Need Another Handgun

I'm looking for a handgun that my wife can carry and one I can use when we canoe. That sort of limits me to stainless. At least in my mind. Primary use is self defense.

I've done some research and I'm looking at the Ruger SP101 Stainless 357 magnum 2.25" revolver. I'm looking at the hammerless version so I'll feel better if my wife drops it in her purse. No hammer to hang up. She can also shoot the lighter .38 loads while I carry the 357. It weighs in at 25 oz. so it's pretty light weight yet all the reviews I've read talk about what a joy it is to shoot.

MSRP is $589 for the one without laser sights. That's a bit less than the competitors as near as I can tell.

Anyone have one of the little guys? What do you think of it? I have several Rugers and I've always been please with them. No reason to think this one would be any different but thought I'd ask.

3 inch revolvers are the bomb. Mac

I've got one with the 2.25" barrel, love it. Mine's customized by Jack Weigand. He stopped doing it though.
One suggestion, put a spring kit in it for the trigger. It's a bit stiff with the factory one in it.

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Originally Posted by Pict

3 inch revolvers are the bomb. Mac

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Agreed.

I had a 3" S&W m60 .357 Mag with adjustable sights that was fantastic. I traded it to my dad for a different gun and he promptly had it stolen from him. He has a replacement on order, but has been told tha he may have a long, long wait ahead of him. I would love to pick up another one of those...

I believe the 3" Ruger also comes with adjustable (at least for windage) sights - which is a very good feature to have.

I have fired the 3" barreled model and like it. I never used the sights on it, as it was intended for up close and personal use - point shooting was all I ever did with it.

I have a S&W pretty much what you want, shrouded hammer too even (their bodyguard model). I got it for concealed carry. I think I paid like $620.

Not having shot a lot of handguns in my day I can't give you any real comparative review on it, but I like it. I did see a bunch of people reviewing it here when I was just now looking for a page with a picture.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i...p/t-15807.html

You could try Charter Arms. They're great guns, S.S, and you can get them hammerless.
And they're cheaper!

Rick, do you have any pistols in 9mm or .40? If so, Charter arms has come out with revolvers chambered in these. You'd be able to use the same ammo.
Just a thought.

I have a Kel-Tec PF9 that 9mm and is my carry weapon. No .40s

I think the .357 will work well for what I need. My wife doesn't do firearms and .38 will be at the top of what she'll put up with for recoil. I'm know I'm going to get dirty looks even from a .38. Yet the .357 would make a good carry for the canoe. No bears and cats around here. Just stupid folks to watch out for.

I'm the wrong guy to ask. I'm dead on with a pistol, but I couldn't hit a wall with a revolver if I was sitting in my livingroom. :innocent:

S&W Mod. 60 reg. 38 spl loads, semi-wadcutter. Or S&W Ladysmith same load and no sights, don't need em. Simple, light, point shoot to 7 yds or so is good enough. It's plenty gun for center mass, just don't quit at one shot. I was taught to use 3 shots but the 3rd would not be looked kindly by LEOs. Never owned a Charter or Tarus so I don't know about them.

Use a parachord bracelet and wrap it around your Mora knife afixxing it to your canoe paddle. You will then have a weapon similar to a spear to fight off bad people and those rascal black bears that are the plague of the Boundary waters. Guns are for wimps. real tough guys fight with sticks, knives, rocks and fists.

Charter Arms makes an excellent firearm. Last one I had was a Bulldog Pug in .44 special. Great wheelgun.
Rick, might want to look into getting your wife a purse with a concealed holster. Or, for the trekking a fanny pack with concealed holster. I have seen pistols removed from purses with a hairbrush handle through the trigger guard.

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Originally Posted by Jason

real tough guys fight with sticks, knives, rocks and fists.

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I've been thinking I'd like to just walk up to a bear and give it a big slap across the jowls. Then I'd whip out my survival knife and threaten it real mean like just to show him who's boss. But I thought I'd like to train on that first. Crazy part is there are no bear slapping training schools on google. Who knew?

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Originally Posted by Rick

I've been thinking I'd like to just walk up to a bear and give it a big slap across the jowls. Then I'd whip out my survival knife and threaten it real mean like just to show him who's boss. But I thought I'd like to train on that first. Crazy part is there are no bear slapping training schools on google. Who knew?

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I've been thinking about adding a "pimp slap" component to my businesses offerings. Possibly you could sign up for that, and after a good session you might be able to transfer some of the things I teach in that course into a practical application for dealing with bruins. I figure the course will cost about as much as a S&W Mountain Gun (my revolver of choice)

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Originally Posted by chiye tanka

You could try Charter Arms. They're great guns, S.S, and you can get them hammerless.
And they're cheaper!

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I can't recommend the Charter Arms .357. I initially wanted one of those myself, but read many mixed reviews on it. I ordered one anyway after being assured they are quality. The gun arrived, and it was broken right out of the box. Cylinder would not open. Ended up getting a Ruger GP100 instead, and feel very lucky to have done so.

I do hear that Charter Arms' .44 is a good gun, though. But not the .357.

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Originally Posted by Rick

I have a Kel-Tec PF9 that 9mm and is my carry weapon. No .40s

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I like my Kel-Tec P3AT, and my Chief is looking for a good concealable off duty weapon, but something larger than the P3AT for his hands. I suggested the PF9 might be for him. I think I initially heard they had some reliability problems, but that was when the model was new. I take it you like yours? No problems with it?

You need to cycle 250 rounds through it according to the company. That bothered me because I don't understand why you need to do that but I've been pretty pleased with it. First 50 or so had some jams but I shot 100 rounds yesterday with one jam. The cause might have been me. The small frame has a bit of recoil so I might have limp wristed it. I ran three different types of 9mm through it and it ate them all. It does have a long trigger pull that takes some getting use to.

On the up side, it's really light. I forget I have it my pocket for the most part. It's pretty accurate, too. It would probably be even better if I were a better shot but I keep them on the target. Shoot, if all else fails I can throw the dang thing at them.

I like my old Charter Bulldog .44
It is lighter than the SP101, even loaded.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...1105143742.jpg
Mine is the older one though. I couldn't recomend one of the newer ones.

I have a 3inch model of the sp101, I like it and the wife likes it too. She especially likes the Taurus Total Titanium Tracker 4 inch barrel. The Trackers from Taurus are great guns for the field, They are available in stainless and the cylinder holds 7 rounds of 38/.357.

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Originally Posted by Rick

I have a Kel-Tec PF9 that 9mm and is my carry weapon. No .40s

I think the .357 will work well for what I need. My wife doesn't do firearms and .38 will be at the top of what she'll put up with for recoil. I'm know I'm going to get dirty looks even from a .38. Yet the .357 would make a good carry for the canoe. No bears and cats around here. Just stupid folks to watch out for.

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I went out with my snubnose and shot both rounds today, and let me tell you. I had a hard time controlling the recoil on the 357 rounds. I've got big hands and couple that with the small grip and it being wet it wasn't pretty. So I would definitely recommend the .38 rounds for it.