gqucool

I am wanting to ad another gun for my CCW use. Currently I have a Springfield Ultra Compact 1911 in 9mm. I thought it would be nice to also have small revolver in .357 mag. Been thinking about a SP101 in either 2-1/4 inch or 3 inch barrel or be patient and look for a S&W Mod. 19/66 2-1/2 inch round butt. My preference's right now are leaning towards a SP101 in a 2-1/4 inch barrel what do you guys think?? Any input much appreciated!!!

JC676

I have a 3" SP-101 that I like so much that it's replaced my beloved Kimber .45s as my everyday carry. I installed the 10lb mainspring from Wolff springs, put a beautiful pair of walnut Badger Boot Grips on it, and carry it in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster. My favorite rig of all time. So in my opinion, buy the Ruger!!

Jon

Doug Cook

I might opt for the S&W if I could find one without the internal lock. There's enough anecdotal evidence for me not to trust a gun that has one, especially for a carry piece. The extra round is nice also. Having said that however, I love my SP101. It seems substantial enough that transitioning to it from your 1911 shouldn't be a problem. Take a look at the six round .327. Buy the Ruger!!

gqucool

DC words well said, I really like the SP101, but the Mod 19/66 has always been a favorite of mine as well. My good friend has a Mod 19 which I shouldn't be saying this but I can shoot it better then he can! Atleast thats how its been everytime we go out to shoot! But the smaller SP101 has a special place I love the chunkyness of it and that its simply a Ruger. But either gun will be rotated with my 1911 that gun will always be one of my CCW guns. But right now I can't seem to make up my mind between the Ruger SP101 and the S&W 19/66!!!! Granted it will be harder to find the S&W but no way would I get one of the newer models with the built in Lock that is total crap that feature!!!

Melissa5

My favorite gun is my SP101, so here's another vote for the SP.

Snobal

Best? Hard to say.

I love my S&W revolvers. Carried a Mod 638 for quite some time.

Wanting something more durable, I found a 2" SP101 which was built "like a tank," but I sold it because it hit far right of POA. Not a problem if it is only to be used for ccw, but I like to be able to head-shoot cottontails with any gun in the cabinet.

Then I got a 3" SP101 that hits dead on POA at 25 yards with my favorite .357 Mag load.

Just for fun, I've shot a few of our local Bullseye matches with the SP101 and the more I use it, the better I like it.

Yes, it is too heavy for a ccw "pocket" piece, but I still use it for ccw and am getting accustomed to the extra weight.

And if everything went to hell in a basket, I would not feel "under-gunned" using it to take a deer (if I could use my reloads).

The best part is knowing that I won't live long enough to "wear it out." Therefore I shoot it almost every week and like it more each time.

JMHO

glaurent

I have the SP101 in 2-1/4" with Crimson Trace laser. As they say, built like a tank. I haven't found just the right holster for me, but the gun is a must have. Just my 2 cents worth.

Bobshouse

Ask that question on a Ruger board and get what you expect....my vote is for the SP101. S&W looks better, but you don't want it for looks, right?

Now instead of trying to justify the purchase to the wife, get out there and get yourself one.

jumpmaster

I purchased an SP 101 in DAO .357 about a month ago. Put in Wolff springs and smoothed out the innards. I also have an S&W model 36. I love the Ruger. I would love a better rear site. May have to get one installed. Other than that, the Ruger is great.

terry_p

My SP is my always with me gun. It's reliable, accurate and Ruger rugged. I have used it for carry for 4 years and it is excellent.

HOTSOUP

i would defiantly go for the sp101 ready for anything you want to put down the pipe.

RMWHEELER

One more for the SP. Have an older S&W 60 which is good also, but not much of a fan of the newer S&W's with the IL.

Sonnytoo

I've had two SP101's and sold 'em both. Too bulky, too heavy although they're tough as bricks.
I've settled happily on the Smith 640-1 for my CCW although I have a 442 Airweight that I also like in .38 Special. I use them with Barami Hip grips and haven't been "made" in 40 yrs. That tells you a lot about Barami Hip Grips.
Sonny
sonnytoo

nester3

I'd have to go with the SP101 2.25" myself.

Cheatin5

I carry a 3" SP101, usually in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket. The holster is only available for the 2" gun, but it is an open muzzle design and accomodates the 3" well. Mine was purchased about five years after the SP101 came out and is over 15 years old (has the Made in Bridgeport, CT markings on it). It's been my range gun, my carry gun, and my truck gun. Of all the guns that have passed through my household, Smith, Beretta, Taurus, H&K, and so on, this is the one that has been my favorite, my son's favorite, and my wife's favorite. Rugged, reliable, easy to shoot, and easy to conceal. A fantastic piece. You cannot go wrong with the SP101.

NWShooter

I have the SP101 2 1/8 barrel with bobbed hammer. Everything people say about it being built like a tank is true. Smiths are better finished and have smoother triggers right out of the box. The nice thing about the Ruger though, is that it's stainless inside and out. The internals are very easy to polish and lighter springs made my trigger worlds better. I was so pleased with the results of my trigger job (thanks Iowegan) that I decided to polish the whole gun. Now everything except the top strap and top of the barrel is like a mirror. Maybe to shiny for some people, but I like it. Bottom line is that if you don't mind a few extra ounces to carry around, the Ruger is second to none.

