Hogue monogrip as it would crack me on the knuckle. this does make it harder to conceal. any opinions on the clip-draw?

 

[Clovishound]

Most of my experience with revolvers has been Smith. The pull on my model 10 is about 3.5 lbs in SA. It is very smooth, short and crisp. I bought it used, earlier this year, and it was already broken in for me. The trigger is one of the things I really like about my model 10.

The trigger on my SR9c was a little "gritty" when new. After about 400 rounds through it, and special attention to cleaning and lubing the striker blocker button,it smoothed out very nicely. The trigger on it was head and shoulders above the triggers on any of the other striker fired weapons I tried. This includes some of the extremely well regarded manufacturers.

As I remember, my Mark I was smooth and crisp right out of the box. Of course, that was in 1976, so not 100% sure about that at this point.

Trigger characteristics are very important to me. I can shoot reasonably accurately with a trigger I don't particularly care for, but I really don't like shooting with a trigger not to my tastes. I shot the LC9 nearly as accurately as my SR9c at 7 yards, but would never consider getting one because of the DAO trigger. The one I shot was not even a smooth, predictable DA.

I am willing to make compromises when necessary. I would never consider a striker fired weapon for a range weapon, but was willing to deal with the long pull for the benefits gained (IMO) for an EDC weapon. I do insist on any carry weapon being enjoyable enough for me to shoot so that I will be wanting to spend quality time at the range with it.

The plan for this revolver would be primarily a range weapon, that would do double duty as a carry weapon on occasion.

The other issue is that if it will not be significantly easier to conceal and carry than my 4" model 10, then I would probably be better off to spend my money on something else. I was also thinking about a small caliber bolt action rifle. But, that would be a question for a different part of the forum, and I can only afford one or the other right now.

 

[shaffe48]

Trigger characteristics are very important to me. I can shoot reasonably accurately with a trigger I don't particularly care for, but I really don't like shooting with a trigger not to my tastes.

The plan for this revolver would be primarily a range weapon, that would do double duty as a carry weapon on occasion.

The other issue is that if it will not be significantly easier to conceal and carry than my 4" model 10, then I would probably be better off to spend my money on something else.

Based on my skill level, a revolver that can be carried year around and be fired accurately at 25 yards w/ 357's does not exist. Getting a range gun and a CC gun in one gun is one heck of a compromise. Of course, there are those that can do anything with anything. But in my experience, I cannot shoot the SP as accurately even if firing single action and even for the first shot with .357's because the recoil makes the barrel go elsewhere before the bullet leaves the barrel. But the SP is for shooting at close range in DA, in my use. With 38's the experience may be better. They do sell a 4" SP with adjustable sights now as well. The double action trigger on the SP is also nowhere near as smooth as the GP due to frame dimensions; you could probably pick one up at the gun shop and see if it is within your standard. For me, the GP is a 25 yd gun with .357's, and a 25+ yard gun with 38's. The + can be significant depending on the day.

Also, I fired an SR40 and the trigger pull for this gun was incomparably better than any DA trigger pull on any revolver I ever fired. The SR series will be easier to shoot from DA if this is your comparison. The benefit of the revolver is reliability and the ability to handle higher pressures in a platform that is more than shootable for SD purposes (and longer ranges w/ SA).

 

[Clovishound]

My buddy and I went to the range yesterday. I had the opportunity to look at a 3" SP101. They have one in the rental herd. Sometime in the next month, I will pick up a box of their overpriced ammo, and run some rounds through it. I really liked the look and feel of it. I must say, though, that the size seems closer to the size of a J frame. Still, the guy behind the counter had a fair amount of experience with the different wheel guns, and told me that the SP had less of a recoil issue than the model 60.

My buddy was pushing me towards a 306.

I've got another month and a half until I get a cash infusion, so I have time to mull this over.

 

[DGW1949]

Yeah, the Model-60 does have more of "a recoil issue" than a 10 or SP, and particularly-so with .357 loads. Whether or not the difference between it and an SP will be enough to make a difference to you is another question. FWIW, I think that you are on the right track with the "try before you buy" approach because one thing is for certain......if you find the SP-101 to be a "bit much", you surely aint going to like the recoil out of a Smith-60. :lol: .

DGW

 

[Clovishound]

Yeah, the Model-60 does have more of "a recoil issue" than a 10 or SP, and particularly-so with .357 loads. Whether or not the difference between it and an SP will be enough to make a difference to you is another question. FWIW, I think that you are on the right track with the "try before you buy" approach because one thing is for certain......if you find the SP-101 to be a "bit much", you surely aint going to like the recoil out of a Smith-60. :lol: .

DGW

The model 60 was the J frame I shot a while back in 3" barrel. It was manageable, but not enjoyable.

Fortunately the LGS has a range with a fairly well stocked rental herd. I was able to try out a bunch of different weapons prior to making the decision for my first EDC. I found several that seemed pretty good by look, and feel in the hand. Actually putting some rounds through them was a different story. I kept coming back the SR9c. Finally decided that was the one for me. After almost 2 years with it, I feel it was a good decision. This has made me a big believer in the test drive prior to buying.