How about an SP101 for truck/trail/range?

[LaneP]

It's a shame Ruger discontinued the Security Six (probably out there used somewhere). When I bought mine in 1982 it came with a 2-3/4" barrel but years later I sent it back to Ruger to have a 6" tube screwed onto it. That was a result of me going through a velocity chasing phase. It's still an awesome six gun. I've never had my hands on the newer Ruger revolvers that were made to replace it (yet).

 

[amd6547]

Take a look at a 3" GP100. I have one, and it is a much better shooter than the 3" SP101 I used own.
Pretty easy to carry, too.

 

[gotboostvr]

The lock on a Smith can very easily be removed from the gun, and machined inserts can replace the hole if it bothers you too much.

I'd grab one of the new M66's or the Kimber K6 personally, but the SP101 should serve you well.

 

[ThomasT]

For a truck/trail/range gun in an SP101 platform I would rather have the adjustable sighted gun with 4" barrel. Its a little big for a hideout gun but for your listed uses I would like it better than the snubby gun. And I have a snubby Sp-101 and love it. I also have a S&W model 36-6 with adjustable sights and a 3" barrel. What a great trail gun that is. Its 38 special only but thats fine with me. And its a model S&W only made 615 units of. So not too common.

https://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html

IIRC you can get a different front sight. I have tried the fiber optic and its good for fast target pick up but not as good for precise work. At least not for me.

I really like the upgrade sights on this gun if you are set on a short barrel.

https://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5774.html

 

[HPCadm17]

The lock on a Smith can very easily be removed from the gun, and machined inserts can replace the hole if it bothers you too much.

I'd grab one of the new M66's or the Kimber K6 personally, but the SP101 should serve you well.

The more I look at the Model 66 the more I like it. Not completely sold on the SP101's 5-round capacity or the long, heavy trigger pull. And if I plan on shooting Magnums for any length of time, I'm concerned about tiring of it too quickly with a smaller gun. Folks I've talked talk to say stick to 38 Special with a 101 or K-frame. So maybe I'll need to re-think this.

And the more I look at the 686 Plus, the more I like that, unfortunately... 7-rounds, smooth DA and enough heft to tame the mighty Magnum all day long. Maybe a 3" would be great for a truck or a backpack, but it's doubtful I'd try to conceal that puppy on my person. I tried not to even think about another large wheel gun, but it was in the case and I couldn't help but look at it. I'd consider one if I could find a smaller grip to fit my stubby fingers.

It's both good and frustrating to have so many great choices, I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry.

 

[jstert]

i had a 38sp, 3” ruger sp101. it handled 38+p ammo well, i don’t like recoil, but i never liked the original grips. after changing grips the cylinder then locked up on me after only about 50 38sp ball range rounds. a gunsmith cured it for $20 but i traded it away fast. as much as i love my ruger single action revolvers i won’t look at the sp101 again but ymmv.

as for a one truck/trail/range revolver... personally i would pass on 357 as i cannot take recoil enough to become proficient with it. where i roam 38sp is enough. i could go as far as 38+p if i needed a bit more oomph. my beloved ruger single actions are too large and heavy these days for my trails, though for home/camp/car/range use they are great. a 2” barrel is ok but needs more practice to be accurate, a 3” barrel is a nice compromise length to allow ccw, though 4” is better if no ccw.

my trail walk centerfire revolver is a s&w 38sp, 3”, 5 shot that i unexpectedly lucked into. previously i relied on a very nice, accurate enough, longtime beloved, steel taurus 2” five shot. the s&w is an airweight so i prefer it now when walking about and away, though i pretty much only shoot wadcutters out of it for my wrist’s sake, which may be too soft a round for most folks in the great outdoors. so, anyway, if starting with a clean slate, how about a 3” ruger lcr-x in the heavier 357 version but stick with 38+p ammo?

 

[gotboostvr]

The more I look at the Model 66 the more I like it. Not completely sold on the SP101's 5-round capacity or the long, heavy trigger pull. And if I plan on shooting Magnums for any length of time, I'm concerned about tiring of it too quickly with a smaller gun. Folks I've talked talk to say stick to 38 Special with a 101 or K-frame. So maybe I'll need to re-think this.

And the more I look at the 686 Plus, the more I like that, unfortunately... 7-rounds, smooth DA and enough heft to tame the mighty Magnum all day long. Maybe a 3" would be great for a truck or a backpack, but it's doubtful I'd try to conceal that puppy on my person. I tried not to even think about another large wheel gun, but it was in the case and I couldn't help but look at it. I'd consider one if I could find a smaller grip to fit my stubby fingers.

