I just bought the SP101 four months ago, and let me tell you it’s one of the best decisions I have ever made. I did change the factory grip to a Hogue Monogrip which makes it so much easier to shoot and the recoil is much more manageable. I also changed the factory front sight. I traded my S&W 38 Special for the Sp101 and now I have two guns in one :). I highly recommend this Ruger!

The thing about the Ruger SP101 is it's the smallest and lightest gun I've ever owned which I find .357 manageable in. Granted I tend to stick to relatively light .357 loads (Speer makes one for short barrels that's ideal) but I could use something heavier if I wanted to. Even the steel J frames don't give me that kind of confidence. It's got a niche, is all I'm saying.

I love my Ruger SP101 it has the 3 inch barrel and it goes with me everywhere.

Just got the SP 101 a few days ago and it's perfect...the contours and smoothness of the gun make it hard to put down.. expensive at $599 "for me'... But worth it!

I swapped out the stock grip of my SP101 for a Hogue Tamer and the black ramp for a fiber optic front sight. Excellent carry gun.

I enjoy the heck out of my SP101. Shooting it was rough on my index finger. I replaced the grip with a Hogue. Way more enjoyable to shoot. I replaced the main spring as well.

I’ve carried a 642 since the early nineties. It’s starting to look worn, but still functions like a champ. I have an sp 101, but it’s kind of chunky to carry. I’ve spent hours learning the trigger and can hit well with it.

I like this guy, he's not screaming at us. Very informative. I bought the Ruger after seeing this video.

The SP 101 .357 with 2.25" barrel has been my primary concealed carry weapon in public for over 30 years! I usually carry it in a belt slide "pancake" holster, but occasionally in an ankle holster in my boot! I have never found the recoil with .357 ammo to be a problem. It is indeed a tank! I may have missed it, but the cylinder locks up both front and rear. Most revolvers rear only. It is the only double action revolver I own. I did have a master gunsmith re-work the trigger to my specs early on. Not that there was any issue with out of the box, I wanted the SA trigger pull to match my SA revolvers!

I have had a SP 101 in .357 for nearly 30 years. It is my normal carry gun around home, and my only double action. I find the recoil with .357 ammo to be completely manageable. Much more so than a comparable S&W in that caliber.

Love my 642, very light and easy to pocket carry. Ive owned a couple SP101's even though heavier was no fun at all to shoot .357's , 38+P well thats another story.

I've always loved the early model S&W 19 with 2 1/2" barrel

I understand it's limitations and weaknesses, but the 642 is one of my preferred carry tools and because I can quickly drop it, in its holster, into my pocket and easily draw if needed. It is in stock form and I regularly practice draw and fire so the trigger weight isn't a big issue.

My choice is definitely the Ruger SP 101

Another great video explaining the different options and avenues. Thanks again.

My SP 101 is the EDC for me..It is less bulky than the S&W Shield was on my hip...Great weapon...Great job on the video...Keep making more!!

This was a great comparison, even today in 2022... Thank you.

Great video and thank you. Also kudos to how well you shot all of them. Your accuracy was great.

I’m on my second ruger sp101. I’ve had the 2 inch then moved up to the 3. For ccw I load it with 38 plus. It is a tank!!! One of my favorite pistols ever: I carry it owb and you can’t tell I have it. Also it is heavy enough to handle the 357 round no problem. If I would go to a 4 inch I’d go to a s&w 686 which is my all time favorite revolver but not good for ccw

I changed my main spring in my sp101 to a 10 lb spring made trigger pull so much nicer & smooth...kit usually comes with 3 different springs. Very easy to do....

Love your archive!

I just purchased the SP 101 BEFORE SEEING YOUR VIDEO!!! SO GLAD I GOT THE SP...GREAT VIDEO....LIKED LONGER HAND GRIP....& CALIBERS CHIOCES...

Terrific review of all 3 guns - each filling a need - the key is folks taking the time to educate themselves. You are greatly helping educate with your videos - kudos to you. I actually daily carry the 642 with a crimson-trace laser, the grip has a much better fit for my hand and the laser works well (if adjusted for distance).

