How about an SP101 for truck/trail/range?

Status
Not open for further replies.
HPCadm17

HPCadm17

Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2018
Messages
331
I'm looking for a revolver that is smaller than a GP100 or 686 but still has enough mass to tame the mighty Magnum. I fondled an SP101 for the first time today and am impressed with how comfortable it is. It fits my medium-sized hands and short fingers like a glove.

How well does the SP101 handle full Magnum loads? Although I'd practice mostly with 38 Special +P, I'd be wanting to put a box of magnums through it during any given range trip and don't want to get beat up too much.

I'm very tempted to go back and adopt it, so I need you guys to talk some sense into me. ;)
 
My current SP101 is pretty new to me (though I've had one before). I only load to the top end of the data, but a 2.25" barrel only gets you so much velocity. I don't notice the recoil with the Hogue monogrip.
 
I have an SP101 in 327 Fed Mag and 9x19 and they are fine revolvers but I do not have one in 357 Magnum.

I do have a S&W Model 60 chambered in 357 Magnum and I’d really would not like to shoot it with full power loads.

For most of my 357 Magnum shooting, I load 158 grain SWC to a out 900-950 fps from a 4” barrel. These are quite controlable in my Model 60.

Some folks can handle full power loads from a small revolver. You just have to try one but you have the option of loading hotter than 38 Special but less than full power 357 Magnum if you want to.
 
My SP101 is the 3 inch model and handles magnums just fine. I bought it used with what I assume is an aftermarket grip that I'm not very fond of though. I will be switching that out someday hopefully sooner than later. Once I get the grip I like it will probably become my my second choice for EDC.
 
The SP101 with a 3" barrel and Hogue grips is the absolute minimum for true full-house .357 loads for me. But it is a great pistol. If I were limited to only 1 handgun, that would likely be it - it can do almost anything (carry concealed, shoot light loads accurately for fun, and heavy loads for hunting or defense against animals).

But without the Hogues my second finger got bashed by the trigger guard, so the Hogue is essential.
 
I do not own an SP101 but I do own an S&W 60 Pro. The S&W weighs a couple ounces less than an SP101 or a regular S&W 60. When I shoot it with .357 it is quite lively but is manageable. I think with a Hogue Monogrip or similar type grip that these guns aren’t that bad to shoot full house .357 on occasion.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I think that if I wanted to supply a steady diet of full magnum loads I'd be looking at a GP100 or 686 range toy. As a concealable option I'd probably be looking at a 3" SP101, and practice with 38 Special. There are magnum loads that are rather tame, but for defense against a 4-legged beastie I'd want something more substantial. Maybe I'll try renting one first.
 
Mine has had a few thousand magnums shot from it. They aren’t particularly fun, but the gun can handle it.
 
I think it eats 357 magnums quite well!

I rarely push them through mine (3") version often. I'm fine slinging 38 specials all day. I stuff it with 38special +P for carry since I have them handy. I have yet to train with 357 defense rounds in it.
 
This has me wondering if I should also consider a S&W 66 or Colt King Cobra. Both are mid-size with 6 cylinders instead of only 5, and I like the action better on both. Just don't like the S&W lock. Both would be a tiny bit bulkier than the SP101. Hmm... Why can't this be easier?
 
I have a 3" and just do not shoot it as well as I would like I did switch out the front sight but that did not help still hard to see
so I'm thinking about something else Now the sights on the 4" high vis on the front and adjustable on the back maybe the Ticket
but I'm thinking about the 66 too
 
If you want it for self defense, occasional trip to the range OK. My 2 1/8 inch .357 is a little heavy and not fun shooting full power .357's IMO. So I bought a LC9 Pro for carry. hdbiker
 
Mine is great. I mostly shoot 158gn lswc at the range and it's great. I got the Wiley clapp model with "real" sights in 2.25"
 
I carried an SP101 with the 2.25" barrel for a little over a year. It was a pussycat with .38 specials, but rather uncomfortable with .357 mags and the factory rubber "boot grip", at least for me. It slowed down my follow up shots enough I opted to carry a .38 special Buffalo Bore load, which fit somewhere between a +p and magum round as far as recoil and I found it quite manageable. With such a short barrel, I don't think you really give up much besides flash and noise by not using a magnum load.
 
Alternated between a SP101 and Taurus for years in the scenario you describe and was very happy with it.
Magnum? It won't care.

Todd.
 
I have a spurless SP101 2-1/4" in .357 mag. I had it equipped with Pachmayr Diamond Pro's when I was shooting comptetion. I would shoot a few .357's on occasion and those grips played an important role in abating the recoil. I could shoot .38 Spcl +p with it all day without any problems.

It is a sturdy, hard working gun that I would highly recommend to anyone.
 
I have a 2.25 inch SP101 and a S&W model 60 Pro, 3 inch. The Ruger weighs about 3 ounces more and it does make a difference. Full magnums are not too bad/ tolerable in the Ruger but not so much in the M60 I would think a 3 inch SP101 shouldnt be too bad at all
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

HPCadm17
  • Locked
Not-so-big revolvers
2 3
Replies
62
Views
3K
shoebox1.1
shoebox1.1
P
  • Locked
Let's Talk SP101 (.357) Carry Loads
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Fast Frank
Fast Frank
Rexster
  • Locked
Luck dropping DAO hammer into SP101.
Replies
0
Views
445
Rexster
Rexster
Tallball
  • Locked
I Thought I Would Never Like a Ruger Sp101
Replies
19
Views
2K
Tallball
Tallball
C
  • Locked
Finally went to the range to try out some guns.
Replies
5
Views
498
Matt-J2
M
Back
Top