amd6547
Member
If you want an SP101, I would re-think the used gun option. SP101's are tough little revolvers. I bought a used 3" SP101 for a bargain price, and it is a great revolver.
Which do you think is the better defensive handgun...G26 or SP101
- Thread starter Doug S
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Here is another option, coming from someone who is used to having to feed a gun addiction on a tight budget.
Buy 2 or 3 sets of springs and pins for the G26. They can be had for cheap. Think firing pins, guide rod assemblies, maybe an extra set of factory sights etc. Looking at $50-$100 depending on what you get. Buy only Glock factory parts dont get fancy.
This isnt quite as good as the 1 is none 2 is 1 mantra. Unless you carry both G26's you would have to wait untill you get home to replace the G26 if it goes down anyway. Its just a manner of grabbing the spare or repairing the original.
Then trade in which ever G26 you consider the spare.
Buy 2 or 3 sets of springs and pins for the G26. They can be had for cheap. Think firing pins, guide rod assemblies, maybe an extra set of factory sights etc. Looking at $50-$100 depending on what you get. Buy only Glock factory parts dont get fancy.
This isnt quite as good as the 1 is none 2 is 1 mantra. Unless you carry both G26's you would have to wait untill you get home to replace the G26 if it goes down anyway. Its just a manner of grabbing the spare or repairing the original.
Then trade in which ever G26 you consider the spare.
I believe in having a spare, or several, of my important weapons. OTOH, an SP101 fits my hands, and a Glock does not. Fit carries over to shooting performance; been there, done that. For the individual me, an SP101 is the better weapon, and multiple SP101s, better still. My Glocks went away.
FMJMIKE
Member
The SP-101 has pretty stiff recoil with hot .357 magnum loads. It actually hurt my wrists. I prefer a G-19 myself. I think you should keep the Glocks......Great handguns !!!
I'm really kind of surprised at the SP101's popularity. I really figured the G26 would be the more popular model.
I do like the spare parts idea. I only have a spare guide rod currently.
I didn't buy anything this morning. The shop does a lot of business, and was packed. One of the salespeople told me that they had a bunch of used guns in the back, including at least one used SP101 that would not be out on the shelves until next week. The two that he had earlier in the week had sold. If I didn't mind waiting, he recommended that I come back next week to see what the new "used" stuff was like. So that's the plan.
All of that said, I don't think I can bring myself to part with the G26, so if I get the Ruger it will either be a trade for the shotgun, or outright purchase.
Thanks again everyone for all of the helpful feedback. I really do appreciate it.
I do like the spare parts idea. I only have a spare guide rod currently.
I didn't buy anything this morning. The shop does a lot of business, and was packed. One of the salespeople told me that they had a bunch of used guns in the back, including at least one used SP101 that would not be out on the shelves until next week. The two that he had earlier in the week had sold. If I didn't mind waiting, he recommended that I come back next week to see what the new "used" stuff was like. So that's the plan.
All of that said, I don't think I can bring myself to part with the G26, so if I get the Ruger it will either be a trade for the shotgun, or outright purchase.
Thanks again everyone for all of the helpful feedback. I really do appreciate it.
I say...variety is the spice of life.
Two glock 26s are boring. The world ain't gonna end, forget the two is one theory. You obviously are pining after the ruger. I used to have the gun in question so I get it.
You would have a better manual of arms with the shotty, 26 and ruger. Versatility is the name of the game. Its nice to have different calibers. I don't buy doubles of any pistols and it have suffered no ill effects, but i sure have tried a lot of guns and in the process figured out what best suits me. Life is short, lose one of the g-26s and give the ruger a spin.
If you hate it, sell it, recoup the 26, or try something else. You'll still have the subcompact 9mm and mossberg and g17, so your bases are preetty well covered. I just don't see the point of having two. If you are REALLY worried about the 26 breaking down, like another poster said, get spare parts for the parts prone to breaking, which won't cost much for a g-26.
Oh, and grab a 30 rounder for it. Just because!