I have all three, although the 642 is a Performance Center model, the SP101 has a 3" barrel , and the Colt is a King Cobra. Out of the box, the Colt has the smoothest trigger, the 642 in 2nd place, and the SP101 has the heaviest pull. As far as felt recoil, the SP101 is the best, the Colt 2nd, and the 642 is in last. I hit 5/6 bullseye at 7 yrs with the Colt on my first cylinder...the point of aim is perfect on that gun. My favorite one overall, however, is the SP101. It just feels perfect in my hand, the trigger stages better, and with a trigger job has a really nice pull. All of them have their purposes, but if I had to get rid of one...I would not be happy

I had an sp101, and was highly impressed. Solid built, handled and felt natural and well, and shot .357 pretty well. I think it blows these other two out of the water in terms of overall quality. That said, the Smith 642/442 is a great cc pistol, also has a nice feel to it, but between these three the one I’d find myself grabbing or carrying would the Ruger for the quality. The Colt is way overpriced and the quality doesn’t look that good. You could find a nice pre lock Smith for the same amount of money you’d spend on the Colt and get a better gun too. But sp101 all day.

My go to holster for my ruger and my shield is Winthrop Holsters. Great leather owb and iwb.

I replaced the grips on all my j frames with an ergo grip. I love these grips. They come up to an accurate position naturally. Three finger hold with a grip that is behind the revolver instead of under the trigger.

Glad you found the H110 performed well, those were my findings and is what I carry in my snubs

Very well done video. Thanks for sharing!

My husband owns the 4.2" .357 model & he loves the gun. Even when he let me hold it, it felt like it weighed almost nothing.

That SP101 is mighty sweet looking. I'd consider swapping the grip panels for wood ones. I had a Hogue finger groove grip on my GP100. I swapped that for a grip similar to the one on your SP101. Makes for a much better fit.

Once again EXCELLENT video !!! I'd take the Ruger too. In fact I am going to buy one. Thank-you !!!

That Sp101 is Best in Class!! Love Rugers I'm Looking to grab a 3" 327 federal mag soon!!

Ruger SP101 3” .357. Great trail gun for mountain carry. I always have Buffalo Bore 180gr hard cast Outdoorsman loaded. Gotta represent Idaho!

I have carried a SP 101 .357 with 2 /14" barrel since the 1980s! It is rugged, and reliable! Although built like a tank, it is still light enough to carry on a belt, or in an ankle holster, which I often do, depending on circumstances. In either case, it is very comfortable for me. I have recommended the gun to numerous others, have never heard any complaints.

Have the 642. Classicly, the Colt I would say would be #1, but, being a long time Ruger fan, I take the SP101 without question.

Thank you for the content you provide, it's appreciated

Thanks for the review. 101 seems like an allrounder and kind o fits the only gun to own category if you could only buy one pistol. But the other day i watched a new vid on the Taurus 692 offering interchangeable cylinders and allows you to utilise 38 spc 357 and 9mm. Now if this new 2 cylinder platform gets applied to all the 2021 revolvers this could mix the markets quite alot. Would people choose 38 plus p 357 or 9mm moonclip assisted revolvers or stick with older choises? Could be exciting if they do this with smaller revolvers as well. Imagine swapping out your cylinder with the cobra to carry 9mm rounds. I d like a 2021 Sp101 with 5rd 357 and 38 spc capacity cylinder with another cylinder that offers 6 rounds of 9mm with moonclips. Innovative start by Taurus but i think other manufacturers will need to follow soon.

Good comparison and discussion of nice EDC revolvers. Thanks, sir.

Excellent review. The j frame is still my favorite carry, mainly the 637.

This was an informative video. Im a fan of both sp and the colt series however they are difficult to find.

Love my sp 101 since 1991

I love my 4.25" SP101. Super slim with the factory grips and very easy to shoot with houge installed

This was the most useful sort of this kind of review. Thanks.

Just bought the ruger sp101.. love it!!

My Ruger SP101 is one of my most carried handguns.

I carry a Ruger SP101 in 327 Federal Magnum, 3 inch (6 shot) and have for years, bone stock. Just love it, much better firearm than my Smiths, IMHO and I love the 327. I live in the NE and in the winter the extra power is welcome and the Ruger since the day I picked it up just seems to be an extension of my hand and with 600-700 rounds through it the trigger is very smooth.

Yes I agree like most of the comments here I also have the Ruger SP 101 and I find it is a great revolver

There’s also the S&W Model 60 .357 snubnose. It weighs 22oz, is a J frame, and compliments my 1973 Model 60 38 Special.

LOVE carrying my 642 with +P's. Airweight is an accurate designation. Not concerned about felt recoil if it's "them or me".

I’m biased toward the SP101 Just because it looks cooler, and it’s chambered in .357 Mag. The others beat it for CC due to its chunky build, but for its versatility, I really like it.

You can now do an update with three 357 Mag snubs. I just bought a Colt King Cobra and love it.

My SP101 was very good out of the box. My four changes made it outstanding: 1. Trigger job 2. New grips 3. Change the front sight 4. Chamfer the edges of the trigger and trigger guard (Edges are a little sharp).

