I Thought I Would Never Like a Ruger Sp101

Tallball · Mar 6, 2021

I have a SP101 with a 4.2" barrel in 327 magnum. I bought it brand-new and have always been kind of disappointed in it. The DA trigger is stiff and it never fits my hand very well, even with various different kinds of grips. I can shoot it okay SA, but it always feels kind of awkward.

I really wanted to like SP101's. I'm definitely a revolver guy, and kind of a Ruger guy, too. I got a used 2.5" 357 model that was sold to me on Gunbroker as "NOS". It wasn't; it was just used. It also had a terrible DA trigger and, again, I couldn't find comfortable grips for it. I couldn't hit the side of a barn with it and traded it towards something else.

Recently my LGS had a used 2.5" SP101 in 9mm. Its trigger felt pretty good, and I went ahead and made a trade for it. Third time's the charm, right?

I had put Hogue Monogrips on my first SP101 and they didn't seem to help that much. I gave them to a friend. Maybe I got a different model of Monogrips this time? Anyway, I ordered a set and they fit the 9mm SP101 nicely.

I took it shooting today and shot a box of cheap range ammo through it. It had no malfunctions and I shot it about as accurately as any other snubby revolver. I shot it about as well in DA as I did in SA, which for me is usually a good sign. I wondered if the 9mm would feel snappier than 38 special in a smallish snubby, but it didn't. The recoil was moderate and not at all distracting.

The empties practically fall out of my S&W 625, but I had to push them out of the Ruger with a small screwdriver. Luckily I'd also ordered some moon clips and brought them with me, and they worked just fine. They were so easy to load and unload that it didn't slow my shooting down very much.

My original purpose in buying it was range toy and a medium-caliber snubby to practice with more cheaply than 38 special. If it continues to be reliable, I wouldn't turn up my nose at it for SD, either. It could be a nice little nightstand gun, or I would be willing to CC it if I put a DAO hammer on it.

If you have a favorite SP101 holster, please let me know. Or if there is a particular 9mm load that revolvers seem to like a lot.

I'm glad that I finally found an SP101 that I like.

Ruger SP101 9mm

Tallball
Mar 6, 2021

Armybrat · Mar 6, 2021

Glad you finally found one that works for you!
The first & second times have done well for me... .357 (1993) and .327 (2019):

heyboy · Mar 6, 2021

Good story. I don't have any great advice but here's what has worked in a pinch. For IWB a soft bonded leather Desantis made for a Glock 19 (which also works very well for a Glock 43). Now for OWB, my 2.25" 357 SP101 fits nicely in a $20 Bulldog brand pancake style, made for the SP101. Now another improvement for me OWB at the range or working around the house is a $30 eBay pancake for K-Frame (bought for my S&W Model 19).

Confederate · Mar 6, 2021

I'm happy you finally found one you like. I would have loved a 3-inch model, but Ruger put way too much steel in it. I got a 2.25-inch model, which was perfect for me. I have two 3-inch Ruger Speed-Six .357s and love them, but I think Ruger stuffs too much steel in its SP-101s. One many times carries a gun much more than they shoot it, and I'd love to have an SP-101 4-inch .357 with a S&W Model 10 .38Spc barrel, you know, the one with a skinny barrel? Instead of adding steel to the point you can as no more, take away steel until you can take away no more..

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to reissue the old Speed-Six revolver (left). It was a great gun, and it held six rounds. The one, below, has a full 3-inch barrel.

By the way, I noticed the pattern (by the cylinder release) on my SP-101
(above) and that of the SP-101 in the previous post.
Does anyone know why that might be?

WheelGunMan · Mar 6, 2021

I'm glad you may have found the one. I have a 2-1/4" DAO that doesn't have the luxury of SA. I installed Wolff trigger and hammer springs in it and the action is so glass smooth that I can consistently stage the hammer so I have a smooth SA trigger feel for critical shots.

Jonesy814 · Mar 7, 2021

Nice Ruger. The Galco Combat Master is a nice holster for the SP101 if you like leather. It holds the gun tight to the body

Rock185 · Mar 8, 2021

I don't carry mine, but could. I've had mine, a 3" 9MM version, for years, and it has functioned flawlessly with any and all of the many different types of 9MM ammo I've tested in it. I don't really have a favorite SP101 holster since I don't carry it.

Riomouse911 · Mar 8, 2021

Confederate said:
I'm happy you finally found one you like. I would have loved a 3-inch model, but Ruger put way too much steel in it. I got a 2.25-inch model, which was perfect for me. I have two 3-inch Ruger Speed-Six .357s and love them, but I think Ruger stuffs too much steel in its SP-101s. One many times carries a gun much more than they shoot it, and I'd love to have an SP-101 4-inch .357 with a S&W Model 10 .38Spc barrel, you know, the one with a skinny barrel? Instead of adding steel to the point you can as no more, take away steel until you can take away no more..

