Ruger SP101 357mag

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vikz

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Hello peeps! I have been trying to find the perfect CCW piece for me and believe me i have tried most of them, from compact 1911 /full size/commander to S&W 637,642 etc. to lcp/lcr/sr9, to kahr cw9/40,keltec P11,bersa thunder in 9mm/380,xd subcompact in 9mm,xd service in 9/40, taurus 44spl(which i liked) and i think i finally found it!!hahaha.I was always intrigue by the SP101 so today i went to the funshop to decide what really i want for christmas so I examined this Sp01 and i was impress on the balance,average weight and I always like the 357 mag caliber so here she is my 1st SP101..I already tried it with different factory loads and man it was quite impressive..anyhoodle here it is..



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Congratulations! This has got to be one of the most sensible compact carry guns on the market. I have three of the snubbier ones, with varying hammer configurations, and recently added one with the 3-1/16" barrel. Life is good! :)
 
The sp 101 is one of my favorites and i choose it often when i carry, you will love this gun. Please be sure to join the sp 101 club, you will find lots of info there. Enjoy!
 

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If you don't like the Ruger factory grips (I hated them) get yourself a pair of Hogue Mono Grips. I put them on my SP101 and it is a different gun!
 
Ruger factory grips
Click to expand...

I'm torn. I'd love to get some of the wooden inserts, but frankly I really like the original factory grips pretty well. I've never been particularly wild about Ruger's auto aesthetics, but their revolvers (at least the SP101) look pretty sweet to me.
 
There is something to be said for the factory grips in that they do carry quite well. I've been tempted to put the Hogue Monogrip on my SP101, just because so many people have done just that and spoken well of them... but I shoot it fine with the factory grips, and the Hogue grips sure seem like they would make the gun carry a lot differently. Seems like they would take it from the "barely notice it" category to "yep, definitely a gun digging into my fat lovehandle" category. Maybe that's just me. :D
 
way to go on the 3" barrel! they feel so much better in the hand than the shorter versions. take care of it and it will last you a lietime and then some!
 
Updated pics..

I went back to the shop and picked up some hogue grips and man it feels a lot better, i haven't shot it with the new grips but i can already tell the difference..



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This is the only small-frame .357 that is truly shootable with .357 loads. Even the hottest 125-grain loads, with the accompanying thunderclap blast and bright muzzle flash, were tolerable (barely).
 
sp-101 2" bbl vs 3"

I am looking into a revolver, .357 for CC and/ or to keep in my car. The Sp-101 is one of my favorites that I have looked at. I am still a little hung up on wheather I should get one with a 2" barrel or the 3 1/16" bbl. I have not been able to shoot eaither one but was wondering if the ballistics and handleing is that much better with the 3" over the 2" model, on the other hand is the 3" gun much harder to conceal than the 2" ? To the OP, looks like you made a great choice.
 
Dee,
There's some debate over the 2'' vs the 3'' all i can say is i have a different revolver
in every size ,so from an accuracy aspect, i can only say that there would be an improvement in accuracy from a 2 to 3 '' but a minimal one. Every gun is different my sp is more accurate then my 642, at least in my hands. I have fired my sp alot since i bought it and even though its the 2'' its great at the range for its size .Now my 6'' GP is far more accurate and goes with me every trip, But i wouldn't carry that beast !
The point is im sure you would be happy with it anyway they are one of the best revolvers on the market .
 
I personally prefer the 3 inch for balance and a small amount of increase in recoil control. When I have a new shooter just starting I will use this 3 inch with 38 sp loads as it has enough sight radius and weight to really give a positive first experience. When I get a new one, I change to Houge grips and swap out a lighter set of wolf springs, then dry fire it alot. I have owned several and all have been good.
 
You made a wise choice

I have one that I have carried on certain occasions for several years, and find it very comfortable to carry and comforting to have with me. I also carry the old Colt detective as well, depending on my dress attire. When one wants a .357 to carry that has to be the best all around gun.
 
Thanks for all the nice compliments!, I am really stoke on this one, not to start a caliber discussions or any thing but with a 357mag i really feel well armed and this is coming from a guy who loves the 1911 in 45acp a lot, its just something about the 357mag that gives you confidence that as long as I do my part this firearm will stop a BG on its tracks..
 
Thanks for the replys on the bbl lenght. I think I am leaning towards a 3", is it too bulky to conceal though?
 
Dee - the thing is that with an SP-101, you're probably going to need a holster either way. Although I stick mine in my pocket occasionally when I walk down to the ATM or need to run to the vehicle at night, it really is a bit to heavy for that.
With that being the case, might as well have the 3" version.
Plus instead of only getting a 2" barrel, you're almost getting a 4" barrel. Put a Hogue monogrip on it and it's not at all hard to hang on to. Plus it gives you enough ejector rod to push empty casings clear out.
 
Dee, best info I can give you is that my holster was on sale so I bought a 3 inch holster for my 2 inch SP101. I feel like it rides a little higher on my hip than my autos, but I seem to notice a little of that with my J-frame too. Perhaps that's just the way it goes with revolvers.

I feel like the SP101 carries a little large anyway - it seems a little bigger than a typical snub revolver. The 3 inch - while I believe it is a great pistol - will probably feel medium sized rather than smallish.
 
Thanks for the replys on the bbl lenght. I think I am leaning towards a 3", is it too bulky to conceal though?

I have no problem concealing my 3" SP101. The biggest problem I had was finding a holster for the 3" gun. You can go to most good gun shops and they will have something in stock for the shorter barrel gun, but even over the internet holsters for the 3" gun seem to be special order items.

I ended up biting the bullet and putting up with the six month wait and ordered a Milt Sparks PMK. Worth the wait and worth every penny. Conceals well and is very comfortable.
 
Thanks guys, maybe it will be a tax refund purchase if all goes well.
 
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