I've had the 101 for years and it's a great gun. I've got a Smith 686 and a Colt diamondback also and I like the Ruger best. I'm going to get one of those fiber optic sights. Nice!

As someone who’s carried every day since 1968 I can assure you that the bigger & heavier a gun is the greater the likelihood it will be left at home.

I own the Ruger SP 101. That gun is a tank!

Can’t change trigger or other aspects related to stock form in my county in California. So it has has to be out-of-the-box for me to carry it other than sights. Ruger SP101 fits the bill for me. Thanks for the video.

I think you gave pretty short shrift to what I would think is a very important consideration... a 20% difference in ammunition capacity! One of the biggest selling points of the OLD Cobras vs. the S&W J-frames back in the day was that one extra round in the cylinder. Granted, when compared against the compact semi-autos available today, 5 vs. 6 rounds may not seem like much of an arguing point, but personally I think it's something worth a bit of serious thought.

I bought the Sp101 in 1990 I believe and seems to last forever still carrying it today.

Good question. Both are all-stainless and very similar size. Definitely heavier than the Smith J frame BUT much, much more fun to shoot (very manageable recoil). The deciding factor for me was the trigger on the Colt. Very, very sweet. It also feels great in the hand.

Love my sp101s...have a 2.25 357 mag and a sweet 2.25 38 special....mine are older models with no mim parts...love them.

Superb review. Thank you. Bravo!

Love my snubby 357 ruger sp101. Great little gun,easy to carry and shoot. The colt didn't look bad,but dont think I'd like having to pull backwards on the cylinder release. I dont have anything against s&w,but that gun looked a little cheesy and thin in all the wrong places. I would like to replace my trigger spring to lighten the pull,but it's not bad,imo. I'd kinda like to find one in 22lr.🤔

I've never heard anyone call the cylinder a wheel before. But I clicked on this because I bought an SP101 when they first came out; it's appreciated in value about 50% since then. There's a neat feature where if the hammer falls without the trigger being depressed all the way, a metal piece blocks the hammer from striking the firing pin. Pocket elephant gun!

I have a Smith 640. Was worked over by a Pistolsmith. Sweet shooter and tolerable in .357 a bit heavier than my S&W 442. The 640 I carry in a holster the 442 right in the pocket.

Super! Your reviews are excellent!

Have both and due to recent events will carry one of them. Leaning towards the S & W due to lighter weight.

I am a Ruger guy... have two SP101s..... Its the go-to ones for my wife and I, both. Had em for a few years now. Just plain old NICE! Have many guns.... but fall back is the SP101.

I still can't get over this classic sunset Background :,)

I want the SP101 as a backup to my Kimber K6S. Such a sweet gun.

Very good review. Would have been nice to have included speedloaders and how well they work in each pistol.

In the old days we hand painted the black ramp sights with orange or red paint, no Optic sights when my duty gun as a S&W model 19

I have the S & W 642. Set my targets at 21 feet, so no problem for me sighting in the targets. Broke in the trigger nicely after 500 rounds. Very comfortable pocket gun. Recoil not bad....what you would expect from a 38 cal. But if you shoot a 38 cal + P it is like shooting a canon in your hand...lol

I went with a 3'' Sp101.357 and eagle grips.

Great review, many thanks!

I Love my s&w m638 shrouded hammer but i been kinda wanting to get a Ruger Redhawk .44 Alaskan

Agreed, the Ruger is the choice of the three. Options are best and Ruger gives you the most unless you're looking for the smallest and lightest.

I own a Wiley Clapp SP101 and love it. Don't think I'll ever sell it either. I did have a DAO SP101 a couple years ago that I sold in order to fund the one I have now. Factory trigger out of this gun, is, quite honestly, less than stellar. Not horrible, but a bit on the heavy side (unless you replace the springs like I did). It is also a little stagey, but with a little work you can help mitigate some of that too Overall, a very nice revolver that is more than adequate for the task at hand. Some time last year I was at the gun shop in my town and handled the Colt Cobra. Weight felt pretty good, maybe a tad lighter than my SP101, but not by enough to make much of a difference. The real difference came with the trigger. It is far, far, far superior in every regard to my current revolver (even with new, lighter springs installed). I didn't have the cash on hand to fund that purchase at the time, but now I do, and with my birthday coming up very soon, I may just have to buy myself a new toy at the gun shop.

j frame does have a heavy trigger, but it stacks perfectly for a controlled shot with practice

My 2 favorite carry revolvers are both S&W one is a 637 the other M-58 .41 magnum and yes I have carried the 58 concealed it really isn't that hard to do when you are like me over 6ft and 200+ pounds

I had a 642 once and shooting it was a pain. That exposed strap is a killer. I bought a little rubber grip that enclosed the strap and she was a joy. I shouldn't have sold her.

