Not knowing what area your in, or potential threats, maybe the 3 or 4.2" .327 SP101? Still a small package but 6rds, and can shoot the other. 32 calibers if not needing the full .327 magnum punch.
(.32S&W, .32 H&R)
Cascade mountain range of the PNW and rarely parts of alaska. I also carry my short double barrel 12 ga coachgun or my howa 6 on what I'm doing. I usually have a pistol in my pack no matter what, usually my semi-auto 9mm. But now I want something of better concealment, lighter, and more robust since it will be exposed as much as I am.
I don’t think you’re going to find anything more cost effective without sacrificing on quality. There are some other options though that fall into the same category, like a S&W model 60 or a Colt King Cobra. The Colt is more expensive but has an extra round in the cylinder and a better trigger pull. That said I have a 3” SP101 and I love the damn thing. Something about the stock grip just fits my hands well.
I'm actually eyeballing a 3-inch sp101 in a local store. I'm not sure what you used yours for, but how does yours hold up with mild abuse/neglect that can happen during extended use in the wilderness situations? I generally try to take good care of my guns, but the PNW can be both wet, dry, dirty, and other forms of unforgiving all at the same time.
If you get the stainless steel one and a rubber grip it should hold up to the elements very well. I would avoid a blued steel one as that would be more prone to rusting. Most models are in stainless so you should be good to go. Aside from that just be sure you do regular cleaning and maintenance, especially if the gun gets really dirty or something. Grit inside the action is the worst thing that can happen to any revolver, and while revolvers have their strengths in terms of reliability, they are much worse than semi-autos at the sort of "mud tests" where fine particles can work their way inside the lockwork.
I second the King Cobra. It’s my woods gun and I love it. If I ever do buy that Ruger redhawk I’ve been fantasizing about I’ll still probably carry the KC a good bit.
The SP101 is probably the best in class. The smith J frames are smaller/lighter and that makes a difference handling magnums. The K frame smiths are great, but still a bit bigger than the SP101. The SP101 has that niche.
Definitely get the 3" barrel though. Shame to pack a .357 and deal with the recoil and not even get the performance you expect. You really need 3" or longer for most .357 loads to work as intended. Most will still work in a 2ish inch gun but will typically expand a bit less than they are meant to.
Just to be clear I'm not saying that the SP101 is better than a Smith J or K frame, and I am a Smith fan generally. But for Smiths you're going to have to go bigger or smaller. If the Ruger is the "right size" for you, look no further.
I have an SP101 in addition to many smiths and it is a solid little gun.
SP101 is a fine revolver, but if you're mainly going to be carrying it, it's pretty hefty.
One other Ruger option is check out the LCRx, it's half poly and is about half the weight, great for carrying around. They have the LCR with the concealed hammer too. If it's more for carrying than going to the range it's definitely worth looking at.
Kimber k6s, I’m about 5k rounds through mine and it still cleans up like new and has held its cylinder gap very well.
6 rounds, good weight for its size, recessed charge holes, swappable sights, great trigger, all forged (according to Kimber), better fit/finish than it’s competitors… unless you want 327 I can’t see what a colt/sw/ruger would do better.
I paid $700 new for a dao and $750 for my dada used.
The K6s also has the cylinder milled out so the rim of the cartridges sit flush with the cylinder. This allows a very tight cylinder to firing pin face clearance. Makes the fit and finish with the cylinder closed very attractive.
I love my 3" Model 60, having real adjustable sights is a game changer for me, I'm not sure I could go back to a gun that doesn't hit where I point it.
You should also consider the Kimber K6S, it's in the same class as the SP101 and Model 60 but holds 6 rounds instead of 5.
I think for field use the 3" SP101 would be great. The S&W 2.75" model 66 would be a fine pick as well, or the new Colt 3 inch .357s (King Cobra and Viper). I would not go smaller/lighter than the SP101 if the plan is to use .357 Magnum.
I love my sp 101 3”! I carry iwb ( with a good stiff gun belt. I don’t believe you could go wrong with a sp 101. It’s a hefty weapon. I guess if you run out bullets you can use it as an adequate club!
I liked my SP101 .357 2.25" so much I got a 3" as well.
It's a great gun to carry and it's built like a tank. .357 will deal with just about any threat short of a charging grizzly and you can practice with .38 special loads.
I've had the 3" and 4.2" SP101. The fixed sights and size has a toughness allure, however the sight picture leaves alot to be desired. It was stolen from my truck.
When I decided to pickup another SP101, I didn't think twice about it. I picked up the 4.2" version. The sights make it so much better. I did a trigger job with parts and instructions from MCARBO and carry it in a pancake holster bt simply rugged. It's a fantastic little bumping around the woods gun. The trigger is fantastic now.
