Wife and I have a pair of SP101s (hers is 9mm, mine is 357) and I really like the revolvers. I’m just wondering if I’m missing out on the whole J-Frame cult? I have other S&W revolvers and I like them plenty, but have yet to shoot a J-Frame. FFL has a couple 640s in stock and I’ve been tempted. Looks a little big for pocket carry. Was also considering a LCR since they’re about the same price.
Whats the verdict?
I think the SP101 is a robust, well made revolver. I believe the J Frame is slightly smaller and lighter. Either way you can’t go wrong.
I’ve shot a boat load of ammunition through J Frames over the past 30+ years and I like the J Frame for pocket carry.
I don’t care for the LCR and haven’t seen anyone that I have observed during a qualification or handgun course shoot one well.
Fixed that for you.
I like the SP101, it is a little tank and prefer it when talking 357 because of the weight, but I much prefer the Smith trigger and the aluminum frame 442/642s are had to beat for a light weight, snag free pocket gun. I find S&W>Ruger in general. YMMV
Air weight J frames are not and will never be fun for me to shoot. However, they slip into pockets, are tolerable in ankle holsters and even IWB so much better than steel.
I have both a 442 and a SP 101. The Sp 101 has a slightly better trigger, but never leaves the safe.
Interesting, IME it has been the other way around. Is your 442 a newer model? All my S&W are/have been pre-Tomkins deal.
My 442 was no-lock purchased in Fall 2014. I purchased it because it was the first no lock I had seen… Now the market is flooded. My assumption is it was summer 2014 manufacture, but no confirmation of that.
The trigger is long, heavy and gritty at the front and end. Actually disappointing as I had left revolvers a decade ago and thought it was time to get something thoroughly carryable. I have 200 rounds through the 442 and have noticed little improvement in the trigger pull.
The SP101 has a mostly smooth but heavy trigger pull.
The trigger action will smooth up on just about any handgun after 1,000 rounds or so. My current carry piece is a S&W BG38 my employees gave me after I sold the business in October of 2014 and retired. The round count as of today is 5,644 and it keeps on chugging.
The SP101 is a great little revolver. The weight makes it a more fun to shoot but not so great for pocket carry. If I wanted a 5 shot revolver for range and belt duty the SP101 would be a fine choice. I put so much emphasis on convince of carry (maybe TOO MUCH according to many) that the J-frame always ends up being my choice. Until someone can make a revolver as small, light and robust as the J-frame I will continue to pick the J.
I went with the 340 j frame due to weight. I run 38+ in it but like the fact it’s robust enough to handle 357. But ultimately it’s the weight that has it in my pants in the AZ heat.
I don’t think one is better than the other. Both are quality guns. In my mind they are just suited for different purposes. For everyday carry and concealment, I choose the J Frame S&W. I own several J Frames and one Ruger. My EDC carry/backup gun is a S&W M&P 340CT. I’m a Detective and I carry it everyday in an ankle holster. Off Duty, I carry it in my strong side front pocket.
Owned both - for the weight and capacity I felt I was much better off with the J frame.
I reasoned that if I was going to carry such a heavy gun as the sp101 it had to give much more than just 5 rounds.
You can carry a Glock 26 for the same weight as the Ruger.
J frame is a pocket gun.
SP101 is a waistband gun.
SP101 is a robust durable gun. The j frame is good with a light diet of +p.
J frame is the one for deep concealment. SP101 for all around and carrying on the belt.
Both are good, but for the weight, I concur with others saying it’s better to carry a bigger gun with more rounds.
I can shoot 100 rounds of Federal 357B in a session without discomfit using a SP101 wearing Pachmayr Compacs. A box of 158gr +P LSWCHP’s through an Airweight J frame leaves me fairly sore.
I’ve never gotten through an entire box of 158+p on a j-frame. 10 rounds and it wasn’t worth shooting anymore.
Different story in a 686.
GP100 > 686
I can shoot 200 rounds of 357B in a sitting with a GP wearing Lett grips. L-frame would leave me beat up.
I carried the Winchester 158g +P HP lead cartridge in a J Frame for about 20 years. I stopped carrying it after testing the round in 10% gelatin, because the projectile did not expand. The person who facilitated the test works for a major ammunition manufacturer and he told me the cartridge performs well when fired through a revolver with 4" barrel. I shot some Winchester Silver Tip and Speer Gold Dot 135g HP +P through my J Frame on the same day. The Gold Dot expanded beautifully, had decent penetration and I have been carrying the cartridge in short barrel revolvers ever since.
A friend moved across the country and left me many boxes of 9mm +P+ that he used to shoot in his Glock (?!). I consider the SP101 in 9mm about the only handgun that can handle a steady diet of that.
That’s more for fun. But for concealed carry nothing beats a J-frame in one pocket, and, to balance things out, a J-frame in the other (hammerless or Bodyguard, no lock).
[Stupidity alert on]
By the way, I have tried to fire a despurred SP101 from a pocket. On top of the destruction of the garment and setting myself on fire, the SP101’s hammer snagged on the remnants of the pocket, making subsequent shots impossible. Not recommended. :eek:
[End of stupidity alert]
Can’t beat the Ruger 101 for shootability. Can’t beat the Smith for portability and beauty. Can’t beat the LCR for smooth out of the box trigger and ugliness.
I’ve carried a 640 for years and can’t imagine carrying anything else for deep-concealment…BUT…the 640 is NOT an Airweight (640: 23 oz, 642/442: 15 oz…yes, half-a-pound more).
If you can haul it around, the extra weight takes the sting out of shooting viable self-defense ammo. I load it with .38 Spcl. +P, but the ability to load .357 for walking in the wild woods is nice.
It is a ‘pocket pistol’ only in loose-fitting jeans/work-style pants. White-color ‘dress’ pants pockets can usually survive a 642/442 but don’t last long with a 640 in the pocket.
I’ve shot the Ruger a little, but simply prefer the classic 640, even with having to make the choices I do to carry it (e.g., more rugged pants for pocket carry, or a holster - thought I usually go with my P228 in a holster)
MikeN
I have never understood this. If you have the option for more power, why not load with more power every time you carry it? When I carry in the woods it’s with 357. When I carry in the hood it’s with 357. When I carry in church it’s with 357. That is, when I choose to carry the 357.