Two glock 26s are boring. The world ain't gonna end, forget the two is one theory. You obviously are pining after the ruger. I used to have the gun in question so I get it.
You would have a better manual of arms with the shotty, 26 and ruger. Versatility is the name of the game. Its nice to have different calibers. I don't buy doubles of any pistols and it have suffered no ill effects, but i sure have tried a lot of guns and in the process figured out what best suits me. Life is short, lose one of the g-26s and give the ruger a spin.
If you hate it, sell it, recoup the 26, or try something else. You'll still have the subcompact 9mm and mossberg and g17, so your bases are preetty well covered. I just don't see the point of having two. If you are REALLY worried about the 26 breaking down, like another poster said, get spare parts for the parts prone to breaking, which won't cost much for a g-26.
Oh, and grab a 30 rounder for it. Just because!
Just when I thought I was comfortable with my decision, you had to go and make me think.
Again, I love my SP101, and that man has a good point! Ya need versatility my friend!
TexasBill
Member
I actually bought a S&W Model 60 3-inch over the Ruger but for the money, the Ruger is impossible to beat and I often think of adding one to my family of wheelguns. The 3-inch barrel is an especially sweet gun. Full-house .357 Magnums will get your attention (the longer barrel helps), but you can use some of the modern .38 Special or .38 Special +P rounds for the majority of your shooting.
jmortimer
Member
I have a 3" .357 SP101 - perfect "wood's gun" - Normally shoot 148 grain hard cast DEWC which will do a number on a two or four leggged critter. I don't use full power loads as it only weighs 27 ounces but it can take whatever you can take and then some. Built like a tank. If you reload get some Oregon Trail Laser Cast or Buffalo Bore 148 grain hard cast DEC which are around 21 BHR - I load up to 1,200 fps. It will put a hurt on anything. Consider that a Oregon Trail Laser Cast will shoot through 36" of ballistic gelatin at 657 fps so you can imagine what it will do at 1,000 plus fps.
zignal_zero
Member
you already have two G26's, right? i'd definately trade one off for the SP101. i carried an SP101, for years, and was issued a G27. to me, it's a no-brainer, i'd make the trade EVEN if i only had ONE G26.
if the revolver is going to be staying in the "man cave" and not being carried, i would go for a GP100, instead.
if the revolver is going to be staying in the "man cave" and not being carried, i would go for a GP100, instead.
amd6547
Member
The SP101 hurt your wrist? Come on, I can shoot 357 mag through my 3" Sp101 all day with no problem. The stiffest load I have shot is my carry load, DoubleTap 125gn Bondedcore. You definately know you are triggering off a serious magnum round with that one, but hurt wrists? Nah.
It's a pretty accurate little revolver, too...This target was from my first time out, using American Eagle 158gn SP's:
It's a pretty accurate little revolver, too...This target was from my first time out, using American Eagle 158gn SP's:
easyg
Member
I think the Glock is a way better CCW, and lots more fun to shoot too...but since you have two of them, I recommend trading one for the Ruger.
230therapy
Member
If you use the G26 to defend your life, the gun will be taken as evidence. What will you carry then? Your gear will be identical. You should be shooting the spare Glock periodically. Jeff Cooper talked about spare guns; I recommend you read his article on this topic.
If hd or mcd (man cave defense is really your main concern, then the mossberg outshines the glocks and the ruger combined, no question in my mind so keep that. I personally think the SP101 is a great revolver but TO ME its better served as a conceal carry weapon not really a firearm that sits in a safe loaded. For that you can choose a pretty big gun, like your shotgun, or at least a bigger handgun with more capacity (bigger glock, gp100)
I'm not a glock fan, I do own one but thats because I saw Nugent with a Glock 10mm so I had to have one too. If you want a woods gun buy that monster. Not many critters can handle 16 rounds of 10mm. That being said, it sounds like you are a glock fan and based only on the fact that glock is trying to make their pistols even uglier I think you should keep both glocks. Plus I am assuming you are pretty proficient with your glock so why try to learn a new platform, and take the risk you wont like it as much as your glock.
