I think that this thread has become a grudge match. Have not heard from the OP since Sunday.
Time to move on , in my opinion - which will probably be challenged.
The truck has gone off the road, rolled down the hill, and burst into flames.
So what can we learn from all this?
The SP101 is a fine revolver. The Ladysmith is also a fine revolver.
Some people's perceptions is that the SP101 is two small to shoot 357 magnums out of comfortably. Some people contend that it is perfectly acceptable.
So to the original poster, just be advised that you will want to try different ammunition to see what you can hit with consistently and quickly, and is comfortable to shoot,
regardless of which gun you choose. Whether you choose to shoot 357 mags, 38 Special +p, or standard pressure 38's, just make sure you can hit your target, as bullet mass and speed are secondary considerations compared to the need to simply hit your target center mass.
I would also contend that all the talk of grips thus far has missed a really key point, and IMO it's a point that people miss consistently on THR when magnum revolvers are being discussed. The mass of the gun affects recoil, which is very dependent on the frame size and specific design of a revolver. It is also something that could be measured given the proper testing criteria. The
PERCIEVED RECOIL, which is the important part, is dependent on the shooters ability, technique, and specific hand characteristics.
Having large hands does not make a small magnum revolver easier to shoot, unless you have
meaty hands. I wear XL gloves, but my hands are very boney, and are cold for all 7 months of the winter season in my locality. Trying to shoot a small revolver with narrow, or boot grips, just plain hurts because it is rocking around in my hand. I have met people with smaller, and/or, meatier hands that could shoot a small frame revolver far better than I. I'd rather shoot my 460 magnum with a full sized, closed backstrap grip that fits me than any small frame magnum revolver. The recoil is far more tolerable for me.
How could a 460 be more comfortable to shoot than a 357? It's because the grip
FITS my hand. Even though the gun recoils harder, it isn't rocking around and beating my hand up, and as a result, the recoil is transferred to my arms and upper body. When the grip fits you well, your entire upper body becomes part of the recoil absorption mechanism.
So any time I hear a comment that a particular gun recoils two heavily with a particular cartridge, I contend that the problem is not the weight of the gun, or the pressure of the cartridge, or even the size of the person, it's that a grip doesn't fit them well. I watched my 120 lb female friend shoot a 454 Casull like a champ. The grip fit her, and thus her hands were unharmed. She didn't enjoy the blast or noise, but that's a totally different issue.
There are limits of course, but with a proper grip that fills the OP's hand, and proper technique, the OP, and anyone really, should be able to shoot magnums out of a small revolver. I have never found a grip for my SP101 that really fits me well, and thus I stick mostly to 38+p. I have one option left, and if it doesn't work, I'll simply stick with that, and if I really need a 357, I'll carry my 686+ with a Nill grip that does fit me perfectly.
Good luck to the OP.