It also wouldn't be a bad idea to reissue the old Speed-Six revolver (left). It was a great gun, and it held six rounds. The one, below, has a full 3-inch barrel.

View attachment 982797

By the way, I noticed the pattern (by the cylinder release) on my SP-101
(above) and that of the SP-101 in the previous post.
Does anyone know why that might be?

Are you referring to the lines etched into the flat on the cylinder release?

If that is the pattern you’re referring to I’ll guess they’re on there to add a touch of grip for the thumb on the lever.

Stay safe.

Confederate · Mar 8, 2021

Riomouse911 said:
Are you referring to the lines etched into the flat on the cylinder release?
If that is the pattern you’re referring to I’ll guess they’re on there to add a touch of grip for the thumb on the lever.

Yep. I think.

Look at Armybrat's two photos. His first one (above) is shown with mine in inset. His second one has none. Just curious. I wonder if it's for retention of the release spring?

..

SwampWolf · Mar 8, 2021

I'd like to get one chambered in .327 Magnum-if only the da trigger pull wasn't so darn stiff. Worse than Smith J-frames, imo.

Riomouse911 · Mar 8, 2021

I think that’s the border where the trigger guard assembly and frame meets. It may just be a trick of the light.

Stay safe.

cfullgraf · Mar 9, 2021

I have a 4” SP-101 chambered in 327 Fed Mag and a short barrel 9x19 SP-101. The former I’m planning to use on some of the ground hogs around the farm when they start to show themselves with the approach of warm weather. Load is a 32 H&R level load in a 327 Fed Mag case.

I took out a ground hog last fall with a 22LR S&W Model 317 and I am interested if 32 caliber will do better.

I got the 9x19 SP-101 so that I can shoot 9x19 in revolver.

Both revolvers perform fine. I shoot them mostly single action so I really cannot comment on the DA trigger pull.

heyboy · Mar 10, 2021

Confederate said:
I wonder if it's for retention of the release spring?

Yes, I think. Mine is held by a screw approached via that channel. I always thought the earlier produced models had a pin and not a screw. Maybe the pinned ones (if I'm right) had less bossing and less channel. I sold mine the day I posted that pic so I can't look at it in person.

SDGlock23 · Mar 10, 2021

I like my SP101, my only real complaint is that bone stock SP101 grips are awful, replaced the with altamont rubber as well as wood inserts. It's a bit hefty sure, but it's the easiest shooting small 357 out there, bar none.

stonebuster · Mar 11, 2021

I've had my 2.25" DAO SP101 357 for two years and the longer I've owned it the better I like it. I've tried 4 different grips but have settled, finally, on the Hogue

monogrip(not pictured).It carries comfortably AIWB in an old suede Bianchi with a very stiff belt clip. I appreciate how others feel about AIWB regarding "the family jewels" and femoral artery but without the hammer spur I don't see any possible way I could have a ND/AD. I've tried to simulate and manipulate the trigger while in the holster and the hammer doesn't budge. YMMD

MrShooter · Mar 11, 2021

I really like my azula IWB holster. My 2.25" barreled 357 is almost unnoticeable AIWB.

riverats · Mar 14, 2021

SDGlock23 said:
I like my SP101, my only real complaint is that bone stock SP101 grips are awful, replaced the with altamont rubber as well as wood inserts. It's a bit hefty sure, but it's the easiest shooting small 357 out there, bar none.

Indeed, the easiest & arguably, the most inherently accurate small 357 out there, bar none.

I have never been a fan of Ruger’s rubber-wood grips, but for those of you who are, have a look at Chad Chigg’s gorgeous 101 wood inserts: http://chigsgrips.com/

The best thing I ever did for my 23-year-old SP-101 was to replace its’ stiff factory springs with Wolff reduced-power hammer & trigger return springs, a move that rendered the 101’s action into something very, very S&W-like. Next thing was to toss those factory grips & then for good measure, install a Mepro’ front night-sight blade.

The .357 can always be found in its’ no-frills Galco Fletch whenever I’m fly fishing at lower elevations (rattlers & cats) ... two decades-plus later & this combo remains one of very favorites.

mrt949 · Mar 19, 2021

I Own 3 SP101 4.2 " 22 LR , 4.2 " 357 MAG , 2.2 " 357 MAG

Overkill870 · Mar 20, 2021

My sp101 9mm with monogrips is one of my favorite guns.

Tallball · Mar 20, 2021

I just got back from the range.

I had new Hogue Monogrips on the 4.2" 327 GP101 that I couldn't used to shoot worth squat.

I shot it decently today. It might be the new grips, or maybe my technique has just gotten better over the past few years.

(It's been several years since I shot it.)

I Thought I Would Never Like a Ruger Sp101

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