[James Clifton]

Ya'll know I am NOT a Ruger guy....but at the gun show I saw a SP101..3" on the table....picked it up & ...WELL....sort of ....!!
I can get this at a very good price(dealer owes me).I have a Model 65 3 "so do I really need this RUGER!! TO THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE both,"if" you had to choose & could only carry one...which would it be & why??Yeah...I know the S&W is more $$$,forget that....give me the pro's... con's !!
Thanks,
Jim

 

[xtimberman]

My buddy has the D.A.O. version of the Ruger, and his has the most precise DA trigger pull I've found on a factory production revolver. The rubber grip design is more ergonomic to my big hands than the S&W - which helps a lot with the shot placement and handling heavy loads.

It does have sharp edges as it comes out of the box and will eventually draw blood unless you smooth it up.

xtm

 

[Jamn 44]

Hey Jim, I just picked up a 2 1/4" version last show. My reasoning is that these revolvers are readily available and still currently made. Meaning I could replace it for my everyday carry gun. Which is getting harder to do with my J frame Smith's. Another thing is my J holsters are a bit snug on it. The SP101 has a much thicker frame, which is good and bad I guess. I went and got a new leather holster just for it that I'm trying to break in. If you can afford both, go ahead, but don't trade a 65 for it. JMO, James.

 

[sipowicz]

I have an SP from Gemini Customs....sweet shooting gun...I carry it often. And no sharp edges on this one...

 

[MOONDAWG]

This is a tough call.

I'm on my third 3" M-65 and won't trade it for the the world.

However, recently a co-worker bought a used Ruger SP101 with a bobbed hammer spur that a local gunsmith had worked on.

The DA trigger was as smooth and slick as many a S&W PPC gun I've handled.

The little Ruger is a great gun but a bit heavy for a 5 shooter so I guess it all boils down to life style, carry mode, and whether or not 5 vs. 6 rounds makes a difference to you.

 

[Swgunner]

The S&W 65 has, IMHO, way more panache. Also a more storied history. One extra round from the Ruger has little meaning if you've already fired 5.

Dave

 

[Bob K]

If you've already got a M-65 3".......why are you even looking at a Ruger? :lol: I have a M-66 2 1/2". So, why would I even want a Ruger? A 3" K frame S&W .357 is about as good as it gets.....IMHO. Get another Smith, if you need to buy somethin'! Bob

 

[WFR]

I can get this at a very good price(dealer owes me).Jim

I cannot warm up to the Ruger SP101's. On the other hand, I Love my 3" K-frames!
The two revolvers are not even comparable in my book.
That being said, the little Rugers have a loyal following and I would pick it up for your reason quoted above.
You'll always be able to move it in a trade.
Just my 2 cents!
Jim

 

[sipowicz]

Don't forget, the Ruger frame is closer in size to a J-frame than a K....add in the smaller cylinder and it will conceal a bit easier.

 

[Leighton]

If nothing else, you could get a Colt Det. Spl., little smaller than the K-frame, still has the sixth round, and will work with your HKS or Safariland speed loaders for the K.

 

[jaholder]

I'm a "buy them all" kind of guy.

One thing's for certain: Never heard about an issue with the 110 or 125 grain full bore .357's in an SP101. If cracking a forcing cone bothers you a Ruger's worth considering.

 

[Bob K]

Not a problem! I use ONLY 158 gr. .357 ammo......or greater. Bob

 

[jaholder]

I can get SP101's all day long around here. My next Ruger will either be a Redhawk .44 Magnum or an LCR once the price settles down.

 

[Bob K]

I don't buy new revolvers, but, I would wait a year, before getting the Ruger LCR. It gives them time to sort out the bugs in a newly introduced revolcers. I think that the RedHawk is all straightened out, by now, and is a fine revolver. Bob