Glock 22 .40 vs Ruger SP101 .357

[David E]

I think that when taken literally, Glockedout17's statement is true--most, as in the majority of, threats require five rounds or less. In fact, some require no rounds fired, and you could usually send even multiple threats scurrying away with one or two shots fired, whether they hit any of the bad guys or not (as most people prefer to not get shot). Some threats require more than five rounds, and others may even require dozens of rounds, but most (i.e. 50+%) do not.

Cite your source, please.

Now, the subject of how many rounds you'd be comfortable with is different. ... others may be comfortable with five rounds.... , and I wouldn't fault them for it.

I would. For example, I don't care how "comfortable" someone feels packing a 5-shot NAA, it's still not a good choice for defense. Is it better than nothing? Maybe....perhaps even probably, but only if the user fully understands the limitations of such a choice. But those that DO fully understand choose something else.

 

[Manco]

Cite your source, please.

I did--most of the defensive shootings I've read about over the years required no more than one or two rounds, so it's anecdotal. I never intended for it to be more of a formal proof than that, as the OP wasn't trying to strictly prove anything, either. My point was really that a response to the OP's casual suggestion appeared to be addressing a somewhat different (but definitely related) issue.

I would. For example, I don't care how "comfortable" someone feels packing a 5-shot NAA, it's still not a good choice for defense.

It's not the best choice for every situation, but as for whether it's a good choice overall, that depends on how you define "good," and it's certainly a lot better than nothing. You don't consider it a good choice, and that's just your opinion--I don't either, but that's just my opinion. These are merely opinions rather than fact because even an NAA can kill or scare away bad guys, let alone a .38/.357 revolver like the SP101--we're not talking about spit wads and a straw here.

Is it better than nothing? Maybe....perhaps even probably, but only if the user fully understands the limitations of such a choice.

Probably is all that is required to handle most threats, and nothing you could propose (that is practical) can handle ALL threats anyway, so naturally the issue of ammo capacity comes down to a matter of degree and individual preferences.

But those that DO fully understand choose something else.

I think that a full understanding of defensive handgun use includes the knowledge that the differences in effectiveness between handguns is not nearly as great as many people believe. Sometimes even a small advantage can mean the difference between life and death, which is a point that I've brought up myself on a number of occasions, but in the big picture the difference is still small (even when including the NAA mini-revolvers). That is why there is such an emphasis on shot placement on this forum, for example. Also of great importance and practicality is choosing a gun that you can carry all the time (in the case of CCW), and one that you're good at shooting, even if that means resorting to .22 LR for some folks--proficiency and confidence are more important than caliber, in my opinion, although like ammo capacity, caliber still counts as a secondary consideration, with load selection being more critical than the actual type of cartridge.

 

[Cemo]

While true in a comparison of full sized guns, this is not true in a .357 snub nose such as the 2.25" snub nose SP101. In fact, the performance of hot .357 mag loads out of a short barrel revolver weakens to the equivalent of 9mm+P.

Check out this video:


As for the OP question - I see no real advantage in the SP101 over the G22. However, I do have a snub SP101 in .357 mag and its a blast (literally) to shoot.

I do not agree that the 357 becomes a 9mm. In real life it will out shoot the 9

 

[Shaq]

If I wanted to reduce size & weight for concealed carry, I'd go with a Ruger LCR. As someone else said, the Glock & the SP101 are pretty close in weight.

 

[Drail]

I would get the SP 101 and a good pair of running shoes.......... (feets don't fail me now). Fire two rounds and find some hard cover. If you're not moving then you're a pretty easy target. And I have seen too many bottom feeders choke to trust my life to one. Even guns built by factory custom shops for pro team shooters. Yes I know revolvers can fail too but they do it at a fraction of the rate of semi autos.

 

[azrn]

I also would go with the ruger sp 101. every time you pull the trigger it goes bang. you have no mags to fail or hang ups when it has to recycle to load another round. you only need to aim and pull the trigger. unless you are in law enforcement or combat infantry , I doubt you will need more then whats in the cylinder for ccw. when the ruger goes bang the bad guys will know not to hang around.

 

[Drail]

Shooting a DA revolver will make you try REAL HARD to not miss........

 

[azrocks]

After reading quite a few comments suggesting an SP101 is pretty much the same size as a full-size Glock, I can come to only one conclusion:

Ruger must be making two entirely different revolvers both named the SP101.

Seriously, it's a heavy revolver, but it's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more concealable than a full-size Glock. The idea that they're both essentially the same size is silly. To anyone who thinks they are, I suggest you put down your ruler and go actually pick up the guns. Then try to conceal both and see which one wins

This isn't (necessarily) and endorsement of the SP101. But it is one performance metric in which the SP101 excels over the Glock.

 

[HexHead]

Instead of the Ruger, check out a 3" S&W 686+. Mine is my favorite EDC gun. Let me tell you, walking around with seven .357s in the cylinder, I don't feel undergunned, and I fear no man.

 

[45_auto]

You would have hoped they would have settled this by now in this 5 year old (2012) thread.

 

[ugaarguy]

Closed. This is a nearly 5 year old thread that was started by a member who hasn't been on in nearly 4 years. I hope he made his choice long ago.