No, not an S&W thread.
Got an email from Ruger's promotional people. They have released a 4.2" SP101 .357.
http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html-Adjustable sights, fiber optic front sight
-~30 ounces
Their email labels it as a perfect "kit gun" for back country exploration. I pretty much agree. Revolvers are chambered in magnum handgun cartridges that offer higher sectional density and velocity than most autopistol cartridges, resulting in better protection against predators and/or better success in handgun hunting.
But, the 686 and GP offerings today exceed the 40 ounce envelope. When I'm hiking in the back country, it's not like my daily CCW routine where a 30 to 45 ounce handgun isn't that big of a deal. Back in the mountains, I'll have anywhere from 15 to 50 pounds of gear on my back. And if I can carry a 25-30 ounce magnum handgun instead of a 40-45 ounce one, I will.
Even if current Smiths didn't have the wind-up-toy sides, the unobtanium J-frames are too light in their sub-20 ounce category, and the sight radius too short for use as a kit gun. Belly gun? Sure. But if I am stranded and need to pop squirrels, rabbits and fowl for food for a few days... I want more sight radius than a 2" snub.
I've got a Smith M65 K-frame .357 that is my equivalent of this gun (as well as a 3" SP101), so I'm not likely to buy one.
But I like it.
I've long been saying that the L-frame sized guns are too big, between the increased height from grip to top of cylinder (the bore height in relationship to the wrist), and weight.
When I carry a revolver, it isn't for capacity. So, a K-sized frame with a decent barrel puts the bore lower in my grip and enough steel around 5 .357 rounds to send some hot ones down range if needed.
Without having seen one in real life, I still say: Well done, Ruger. You've filled a gap in the market with this one.