I love all three , they are all great choices!

once you shoot a bunch of rounds through it the Smith & Wesson trigger gets way better

got an s&w like that back in about 1982 it still works great, its easy to keep it in a coat pocket or your purse you can even shoot it right through you pocet because it has no hammer to get hung up on stuff be careful it can set your coat pocket on fire,, beware robbers that's not my wallet in my pocket or my car keys,, mine is a 38 it has a nareld button type hammer so you can shoot it both single or dbl action so its not truly hammerless but it just a recessed type .

Definitely thinking about getting the new Colt

I also have a sp101 in 4 inch 357 mag. Its my woods carry gun and I load it with 2 buffalo bore 180 grain hard cast ammo and 2 cci shotshells and 1 critical defense. Kind a like a Swiss army knife for a gun lol ☺

Great review, Ty. Glad to see the S&W and to know about the Ruger. Colt is ALWAYS the only choice....

I don't say power doesn't matter, but shot placement is more important. Remember the guys from the caps and ball era, the power of those revolvers was much lower by today's standards, but they knew to drop you with one bullet. Especially after the civil war, in which they became quite proficient with the weapons they got.

Gunsmth did a great trigger job on my SP101 that made it even better. It is my go to pistol. So much so that I bought a second SP101 and did the same to it. One for the carry and one for the house. Very pleased with the SP101 choice.

I always kinda figured these little belly guns were strictly intended for CC, so to me, sights aren't a priority when it comes to these types of guns. After all, if you're in a situation where you have to pull your gun out of your holster to defend yourself, the last thing you're gonna worry about is taking aim because you simply aren't going to have the time. You're just gonna start pulling the trigger in the direction of the threat. I carry an SP101 357 W/3" barrell. I thought about changing out the front sight but then I figured, what's the point? However, I did change the trigger & hammer springs for a smoother easier trigger pull. Started out with around 10/11 lbs. Between the spring set and a good polishing on the trigger and hammer parts, I brought it down to around a 5 lb trigger pull. Much better now. Great video, by the way.

I have the sp-101 ,it's my pillow gun. It has never been anywhere except under my pillow . If I go camping it's there ,out of state at a motel ,it's there. To Michigan on a trip ,it's there. #357 if I miss you , just the blast will scare you to death. I feel safe with her . I put the hogue grips on her , made a huge difference. If they said alright punk ,just one gun. It would be the sp-101. and I have a lot of guns. 2nd would be my Glock 17. Peace.

Fantastic video ! I'm going with Ruger for sure , unfortunately Cobra isn't available in California

Hands down "Trigger" For the best feeling, cleanest breaking ease of use when under duress goes to a tie Ruger/Colt.The trigger pull of the Smith & Wesson double action is a no go. As a back up the threat is upon me panic gun goes to without a shadow of doubt The S&W Air Weight. Just my $0.02 cents And while I am at it the Model 36 would have fared better in this arena

I Loved my Ruger SP101 357 magnum minus the 5 shot cylinder; but I sold my SP101 to my older friend that needed a revolver. His arthritis got so bad he can’t rack a slide of a semi-auto! I found my Love in Kimber’s K6s that is beautiful and reliable plus hammer-less and 6-shot pleasing me! My wife Loves the S&W 642CT I got her and EVERYBODY wins! All “Great” pistols!#Kimber#K6s#357Magnum❤

Colt Cobra all day.

I bought my first carry gun in 1975 first carry as a private eye a beautiful colt cobra, chrome, great friend, also bought a blue one both for $220 then, now also have a 642, love it. oh I bought a Ruger sp101, it would not revolve without jam, got rid of it for the 642, we all have our own idea of what is best. oh have pacmier grips on the 642, have several glocks 43, 23. but love my wheel guns. so don't waste your time telling me what I could care less your opinions.😎

Colts are the best.

i have had an sp101 since they first came out and it is a great little gun, but i bought a used taurus 605 around 5 years ago and that's what i carry. it's lighter and has a shorter barrel that doesn't poke me like the ruger when carrying appendix. i shoot the taurus a little better, also.

love my S&W .38 snubs. my EDC/home defense gun is a S&W 638, I feel well armed & capable with it.

Ruger is my choice. Mine has a 3" barrel and I changed the grip to a Hough rubber grip which really gives a lot less punishment when firing 357magnum. Personally I still for regular carry use a 38sp +P 158 gn with 5.2 gr unique. That being a Hornady hollow point projectile. Very controllable Very effective round.....thanks for the video.