It's both good and frustrating to have so many great choices, I'm just glad I'm not in a hurry.

The new M66's are sufficiently beefed up where it counts that you shouldn't have to worry about wearing one out, unless you're launching a bunch of 125gr screamers which would eat up and erode any forcing cone. You don't have to worry about them cracking like the older models.

Plus, K frame holsters and speed loaders are all over the place. You can't swing a dead cat at a gun show without hitting a table with a box full of both.

 

[amd6547]

Thread needs pics. This is my idea of a 357mag trail revolver, my GP100. It handles full power factory ammo just fine, and my favorite all around load is the American Eagle 158gn JSP. It came with big hogue grips, but I prefer the compact Letts. I still put the Hogues on it sometimes.

 

[PapaG]

With 158 357s it is a handful. Mine is a 3" with Hogues. I load down a little, 358156, 13 2400.

 

[high country]

+1 on the 4" version of the SP101. For .357 loads, the extra bit of barrel weight makes a huge difference, and with houge grips, they are quite shootable with mid-range .357.

 

[horsey300]

I'm looking for a revolver that is smaller than a GP100 or 686 but still has enough mass to tame the mighty Magnum. I fondled an SP101 for the first time today and am impressed with how comfortable it is. It fits my medium-sized hands and short fingers like a glove.

How well does the SP101 handle full Magnum loads? Although I'd practice mostly with 38 Special +P, I'd be wanting to put a box of magnums through it during any given range trip and don't want to get beat up too much.

I'm very tempted to go back and adopt it, so I need you guys to talk some sense into me.

Mine is the 4.2 inch but it loves the magnums, and makes .38s laughable. This thing takes a bit of adjustment as I'm used to larger grips, but dang it's a hoot, I'd say you came to the wrong enabler site if you want us to stop you from making such a wonderful investment!

 

[HPCadm17]

Welp... Suffice it to say the answer, in the end, was none of the above.

I went back to the shop and fondled the SP101, King Cobra, and select examples of each frame size from Smith & Wesson. I decided I didn't like the trigger on the Ruger, and don't yet trust Colt enough to plunk down cash on a KC, so I focused on the Smiths.

Of the J-frames, I really like the Model 60 2.5". What a great feeling gun, certainly something I could get used to IWB or AIWB. The only K-frames they had were snubbies, and If I was to carry a snubby it would probably be a J-frame. I also didn't care for the finish or black controls on the Model 66 Combat Magnum. I then handled the 686 Plus 4" again and started to wonder why I hadn't picked one up yet.

I'm not sold on the idea of compromising on size for shooting full magnum loads, nor do I want to force myself to CCW a larger revolver than I'd be comfortable with. When I handled the 686 Plus 4" I decided it needed to be mine, so the final decision was to adopt the 686 Plus now, and once I replenish the gun budget, come back for the 60.

Looks like I'll have to plan a range day for this weekend.

 

[TTv2]

I don't see the point in buying an SP101 when you can get a 7 round GP100 in a similar barrel length for $100 more and absolutely will hold up to the .357, have less recoil due to the extra half pound of steel, not too mention have a much better grip and ergos.

 

[HPCadm17]

I don't see the point in buying an SP101 when you can get a 7 round GP100 in a similar barrel length for $100 more and absolutely will hold up to the .357, have less recoil due to the extra half pound of steel, not too mention have a much better grip and ergos.

I was thinking the SP would be more suitable for carry, as would the K-frame vs. L-frame, but when I compared them in the shop the only practical difference besides weight is the cylinder width. I have a good belt and weight doesn't bother me. In the end the 686+ made the most sense for my intended use.

 

[gotboostvr]

Can't go wrong with a 4" 686.

I've posted this picture over a dozen times, but being that it's probably my favorite handgun I just like showing it off. Took me awhile to "see the light".

 

[HPCadm17]

Very, very pleased with this 686!

I checked the un-adjusted sights with the laser bore sight; windage is perfectly centered and looked like it was set for a 6:00 picture. I took it for its maiden voyage today at the indoor range and ran a box of 38Spl. Tried the first shot aiming for 6:00 and it broke low. Centered it for the next shot and bulls-eye. From then on it bulls-eyed every shot out to 25 yards. Warning: Firing this gun can cause a sudden onset of perma-grin!

I didn't want to shoot .357 indoors with fellow shooters in adjacent stalls so that will have to wait, but I am duly impressed. No change in POI once it heated up. It ate up the 38's like candy. This gun is amazing, can't wait to feed it a real meal of magnums.