I'm looking at a Smith & Wesson model 60 and a Ruger SP101. Both have 3" barrels, 5 shot cylinders and are 357 Mag. Both come with fixed sights or adjustable sights. What are the pro's and con's of each. Which would you rather have and why? They'll see limited carry use.

Thanks, NYH1.

I bought a 3" mod 60 for my wife almost 11 years ago. I really like it, fits in a pocket real easy, and with 38s it's a hoot. 357s buck pretty hard though. But the small grip is perfect for my son to shoot wadcutters. In fact in the near future I'll more than likely be getting a mod 63 as a companion for it.

I don't have either but a buddy of mine has the 3" 357 mag SP and just loves it. I've tried several times to talk him out of it and he won't listen. He had the shorter barrel SP's in different calibers but loves that 3". To him, it's the perfect walk around pocket pistol. It isn't a brass flinger and it's "minute of jackrabbit". I'm sure that 60 is nice to but Ruger's are bomb proof.

I have the M60 Smith 3 inch. Lighter, better SA trigger than the Ruger. E

To be perfectly honest, I prefer that 3" 60 to my 2.5" 66.

We have both.

The S&W has the better trigger and better adjustable sights (if you get 'em). The Ruger weighs more, so soaks up more recoil - but aftermarket grips are required to really get the benefit of that, IMO. Both are accurate and reliable.

My wife had the SP101 for a while. After she took a chance to shoot my 3" 60as, she took took possession of it and let me have the Ruger. I knew that wold happen.

I like Smiths for pocket guns and Rugers for belt guns. Once you get to a 3 inch barrel, it is a belt gun. I really like the 3 inch SP101. My preferred load is the Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWC-HP .38 special +P, which delivered the same velocity as one .357 magnum 158 grain jacketed load that I tested. I had no problem with the factory grips, and they aid in concealability with a Sparks Versa Max II.

The Ruger has more strength so it would handle more 357s without wear. The Smith is lighter and usually has a smoother action.

I went thru this same decision a few years ago and ended up going ruger and am happy with the decision.

Mine does not have adjustable sights (nor do i think they are an option on 3" models) and is accurate but consistently off (hitting low and right). I am sure there is a way to fix that but i have not bothered to figure out how yet

I also sent the ruger to mossy creek customs for an action tune (which made a huge difference) and a big dot front sight install. Finally, i installed crimson trace laser grips

It rides in my glove box or in a simply rugged silver dollar pancake holster and my chosen load is buffalo bore "tactical" 158gr loads (low flash/noise/recoil) which are very pleasant to shoot.

I have not shot anything with it except a couple of snakes with cci 38spl shot shells and it dispatched both snakes with authority

Good luck with your decision - i think you'd be happy with either

I don't like either in a .357 mag. I know this is not what you are asking about but here it goes.

I like a larger frame 6 shot gun in .357 with barrels of 4 inches or greater- a .357 is not much of a .357 with 3 inch or less barrel, major velocity loss, major muzzle flash and noise.

I prefer the .38 special only smith J frames (60-4,36-6) in 3 inch with adjustable sights. Smith model 36 with fixed sights and 3 inch barrel. Smith model 10/64 with 2 or 3 inch barrel, colt detective special .38.

I realize these are all out of production and hard to find but they are worth the trouble IMO.

I have owned both and still have two model 60's but no Sp 101's.....................Hb

SP 101's are just too danged heavy for a carry piece. Model 60 all the way, or better yet the 360PD! I had one, and miss it badly to this day.

I've got the S&W Model 60 in the 3" with the adjustable sights. I own 29 other pistols - Glocks, Springfields, Sigs, Rugers, Kimbers, Colts...and the model 60 is the one in the bedside safe, and the one I carry most of the time. Love it - accurate, 110% reliable, comfortable to shoot and the perfect size. Never owned the SP101, but every time I've picked one up, they seem bulky compared to the 60.

I prefer the Smith's smoother action and better SA trigger pull, but it's also hard to argue with the Ruger's heck for stout reputation.

model 60, fixed sights, hogue grips...
as simple and useful as it gets...

caveat; i have no experience with the ruger sp101...

It's nice they're chambered in .357 Mag because then I figure I have a stout lil' revolver to fire .38 Special +P. The .357 Mag capability would be reserved for when I had the urge to start a good grass-fire.

The M60 is my choice - a little handier, a little more refined, and with the adjustable version better sights. The 3" M60 with adjustable sights is one of those handguns where everything comes together.

We have my dad's S&W model 60 357 mag. 3" bbl, 5 rd. with adjustable sights because he's going out of town. We'll have it for six weeks or so. I've shot it many times in the past. It's not bad even with full power 357 mag. loads. I'm an semi auto guy myself. I love my Glock's a G22 & G27 both 40 S&W, I also have a G31 357 Sig. and LWD 9mm conversion barrels for my G22, so it's my most versatile pistol. I also have and like my SW1911 it's fullsize 5" 45 ACP, it's my first and only 1911 so far.

However, I've always liked this little model 60. I was carrying it yesterday for a while. It carries great. Most of the time I didn't even know it was there. My wife likes revolvers more then semi auto's. Although she likes the Glock G19 9mm and S&W Bodyguard 380. So my dad wants her to shoot his model 60 as much as she can while he's gone. I've never shot a Ruger SP101. That's why I asked about them. They're like $75 to $100 cheaper then the S&W model 60. Just looking for as many opinions, pro's and con's on both makes and models that I can get.

Thanks, NYH1.

If i'm going to carry a 357 mag then i prefer my SP-101 and if 38 Spl then my Model 36 Smith

I have both. They're the same gun, basically. Smith is more refined, Ruger is tougher. Pick your poison.

The new SP101 .357 Magnum with adjustable sights is a 4" barrel. The 60-15 is a 3".

I have two of the pre-IL 60-10s and they are my favorite backpacking, fishing, canoeing, anything around water gun. I have shot them side by side with .357s from 3" Model 65 K-frame and there is very little difference....




Bob

I had a 2 in SP a few years back, then foolishly sold it because the offer was right. Now there aren't any more to be had around here. I've been lugging my .357 S&W 649 around, but don't like shooting it, even with 38s. Todays rule of the day? Don't sell something, just because you can make a profit. Some things have value beyond the monetary level.

Get the 3" Model 60 and don't look back.

FWIW, since we are talking about 3" 357s, last week I ran some 140 grain XTP bullets out of two revolvers. The load is .5 grain under max of 296. 4 5/8 Ruger Blackhawk averaged 1,272 fps and my 3" M66 went 1,175 fps. Still pretty speedy from the 3" IMO.

Ernie

Thanks guys!

Hard to beat a 3-inch on a 60, wish I would never have let mine go.

I don't have to worry about it now. My dad gave me his model 60!

NYH1!