[flip180]

I was at the gun store the other day a saw a used Ruger SP101 with 2.5in bbl. for sale for 299.00. It was in overall great shape with standard stainless steel finish and black grips but had a gold colored trigger and cylinder release button. What do ya'll think of that. I'm not too sure I like it or not. I really want to get an SP101 to have with my GP100. I thought that with the right colored wood grips and nice leather holster, that wouldn't look bad at all. Opinions please.

Thanks, Robert.

[Johnny Guest]

- - Why is it you ask US about whether or not a revolver YOU contemplate owning looks okay or not? I mean, a lot of us will tell you if we think this is a good quality item, if it is STRONG enough for certain loads, if it will be comfortable to CARRY in a certain manner . . .

But for one of us to tell YOU if YOU like the appearence of it . . . ? Handguns, so long as they are not an item of company, military, or police issue, are an intensely personal issue. The only thing that matters is if YOU think it "looks" good.

you might consider: The gold accents are not a permanent disfiguration. If you like the piece otherwise, and the price is acceptable, why NOT get it? If you decide YOU don't like the gold, it is a simple matter to have the plating removed, or, at worst, you can order replacement parts. :p

Best,
Johnny

[Marshall]

flip,

If you like it and think it would look nice as you picture it, by all means get the gun.

One or two very simple gold accents can look nice one a gun if done tastefully.

;)

[cordex]

Whatever trips your sear, pal. I can't say that I'd be all that excited about getting it, but - as Mr. Guest pointed out - I'm not you.

If it's high enough on the priority list, and you can afford it - why bother with asking us?
If you want to be talked out of it:
"Don't buy it. You're already having doubts."
If you want to buy it:
"Buy it already! You obviously want to!"

[gggman]

Gold accents or no gold accents, the SP101 is a great weapon, and $299 is a good price as long as it's in good condition.
Buy it. It's an excellent carry peice, and a very good shooter.
I love mine.

[flip180]

I was asking for opinions and not an ass chewing. These forums are about asking for guidance through other peoples opinions. The "Why ask Us", "what ever floats your boat" or "trips your sear" responses can be applied to about 90% of the questions asked here. Those type responses are going to create annimosity and drive members away. I appreciate the two responces that I received so far that were supportive to the question I asked. Tact is not only applied in person but also on the internet.

Robert.

[PostalGlock'n]

I was asking for opinions and not an ass chewing.

Hey, it's the InterNet. People can be real mouthy when you can't see or touch them.

$299 is a good price and the SP101 is a nice 5-shot. Unless your going to be showing it around, a CCW could be bright purple and still do the intended job.

[mountaindrew]

I would offer this advice: The trigger on my sp101 was excessivly square and had sharp edges that began to hurt on long shooting strings. no big deal, as I easily rounded the edges, but this would not be posible if the trigger was gold plated!

[Ben Shepherd]

A 357 sp101 is my always gun. Slightly heavy for its size, but that's ok 'cause you can actually practice with full house loads without taking a beating.

Mines approaching 60,000 rounds and still runs like a swiss watch. The only difference between now and when it was NIB is the trigger has improved greatly.

I prefer houge monogrips for recoil control, and a nice set of them in an exotic wood would finish dressing that little jem up perfectly IMHO.

[Rangie]

Buy it. It's a great little revolver.

Then either:

1. Get pearl stocks and start smacking the ho's with it.

2. send it here- http://www.lauerweaponry.com/
http://64.91.64.210/web/gunpics/large/21.jpg

[Gary A]

I had the same problem deciding on a Sig P232 recently. I don't generally like the gold accents on a handgun but this Sig was available, with night sights and Nill grips for a very reasonable (still pricey) price. The catch was the gold accents. I went ahead and got it for the other features and, really, the gold, while not exactly growing on me, is not too bad at all. If I wanted the gun and the price was good, heck, I'd get it. Heck maybe I'll get a job playing piano in a bordello.:)

[Bullet Bob]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but Flip, if you think the above was an ass chewing, you've obviously never been in the military!

[flip180]

Four years active Army in the infantry and six years Texas Army National Guard in the Artilery. I can handle an ass chewing just as good as I can dish one out. You don't know me so, don't assume to know anything about me.

Robert.