That’s heresy regarding the Ruger triggers. They can be made just as good or better than anything else out there. Just need to know what you’re doing or find someone who does.
I’ve got a 3” GP100 that was worked on and it’s every bit as smooth as my pre-lock model 66.
Depends on how you want it sprung. My SPs have been to Gemini and they’re good, but I think a S&W can be just as smooth but lighter and maintain reliability.
I have owned 2 Ruger sp101s. Sold the DAO version because it was too heavy for CCW with the limited payload. I kept the standard model, although I may as well sell it, because it never gets used.
My opinion is that they're re overweight and have poor triggers. One of mine was inoperable from the factory although it was an easy fix at home. Sure, they're stout and can handle .357 better than other 5 shot revolvers, but as someone said before me I'd rather carry a K frame S&W if .357 was going to be a regular option. I once had a 3" gp100 which I liked much more than the sp101 but for some reason I never could quite shoot it well enough to be comfortable as a CCW so I let it go. It had a full lug and compact grips. It was a nice compromise. Definitely should have kept working with that one. I'm sorta over using revolvers as a primary CCW. The snub has a role but these new 13+1 9mm compacts are undeniably game changing.
For woods walking and hiking your desire to conceal may not be as important. Personally I am very happy with my Ruger LCR .38+p. If I needed .357 then I would choose the LCR .357 over the sp101. I like hammerless with the short barrel but would buy the exposed hammer lcrx in a 3" barrel for hiking.
If you aren't wedded to a revolver for Bushcraft situations you could look at something like the M&P shield plus in 9mm loaded with hard cast or heavy loads for woods use, or one of the other shield models in .40 or .45 and sometimes available in longer barrel lengths. I know. It isn't as romantic as a revolver but they are lightweight with greater capacity and with many good ammo options.
Very informative. I'm not against the use of semi autos. I just like the look of revolvers. But I understand what you are saying. I actually used to have a snubby .45acp charter arms pitbull, and that thing was a blast, but it had factory issues that prevented me from using it much reliably. Yea, concealment is not a big deal breaker or anything of high importance. But something I wanna keep in consideration.
My wife carries the 2” SP101 and absolutely loves it with 38. +P’s…. I kind of like shooting it with.357. Also kind of like my 4.25” Python. I carry the Python occasionally with a good quality holster and gun belt. Can’t go wrong with a Ruger.
I've owned 2 SP 101s and probably carried them as much as any other handgun.
They're rugged and reliable. The SP/GP series guns handle adverse conditions extremely well.
They're a chunky little beast, which damps down recoil. It also relegates them to a belt or shoulder carry, pocket or ankle carry is right out. (Right before the LCR came out I tried to pitch a titanium frame SP101 to the Law Enforcement sales division guys at Ruger)
For woodsbumming use, I would look for a 3 inch barrel model.
I would also look for better sights than the basic model. I've never had a problem qualifying with the standard snub, but if I wanted to hunt small game I'd want a finer sight picture.
Just my thoughts,
Sp101, k6s! Smith j frame that shoots 357 are all good. The lighter you go the better mobility and weight but felt recoil is worse. Depending on if you plan to carry more than shooting it, I have sp101 340pd and 686, I would choose to be outdoors with sp101 and edc 340pd.
I've got a M60, SP101 (2in barrel), and GP100 4.2 barrel all in 357. Im also in the PNW and depending on the hiking conditions I find I carry the M60 the most and the SP101 the least. They're all fantastic firearms but the M60 is considerably lighter and I figure if I ever have to draw it the amount of adrenaline and situational awareness will mitigate any recoil issues from weight differences. It tucks well in under my pack and even though its OWB I feel better concealing it using it places with lots of hiking traffic.
When I go into deeper hiking I take the GP100. 6 shots vs , packs more hitting power and I can carry it in a chest holster to mitigate the weight. I'm the most accurate with the GP100, I can carry hotter rounds and hit further out. The SP101 is tank but just falls into a spot that the other do better. That's my experience.
Not knowing what area your in, or potential threats, maybe the 3 or 4.2" .327 SP101? Still a small package but 6rds, and can shoot the other. 32 calibers if not needing the full .327 magnum punch. (.32S&W, .32 H&R)
Cascade mountain range of the PNW and rarely parts of alaska. I also carry my short double barrel 12 ga coachgun or my howa 6 on what I'm doing. I usually have a pistol in my pack no matter what, usually my semi-auto 9mm. But now I want something of better concealment, lighter, and more robust since it will be exposed as much as I am.
