Ruger SP101's (two of them) shoot high. Need taller front sight

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Tallbald

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High. Long time member but not a frequent poster. I have both a 2 1/4 inch and a 3 inch Ruger SP101 in .357. Grouping them on paper the other day using two different loads (Remington 125 grain .38 +P, and import 158 grain jacketed solid .38 Special) both guns consistently group about 6 to 8 inches high with a dead-on hold at 21 feet. I wish they grouped low because I could use a needle file to bring them on target.
I cannot afford a fiber optic or tritium front sight for my EDC guns, but that's all I can find online. Anyone know of a replacement taller front sight I can buy? For that matter, I wonder if a Blackhawk front sight fits the half-moon recess on the SP101, which I could cut lower myself.
Thanks. Don.
 
Umm, no, but if they are shooting that high at that short a distance I'd contact Ruger. Mine hits POA with158 gr ammo out to 30 yards.

Seems like something else may be going on.
 
Hmm. This is how both shoot with the loads I use for practice and carry. I like the loads and they are consistent in both guns. I may try making my own replacement front sight blades from flat bar stock. Was hoping to avoid it though. Thanks.
 
The old rule is heavier bullets will shoot higher than lighter ones.

Are you new to Revolver shooting ? The Recoil impulse is different than on a semi-auto pistol.

If you are getting muzzle flip you could be breaking your wrist up. It might be the way you are holding the guns. This does not mean you are doing something wrong. You could have hands that do not match good with the grips.

How do they group with Magnum Cartridges ? The higher Velocity can change things in some guns with some bullet weights.
Here is a Paul Harrel Video on the topic of 38 v 357 POI.
 
My 2.25 shoots poi/POA. I agree with the other fellow that said try some grips out. Idk what ones you run, but maybe the guns are flipping up more than you think. Maybe something that gives you a better purchase would help. The factory grips are pretty tiny if that's what you run. Easiest way would just have an experienced (not saying you are not) shooter shoot them. Much easier to do that to eliminate some variables than to just through sights or grips on the gun.
 
I am with the others, would look at options before I went to mod both of them. Understand those are your loads but still worth looking to see if there is something that hits better for you. Grips as mentioned or even maybe going to a 6 o'clock hold with those revolvers, Not sure how you carry but a taller new front sight may snap on things or not fit in/tear up your holster.
 
I agree. If it were one gun I would think the gun could be at fault but with two guns? Have someone video you shooting the gun and gave someone who often shoots revolvers shoot them too. It could be something as simple as a slight change in shooting technique. Like already said, shooting a DA revolver is different than shooting a semi-auto pistol.
 
I had the same problem with my 2 1/8 inch,SP 101 .357. Shooting about 4 inches high at 50 feet. I called Ruger and they sent me a taller front sight, that after a little filing is now right on at 50 feet. hdbiker
 
My understanding is that the SP101 is sighted by Ruger for 158gr .38 Sp ammo. I think the sight blade is 0.155" above the sight rib at its highest. The sight blade for the SP in .32 or .22 LR may be taller. I think one is .185". Bowen offers sight blanks that perhaps could be fashioned into the desired height and configuration. At one time he offered a taller front sight to be used with a fixed rear sight he made for the SP's.
 
Thanks folks. I
ll be calling Ruger Monday about taller sights. I've had these guns for many years and changed loads to suit changing health. I can't tolerate full house loads any more and have switched to the different, lighter loads. Been shooting revolvers since age 14 in 1973 My very own first handgun was a Smith model 18. I graduated to a 6 inch Highway Patrolman at age 15. I bought my own reloading dies for the HP too and started rolling my own. Yes. Daddy signed for them both for me.
It's the sights on my two SP101's I need to adjust to my loads. Don.
 
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I have a Ruger SP101 in .38 Spl first year of manufacture (1989) that has the cylinder reamed for the Rem .357 125 grain round, before Ruger lengthened the frame and cylinder for a factory .357 Mag gun. It has fixed sights and shoots POA/POI at 25 yards. The original SP101 was not intended to be a target gun with the fixed sights. It is built like a tank for a HD/truck gun, but the grips are too small for my hands, so I put a Hogue MonoGrip on it.

I shoot Federal .38 +P HP Hydrashok rounds in it and it is just grand.

If yours shoots 6" high just aim for 6" lower, but I hardly think that would be a huge concern in a short distance HD fight. I have a 5-round speedloader for it, but if you cannot do it with 5 rounds the game is over.

Ruger_SP101_Grips2.jpg
 
Nice revolver there expat. I too at one time had the Hogue Monogrips on my 3 inch SP101 but when I switched to pocket carry, they stuck out too much. I bought a set of Uncle Mike's Boot Grips, then removed a significant portion of the lower margin to create a very "pocketable" gun. My 3 inch SP was bought new back in I think 1998, and my 2 1/4 inch SP was bought in 2011. My two guns, fired by two accomplished shooters, hit 8-10 inches high at 21 feet. The taller sight to adjust for the different loads should be just the ticket here. Thanks for posting. Don
 
I called Ruger this morning and the wonderful lady spent several minutes researching my need for a taller front sight. She found what I need at a wonderful price and they are on the way to me this week. Don.
 
I've been a Ruger customer since 1975 and have never, ever had any problem with their customer service. Just my experience. Don
 
You are looking at a front sight laying in the gutter rear sight. Everyone's eye will see a different sight picture and each will be deemed perfect by it's owner.

On my Ruger SP101 I paint the entire front sight white and then tip it with a red florescent. From there it is much easier to get the correct sight picture you need to get shots on target.

20180424_092058.jpg
 
340PD I like your two-color front sight treatment. When I have the new taller front sights installed I may try the paint improvement too. Should be helpful in sight acquisition once my two SP's are equipped with the correct height fronts. Don.
 
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