Glock 22 .40 vs Ruger SP101 .357

[M-Cameron]

just remember.....when you guys are comparing weight....be sure to take into account the weight of the rounds....

sure the two guns may weight the same....unloaded.

but with the glock youve got to add the weight of 15 .40SW rounds vs. 5 .357Mag.....

personally i carry the 2.5" sp101........with a decent holster, weight is virtually a non-issue, and with some nice badger grips she aint hard on the eyes either...

 

[Glockedout17]

Kahr is a good brand, but I'm not familiar with their firearms. I've also looked at the Kel Tec PF9, and I was really considering it until I came across a lot of negative comments and reviews. I have also heard and read that Kel Tec has since fixed these issues with the pf 9 (is this true? ). I just want a handgun that I can trust and practice with. I know revolvers are my best bet in the reliability department, I just want the higher capacity incase its needed. Like bruzer, I don't think I can reload a revolver as fast as a magazine fed pistol.

 

[NG VI]

In a pistol that small, though I've never shot it, it would probably be downright unpleasant. If your that inclined to get a tiny gun for concealed carry

The subcompact Glocks aren't all that different from the fullsized ones as far as shooting characteristics. I do think that the 26 might be a better option than the 27, though I love the 27 and carried it for some time.

The subcompact Glocks are unbelievably easy to carry IWB,

 

[MachIVshooter]

I was really considering it until I came across a lot of negative comments and reviews. I have also heard and read that Kel Tec has since fixed these issues with the pf 9 (is this true? )

The PF-9 has been refined, yes. That said, mine was one of the first and has always been a performer. I prefer to carry my S&W CS-45 or CA .44 Spl., but sometimes I can't. The PF-9 is so much thinner and lighter than those two, it can be carried under almost any attire. On the rare occasion it can't be, I have a P3AT.

The big issue with the PF-9 was the mag catch wearing down and mags dropping during firing. KT went to a steel catch, and will retrofit all earlier PF-9s for free. My plastic catch was OK, but I contacted them for the metal one anyway. They sent it free of charge, got it in 3 days and swapped it myself.

They're a great company. I once lost the ejector in my P3 when I was blowing lint out of the frame with compressed air. They sent me a new one, along with two spare recoil springs, for free.

KT makes good products, and their customer service really is second to none.

 

[Glockedout17]

I am going to check the PF9 out. I really like the design and the fact the it shoots 9mm. What is the durability like on the PF9? What are some good loads that can be fired out of it and still be easy on the frame?

 

[NG VI]

I don't know what everyone else shoots out of them, but personally I'd probably go with a standard pressure 147 grain, though to keep recoil light as possible in the light gun you may want to try out some lighter weight JHPs as well. The 147s are more likely to still be in their designed velocity window, which means they will behave closer to the way they are supposed to more of the time.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I'd trade. I'm a revolver guy though and I hate Glocks personally, so I'd trade for sure. I carry an SP101 all winter in the waist band. Wonderful gun. I did just pick up a S&W 642 for pocket carry in summer though. SP101's are not light guns. I love mine. TRADE IT UP!!!!

 

[MachIVshooter]

What is the durability like on the PF9?

Good. KT has OK'd limited use of +P ammo, as well

If you ever do wear one out, KT will repair/replace it for free anyway.

What are some good loads that can be fired out of it and still be easy on the frame?

Well, I stoke mine with 115 gr. Remington JHP's. Why? Because they're cheap enough that they can be used every range trip, and that is comforting in the reliability department. They also performed pretty well in ballistic clay.

I have shot everything from WWB to my own 147 gr. +P+. The gun can take it, but I did have issues with those hot 147 grainers; The firing pin was wiping chunks of brass from the primer and I got light strikes on occasion. This problem did not present with standard pressure loads or +P loads with lighter bullets. Mind you, that 147 gr. load clocks over 1,200 FPS from my 4.7" Baby Eagle; It's hot by any standard.

 

[Glockedout17]

I got a good deal on a PF9 today for $229.99 +tax. I'm going to pick it up on friday when I get paid.... But I'm still thinking about trading my Glock 22 though. I think I really would like a .357 magnum with a 3" barrel and with a revolver in my collection, my dad will attend the range with me more often. The original Ruger SP101 that I was going to trade for had the 2.25 inch barrel. What are some good .357 magnums with a 3" barrel that's of equal value to my Glock? Remember my Glock is in brand new condition.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

I carry a Glock 22 as a duty weapon. Off duty I carry a 3 inch S&W Model 13-3 .357 Mag or a tapered 4 inch S&W Model 10-5 .38 Spl and a S&W Model 37 .38 Spl with both concealed. (I don't do IWB.) Size and weight aside, the Glock doesn't conceal as well as a revolver due to the angular shape, at least on my lumpy old body. (I carry Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure 158 grain LSWC-HPs in both the .38s.)

