Any SP101 Fans Here?

[Sulaco]

I have always carried a S&W J frame snubby as my pocket gun. I got to handle an SP101 in .38 today and fell in love. I am in the process of getting a price on one in .357 as I type this. I was wondering if there is any difference in the size and weight between the .38 only and the .38/.357 gun. Does anyone know? Also, is anyone pocket carrying one? I put it in my pocket and it fit fine and didn't seem too heavy. Of course, I am 6'2" and 250lbs so not much does.

Thanks!

 

[P95Carry]

Not sure re weight factors - in fact I only ever gave thought to 357, tho I would like one of the older ones in 9mm. Even the .22 would be nice too.

We have had a good many threads on these snubs and a search might yield some good posts and pics (lotsa pics!).

I share your liking for this gun - here is mine, complete with CT grips. It was my daily carry until I moved to present SIG.

 

[Working Man]

That is a snubi I want badly.

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks P95. I will search around when I get some time.

I wish they still made the 101 in 9mm. It's too bad they quit. I bet it would sell well these days with everybody and their brother wanting a snubby.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I like mine just a wee bit longer.....

...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have always carried a S&W J frame snubby as my pocket gun. I got to handle an SP101 in .38 today and fell in love. I am in the process of getting a price on one in .357 as I type this. I was wondering if there is any difference in the size and weight between the .38 only and the .38/.357 gun. Does anyone know? Also, is anyone pocket carrying one? I put it in my pocket and it fit fine and didn't seem too heavy. Of course, I am 6'2" and 250lbs so not much does.

Thanks!

The current .357s are slightly heavier. The first .357s were simply the old .38 version with .357 chambers. These carried the warning "For 125 grain bullet only" because heavier bullets would stick out the front of the cylinder and tie the gun up. The current version has a slightly longer frame and cylinder to allow use of heavier bullets.

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks Vern! So what are we talking, millimeters difference? Or half inch difference?

Thanks again!

 

[Mr_Moore]

Yep

I have always carried a S&W J frame snubby as my pocket gun. I got to handle an SP101 in .38 today and fell in love. I am in the process of getting a price on one in .357 as I type this. I was wondering if there is any difference in the size and weight between the .38 only and the .38/.357 gun. Does anyone know? Also, is anyone pocket carrying one? I put it in my pocket and it fit fine and didn't seem too heavy. Of course, I am 6'2" and 250lbs so not much does.

Thanks!

I am a fan, but I do not carry in my pocket. I use an Uncle Mike's sidekick and I mostly forget its there. I was sitting at my computer earlier and realized that I had it in my belt. I got my .357 for $379.00 list price about $500.00

.357 weight = 25 1/2 oz
.38 weight = 25 1/2 oz

According to the Ruger site:
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdSpecsView?model=5737

I think it varies with barrel length.

 

[MillCreek]

I have three SP-101s: two .357 and one .38, and all with the 2.25" barrel. For all practical purposes, there is essentially no difference in dimensions or weight between the .357 and .38. A couple of millimeters in cylinder length, and that is it. The overall length is unchanged.

Having said that and having pocket carried them, I think the SP-101 is too heavy and a bit too large for pocket carry, unless it is in an overcoat or parka pocket. I carry my SP-101s in a IWB holster these days. For a pocket carry revolver, I use my Taurus 650 or 651. I think the concealed or shrouded hammer makes a major difference in smoothness of draw and comfort of carry. I used to pocket carry my S&W Model 60, and it seemed the hammer spur was always digging into me.

 

[MCgunner]

It's a might heavy for my tastes in .38, but IMHO the SP101 with a 3" barrel would be about the tastiest small frame .357 on the market. With that caliber, I want at least 3" of barrel if not 4" to get the ballistic advantage out of it and weight is a GOOD thing in that caliber. It's another I might add some day, but I'm pretty happy with my Taurus Ultra Lite in lowly .38 special.

The SP101 has to be the strongest of any of the J frame size guns. The design is stronger than the rest. There's no side plate to weaken the frame. And, you can smooth and lighten the trigger yourself if you know what to do. They can be made unbelievably smooth.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Thanks Vern! So what are we talking, millimeters difference? Or half inch difference?

Thanks again!

Milimeters, and not many -- I don't have two here to compare, but it's a very small difference.

 

[P. Plainsman]

You can carry the SP101 in a pocket holster, but it's heavy. In a pants pocket it's also rather conspicuous. Pocket carry might work OK if you typically wear a jacket, long untucked shirt, or other garment that droops down over the front of the pocket. I'd recommend getting the DAO chopped hammer model for use with such a carry method.

I think the best SP101 is the 3" barrel .357 Magnum model, as in Hkmp5sd's pic above, carried on some sort of belt holster. It's too bad Ruger doesn't make a DAO version of the 3" gun -- your gunsmith can supply that lack. This is an apt description:

[A]bout the tastiest small frame .357 on the market. With that caliber, I want at least 3" of barrel if not 4" to get the ballistic advantage out of it and weight is a GOOD thing in that caliber.

My second favorite would be the 2" barrel DAO gun. The SP101's trigger action is typically a bit rough and/or heavy out of the box. Mine responded very well to gunsmithing.

 

[Skipper]

The 3 1/16" SP101 is probably my favorite revolver. I get the feeling I can shoot them a lot without destroying them.
Having said that, it's way heavy for pocket carry. Much better choices for that.
SKIP

 

[Ultraman]

Ruger SP101

The Ruger SP101 is my favorite Model.