[flip180]

This is a thread just like any other here on the boards but it seems that this one has taken an unfortunate turn for the worst early on. If you have something negative to say to include false presumptions about me or my past (which is really none of your business) then there is the magic PM button on your screens. BTW. I really do appreciate those of you that have valid input to the topic of this thread. If it is still there friday, I'll probably put it on layaway. If I don't like the gols accents the, I can easily change them out.

Robert.

[bad_dad_brad]

The SP101, if in good condition, and if the rules of used revolvers are followed, is a really nice and well balanced handgun. Detractors will note that the SP101 is in between, at 5 shots, a bit heavy, and it does not seem to have a niche.

However, my SP101 in +P.38spl with a 3" barrel is my nightstand gun and I trust her completely in this role. I do however think, she is impractical for CCW because she is too heavy for the rounds carried.

If this revolver appears to be in good physical condition, the price seems fair, and I would snatch her up. I really like SP101s for their strength and reliability.

[Mal H]

$299 is a darn good price for an SP101. IMO, the gold wouldn't be a negative. I have a gold trigger on a Marlin and it looks fine. I would be very tempted to buy the revolver if I had seen it first.

About the "ass chewing", I think you've been reading it wrong - again, that's strictly my opinion. Johnny was saying that we cannot possibly say that you would or wouldn't like the gold accents, only you can say that.

I'm pretty sure Bullet Bob was joking and not questioning your background at all.

[Standing Wolf]

One Ruger is more than enough for me, thanks all the same. That said™, I had the hammer and trigger of the Python I occasionally carry gold-plated. I like gold.

[flip180]

I think the fact that it is a five shot revolver lends it self to easier for IWB carry than a six shot .357. That is subjective, of course. I carry a 642 on a regular basis and do not carry a spare speedloader. I think that if the problem can't be resolved withing the first one or two rounds then something is wrong. I probably would have bought it last week when I saw it if I wasn't picking up a new G-26 at the same time. I've wanted an SP101 since high school and can't keep from wanting one. My priorities have changed in the past few months. I'm pretty much through with buying guns for a while with a kid on the way but, I would really like to pick one of these up.

Robert:) .

[gulogulo1970]

I could see some gold on a Python or a SAA. Rugers are too tool like to have gold on them. It would be like a gold plated Glock or a metallic purple hunting pickup, just doesn't fit.

Now, $299.00 for a SP-101. Great price, get it.

[Jim March]

One thing I'm a bit hung up on: this is a 2.5" barrel SP101?

If it REALLY is, grab it if it's factory, 'cuz that's one hell of a rare combo.

More likely, you're not measuring it right, you need to measure the part of the barrel that's screwed into the frame too. In other words, it's probably the 3" model. Which is good, in my opinion: the SP in 2" is still just a bit big for front-pocket carry (esp. with a cockable hammer) so if you're going to need to holster it anyhow, might as well go 3" and get a speed boost on the ammo. The 3" variant will conceal in an IWB, basic belt rig, shoulder rig or fanny pack. The only time a 2" barrel will really help is with an ankle rig or pocket carry and I'm not a fan of either for this gun...your milage (not to mention wardrobe) may vary though.

What I mean by speed boost: if you're new to handguns, full-house 357s in this size gun will be a handful, and they'll be noisy as hell indoors. So you might end up loading 38+P for defense. There are now some quite good 38+P loads tuned to work out of 2" barrels (barely) - the extra 50 to 75fps from another inch of tube will help put those "over the top" into guaranteed decent performance.

As you step up the power, one option in 357 loads is the 158s at relatively mild speeds, like the 158 Speer Gold Dots set up for 1,250ish out of a 4' barrel. We know these need around 1,100 - 1,150 to expand properly, so that load from a 2" is...iffy. From a 3"? Oughta do just fine, without the "crash and fireball" of the hot 125s at 1,400 - 1,500 fps.

So at these two power levels, I think there's a significant gain in a 3" over a 2" barrel.

[flip180]

My bad, it is 2-1/4in bbl.:) .

Robert.

[Plinkerton]

I'm not personally a big fan of gold, but it definitely wouldn't stop me from buying it.

