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When you say S&W don't handle heavy loads as well I assume you mean J and K frames. I don't think anything would handle them better than a L of N frame, especially Ns.

If you are going to use a .38 Special revolver for range use, I recommend using 130 grain vs. 158 grain. Quite a difference in recoil IMHO. Also most .38 target loads come in Lead Round Nose (LRN), but I prefer the FMJ which costs a little bit more.

Thanks for all the input. I've done some internet surfing and the two that I keep circling back to are the Ruger SP101 and S&W Model 60 Ladysmith. The Ladysmith is a bit over budget but not by much. I will be going to the gunshow this weekend so I will look for these two and get a feel for them in the hand. I have small hands with short stubby fingers so reaching the trigger can sometimes be challenging with larger guns. It'll give me an opportunity to check out the other suggestions too. If I find a fit then I'll rent one at the range and see how it feels.

Divided Attention wrote:I know it is not stainless, but I think my "tailess dog" is pretty sweet! Works great for my needs and fits my hand like a glove, stows just about any where I wanna hide it and goes BANG every time! (Thanks Doc!)

My eyes aren't as great as they used to be but yours looks like it just has a bob and not a complete tail removal. My preference for stainless is only because all my other firearms are black so I want to shake it up a little and live on the wild side .

G26ster wrote:If you are going to use a .38 Special revolver for range use, I recommend using 130 grain vs. 158 grain. Quite a difference in recoil IMHO. Also most .38 target loads come in Lead Round Nose (LRN), but I prefer the FMJ which costs a little bit more.

It's going to be a different experience for me to begin with so keeping the bullet weight down to reduce recoil is something I hadn't thought about.

Ruger SP101 hands down! I own both a j frame and SP-101. If you ever want to pocket carry the j frame is better but the sp101 is a hip holster gun. Also, it really isn't any harder to conceal the 3 in barrel sp-101 over the 2.25 inch. I would look into them both but if you want the 2.25 barrel I would just load it with .38 special +P if the .357 loads are a little much for you. +P .38 Special is not a punishing load in a gun as heavy as the sp101. My snub j frame recoils more in .38 special +P then .357 mag loads out of my dads sp101 3inch.

Also a side note. Don't buy the .38 special Sp101 unless you get a really good deal on it. Usually the .357 mag model which can shoot both .38 and .357 mag is the same price.

Why not just get the .357 mag model them? I really don't know why Ruger still makes a .38 special only model.

I have never shot a lot of rounds through my Mod. 29 but back in the 70s when I was reloading, I was in my 20s and on an ego trip, I had a Mod. 58 and I used to load as hot as the books would let me. I don't know how many hot loads I ran through it but it was a bunch and it's still going strong , the guy I sold it to still shoots it and he says it's still tight. That's the only N frame I ever shot that much though.

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h42 ... /Colt3.jpg

I am not good at the picture thing, maybe this will be bigger - I thought the other was a thumbnail that would open... alas it did not

Yep thought so yours still has a tail so it can wag. I actually don't mind the look of that. Theres still enough of it there. I really like the grips, very pretty. Did it have a full hammer at one time and it was modified or did it come from the factory like that?

Divided Attention wrote:http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h42 ... /Colt3.jpg

I am not good at the picture thing, maybe this will be bigger - I thought the other was a thumbnail that would open... alas it did not

Good job and beautiful gun!

If you are going to carry, I suggest you get past the "no tail" thing; consider it your bull dog or dobie...! No need for a SA trigger for defensive carry, and the hammer is just a lint and snag magnet. I have a particular fondness for S&W Centennials. I have one that I had Wygend do his "Executive Companion" mod pack on about 20 years ago and it is amazing.

My current carry fav is a S&W .357 Pro Series that comes with really nice combat night sights fore and aft and a cylinder recessed for full moon mags. Amazing how accurate these little buggers are with decent sights. Just one ragged hole at 7 yds. and the Hornady 125 gr. FTX .357 load is managable. Liked it so much I ordered a second one in March so I could run a pair port and starboard, but it must have been one of those dreaded "gun of the month" variants on the production line and I missed out on remaining stock before they were all gone.

Anyway, the 60 series S&W's mentioned earlier are also nice. This is a case where you are probably ahead if you can find an older used one. I have noticed their attention to detail slipping lately. The cylinder gap on my Pro Series is big enough to drive a truck through, and it could use a little trigger work. Just haven't found a 'smith yet I trust enough to work on it.

The Rugers are also fine guns, but IMO, S&W still rules when it comes to wheelguns. I had a Taurus 85, and while it was functional, it just wasn't in the same league. That was a long time ago though; perhaps their quality is up now.

Urnoodle has given me another excuse to post some pictures of my snubbies.

Divided Attention wrote:http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h42 ... /Colt3.jpg

I am not good at the picture thing, maybe this will be bigger - I thought the other was a thumbnail that would open... alas it did not

Is this big enough? Beautiful gun!

Divided Attention and WildBill very nice shiny things... you've both got me now thinking about a black one. Hmmm stainless this year, black one next year... now that's a thought. I guess I better get started on that letter to Santa.

Oh darn! I've been good for a week, you mean all that work was for nothin'?