AZAndy
Member
I tried a Federal "low recoil" load in a 640 once. I bled too. It might have been okay in the Ruger, but I think I'll just stick with the .38+P fake .357s.
Ruger SP101 info requests
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scbair
Member
I went full circle. When I purchased my DAO SP101 snubbie (several years ago), I found that firing factory .357s with the factory grip resulted in the weapon consistently cutting the joint of my trigger finger.
I tried a (now discontinued) Uncle Mike's rubber grip, but it was no improvement. I still needed bandaids at the range.
I switched to Badger grips, but they just didn't work for me (wrong angle, sharp recoil). At least they positioned my hand so I no longer bled at each range session ...
I tried Hogue rubber grips, and these handled well, but were too large for comfortable pocket carry, and slowed the draw from the pocket. I even tried some hardwood Hogues, because they were reportedly wider at the backstrap to further reduce felt recoil. But, in addition to the excessive length, the wider backstrap actually focused the recoil directly onto my thumb joint. Ouch! I need fatter hands.
I finally wised up (or, maybe, got over my laziness) and stoned & polished the corner of the trigger that I found to be too sharp. I reverted to the factory gip (with some Altamont rosewood inserts, just for appearance), and have achieved true happiness. No more injuries, quite pocketable, and the backstrap is just the right width for my hand. I now fire factory 125 gr. magnums with no discomfort.
I checked a couple of new SP101s at the shop where I work, and it seems Ruger has now rounded the corner of the trigger that was "biting" me.
I tried a (now discontinued) Uncle Mike's rubber grip, but it was no improvement. I still needed bandaids at the range.
I switched to Badger grips, but they just didn't work for me (wrong angle, sharp recoil). At least they positioned my hand so I no longer bled at each range session ...
I tried Hogue rubber grips, and these handled well, but were too large for comfortable pocket carry, and slowed the draw from the pocket. I even tried some hardwood Hogues, because they were reportedly wider at the backstrap to further reduce felt recoil. But, in addition to the excessive length, the wider backstrap actually focused the recoil directly onto my thumb joint. Ouch! I need fatter hands.
I finally wised up (or, maybe, got over my laziness) and stoned & polished the corner of the trigger that I found to be too sharp. I reverted to the factory gip (with some Altamont rosewood inserts, just for appearance), and have achieved true happiness. No more injuries, quite pocketable, and the backstrap is just the right width for my hand. I now fire factory 125 gr. magnums with no discomfort.
I checked a couple of new SP101s at the shop where I work, and it seems Ruger has now rounded the corner of the trigger that was "biting" me.
I like the Hogue wood grip without finger grooves. I re-work the grip a bit, softening the edges and removing most of the palm swell. Finish with a beeswax rub for a natural appearance that's less slippery than the factory high polish job.
Dirty Bob
Member
Confederate,
First off, I love your avatar. It looks just like one of our two cats, plus it's a really good photo.
Re the SP101 "stick" grip frame (also on the GP100 and Super Redhwk and Alaskan), I have to disagree. I have medium hands, and with the post grip frame, I can reduce the grip size enough. I couldn't shoot a GP100 with Hogues without cutting away some of the back of the grip to reduce trigger reach a bit. The same goes for the Super Redhawk. But with all the choices out there, both of us can find something we like!
Holmes375,
I think you've got the perfect SP101 grip there! Smooth for concealment, but the right shape/size for a solid grip. Well done!
By the way, for a hard-hitting revolver that's gentle to shoot, I love the .45 Colt! My load is out of Lee's 2d edition and uses a 250-grain SWC and a charge of Blue Dot, and is low pressure and subsonic. Out of a 4-5/8" New Vaq, it went completely through 7 milk jugs and buried itself in the berm. That's 42 inches of water, plus a little plastic. Recoil was mild, like shooting a K-frame with .38 wadcutters. If I ever have a hand injury or something else that keeps me from hot handgun loads, I going straight back to the .45 Colt.
Regards,
Dirty Bob
First off, I love your avatar. It looks just like one of our two cats, plus it's a really good photo.
Re the SP101 "stick" grip frame (also on the GP100 and Super Redhwk and Alaskan), I have to disagree. I have medium hands, and with the post grip frame, I can reduce the grip size enough. I couldn't shoot a GP100 with Hogues without cutting away some of the back of the grip to reduce trigger reach a bit. The same goes for the Super Redhawk. But with all the choices out there, both of us can find something we like!
Holmes375,
I think you've got the perfect SP101 grip there! Smooth for concealment, but the right shape/size for a solid grip. Well done!
By the way, for a hard-hitting revolver that's gentle to shoot, I love the .45 Colt! My load is out of Lee's 2d edition and uses a 250-grain SWC and a charge of Blue Dot, and is low pressure and subsonic. Out of a 4-5/8" New Vaq, it went completely through 7 milk jugs and buried itself in the berm. That's 42 inches of water, plus a little plastic. Recoil was mild, like shooting a K-frame with .38 wadcutters. If I ever have a hand injury or something else that keeps me from hot handgun loads, I going straight back to the .45 Colt.
Regards,
Dirty Bob
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Holmes375: Like what you did with the grip. Did similar to a Hogue I had on 686 Mtn. Gun removing some of the palm swell and reducing girth somewhat. It was originally a square butt type grip but converted to sort of a round butt using an "Ed Brown bobtail" approach as he uses on 1911s.
Will try that when I get my GP back from the gunsmith in the future.
Will try that when I get my GP back from the gunsmith in the future.
Beach Bum
Member
Hogue with the finger grooves and no looking back......
Getting older and kids and grandkids really have little interest in Semi autos so I am thinning the herd slightly. Put my SP101 3" .357 with Hogue rubber monogrips on my hip for work at the range yesterday. Before hours and just for fun I tested myself with the qualifying target at 30' DA only. 240/250 right hand offhand and surprise to me 242/250 left hand offhand. At my age I could never do that with any of my semi's.
The results supported my decision to sell my Kimber Ultra Carry CDP II and my S&W Shield that same day. I guess the kids will be inheriting a bunch of revolvers where they will find nice wood sitting in the factory box and nice rubber on the gun for work duty.
The results supported my decision to sell my Kimber Ultra Carry CDP II and my S&W Shield that same day. I guess the kids will be inheriting a bunch of revolvers where they will find nice wood sitting in the factory box and nice rubber on the gun for work duty.
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