I need some revolver advice fast!

[KeepArms]

I currently own a S&W 66 no dash with a 4" barrel. This revolver has the stainless rear sight, pinned barrel, and recessed cylinder. I bought it for hunting and putting holes in paper. I took my first deer, an 8 point buck, with it at 15 yards. The deer came up behind me, and I would not have been able to turn my rifle on him from where I was sitting. It is a little too large to conceal. There are rumors that the K-frame Smiths may stretch and wear out if subjected to a lot of .357 mag shooting.

I am going to look at a Ruger SP101 in .357 with a 3" barrel today after work. I am thinking about getting it just so I could start exercising my right to carry without having to wear a heavy jacket. Also, the Ruger is supposedly able to withstand a steady diet of the heavier .357 rounds. I still want to be able use it in up-close and personal hunting situations.

I do not have the money to own two guns that are so similar. If I buy the Ruger I will sell the Smith. Which one do I want?

[51158]

I have the ruger sp101 2.5-3" barrel(I forget,it's my house gun so I don't see it much) sperless in stainless. it's a solid revolver, the things a tank. you can't go wrong with a ruger. FYI the sp101 357 is only a 5 shot revolver,

I wouldn't do spurless again though..

Good Luck with whichever one you get.

[DClan]

Personally, I would keep the Smith. I would look at finding a 3" barrel for it and maybe change the grips. I'm including an image of what I think is the perfect model 66, configured in a way that meets your needs.

[Steve_NEPhila]

The 66 will not "wear out" som much as it will get abused if you feed it a steady diet of 125 grain .357 magnum loads. The 6 o'clock portion of the forcing cone is cut a bit to accomodate the crane, creating the weak point. However, this is not a major problem if you shoot heavier bullets (I really like 140 and 158 grain .357 magnum loads) or limit your 125 grain shooting.

The SP101 is not a hunting revolver, I say this because the sights are terrible. Furthermore, the SP101 weighs just about the same as a 4 inch model 66, yet has terrible sights, holds one less round and has a shorter barrel. The SP101 is a silly revolver, it is small in size yet heavy in weights and does not make for a great compromise in a defensive handgun. If your purpose is stricktly hunting, i would stick with the 66.

The real problem here is your budget or your willingness to sacrifice. A great hunting handgun is not a great defensive handgun, the roles are quite different. The real question is what is more important to you, hunting or defense. I personally would choose defense, letting a buck walk will not ruin my day as badly as having a less effective fighting tool for my own species.

Here is another alternate solution, sell your hunting long arm and buy a hunting handgun. An 8 inch .357 magnum with a robust red dot on it would be a real deer slayer.

I am a Smith and Wesson revolver fan, and I also really dig the performance center guns. I regularly carry a .357 for defense and I am confident with it. I did own an SP101 a few years ago and shot it quite a bit. The one major problem I have with the SP101 is that the trigger will never be like a Smith and that it is heavy. Go and borrow a friends SP101 and decide for yourself. Or, trade your model 66 for a 9mm defensive pistol and take up bow hunting... the options are limitless.

[harold63]

I personally like the Ruger better, but not because I'd be worried about breaking a mod. 66. For protection in the woods, neither would be my first choice and I sure ain't going to hunt with the Ruger. For defense against humans, the Ruger is my choice.

[KeepArms]

I know that the Ruger is only a 5 shot, and that it doesn't have adjustable sights. It will not be a dedicated hunting revolver, and it will only be used at less than 20 yards when I can't move enough to get a nice buck in my scope. I am a minimalist at heart, and I don't see myself buying a dedicated hunting revolver anytime soon.

DClan, I love the 66 that you just posted, and I have thought about that. The problem is that my 66 has a square butt, and it isn't cheap to put a new barrel on a revolver. Plus I do shoot a lot, and I don't want to experience a cracked forcing cone. I think that someone else may enjoy the Smith in its current state.

[jmiro]

love my ruger

[mikal90]

Why not just practice with 38 special cowboy loads, buffalo makes a 125 gr lead round nose and so do some others. I have older colt revolvers and thats what I shoot in them to avoid damage. Lead cowboy loads are low velocity so you don't have to worry about lead fouling but they do smoke some.

[KeepArms]

It sounds like I don't need to worry much about the durability of the Smith. It will still never be as concealable as the Ruger. I think I'm starting to lean towards the 5-shot.

[tigermagnum]

They're both good stout handguns. Both reliable and durable.

The SP101 is a great defensive handgun, easy to conceal and though heavy, who cares? Its a magnum.

The S&W66 is smoother, more customizable and also very good gun.

Can you keep them both?