I have been a S&W SNOB for years. Never had any interest in even looking at a RUGER. I collect Stainless Steel J-Frames in .38 Special and under. Having only 3 models left to complete my collection I thought that I'd start collecting .22 LR pistols & revolvers by any maker. I love .22's.

Well a short time ago my local Gun & Fun Shop had a little RUGER SP101 .22 LR in the case. I traded several sets of S&W grips for it. I still had no real interest in it though. I got it home and took it apart to give it a thorough cleaning. It really intrigued me the way it so easily came apart and went back to together. I took it apart several times that night. After cleaning, I fondled it while watching TV for several hours. I became more intrigued with it and it slowly became less ugly.

Next day I took it to the range and what a hoot to shoot. ZERO recoil.
It shot nice tight little groups at 15 yards. Went home took it apart several times again and cleaned and polished it up. I was completely hooked. I went back to the shop and bought a 3" .38 Special that was in the case... same drill.
I was so impressed that I ordered a Brand Spanking New 3" .357 Magnum.

In 1 short month I went from a S&W Snob to a RUGER SP101 Groupie!

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks for all of the info guys.

I had thought about the other barrel lengths and decided that for concealed carry, the shorter the better. I doubt I would carry it with any sort of full-house .357 loads. I am pretty well sold on the new GoldDot 135gr. .38's out of a barrel shorter than 3 inches. I just figure since I like the gun, I might as well get it in .357 since it costs the same and is available.

And about pocket carry, it really isn't a big deal for me. My pockets are quite large and so am I. The weight is sort of a non-issue. I pocket carried a Glock 26 for a long time and it is overall larger and close to the same weight.

If I were going to get a longer barrel, I would go ahead and step up to the GP100 and get a 4 inch barrel with an adjustable (read, easier to see) rear sight. I had one and should have kept it.

All of this talk about how easy the 101 is to tear down and tinker with is not helping me save any quicker!

 

[461]

SP-101 is a truly wonderful little revolver, I have two. I have a .357 and a 9mm and I love them both as they are so much more shootable than a J frame, hot loads are actually not bad in an SP where they are brutal in a J frame. Of course the tradeoff is weight and some bulk, but if you can handle that you have a true winner.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

SP-101 is a truly wonderful little revolver, I have two. I have a .357 and a 9mm and I love them both as they are so much more shootable than a J frame, hot loads are actually not bad in an SP where they are brutal in a J frame. Of course the tradeoff is weight and some bulk, but if you can handle that you have a true winner.

Guns are made for shooting. Guns carried for self defense are made for shooting a lot -- because you are staking your life on your skill with that gun. The Ruger is a gun you can shoot a lot -- and not develop flinching from tee pain.

 

[MCgunner]

If I were going to get a longer barrel, I would go ahead and step up to the GP100 and get a 4 inch barrel with an adjustable (read, easier to see) rear sight. I had one and should have kept it.

But, the GP100 is a HEAVY gun. I do like the adjustables, but the little SP is so much more packable IWB I'd never consider the GP100 for carry. I could be very happy with a 3" SP101 stoked with 125 grain JHPs wearing IWB, though. Keep it up and I'll be trading my nine for one.

Yeah, for pocket carry, the shorter tube is the best.

 

[Ichiro]

Great gun

Very comfortable in my hand for a small gun, and comfortable with fairly heavy loads. I've got the 2" .357. Pocket carry does not work for me, unless it's a coat pocket. I usually carry it in a waist pack, although I do have an IWB holster that works quite well.

The Speer short-barrel .357s are low flash, and quite gentle to shoot compared to full-load magnums. That's what I load.

The last thing I do at the range is load it with 158-grain magnums and empty the cylinder about as fast as I can. This is quite a head-turner

~Ichiro

 

[Cosmoline]

I've owned many dozens of revolvers from S&W K frame magnums to Colts. The SP-101 is just about the ideal CCW magnum. I know of none better, other than perhaps the six-shot Speed Six.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Yes, count me in.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Ruger SP101 Report.htm

Best.

 

[cookekdjr]

Shot a buddy's a few years ago. Little recoil firing .357's out of a snub-nosed revolver. What's not to like?
-David

 

[MCgunner]

Hello. Yes, count me in.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Ruger SP101 Report.htm

Best.

Check out the .357 velocities on that site. That's why I like the longer 3"+ barrel. With the really short tubes on some of the snubs in .357, you don't really get much extra velocity for all the flash/bang they make. It's a product of the slower burning powders used in the .357. The .357 hits HARD out of a 3"+ barrel, though. Amazing what a little more barrel will do.

Above that is the accuracy I seem to get out of an extra inch of barrel. The extra site radius seems to make it much easier for me, at least, to group shots. I can shoot 2" groups out of my 3" barrel .38 off bags with good loads. I can't seem to get under the 3-3.5" group range with any of the 2" guns I've owned. Since I carry IWB anyway with a snubby, I'm really thinking about the SP in a 3" barrel.

 

[Sulaco]

Yeah, I just ordered the 2.25 inch gun but I see what you mean about the velocity. But, mine's first duty will be concealed carry so I will live with a tad less velocity.

Thanks for posting that link Stephen. I have enjoyed reading your reviews ever since you started posting them over on Glocktalk (a site I frequent less these days).

Cosmo, is that the "Target Grey" finish available only through Lipsey's? I called them about that model and they said they will be picking them back up next year but not yet. Oh well, stainless will have to do!

I will give a range report once I get mine.

Now for an ammo question. Anyone see any reason to carry anything other than my favorite Speer GoldDot 135gr. .38's? Since this one is a .357, was curious what others were using.

 

[Mr_Moore]

Hello. Yes, count me in.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Ruger SP101 Report.htm

Best.

Excellent link.