My boss just bought a Ruger LC9 for concealed carry off duty because the Glock just won't conceal on him either.

YMMV.

ECS

 

[stolivar]

me too

It's up to you... they're the same level of gun (quality, durability/reliability, accuracy, value, etc), so just decide which you want more... higher capacity and lower power auto, or lower capacity, higher power revolver. I personally do not like .40 S&W, so the SP101 is a no brainer. And full house .357 loads don't annoy me like .40 S&W... But like I said, it's up to you. You wouldn't lose on that trade either way.

I will take the sp101 over the glock anytime. I hate the 40 calibur


steve

 

[Waywatcher]

I hate the 40 calibur

How did you come to your enlightened conclusion?

For what it is, the .40 is quite respectable. In its original loading, it launches a bullet with the sectional density of a 230 grain .45 slug, with the velocity of a 185 grain 45 slug. It can also be fit into guns that normally would be offered in 9mm, which makes it more accessible than .45 ACP.

The recoil on a .40 is nothing if you can handle the recoil of .357 out of a SP101.

 

[harmon rabb]

Out of all advice on here aside, and plenty of it good, I don't see that the true strength of the sp101 has been pointed out -- it's a real 357. that means you can shoot the super nasty overpressure 125gr 357 rounds without fear. no 40s&w, no 44spl, can touch the ballistics you can get out of a sp101 loaded with the right stuff.

if you want a revolver and don't care to use the super nasty stuff, then, yeah, i can agree, go with a k-frame or j-frame/lcr.

 

[Dan Bear]

You can shoot .357+P out of the pd jframe and it only weighs 12oz. Super small and super expensive.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I got a good deal on a PF9 today for $229.99 +tax.

Congrats, that's a good price.

What are some good .357 magnums with a 3" barrel that's of equal value to my Glock? Remember my Glock is in brand new condition.

Well, if you try to trade at a gun shop, you're gonna take a pretty good hit on your Glock. Most gun shops will give you 60-70% of what they think they can sell it for. Since it's new condition but not new, they'd probably put it out for $489 or so (New Glock .40 cals are ~$540 most places). Which means they're apt to offer you something in the neighborhood of $300-325.

As for good .357's? Since you have your carry gun squared away, I'd look at K and L frame size 6 (and 7) shot guns, instead of SP-101 and J-frame. S&W model 13, 19, 65, 66 (K frames) 586/686 (L frames), GP-100, Colt I/J/V frame (Python/Trooper/King Cobra).

Also, 4" barrels are more common across the board in medium frame guns, so you're more apt to find a deal on one. Might consider it.

You can shoot .357+P out of the pd jframe and it only weighs 12oz. Super small and super expensive.

And super unpleasant with magnum loads. I wouldn't want to put a BB heavy .357 load through a 340/360 PD. They're nasty enough with regular mag loads.

 

[David E]

... no 40s&w, no 44spl, can touch the ballistics you can get out of a sp101 loaded with the right stuff.

Oh?

What ballistics do you think you're getting?

At "Ballistics by the Inch," the best .357 load is the Cor-Bon 125 grain JHP, and it's doing 1050 fps from a 2" barrel and 1271 fps from a 3"

The 135 grain .40 load from Cor-Bon load load easily surpasses it.

Where are you getting your information?

 

[Glockedout17]

I can't seem to find anyone with a .357 mag 3"barrel that's willing to trade. I know the longer the barrel, the better the performance of the .357 magnum. Most of these .357's that I see have 2 inch barrels. What are the benefits of the 2 1/4 inch barrel and what are the benefits of the 3 1/8 inch barrel?

 

[Deaf Smith]

The shorter barrels are much easier to holster and the barrel won't stick in your rear end or car seat or intimate portions (that is if you carry in the appendix position.)

I have snubs in 2, 2 1/4, 2 1/2, 2 3/4, and 3 inch. The shorter ones you can easily carry in the appendix position.

My S&Ws 642, 60, 640, and even SP101 with 2 1/4 inch tube are quite easy to carry in an IWB in ANY position.

