Posted: 6/10/2015 5:11:21 PM EDT
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Posted before about a Rossi I've got, and that got me thinking about picking up a revolver for CCW. I've looked at a few, but which direction should I go? Wanting something with a 3" or shorther barrel, .357 Mag, boot grips (on the gun or available for purchase somewhere), and a hammer. Stainless or blued doesn't matter, but I hate nickel with a passion. As for cost, I'm somewhat open on this. I'm not likely to spend $1000+, but with pricing I've seen lately it seems that the only deals to be had are on Taurus or Rossi (not going to buy another Rossi, not sure on the Taurus).
So whats out there and whats a good deal? Any "hidden gems" that no one seems to talk about? |
The Model 60 is not a bad choice, but I prefer the Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel for real world .357 magnum use. With the exception of the heavier barrel and fully shrouded sector rod, they are the same size.
However, the Ruger has a much thicker forcing cone and will stand up to frequent use of .357 Magnum loads much better than the Model 60, which is more of a "practice with .38 and carry .357 Mag" proposition. 
The SP101 is very accurate for a short revolver, and I found that about a third of the loads I've developed for it will put 5 rounds in a single hole at 10 yards. I've also found the slightly wider rear sight notch on the SP101 is a bit more conducive to shooting under a wider range of light conditions. The load below averages 1243 fps out of my 3" SP101. I got 1296 fps with a 9.0 gr load, but the cases did not drop out of the chambers freely, so I backed up a half grain. 
You can also get a tritium front sight for either revolver for between $55 and $80. From a practical standpoint a loaded 2.125" Model 60 weighs 1.5 pounds, while a fully loaded 3" SP101 weighs 1.8 pounds. The extra weight is noticeable, but not objectionable when carrying the 3" SP101, but it also makes the revolver much more effective and practical to shoot with .357 magnum loads. With a Model 60 you'll be more likely to back the load down a bit in .357 Mag, or just stay with .38 +P loads. I've never had any issues with the extra 3/4" of barrel in terms of carry comfort, but the 3" barrel seems to add about 80 fps on average to muzzle velocities with .357 Mag loads compared to a 2.125" barrel and you can reasonably expect 1,250 to 1,300 fps with 125 gr JHP loads, which will get the job done and not subject you to excessive recoil, making rapid follow up shots easier to obtain. ----- Boot grips are nice in theory, but in practice, if you plan to shoot .357 Mag and practice with it extensively, you're better off with a slightly longer grip that will give you better control of the revolver with full power loads. Boot grips work fine with .38 +p loads, but for .357 mag loads, you'll want something along the lines of the Hogue Monogrip, which is available for both revolvers. |
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Quoted:
Posted before about a Rossi I've got, and that got me thinking about picking up a revolver for CCW. I've looked at a few, but which direction should I go? Wanting something with a 3" or shorther barrel, .357 Mag, boot grips (on the gun or available for purchase somewhere), and a hammer. Stainless or blued doesn't matter, but I hate nickel with a passion. As for cost, I'm somewhat open on this. I'm not likely to spend $1000+, but with pricing I've seen lately it seems that the only deals to be had are on Taurus or Rossi (not going to buy another Rossi, not sure on the Taurus). So whats out there and whats a good deal? Any "hidden gems" that no one seems to talk about? Ruger SP101....get the .357 and carry .38+P if .357 is too snappy (or if you go with boot grips) |
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Quoted:
If you're truly serious about 357, the SP101 is your answer. Having said that a lot of folks that think they want a 357 snubbie quickly change their mind after shooting them. I'm not recoil sensitive at all with handguns, but just from a practical aspect of controllability and rapid follow up shots, the 3" SP101 made .357 Magnum practical in a short barrel revolver, where the Model 60 was just a bit too much and is in reality a .38 +P revolver that could shoot the occasional .357 Magnum round. If you look at the picture above showing the forcing cones, you'll notice the SP101 has about twice the metal in the forcing cone, as well as a thicker frame around the barrel and a thicker top strap. It will stand up to a steady diet of .357 Magnum where the Model 60 really isn't designed to do that. |
Thanks for all the replies guys, it kind of confirms what I was thinking about the Ruger. As to the .357 requirement, I'm not recoil sensitive, but I do realize how much more I'm going to feel it in a 3" gun as opposed to a 6" or so. I would plan on using it most with .38+P and snake shot. That said, I would like to have the option of the higher power .357 for those times when we are hiking or camping in black bear territory, along with having the occasional escape artist from the big cat sanctuary that is 5 miles from the house. I know the odds are slim, but having actually seen cougar prints in our side yard has given me pause about whether or not .38 special or .40 s&w was big enough around here
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