Small frame adjustable sights

[high country]

I am looking to add a small frame revolver to my collection, and am looking for suggestions. I have a GP100, and while it is a nice gun, it is big and heavy. I have fairly large hands, but for whatever reason, the smaller framed revolvers seem to fit better than large frame. The purpose would be as a "kit gun" for boating, hiking, etc. (although in .38/.357 rather than .22), and CCW.

I recently fired an SP101 2.25" and a S&W Model 360. Like I said, I liked the frame size better than the GP100, but the frame notch style sights are abysmal. I can see it as a good no snag option for a snub nose that would be deployed at close range, but for more of an all purpose gun, a decent set of sights is a deal breaker for me. The LCR seems like a nice option, but I just cant warm up to the composite. Most likely I would never fire .357, just .38 with +P for CCW, so I would consider .38 only models.

I handled a Model 60 3" the other day, and really liked the feel of that. The Talo SP101 with novak sights is another option. Are there any other good options for small frame revolvers with decent sights that I am missing? I used to have a Model 18, and was quite accurate with it. I will be trying to track down a k frame round butt 2-3" barrel with adjustable sights to handle. What models should I be looking for there?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions that you all have.

 

[beag_nut]

The 4" SP101 has an adjustable rear sight. Problem solved.

 

[tbob38]

Like beag_nut said. I have one in .22 rimfire.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

S&W made some (660?) model 60 .38 specials for Ashland Distributors once upon a time. Probably made some other variations as well.

I see no improvement in me shooting the adjustable sight version over a fixed sight one in a revolver this size.

 

[someguy2800]

4" SP101 357. This was shot at 50 yards rested. I've shot 3 deer with it, two of which were over 50 yards.



Smith also make a 3" J frame with adjustable sights

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-60-3

 

[RugRev]

I have a Model 18 and it is a K medium frame. As others have noted Ruger offers a 4" SP101 with adjustable sights:



Like the GP100 the SP101 has the grip stud so one has a lot of latitude finding grips to fit one's hand. Smith also makes a small frame J in 3" with adjustable sights. I think at one time they may have made one with a 5 or 5 1/2" bbl, too.

 

[HB]

The 4” SP101 is a great gun if you can find a good one. Mine was accurate but cylinder gap was too small and rifling was horrible. Leaded terribly, copper fouled badly and was sold.

HB

 

[bannockburn]

high country

Picked this one up 6 or 7 years ago for my wife. Found it in the Used Gun case; like new in the box. Liked the slightly longer sight radius with the 4" barrel. Got the Hogue MonoGrip as she didn't care for the small factory grips.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Fine looking S&W right there!

 

[WestKentucky]

I hate to say it but I have seen far more smallish revolvers with sights from lower tier companies. Charter and Rossi really come to mind on this one. I am keeping an eye out for a security guard trade-in special with adjustable sights. They aren’t common, but I wouldn’t call them rare. I don’t care if it’s 38 only, but I would prefer the option of 357.

 

[Jonesy814]

For small and light, the 3 inch model 60 is exactly what you are looking for. Nice adjustable sights, stainless steel and it only weighs about 22 ounces. A 2.5 inch model 66 would work if you want a 6 shot gun but then you are up to around 30 ounces and they are rather pricey.

 

[high country]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I went and handled several today, including a model 60, a model 66 with the 2.5" barrel, and an SP101. The SP101 won, and came home with me. It was close between the Model 60 and the SP101. The K frame was a little larger than I wanted, I sold a model 18 for the same reason. The Model 60 is smaller and lighter, while the Ruger felt like it would be much less of a handful with +P or .357 rounds, and I liked the sights better.

To me, the SP101 was exactly what I was looking for. I had discounted it because I hadn't seen a 4" version in person, the pictures make it look oddly barrel heavy. In person, they look (and are) nicely balanced. I also prefer the Ruger cylinder release, the way they field strip, since I am used to it from the GP100. This thing is the perfect size to ride on a hip out in the woods, and I would be able to easily conceal it IWB under anything more substantial than a light T-shirt. Given that, I think the slightly longer barrel will pay off for the sight radius and for heavier loads.

I got a got a decent deal on a very lightly used one, with nice looking machine work and roll marking (noticeably nicer than my GP100 actually) and a pretty smooth trigger that should respond well to a spring kit and maybe a few shims if needed.

Looking forward to running some rounds through it, thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[beag_nut]

My 4" SP is always with me in the woods east of the Mississippi (the 6" GP is on call west of the same river). I think you made an excellent choice.

 

[Paladin7]

You made a good choice. I like the Model 60 3" with adjustable sights, but never found one at the right price. I have a Model 36-1 3" and am on the same wavelength as you regarding a woods walking gun. I will eventually convert it to adjustable sights so I have more flexibility with different loads.

Having said that, my current woods walking gun is a Ruger Lipsey's Super Blackhawk Bisley in 3.75" in 44 Magnum which I like the best. The 44 Magnum gives me all the flexibility I could ask for... from 44 Special plinkers and small game loads to Magnum power in a package that is easy to carry with the right belt and holster. It's heavier for sure than my Model 36, but it can do anything I need getting done, so I like it.

Food for thought...

 

[Jonesy814]

I traded a S&W Sport rifle even up for this Model 60 Pro last month and am very happy with it. Recoil is a bit stout with full house magnums but tolerable. Would probably be better with rubber grips

 

[cal44mag]

On the used gun market, you might look for a Model 19 snub.

Even the 2.5" versions have adjustable sights.

But it's heavier than the M60 3"

 

[high country]

Finally made it to the range today with SP101. Yup, I made a good choice. This little thing fits my hand much better than the GP100. The recoil with .38 is negligible, and it is definitely manageable with .357, although I wouldn't want to spend an afternoon shooting them. Once I get a load worked up that this thing likes and get the sights dialed in, it seems like it is going to be a tack driver. This could easily become a contender as a favorite handgun.

I am thinking that I might give the houge monogrips a try if I find some on sale, I liked the way they felt on the model 60 I handled.

I had a galco IWB soft suede holster kicking around that it fits in OK, but with the belt clip for the holster next to the cylinder, it makes for a pretty wide package, and I would be concerned that the front sight would snag. I am looking at the simply rugged pancake holster. Anyone have experience with and SP in one of those? A little spendy, but the choices are a little slim for the 4.2" barrel version of the SP101 seem a bit limited.

Thanks again everyone for the great suggestion, I am a very happy camper!