[BlkHawk73]

I believe the model you describe is a "Talo" edition. there was a GP100 done with similar accents as well. I have had a std. 2 1/4" Sp101 in .357 for a few years now and really like it. Comfortable to shoot and easy and comfortable to carry. (I use a Micth Rosen "Workman" holster) If you like it and it feels good in your hand get it. I think I'd try of offer a bit less, but where as you mentioned lay-a-way, the dealer may not go much - if any - lower.
In regards to the "ass chewing" posts, I think your origianl post was worded as if you were basically asking acceptance of the gold accents. In which case, it would be a personal decision. I don't care for gold or engraving or anything along those lines so I'd actully pass on it but if you like the gun...

[Gary A]

I agree with Flip on the size of the SP101, although this is all very subjective. Some people say the SP101 is too large and heavy for a small frame revolver, but I tend to look at it as a lighter, smaller, give-up-one-shot K-frame. The SP101 is so rugged that I think of it as a small K-frame instead of a large J-frame. I love the SP101 in all it's configurations. My favorite is the DAO bobbed hammer 2.25 inch, but the 2nd favorite is the 3 inch. Soon I'm picking one up in .38 special just 'cause...well, it's there.

[blackduck]

well flip . .in my opinion, i don't like gold accents and if you have reservations about it . .see gunsamerica.com . .there are alot of stock sp-101s there . .maybe even a target grey one . . .the 2 gold accents you describe, on the other hand, are small and i don't think it will look garish or overdone if you decide to get it. . . .happy shopping! (that's half the fun)

[gunsmith]

a little less then a year ago I paid 530$ for a new sp101
(San Francisco sucks for buying guns)
I have houge grips on it,I can easily conceal it . I can carry it at work and not notice the weight.
It is as acurrate (maybe more accurate) as my glock.
it loves every .357 I shoot.
it fell on the floor and didn't go boom.
I love my sp101,I sleep with my sp101.
I think the flack you got was everybody was green with envy that you knew where to get a cool looking sp101 for cheaper then the rest of us who had to buy one as soon as we saw one in the gun shop....excuse me while I kick the dog!:cool:

[flip180]

If it is there tomarrow, I'll probably put down 50.00 on it. I know the owner on the shop pretty good and, I wouldn't doubt it if he came down off of the price a little more. I'll pay it off over three months. That way I can have a holster and a new set of grips waiting for it when I get it.

Robert.

[The Rabbi]

I was asking for opinions and not an ass chewing

OK. Anyone who would buy a Ruger needs his head examined. They are way too heavy for what they are. They look like crap as well. You would have to be out of your gourd to pay 299 for garbage like that. Gold accents? What are you, some kind of pimp?? I'll bet you drive a low-ride gold-fleck paint Caddy with fuzzy dice and curb feelers as well. Sure, kids are starving in 3rd world countries and you want to blow money on some POS. Go ahead.

OTOH, thats just my opinion (it isnt really). I figured you were looking for someone to point out the negatives. :D
Really, think about what would happen if you go down there today and find out it was sold. Will you feel relieved since you dont have to worry about it or sad that you missed a great deal? That should determine what you ought to do. My experience has been that I never regret spending money on something I am very happy with and use for a long time

[flip180]

not when I could buy a brand new one for the price of that used gold acccented SP101 and the grips I would get to offset the gold accents. There is an auction going on on www.gunbroker.com for a brand new special edition SP101 with the target grey finish on it for like 380.00. I had the guy at the gun shop see if he could get one for me but, his distributors couldn't get a hold of one. I already have a target grey 4in GP100 sitting underneath the bed in a lockbox and wouldn't mind a matching pair. I have the money to buy it outright but am reluctant to. I guess I need to either ???? or get off the pot and get on with it. I also need to put some money into reloading for range ammo for my 642, GP100 and hopefully SP101. I have over 600 .38 spcl. brass in the closet and a few .357 brass lying around also.

Robert.

[blackduck]

there ya go! . . .that target grey is cool and comes with wood grip insert on the handle ta boot! . .now . . . for me . . .if the GP-100 only came in 44 special . . .now that would be my dream gun . . i'll probably settle on a discontinued taurus 431 . . .hey . . .even the sp-101 could probably handle 44 special loads if it were converted especially if the charter arms lil piece can do it:cool:

[Ben Shepherd]

I happen to know if you strip the target gray off and polish it, it'll come out as pretty as any nickle plated gun I've ever seen.

No, I didn't do it, a buddy did it to his 480 SRH, and it actually looks good.