I have decided to get a Ruger SP-101 3" and have not decided to get the .357 Magnum or the .327 Federal chambers

The gun to be for CCW and I'd only use .38 specials or +P in the .357 mag chambers

which one?....357 mag or .327 fed

The SP 101 in 327 Federal is a 6 shooter and the 357 version is a 5 shot revolver. The new cartridge is more powerful than the 38 SPCL loads. It can also be loaded with the shorter 32 caliber cartridges. I have a SP 101 in 357 with the 3 1/8" barrel. If I were buying now, I would opt for the 6 shooter version.

Just happen to have one of the Ruger SP-101 3" in 357Mag and it is right nice. I've got so many Components that work in it and have used various 357Mags for so long a time, that I'd be reluctant to go with the 327Fed. But, components should be as close as our regular Suppliers.

I find revolvers to be a bit more inconvenient for me to carry unless I'm Hunting. Then they have longer barrels and hang from my hip. I generally just go with the 45ACP in the middle of my back. Only problem then is weight and bulk.

Had a buddy recently go through the same process of trying to decide what he wanted to carry. I told him what worked for me, but it was not for everyone.

Happened by a Gun Shop where I do some business and asked what they recommended. Both of the guys reached behind their backs and laid their hands on the counter. You could not see anything. When they lifted their hands, there were two Kel-Tec(SP?) pistols in 380ACP.

Told them I'd never even heard of Kel-Tec. They smiled and said, "We can carry ANYTHING you see in the counters and this is our choice." Fairly convincing argument, but the Kel-Tecs are Double Action only.

So, between your choices, I'd stay with the 357Mag. But a lot of consideration should be given to "where" it will be on you.

Always a balancing act. Best of luck with which ever way you go.

I have cc a handgun most of my adult life.
I have mostly smith and wessons.
i have a model 66 smith in 357, heavy gun to carry, lots of power.
I have carried various semi auto and they are difficult to operat unless you carry locked and cocked.
I presently carry a 638 smith airweight and as light and compact as it is it still gets to be a little unconfortable.
I carried a 45 auto for a while and nearly lost my pants a couple time.
I am not a fan of semis, wheelguns for me.
I do have a tauris 25 auto fly swatter I carry sometimes it probably would be real weak as to stoppng power but I shoot it really well and for a double action it functions great. lots of info on carry ccw on this site even though its smith. it all depends on how you carry. 38/357 would be my choice
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve

tough to beat the all-around 357 mag.- a fine cartridge plus down loading with a .38 load is a major advantage/versatility/convenience

as to the semi autos.....I'm solidly right handed and doubt that I could ever learn to shoot left handed with a handgun....further my right hand has had nine surgeries to keep it working as a result of 30 years of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The SP 101 is one of the very few handguns I can hold and shoot well.....no semi autos fit the hand worth a hill of beans.....the gun almost has to be a SP-101....nothing else fits!

I love the 9MM Parabellums in the Officers model P-08.....But can't fire the gun at all!

i find it rather interesting that the old 30 carbine was considered insufficient, yet the new 32 mag having the same ballistics is considered a real stopper hum

I would give up the extra round for the greater bullet wt. & potential for expansion of the 38sp+p/357mag. I have a 2 1/4" & it's a fine shooting pocket pistol, even w/ med. magnum loads. With 158gr+pLSWCHP, it's quite managable, even more so in a 3 1/4" I would imagine.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
as to the semi autos.....I'm solidly right handed and doubt that I could ever learn to shoot left handed with a handgun....further my right hand has had nine surgeries to keep it working as a result of 30 years of Rheumatoid Arthritis

That does not sound like fun at all. Hang in there Vapo!

quote:

The SP 101 is one of the very few handguns I can hold and shoot well.....no semi autos fit the hand worth a hill of beans.....the gun almost has to be a SP-101....nothing else fits!

Seems to have narrowed the field down a good bit. At least the SP 101 is a really fine Double Action revolver built like a Sherman Tank for stout.

I've often wondered if one of them could be rebarrelled to 6" with a 4-shot 44Mag cylinder by Bowen. It would make a heck of a light weight Bambi or Hog Blaster.

quote:

I love the 9MM Parabellums in the Officers model P-08.....But can't fire the gun at all!

Everytime I look at an Officers Model I get an urge to go on and panic into one.
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Best of luck with the SP101, in which ever Cartridge you choose.

I'm in the revolver carry camp. However, I am not in the .327 camp. If you actually read REAL specs you'll find that the .327 is not much of an improvement over what you can load in the .32 HRM. When Federal was trying to push this cartridge in the pages of Shooting Times, they gave specs for the .38 special provided from ATK--Federal's parent company--- that were in direct conflict with Federal's own published specs on their website!!!! Guess which cartridge came off looking better with the bogus specs. Guess which magazine and author did not check any of the specs, but just blithely and ignorantly published the bad ones?

Lately the Walther and Smith and Wesson M&Ps impress me as carry guns. The safety is such that you can have a live round in the chamber, pull the gun and shoot, due to very clever internal safeties which are operated by the trigger. I want to be ready without worrying about grip and thumb safeties or whether there is a live round up the spout. I have a Walther 1960's vintage PP that almost filled the bill, but I still like the revolver because I can see that empty chamber under the hammer and know I'm carrying in a ready, but safe condition. The internals of an autoloader are to be taken on faith. I don't trust anyone but me when it comes to my safety.

quote:

Lately the Walther and Smith and Wesson M&Ps impress me as carry guns. The safety is such that you can have a live round in the chamber, pull the gun and shoot, due to very clever internal safeties which are operated by the trigger. I want to be ready without worrying about grip and thumb safeties or whether there is a live round up the spout. I have a Walther 1960's vintage PP that almost filled the bill, but I still like the revolver because I can see that empty chamber under the hammer and know I'm carrying in a ready, but safe condition. The internals of an autoloader are to be taken on faith. I don't trust anyone but me when it comes to my safety.

The S&W M&P is very much the same as the Glock, sim. also to the Springfield XD. I like the XD & M&P better than the Glock. The triggers & grip just feel better.

vapodog
one of us
Picture of vapodog

Posted 04 December 2008 20:39 Hide Post
as to the semi autos.....I'm solidly right handed and doubt that I could ever learn to shoot left handed with a handgun....further my right hand has had nine surgeries to keep it working as a result of 30 years of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Is your left hand effected by Arthritis ?. If not YOU can shoot Left handed !!. It simply takes practice .

I grown up in a Right handed society the only thing I can't do well with my Left hand is sign my name .

I refuse to practice that by choice . I'm an abnormally being ambidextrous .

Shoot better left handed on rifles better right handed on pistols but can still hit the mark with either hand .

It just takes PRACTICE , so don't say you can't unless it's a physical handicap . That one I can understand !!.