Ruger Six series/SP quality accuracy vs S&W model 15
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contender
Ruger Guru
It's hard to make a comparison.
Due to the totally different action design, it's almost like trying to compare apples to oranges.
Both brands are quality built. But as for accuracy,, you can get good & bad in all three.
Rugers tend to be considered more robust & stronger,, while the S&W's tend to be known for a better feeling action.
In general, it's what feels the best to the individual.
Due to the totally different action design, it's almost like trying to compare apples to oranges.
Both brands are quality built. But as for accuracy,, you can get good & bad in all three.
Rugers tend to be considered more robust & stronger,, while the S&W's tend to be known for a better feeling action.
In general, it's what feels the best to the individual.
SteveSt
Bearcat
I have shot several Ruger Sixes, Sp101s, GP100s, Redhawks, Blackhawks and found them to be more accurate than I am. And I have shot several S&W models of several calibers and found them to be the same way. For a real comparison, you would need to pick a couple of guns and compare them yourself. Each gun shoots differently with different people shooting it.
And I feel, the SP does not compare to the Security Six in any way. Nor is it meant to. But everything else withstanding, the Security Six is still a better revolver. And the Security Six is easier to shoot accurately. That said, the SP is physically smaller. There's no free ride. A smaller revolver can be more difficult to master than a larger revolver, but a smaller revolver may better suit individual needs. And on the plus side, if a feller wants a small-ish revolver, and intends to shoot heavy loads, the SP mitigates recoil better than a J-Frame Smith.
I own, shoot, and have carried them all. The Security/Speed Six's are my preference.
I don't want to unfairly insinuate the SP101 is of lesser quality. But there are some manufacturing shortcuts that don't make the SP my favorite. And the smaller geometry of the SP requires some hell-acious DA pulls.
Accuracy? A model 15 Smith is comparable to a Security Six.
Apples to Oranges comparisons are addressed by personal opinion and experience only.
Which one is best?
:)
I own, shoot, and have carried them all. The Security/Speed Six's are my preference.
I don't want to unfairly insinuate the SP101 is of lesser quality. But there are some manufacturing shortcuts that don't make the SP my favorite. And the smaller geometry of the SP requires some hell-acious DA pulls.
Accuracy? A model 15 Smith is comparable to a Security Six.
Apples to Oranges comparisons are addressed by personal opinion and experience only.
Which one is best?
:)
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"And I say, the SP quality does not compare to the Security Six in any way. The Security Six is a better revolver. And the Security Six is easier to shoot accurately."
I'm in agreement. Particularly if we're talking about SP-101s made recently. Quality control is apparently second to production volume nowadays. Ruger can manufacture nice quality revolvers. The assemblers on the SP-101 line simply can't be bothered to do so consistently.
I'm in agreement. Particularly if we're talking about SP-101s made recently. Quality control is apparently second to production volume nowadays. Ruger can manufacture nice quality revolvers. The assemblers on the SP-101 line simply can't be bothered to do so consistently.
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I'm a big and longtime Ruger fan, and a big fan of the Six series Rugers, although I don't currently own any. I have owned them in all the barrel lengths, blued and stainless. I think the Six series guns are some of the very finest mid-frame .38/.357 revolvers ever made by anyone, a little more robust by design than K-frame S&Ws. I have zero experience with the SP series. The S&W model 15 is not as heavy duty a gun as the Sixes, although entirely adequate strength wise for any reasonable. 38 load. My old 1953 5-screw pre-model 15 (Combat Masterpiece was the official S&W designation prior to the introduction of model numbers in 1957) is a little lighter, sleeker, and slicker than any Six series Ruger I've ever handled.
Given this, do you believe there’s a time period when SP101 were of better quality? Perhaps when they first came out in 88 till 2000? Or is there a time period that has more known issues than others?
southernbuck101
Single-Sixer
I've never understood why anyone would choose a 38 special only gun (like the Smith model 15 and 67)
Over the same basic frame size in 357 mag.Smith mod 19,66,686.
That said, and I admit I've been a Smith Groupie most of my adult life.
Until I traded into a Security Six.
I love the stainless 6" I have
I also have a SP101 4" from the late 90s.
It's not fun to shoot full 357 loads from,after the first cylinder load
But comfortable with. 38 special.
And I will own one in 9mm when our paths cross,and my wallet agrees.
I still have many Smiths.
But as with most practical applications in which involves a firearm in my life,
It involves a stainless Ruger.
Truck guns are Glocks.
Simply because I won't cry over a stolen Glock.
Over the same basic frame size in 357 mag.Smith mod 19,66,686.
That said, and I admit I've been a Smith Groupie most of my adult life.
Until I traded into a Security Six.
I love the stainless 6" I have
I also have a SP101 4" from the late 90s.
It's not fun to shoot full 357 loads from,after the first cylinder load
But comfortable with. 38 special.
And I will own one in 9mm when our paths cross,and my wallet agrees.
I still have many Smiths.
But as with most practical applications in which involves a firearm in my life,
It involves a stainless Ruger.
Truck guns are Glocks.