The 2 3/4 (Speed Six) and 3 inch (686 CS-1 and GP-100) are better for belt carry.

Oh, and as for ballistics, I have personally chronoed Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHPs out at 1000 fps from a 2 inch 64, and 1100 from my 2 2/4 inch Speed Six. It's an EXCELLENT round but airweight Js might be very hard to control with it.

I also caution readers on this. Tom Givens, of Rangematers, has pointed out more and more robbery teams are 2 and 3 men and a 5 shot J .38 is a very thin reed to sake ones life on in such situations. So I tell people if you do pack a revolver, pack a second one (or even a Kel-Tec P32!) They are just so slow at reloading and just 5 or 6 shots, pack a second one.

Deaf

 

[oldcelt]

Often I will carry my Ruger sp 101 3" .327 fed mag. It's a little hevier than the Glock 19 but in an iwb holster it is easy to conceal. Ballistically not too far from the .357 and a 6 round capacity. C.T. laser grips also, one speedloader, I hope will be enough.

Afterthought: Federal, american eagle ammo 100gr sp 1500fps muzzle 500 ft/lbs energy 3 inch bbl.

 

[Glockedout17]

Quick question guys, how is the Taurus Tracker 627 4" barrel .357 in the reliability department? I might pick one of these up for home defense and sometime conceal carry, just need a good holster. I want some thoughts on these first before I make a move on one. Does anyone have any experience or heard anything about these? Also I am eyeing a Rossi .357 mag with a 3" barrel, how are Rossi revolvers? I know that Taurus makes Rossi, but I have heard good things about both. I still would like to hear from you guys first before I make up my mind.

 

[David E]

That should be the start of another thread...

 

[IBEWBULL]

I didn't read all of the post but felt compelled to add my 2 cents.
Are 5 rounds enough? Well could be. Is one gun enough?
I got a fish eyed look when I told someone I packed two guns on more than one occasion.
Both wheel guns. A 640 with some nice Grasshorns in an R9 shoulder rig. Then a 66, 2.5 inch which will soon ride in a Simply Rugged OWB.
Over the years I have found packing an auto and extra mag was more uncomfortable than two revolvers. Maybe my body style or what ever.
Any how, I still have a G 27,30 and 36. They are some ugly tools but work fine in a Milt Sparks or Andrews IWB.
If I ever end up in a pinch without an armed friend to back me up I can pass my BUG to him or her. Handing my speed loader of extra mag is not going to hack it. This happened once. I happened to have my G 27 and passed the 640 to my wife. Nothing happened thank God but going through a parking lot with several pit bulls and drunken owners was not fun.
If I ever think I will need 15 rounds , well I am not getting evolved with a hand gun. Pop the trunk or grab the 12 gauge from the wall. But first think of why the instinct was ignored . You shouldn't be there in the first place.
I will be keeping both the wheel guns and the Glocks. Variety can be the spice of life. You choose your own spice.

Quick reply, Tarus, you gt what you pay for. buy American if you can.

 

[gp911]

One thing nobody mentioned is the loooong DA trigger pull on the SP101. I had a DAO 2.25" model for carry and when I compared it to my G23 I could post follow-up shots with the Glock in about half the time between the trigger, recoil, and muzzle blast. Combine that with 5 rounds capacity vs 13 and I sold the little tank. It was a great gun, but for defensive purposes there are better options. If you want a good revolver in general though, they're well built and fun to shoot.

 

[FMF Doc]

I would want the SP101 for carry, and used to use just that myself. But for HD, I want something with more rounds and the ability to mount a light on. So that means the G22. You can CCW the G22, it'll take a little work, but I know guys who do.

 

[Manco]

i'm pretty sure that most threats won't take more than 5 rds.

Really? How are you so sure? Do you have a crystal ball?

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.

Now, the subject of how many rounds you'd be comfortable with is different. Despite having said the above, I personally prefer to have more rounds because a simple "most" is not good enough for my comfort, even though it's very likely factually true. I don't have a "crystal ball," as you put it, so I don't know whether the threat that I may have to face in the future will be like most threats, therefore I try to take additional threat levels into account with additional rounds of ammo capacity. On the other hand, others may be comfortable with five rounds, which actually provides some margin over a simple majority of threats, I believe (at least from my extensive reading of defensive shooting incidents). It's still not enough for me, but it may be for some people, and I wouldn't fault them for it.