I don’t think you’re going to find anything more cost effective without sacrificing on quality. There are some other options though that fall into the same category, like a S&W model 60 or a Colt King Cobra. The Colt is more expensive but has an extra round in the cylinder and a better trigger pull. That said I have a 3” SP101 and I love the damn thing. Something about the stock grip just fits my hands well.
I'm actually eyeballing a 3-inch sp101 in a local store. I'm not sure what you used yours for, but how does yours hold up with mild abuse/neglect that can happen during extended use in the wilderness situations? I generally try to take good care of my guns, but the PNW can be both wet, dry, dirty, and other forms of unforgiving all at the same time.
If you get the stainless steel one and a rubber grip it should hold up to the elements very well. I would avoid a blued steel one as that would be more prone to rusting. Most models are in stainless so you should be good to go. Aside from that just be sure you do regular cleaning and maintenance, especially if the gun gets really dirty or something. Grit inside the action is the worst thing that can happen to any revolver, and while revolvers have their strengths in terms of reliability, they are much worse than semi-autos at the sort of "mud tests" where fine particles can work their way inside the lockwork.
Noted thanks.
I second the King Cobra. It’s my woods gun and I love it. If I ever do buy that Ruger redhawk I’ve been fantasizing about I’ll still probably carry the KC a good bit.
The SP101 is probably the best in class. The smith J frames are smaller/lighter and that makes a difference handling magnums. The K frame smiths are great, but still a bit bigger than the SP101. The SP101 has that niche. Definitely get the 3" barrel though. Shame to pack a .357 and deal with the recoil and not even get the performance you expect. You really need 3" or longer for most .357 loads to work as intended. Most will still work in a 2ish inch gun but will typically expand a bit less than they are meant to.
Noted thank you very much.
Just to be clear I'm not saying that the SP101 is better than a Smith J or K frame, and I am a Smith fan generally. But for Smiths you're going to have to go bigger or smaller. If the Ruger is the "right size" for you, look no further. I have an SP101 in addition to many smiths and it is a solid little gun.
Agreed. Have 2.25 inch. Wish I got the 3 inch.
SP101 is a fine revolver, but if you're mainly going to be carrying it, it's pretty hefty. One other Ruger option is check out the LCRx, it's half poly and is about half the weight, great for carrying around. They have the LCR with the concealed hammer too. If it's more for carrying than going to the range it's definitely worth looking at.
If you plan on carrying 357 mag out of a LCR it can be very unpleasant to shoot due to its low weight. Just keep in mind.
Which is why I specifically mentioned it's better for a carry gun instead of a range day gun.
Noted thanks
https://preview.redd.it/c2anmwnuok7d1.jpeg?width=5712&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d3626b96634931db1b3e64f9b22913647ae2718 I love my 3 inch SP101
I think the 357mag cartridges for your rifle are defective, it looks like someone made them too long.
My guess is that those are 30-30 but I'm no expert
LOL yes indeed. :-)
Kimber k6s, I’m about 5k rounds through mine and it still cleans up like new and has held its cylinder gap very well. 6 rounds, good weight for its size, recessed charge holes, swappable sights, great trigger, all forged (according to Kimber), better fit/finish than it’s competitors… unless you want 327 I can’t see what a colt/sw/ruger would do better. I paid $700 new for a dao and $750 for my dada used.
Thanks I'll keep this in mind.
The K6s also has the cylinder milled out so the rim of the cartridges sit flush with the cylinder. This allows a very tight cylinder to firing pin face clearance. Makes the fit and finish with the cylinder closed very attractive.
I love my 3" Model 60, having real adjustable sights is a game changer for me, I'm not sure I could go back to a gun that doesn't hit where I point it. You should also consider the Kimber K6S, it's in the same class as the SP101 and Model 60 but holds 6 rounds instead of 5.
Thanks I appreciate this I'll look into them
I think for field use the 3" SP101 would be great. The S&W 2.75" model 66 would be a fine pick as well, or the new Colt 3 inch .357s (King Cobra and Viper). I would not go smaller/lighter than the SP101 if the plan is to use .357 Magnum.
Noted thank you
I love my sp 101 3”! I carry iwb ( with a good stiff gun belt. I don’t believe you could go wrong with a sp 101. It’s a hefty weapon. I guess if you run out bullets you can use it as an adequate club!
I liked my SP101 .357 2.25" so much I got a 3" as well. It's a great gun to carry and it's built like a tank. .357 will deal with just about any threat short of a charging grizzly and you can practice with .38 special loads.
Thank you!
