Ruger SP101 .357
A view toward Practicality suggests filling out your dance card with extra durable Rugers before indulging in other products. I currently have a couple of GP100s and two SP101s having bought the 2.25-inch bbl model in 1995 just before the Texas CHL law went into effect. While a wide variations in features and calibers has developed, my second SP bought about a years ago is also in .357 though with a 4-inch barrel and adjustable sights.
The SP101 came out in 38 special in 1989. Massad Ayoob saw the potential and bored chambers to magnum length allowing use of the shorter `125-grain JHP loads. Bill Ruger went one better, lengthened the frame and cylinder to permit use of the full range of bullet weights.
The Hornady Critical defense load resembles most 125 grain factory loads in velocity. The short revolver attains approximately the same performance that might be expected from a plus+ 9x19 124 jhp and the 4-inch launches the same projectile at into mid 1400 fps range.
i've made steady use of the original revolver over the last 25 years-predominately with factory 357 and the 40,000 cup level loads that were in the loading manual;s a couple of decades ago. Performance with those upper level loads closely resembled the top loads from CorBon and Buffalo Bore and are pretty hard on revolvers. My Sp101 continues in perfect timing and cylinder carry-up. I recently removed a slight amount of end shaie with .003-inch arbor shems. Recently, the trigger showed a tendency to lock up in mid stroke. Ruger CS said the most likely problem was a weakened trigger return spring and I got the revolver back in perfect repair with a one-week turn around.
The standard rubber grips tame recoil very well though the 180 grain corbon hunting load begins to hurt. Other, snub 38s and 357s can be quite painful. One woman who showed up for chl training prefered this revolver to the taurus she brought with her. It was comfortable with her 38 factory loads and she did very well for a beginning shooter.
I seldom shoot any better with a 4-inch revolver regardless of make.
Many shooters are more comfortable with the recoil from 38 special loads though the .357 entered the small revolver field after several decades of 38 Special bashing by the Grey Protuberances of the shooting press whom Charles Askins once said had, "never shot anything more dangerous than a Billy Goat." The shorter revolver is effectively accurate double action out to 25 yards or more.
Both Revolvers are comfortable in strong-side OWB holsters and the traditional untucked sport shirt hides them effectively.HKS and Pachmayr speed loaders.
The SP frames are near identical in size to the snubs from Smith and Wesson, Taurus, Colt and kimber. The heavy 25 oz and over weight is very welcome during actual shooting.
.
The 358429 is an Elmer Keith Design. He created it in 1929 before the 357 came out and it often had to be seated to the bullet shoulder to chamber in the first magnum revolvers. The sp101 cylinders like the early Smiths so I had to seat them the same way. This years Lyman Handloading manual list a maximum of 13.5 2400- standard primer. I reduced the charge to 13 even allowing the bullet to be seated on top of the powder column without any airspace or compression.
A view toward Practicality suggests filling out your dance card with extra durable Rugers before indulging in other products. I currently have a couple of GP100s and two SP101s having bought the 2.25-inch bbl model in 1995 just before the Texas CHL law went into effect. While a wide variations in features and calibers has developed, my second SP bought about a years ago is also in .357 though with a 4-inch barrel and adjustable sights.
The SP101 came out in 38 special in 1989. Massad Ayoob saw the potential and bored chambers to magnum length allowing use of the shorter `125-grain JHP loads. Bill Ruger went one better, lengthened the frame and cylinder to permit use of the full range of bullet weights.
The Hornady Critical defense load resembles most 125 grain factory loads in velocity. The short revolver attains approximately the same performance that might be expected from a plus+ 9x19 124 jhp and the 4-inch launches the same projectile at into mid 1400 fps range.
i've made steady use of the original revolver over the last 25 years-predominately with factory 357 and the 40,000 cup level loads that were in the loading manual;s a couple of decades ago. Performance with those upper level loads closely resembled the top loads from CorBon and Buffalo Bore and are pretty hard on revolvers. My Sp101 continues in perfect timing and cylinder carry-up. I recently removed a slight amount of end shaie with .003-inch arbor shems. Recently, the trigger showed a tendency to lock up in mid stroke. Ruger CS said the most likely problem was a weakened trigger return spring and I got the revolver back in perfect repair with a one-week turn around.
The standard rubber grips tame recoil very well though the 180 grain corbon hunting load begins to hurt. Other, snub 38s and 357s can be quite painful. One woman who showed up for chl training prefered this revolver to the taurus she brought with her. It was comfortable with her 38 factory loads and she did very well for a beginning shooter.
I seldom shoot any better with a 4-inch revolver regardless of make.
Many shooters are more comfortable with the recoil from 38 special loads though the .357 entered the small revolver field after several decades of 38 Special bashing by the Grey Protuberances of the shooting press whom Charles Askins once said had, "never shot anything more dangerous than a Billy Goat." The shorter revolver is effectively accurate double action out to 25 yards or more.
Both Revolvers are comfortable in strong-side OWB holsters and the traditional untucked sport shirt hides them effectively.HKS and Pachmayr speed loaders.
The SP frames are near identical in size to the snubs from Smith and Wesson, Taurus, Colt and kimber. The heavy 25 oz and over weight is very welcome during actual shooting.
.
The 358429 is an Elmer Keith Design. He created it in 1929 before the 357 came out and it often had to be seated to the bullet shoulder to chamber in the first magnum revolvers. The sp101 cylinders like the early Smiths so I had to seat them the same way. This years Lyman Handloading manual list a maximum of 13.5 2400- standard primer. I reduced the charge to 13 even allowing the bullet to be seated on top of the powder column without any airspace or compression.
I am doing it backwards, I guess. After getting quite perturbed with S&W over a few things I will not bring up here, I have 2 Rugers (Redhawks) in my sights and am leaning towards an SP101 “just because”. 
