Author Topic: Ruger sp101 VS. S&W 60 (Read 1311 times)

Terry1 · « **on:** March 09, 2006, 07:42:48 AM »

How do these two guns compare? What advantages do they have over each other? I am considering both for a new carry gun. Thanks.

fknipfer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2006, 11:13:15 AM »

If you are looking for a carrying gun that will shoot the hottest loads around and ask for more, the SP101 wins hands down. If you are looking for a gun that shoots just regular 38's and not +p+ they both are pretty equal.
I own both I would carry the SP101 with hot loads, reason being I don't want to get sued in case I ever had to use a weapon.

fknipfer

rockbilly · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2006, 12:14:49 PM »

Hummmmmmmm! Something funny here, my model 60-9 (.357 Mag) will handle just about anything you put in it. With the Crimson Trace grips it makes an excellent carry gun. The only down side to the model 60 is it only hold 5 rounds............ :wink:

My model 60-9 is considerably smaller than the Ruger and much eaiser to conceal.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2006, 12:41:07 PM »

Personally for a steady diet of heavy loads I'd go with the Ruger. However, the Smith will handle the full loads for occasional use. I'd pratice with .38spl loads, and carry with .357 in both of them. I don't think I want to shoot enough maximum loads in either one of them to wear them out!
Savage

257 roberts · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2006, 04:10:43 AM »

S&W M60

NYH1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2006, 06:34:52 AM »

I've always liked and even wanted to get an SP 101. Last spring my father bought a brand new S&W M 60 with 3 inch barrel. I gotta tell you that little Smith is an awesome little pistol. To be fair I've never shot an SP 101. Having said that I would get the M 60! :grin:

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2006, 07:23:32 PM »

:cb2: When my wife went through her firearms training class to get her license, she came in first. There was one other woman in the class, but my little sugar plum out-shot her, and all of the men. They all had S&W, Beretta, and others guns I didn't recognize at the time. She had a 3" SP101. It was great to watch! (I never told her hitting drop targets at 40 yards was difficult, so she just went ahead and did it.)

It may just be because I have fired so many rounds through her gun, but I really like the weight and feel of the Ruger over the S&W. The Ruger HAD to get a trigger job, but it seems less punishing than the Smith. I love my S&W K-frames, but I don't want to shoot anything more powerful than a .38 in a J-frame.

Last Valentine's day I got her a set of CT laser grips and she just loves 'em. I like the standard Ruger grips, but oh how she loves that little red dot!

muskeg13 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2006, 08:18:49 PM »

I just got a M60 for my wife (and myself). We wanted a 3" barrel as the best compromise between concealability and control and decided to go with the Smith because it seemed a bit less "clunky" and it can be had with adjustable sights. The .357 SP101 isn't available with adjustable sights. The sights are important because we aren't sure which loads we'll settle on, and there's such a wide range available in .38/.357. So far, my wife has no problems getting respectable groups with .38 loads, and I'm having no problem controling .357 158gr SWCs, but I have to be sure to maintain a FIRM grip.

Savage · « **Reply #8 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:02:22 AM »

Griz wrote:
(I never told her hitting drop targets at 40 yards was difficult, so she just went ahead and did it.)
Wow Griz, I'm impressed! What kind of CCW class requires 40yd work? There wouldn't be very many qualified around here if that were a requirement!
Savage

NYH1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 14, 2006, 06:10:45 AM »

Quote from: Savage

Griz wrote:
(I never told her hitting drop targets at 40 yards was difficult, so she just went ahead and did it.)
Wow Griz, I'm impressed! What kind of CCW class requires 40yd work? There wouldn't be very many qualified around here if that was a requirement!
Savage

You ain't kidding! :shock:

Old Griz · « **Reply #10 on:** March 14, 2006, 05:33:39 PM »

:cb2: Her instructor was Special Forces, anti-terrorist specialist from New Zealand, and the other guy was in charge of a local department's SWAT team, former Seal and POW. They did all the basic stuff and a lot of "extras" that were very interesting. It was the "Hostage Rescue" situation were you had to shoot the bad guys without hitting the hostages that had a couple of the bad guys out at 40 yards. Because she did so well they let her shoot a MP5. After that she wanted one of her own. At the time it cost more than our cars, so she was out of luck. Pretty neat facility. They had a railroad tie "house" to clear which was kinda neat, too. A bit different than just shooting in your lane at the range.

Savage · « **Reply #11 on:** March 15, 2006, 01:18:18 AM »

Wow!!!
Now I am impressed, sounds like your wife got more than her money's worth!!! Sounds like she's a better than average shot as well.
Savage

Old Griz · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:06:48 AM »

:cb2: As her instructor said, "I'd bloody well do the dishes any time she told me to!"[/b]

lovedogs · « **Reply #13 on:** March 27, 2006, 03:53:46 AM »

Many moons ago I carried a S&W for on-duty but when off-duty and could carry what I wanted I used the SP-101. The matter of fixed sights isn't a problem at defensive ranges and since Ruger regulates their fixed sights with 158 gr. bullets it's not a problem... just use 158 gr. bullets. They're better anyway.

The Ruger is far more durable on many counts. One to consider is the fact that the S&W can be bound up so tight it won't rotate if you bend the ejector rod in an altercation. The Ruger works independently of its ejector rod. You won't bend it as easily since it's enshrouded, but if it does get bent the cylinder will still rotate... at least until you need to reload. The Ruger will also function with more dirt present. If you drop a S&W in the dirt it probably won't function long. A Ruger won't like it but will function longer. A real-world fight can get down and dirty. I prefer a revolver that will give me the advantage.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 27, 2006, 04:34:30 AM »

gentlemen

I must say that the S&W is prettier to look at but when it counts in a knock down drag out i will take the Ruger every time. The small frame S&W carries easier due to its design but in a fight it has to be Ruger.
This is just an opinion ( mine )

.........Joe.........

DWARREN123 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2006, 08:14:11 PM »

I just last month picked up a S&W 60-17, stainless 5-shot J-frame, pretty little gun, nice size but must be clean and lubed properly or it sticks (cylinder and hammer/trigger).
If I had it to do again I would go with the SP-101.

Rscout6945 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2006, 10:07:27 PM »

I fired a lot of S&w but took home the sp101. I now have two-the 3" and 2 1/2DAO models.

Love them both! Sending the 3" to cylinder&slide to have adj. sights put on for $200. I am teaching my girlfriend to shoot with it and will be working her up in power so it made sense.