Simply because I won't cry over a stolen Glock.
gunman42782
Hunter
I have had good ones and not so good ones in all 3 guns. Got a Security Six now, 6 inch stainless, I had to ream the cylinder mouth because on two charge holes the ammo would stick going in. Other than that little headache it's been a fabulous gun. My SP101 I didn't have to do nothing but do a little internal polishing and it's a pretty nice shooter. I also have one in .22LR, one of the original 6 shot models that's a pretty good gun. But both of them are few years old, probably early 2000s. Most of the time you can't go wrong with any of the older Smiths, but even then, when they were owned by Banger Punta (May not have spelled that right) the quality was iffy. The new Smiths, although I hate the hole, are actually pretty decent guns. I just buy the plug that you can get on line and plug the hole because it's so friggin ugly! But, one never knows what quirks a gun may have until you actually shoot it. The Security Six I mentioned above for all intents and purposes looked brand new when I bought it, but had the issue with the ammo sticking. (It wasn't from someone shooting .38s in it as I originally thought) Most all guns can benefit from a good polishing of the internals, if you know what your doing. Otherwise let a competent gunsmith slick it up for you.
I don't know exactly when they went to pot. Probably in the last 5-10 years.
It’s easy to tell if you compare them side by side.
It’s easy to tell if you compare them side by side.
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kickingandscreaming
Bearcat
Praying for the return of the Security 6.
Have two Sp's one from 1995 the other from 2016. The quality control between the two is light years apart, so things have definitely have gone downhill, same with the GP's my six cover the years between 1988 to 2020 and the 1988 GP was way better out of the box than the 2020 GP.
" Smith & Wesson's Are Thoroughbreds, Ruger's Are Clydesdale's" ;)
John Taffin
John Taffin
That's a fair statement because a GP 100 with a 6 inch barrel could be a Mace or Revolver depending on the circumstances. :)
So given the overwhelming positive reviews of the six series, would the fact Ruger no longer supports the Six series and still
Supports the SP101, be reason enough to buy a 3 inch SP101 over a 2 3/4 speed/security six? Given six series much nicer quality and parts not as readily available? If even able to find a stainless 2 3/4 Speed/security six and if the cost was Around $100.00 more give or take over a comparable equal condition SP100 3 inch let’s say around $650/700 for a six series as example.
Supports the SP101, be reason enough to buy a 3 inch SP101 over a 2 3/4 speed/security six? Given six series much nicer quality and parts not as readily available? If even able to find a stainless 2 3/4 Speed/security six and if the cost was Around $100.00 more give or take over a comparable equal condition SP100 3 inch let’s say around $650/700 for a six series as example.
$740 to $850 is the MSRP now on any LCR. It ain't 2004 any longer.
A quality black semi auto would be a G43 in the $500 range so ….. no money savings there either.
To me, semi-auto's are the disposable items ….. revolvers last and last.
Again, just a personal preference thingy. Different wants and needs are part of what makes the hobby interesting.
A quality black semi auto would be a G43 in the $500 range so ….. no money savings there either.
To me, semi-auto's are the disposable items ….. revolvers last and last.
Again, just a personal preference thingy. Different wants and needs are part of what makes the hobby interesting.
Looking for more of concealment size yet steel frame. So not the polymer LCR platforms. Hence why considering SP/ Six series
All three are good quality guns and probably comparable in accuracy from a benchrest. If someone were offering to give me one of them, I'd take the Smith 15 (assuming a 4" barrel) just 'cause I'm a "Smith Guy" and I know how to run 'em and I have some spare parts on hand for 'em. In your case, I'd say buy whichever one you get the best deal on, or whichever fits your hand best, or whichever one you like the looks of most, or any other criterion that's important to you. They are functionally equal (well, of course, except the SP101 is a 5-shooter and the other two are 6-shooters).
The velocity difference would be negligible.
I suspect you are wanting encouragement/justification/rationalization to get the SP101. You need to get what you want. It will work fine. And maybe later you can experiment with other acquisitions. That's likely how we all got started with our collections and opinions.
.
I suspect you are wanting encouragement/justification/rationalization to get the SP101. You need to get what you want. It will work fine. And maybe later you can experiment with other acquisitions. That's likely how we all got started with our collections and opinions.
.
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You'd have to chronograph both guns to say definitively. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.
Not wanting encouragement.. just finding so many more options available as it’s currently made and not 35 years old as the six series is all. Just gonna have to research and do more digging
I have my share of Ruger's, but their just not 800 to 1000 guns to me and unlike many people I shoot them almost every other day or at least hold them. And yes I have one Charter Arms.
And make a lot of holsters for them. :)
And make a lot of holsters for them. :)
TINCANBANDIT is back
Single-Sixer
I own a vintage security six, a vintage S&W K frame m65 and a newish SP101. As far as the factory triggers go, S&W does have a better trigger, but an easy trigger job evens that out quickly. For quality I say the older Rugers & Smiths were pretty close, there was a time (pre 1980) that S&W had better fit and finish, but that also came with a higher price tag. I can't tell any difference in accuracy between them.....my 2" SP101 is not as easy to hit stuff with at distance, but it is not designed for that either.
I would not buy a new S&W revolver today, no chance, they are not even the same gun they were.
Also I would not be too worried about the lack of support by Ruger on the Six series of guns.....in fact I am contemplating having replacement internal parts made for these guns.....there are enough of them out there in circulation to make it viable....
I would not buy a new S&W revolver today, no chance, they are not even the same gun they were.
Also I would not be too worried about the lack of support by Ruger on the Six series of guns.....in fact I am contemplating having replacement internal parts made for these guns.....there are enough of them out there in circulation to make it viable....
Dannyd, I like your collection of "un-guns." I have very similar collections of 1911s and Walther P.38s. Will be glad to post pics if you'd like to see 'em.
Bet you'll like this one, too. ;)
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