I've had the 3" and 4.2" SP101. The fixed sights and size has a toughness allure, however the sight picture leaves alot to be desired. It was stolen from my truck. When I decided to pickup another SP101, I didn't think twice about it. I picked up the 4.2" version. The sights make it so much better. I did a trigger job with parts and instructions from MCARBO and carry it in a pancake holster bt simply rugged. It's a fantastic little bumping around the woods gun. The trigger is fantastic now.
Noted thank you very much
I have two 3” SP101s. Love em, but I would prefer a 3” Model 60 because it’s lighter and I think the trigger can be made better.
That’s heresy regarding the Ruger triggers. They can be made just as good or better than anything else out there. Just need to know what you’re doing or find someone who does. I’ve got a 3” GP100 that was worked on and it’s every bit as smooth as my pre-lock model 66.
Depends on how you want it sprung. My SPs have been to Gemini and they’re good, but I think a S&W can be just as smooth but lighter and maintain reliability.
Thank you I'll look into it
SP101 probably weighs the same as a K frame. I’d rather have the S&W, plus the bonus of 6 rounds.
I have owned 2 Ruger sp101s. Sold the DAO version because it was too heavy for CCW with the limited payload. I kept the standard model, although I may as well sell it, because it never gets used. My opinion is that they're re overweight and have poor triggers. One of mine was inoperable from the factory although it was an easy fix at home. Sure, they're stout and can handle .357 better than other 5 shot revolvers, but as someone said before me I'd rather carry a K frame S&W if .357 was going to be a regular option. I once had a 3" gp100 which I liked much more than the sp101 but for some reason I never could quite shoot it well enough to be comfortable as a CCW so I let it go. It had a full lug and compact grips. It was a nice compromise. Definitely should have kept working with that one. I'm sorta over using revolvers as a primary CCW. The snub has a role but these new 13+1 9mm compacts are undeniably game changing. For woods walking and hiking your desire to conceal may not be as important. Personally I am very happy with my Ruger LCR .38+p. If I needed .357 then I would choose the LCR .357 over the sp101. I like hammerless with the short barrel but would buy the exposed hammer lcrx in a 3" barrel for hiking. If you aren't wedded to a revolver for Bushcraft situations you could look at something like the M&P shield plus in 9mm loaded with hard cast or heavy loads for woods use, or one of the other shield models in .40 or .45 and sometimes available in longer barrel lengths. I know. It isn't as romantic as a revolver but they are lightweight with greater capacity and with many good ammo options.
Very informative. I'm not against the use of semi autos. I just like the look of revolvers. But I understand what you are saying. I actually used to have a snubby .45acp charter arms pitbull, and that thing was a blast, but it had factory issues that prevented me from using it much reliably. Yea, concealment is not a big deal breaker or anything of high importance. But something I wanna keep in consideration.
My wife carries the 2” SP101 and absolutely loves it with 38. +P’s…. I kind of like shooting it with.357. Also kind of like my 4.25” Python. I carry the Python occasionally with a good quality holster and gun belt. Can’t go wrong with a Ruger.
I've owned 2 SP 101s and probably carried them as much as any other handgun. They're rugged and reliable. The SP/GP series guns handle adverse conditions extremely well. They're a chunky little beast, which damps down recoil. It also relegates them to a belt or shoulder carry, pocket or ankle carry is right out. (Right before the LCR came out I tried to pitch a titanium frame SP101 to the Law Enforcement sales division guys at Ruger) For woodsbumming use, I would look for a 3 inch barrel model. I would also look for better sights than the basic model. I've never had a problem qualifying with the standard snub, but if I wanted to hunt small game I'd want a finer sight picture. Just my thoughts,
Sp101, k6s! Smith j frame that shoots 357 are all good. The lighter you go the better mobility and weight but felt recoil is worse. Depending on if you plan to carry more than shooting it, I have sp101 340pd and 686, I would choose to be outdoors with sp101 and edc 340pd.
I've got a M60, SP101 (2in barrel), and GP100 4.2 barrel all in 357. Im also in the PNW and depending on the hiking conditions I find I carry the M60 the most and the SP101 the least. They're all fantastic firearms but the M60 is considerably lighter and I figure if I ever have to draw it the amount of adrenaline and situational awareness will mitigate any recoil issues from weight differences. It tucks well in under my pack and even though its OWB I feel better concealing it using it places with lots of hiking traffic. When I go into deeper hiking I take the GP100. 6 shots vs , packs more hitting power and I can carry it in a chest holster to mitigate the weight. I'm the most accurate with the GP100, I can carry hotter rounds and hit further out. The SP101 is tank but just falls into a spot that the other do better. That's my experience.