Craig Roser

Another vote for the Ruger. Good design. Good feel. Great reputation. Better pricing.

frankiestoys

This is a Ruger forum and you ask ''should i buy a Smith'' come on man!
Just kidding, Smiths are great guns i own two but one of my favorites is my SP
I promise you you wont be dissapointed.

mavracer

I'll even go one better.
You come to a gun board where enthusiasts hang out and ask which we prefer between two very good and popular models.I mean I have a J and a K frame, a SP101, Speed Six and a GP100 all in 357.
My answers get both you have two hands don't ya.DUH!

seriously they are both fine guns I love my 2 1/4" SP it's crazy accurate with 158gr 38+Ps I've even shot our informal bullseye league with it.but I also find my Smith 65 magical it's an old Texas Dept of Corrections duty gun the DA is SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH. I can empty all 6 into a pie plate @ 15 yards literally as fast as I can pull the trigger.

GREGG

SP-101 2.25" in 357 Magnum, I have 2 of them. I perferr them to the 19/66 smiths. I like to run very "HOT" loaded ammo in the SP's as well as in my L-frame 686's(2.5" & 6"). The Ruger is very controlable and heavy which is a plus. With a little time cleaning up the action on the Ruger makes it as smooth as my S & W custom shop 2.5" 686 at half the price. It's my standard conceal carry firearm in a wheel gun.

Safe2Fire

I took my 3" sp-101 to the range today and I re-affirmed my affection for this 5-shooter. I have an old 66 (no dash) 4" that might have an edge on accuracy, but the sp-101 can be concealed and carried much easier than the S&W 6-shooters. You won't go wrong with the Ruger.

gqucool

You got to be kidding ask this question on a Ruger Forum, well I have seen just about all types of gun questions about non ruger guns even asked on the ruger forum. My first inclination is to lean towards the SP101, great gun...but it is a bit too heavy for CCW as Sonnytoo has mentioned. What I am wondering about is what I have been reading lately right here on the Ruger Forum about design changes on the newer SP101's??? Personally if I do opt for the SP101 I might hold out for a older model. I have had a SP101 3 incher in the past great gun but it was a tad heavy for CCW. My thoughts now if I do get a SP101 is now leaning more for the 2-1/4 inch barrel. I would even possibly ask the same question on a S&W forum as well. I would expect to see a preference towards the SP101 here. But there are many things to consider thats why this is a great place to post questions concerning ones gun needs.

Melissa5

Too heavy? For a pocket gun, yes. But not for OWB or IWB. Just get a good gun belt and holster. FWIW, I'd get an old 2.25" SP101 with wooden grip inserts.

DOC3073

I'd choose the Ruger SP101 hands down! I've owned this firearm for 30 years, and I used it as a service and off duty weapon until our Department went to semi autos. I've nothing against S&W, I own two of their revolvers, a Model 10 2" barrel and a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece 4 barrel, target hammer, target trigger and red ramp sights. Choosing the Ruger SP101 you won't be sorry!

Hughuno

I don't like to carry around anything heavy. Even a Smith snubbie (Bodyguard) is a big lump of steel after a while. I have a beat up Walther also, but would not want to lug it around the STate Fair all day.

As for the SP101, no offense guys, but the SP101 felt "weird" in my hands. Cramped, I guess. Slightly weird grip angle also. The Smith Model 19 would fall into the "huge" category for CCW for me.

I have a SMith Scandium 340PD and, while not a fun "plinker," it shoots any .357 you want to use (but I load mine with 125 +P .38 HPs) and you actually can almost forget you are carrying the thing it is so light (13 ounces). Heck, my pocketknife weighs almost as much!

78CJ5

I own two SP 101's. Old style and new style, The difference is nothing to worry about. Go out and get a new SP and shoot it, then shoot it some more.

dusty10

I have both versions of the sp101 in .357. The 2 1/4" and 3" barrels. I have carried the 2 1/4" version daily in an IWB with no problems. However, last week I picked up a S&W model 60 and have carried it the last few days. I have to say that even though the Smith is only 1 oz. lighter, it it much less bulky when carrying IWB and with Uncle Mikes' boot grips, it conceals VERY easily. I realize the Smith is only .38 and not .357 but, you can shoot .38 +p ammo through it just fine which is the same ammo I carried in my Ruger. I like the Smith but have no plans to sell my Rugers. Buy one of each as funds allow.

Jkwas

I have a 3in. K-frame and a small frame Taurus 605 (roughly same size as an SP101). I have holsters for both but the small frame 605 conceals way better than the K-frame. I use a simply rugged silver dollar pancake in the high slots in the appendix position. It is super comfortable and doesn't print at all. I say go SP101 for CCW. It's a way better set up IMO.

White Willie

Had both at the same time. Still have the SP. The SP is a more rugged and smaller package.

JBinTX

I'd say get the SP101 now and keep looking for that special 'no-lock' round butt 19/66 for your collection. I love the SP/GP series, but there's something classic looking about the 2 1/2" 19/66's. Nothing wrong with both Smiths and Rugers in your collection...

Cocked and Locked

Different ones depending on my whim of the day. Its either the S&W 2.5" 66, the S&W 2.5" 19, or the 2 1/4" SP101. one thing they have in common is .357's.

dryrider

I own a Smith 66 and a Ruger SP101 both are very nice guns. Still trying to adjust to the differences of the two guns. The Smith is smooth and the Ruger is Stiff but it is not broken in yet...so time will tell.

Satanic Toaster

the SP101 is my everyday gun.
It goes with me wherever I go.
2.25" DAO model.

Tracer

Either the Ruger or the Smith will get the job done. You just try them out in your hand and see which one fits the best, which trigger pull you like the most etc.

Tracer

The most important thing in the CCW weapon you choose, is it feeling good in your hand #1 along with it's being very dependable firing everytime you pull that trigger.

Then #2 you can hit your mark from 3 feet out to 35 feet, usually the length of the hallway perhaps in your home. Then #3 is how does it fit and feel on your body when carrying this weapon for several hours at a time. You owe it to yourself to get the best comfortable set up possible, starting with a very good holster......not an L-cheapo brand folks.