I'm buying a revolver primarily for home defense purposes (a gun my wife or I could confidently grab and shoot accurately if there were an intruder). I don't have many plans to carry it concealed. I already have a decent revolver for home defense purposes (45 long colt), but my wife thinks the gun is too heavy for her, and she doesn't like the recoil.

I have decided to try to find a gun that shoots .38s to lower the recoil, and I want it to be small enough to fit comfortably in my wife's hand. If I'm going to buy a .38, I want to go ahead and get a .357. Light weight is good, but I don't want it so light, that it creates a recoil problem for my wife's wrists.

I have settled on a Ruger SP101 with a 3 inch barrel. I'd consider a 4 inch barrel if I could find that. If you are giving feedback, and you think this is a bad choice, or have another recommendation, let me know!

So, with all that information, I posted what I was looking for, and quickly recieved a PM with exactly what I want. According to the seller it is a gently used SP101 with a 3 inch barrel, and crimson trace laser grips. Revolver is said to be in excellent condition. His offer included the gun, grips, and either 50 rounds of 357, or 20 rounds of Gold Dot .38 for $750.

That is above my anticipated budget, but I am having a hard time deciding if I should just pull the trigger anyway, figuratively.

The 3 inch barrels are harder to find, but they usually aren't priced any higher, new or used, from what I can tell. I have found a brand new 2 inch barrel at a local gun shop with the laser grips for $680, including tax and everything.

My final offer was $700 for the gun and grips, and both the .38 and 357 ammo. My reasoning is that I shouldn't pay a premium above retail for a used gun. The obvious counter argument, is that the 3 inch barrel is exactly what I want, and this guy has the only one I have been able to find. No problems with the seller. He has been reasonable and fair, he just wants more than I want to pay.

Is the SP101 a good gun for my purposes? Should I just pay up and buy the gun? Any advice would be appreciated.

Exactly what I leave my wife when I'm gone (except 2" barrel). Crimson Trace and load it with +p .38's. Great gun! The 3" is a plus.

As for the deal...maybe a little high but you won't regret it, as long as you keep it. I've seen 3" SP's go for $450-600...who knew? The grips are $200. If its what you want and trust you and your wife's life on it...then it's sounds like a deal.

In my opinion... If you think it may be priced too high, then you've already answered your own question. If you can't buy it for what you think it's worth to YOU, then it's simply not worth it to YOU.

Personally, I do not try to get into final price negotiation until I meet with the person selling the item.

unless youre a convicted felon you can just go buy a new one for less

arent these like $600 at Cabelas ?

Gp100 or security six?

I used to own an SP101 in 357. If if it had not been stolen, I would still own it. I absolutely loved that gun. Yes, it would suit your purposes perfectly. Loaded with 38, or reduced 357, it will be a very light kick. As for the price, you need to factor in the cost of the ammo too.

Your call. There's a 2.25" SP101 for sale in DFW for $550. It's not mine so I don't know any specifics about it.

It is what you are looking for and the price with the grips and ammo isn't really too high if the gun is in excellent condition. I would try to get him to throw in all the ammo at that price and get it.....

Here is the revolver.

If you can afford it you should buy it. It is just what you are looking for. It is not an unfair deal considering all you are getting.

When I have let just what I looking for go by I have always regretted it.

Summed up very well. Ditto!

I think they are cheaper than that new.I would look for a gp100.I sold one of those for 500 with 2 sets of grips,50 rounds,original case,paperwork,only 10 rounds through it about a month ago.They are out there to be had

There gns are built like tanks. The grip are personal preference. A lazer is a just a point of aim aid. The price is a little steal but the lazer is what's jacking the cost. Offer him 600. If he don't like it ycan find similar and that gun exactly for less Try texasguntrader as well

I would look for the GP-100 in a 4 inch barrel, awesome gun!

x2 on this. The GP100 is an excellent revolver.

Question would be if you need the Crimson Trace grips. Rugers are great pistols, but so are S & W. You can pick up a S&W Model 13, 19, 65, 66 for less $$$, along with the other two suggestions, a Ruger GP100 or the security or speed six. Point I am trying to make is if you re going to pay top dollar or more, make certain you are getting what you really want. For that price I would want to let the wife shoot it, see how she likes holding it for 5 minutes with a flashlight in the other hand.

For close to 30 years majority of police on the beat carried a S&W Model 10 and you can still buy those used under $350.

Thanks for the input. Completed the transaction this evening, after my wife shot the same gun at range a few hours earlier. Same range was selling a brand new model 60 for $800! It did have night sites, but no laser grips.

all I can share is my wife's story. she has been shooting about five years. for a couple of years she shot pistols out of my safe. when she decided she wanted to get her CHL she said she wanted her own gun. ok not a problem. I ask her if she knew what she wanted. yep she did????

although we shoot together a lot, she doesn't really talk gun talk . so when she spit out....high capacity 9mm, safety trigger, rail, light and laser. don't know which one yet.....I looked kinda dumbfounded. who knew she had been paying attention. I asked her why that one? she said if she needed it she might have to move in the house and did not want to have to think of more reloads. if she did have move it might be dark and she didn't want to look for a light or sights...... well she had given it some thought.

I asked her if she wanted to go look. nope, I am taking Jan and we are going to going to go rent some till we find what we want. They did. Looked over several days. She get an XD, and a quality laser/light.

She and Jan get their CHL. Their group has grown to four ladies. They shoot the first Friday in the month. They do seem to know what they are doing and why they did it