The SP101 would add variety but it doesnt really do anything you cant do already, except being a little better woods gun, not ideal for me though. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes so lets say only one company made 1911s and all of the sudden they changed them in a way I didnt care for, I would darn sure go buy a backup in the flavor I was currently happy with. If Ruger makes plans to screw up the SP then get after that purchase, in fact I will race you.
is really your main concern, then the mossberg outshines the glocks and the ruger combined, no question in my mind so keep that. I personally think the SP101 is a great revolver but TO ME its better served as a conceal carry weapon not really a firearm that sits in a safe loaded. For that you can choose a pretty big gun, like your shotgun, or at least a bigger handgun with more capacity (bigger glock, gp100)I'm not a glock fan, I do own one but thats because I saw Nugent with a Glock 10mm so I had to have one too. If you want a woods gun buy that monster. Not many critters can handle 16 rounds of 10mm. That being said, it sounds like you are a glock fan and based only on the fact that glock is trying to make their pistols even uglier I think you should keep both glocks. Plus I am assuming you are pretty proficient with your glock so why try to learn a new platform, and take the risk you wont like it as much as your glock.
The SP101 would add variety but it doesnt really do anything you cant do already, except being a little better woods gun, not ideal for me though. I'm trying to put myself in your shoes so lets say only one company made 1911s and all of the sudden they changed them in a way I didnt care for, I would darn sure go buy a backup in the flavor I was currently happy with. If Ruger makes plans to screw up the SP then get after that purchase, in fact I will race you.
The Sp-101 is possibly my favorite handgun.
With that said,were I in your conundrum I would keep the duplicate G26.
I am a firm believer of having duplicates of favorite and time tested weapons.
Also keep the shotgun. Somewhere down the road you will have a need for it and be glad you kept it.
With that said,were I in your conundrum I would keep the duplicate G26.
I am a firm believer of having duplicates of favorite and time tested weapons.
Also keep the shotgun. Somewhere down the road you will have a need for it and be glad you kept it.
Doug,
this is the wrong place to be asking for advice on trading guns off! It is like going to a bar packed with heavy drinkers for advice on sobering up.
I have a G26 and find it a better carry gun than the SP101 that I also own. The SP101 is quite heavy, an easy shooter, particularly with Hogue Monogrips, but carrying sparerounds for a fast reload is a bit more awkward.
The SP101 will be a nice addition to the armoury and there will always be an excuse to get another gun, for there will always be a perceived advantage of the gun that we still have to get!
There is no cure - and we all know the fix...
PzGren said,
And thanks to your post, my Mossberg has become a Ruger MkIII 22/45 with slab side bull barrel.
Seriously, I did actually did make an even trade of the shotgun for a like new Ruger MKIII today, and even though I hate the asthetics of the loaded chamber indicator, I actually like the gun. The Ruger was test fired in June 09, so it is actually pretty new. I made the decision because I decided to pick up something what would get me and my son to the range more. In fact we spent some of the afternoon plinking today. The shotgun was usually locked in the cabinet, and not something I would have had time to grab quickly for HD purposes. This wasn't necessarily the smartest decision, but it was a fun one.
Thanks again for all of the helpful feedback.
And thanks to your post, my Mossberg has become a Ruger MkIII 22/45 with slab side bull barrel.
Seriously, I did actually did make an even trade of the shotgun for a like new Ruger MKIII today, and even though I hate the asthetics of the loaded chamber indicator, I actually like the gun. The Ruger was test fired in June 09, so it is actually pretty new. I made the decision because I decided to pick up something what would get me and my son to the range more. In fact we spent some of the afternoon plinking today. The shotgun was usually locked in the cabinet, and not something I would have had time to grab quickly for HD purposes. This wasn't necessarily the smartest decision, but it was a fun one.
Thanks again for all of the helpful feedback.
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