4" SP101 in .357

I can't answer all your questions but I think the 4" SP101 is still pretty light and full on 357s with the stock grips will get your attention...and maybe I'm just a recoil wuss.

We just got one for my wife. I put in the wolff spring kit and did a bit of internal polishing. After years of searching we finally have something she likes to shoot. We're still working with 158gr 38 specials and she's doing well at 10 paces. I snuck in a few 158gr 357s just for me.... it gets your attention.

I doubt it would reduce recoil that much if any. As far as accuracy, I could always shoot a 4 inch barrel better that a 2 inch. The longer sight radius helps me. The 2 extra inches will give you better range too. Full size pistols have better handling characteristics than snubbies.

As far as the 4" vs 2" I disagree with Mr. Albert. Not only does the 4" have more weight further out but the pressure difference between the muzzle and ambient will be less (so there will be less jet effect). You'd also get a bit more velocity and a longer sight plane.

Peakbagger46,

I think you found "your perfect gun" in fact you almost talked me into one.......the longer barrel should help reduce recoil but that's subjective and too personal to say with any certainty.

As for the 180's the recoil impulse is slower than the lighter loads for me at least. If you are used to shooting the 2 inch gun it should be an easy transition for you. With adjustable sights and the 30 oz. weight it should make a dandy holster gun.

I use my 3 inch SP most days for IWB carry and hardly know it's there. Ruger used their thinking caps when they designed the SP series and the 4 inch gun is no exception. With the heavy loads and a speed strip in your pocket.....life is good......!

How are the sights? I was thinking of replacing the front sight with a plain blade.

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I was just reading a post on the Ruger Forum, and finding a replacement sight is pretty much impossible. I passed on this gun only because of the front sight. I like the low profile blade sights, because getting to your gun in a hurry without a possible snag is #1 priority in my book.

I would say get it...I have the 4" Charter (26oz) 357/38 I range shoot 38's but carry .357 and use it in woods with 357. I took several deer and hog with it last season. Not to mention snakes, coons and rabbits.

I have the 3 1/16" 101, not bad to shoot at all with the .357 rds in it. I use mine for CCW, hardly know its there, even sitting down in a vehicle. You won't cuss yourself if you get one, very well made revolver.

I will admit I was not much for the fiber optic site on my wife's but it grew on me.

"I have a 2" SP101 that I really like and am pondering the 4" version."
Peakbagger: Try finding one to buy. I am told by gun stores that Ruger is not taking new orders from distributors while they try to catch up on their backlog. And the "new" items like the 4" SP is impossible to get.

Got one for my wife about three weeks ago. It looks just a bit strange with the small grips and 4" barrel, but it grows on you. Ruger's QC has come a long way in the last few years, and this is a good one.The SA has a bit of creep; the DA was actually pretty good although a bit heavy. I put in a Wolff spring kit and that put it at 9# and quite nice. I might work on the SA some time but we shoot so little SA it's no issue to us.

First time out my wife shot it better than anything else she has; better than I did, as a matter of fact. the .38 SWC handloads shoot very nicely, and .357/125s were quite manageable for her, contrary to her expectations.

I have a S&W M60-4 .38 Special that I like a lot, so I prefer that; it's just a nicer gun to me; but I wouldn't sneeze at the 4" Ruger at all. I'm pretty well married to the Security Sixes that I carried for years at work, and those are my choice for knocking around.

A shootable, accurate 4" .357 is about the most practical gun around. I like this one.

I've become a big fan of the fiberoptic F/S on mine. The factory grips are just about the perfect compromise between concealablity and shootablity. I plink with 158gr SWCGC and a measure of Lil Gun and carry Federal 180gr CastCore for use as a hog repellant.

We are probably sticking with the factory grips on her 4" SP. I don't think her hands would work out with big Hogue grips and she doesn't need em for 38s anyhow.

I spent a lot of money (but gained several guns ) finding something that works so well for her.

Alas, I fear the search is over.

If you're going up to 4" why not get a GP100 and also up your capacity by a round?

I used to have a 2" SP101, traded that for a 3" SP101 and the improvement in pointabilty and reduced muzzle flip was pretty signigicant. My GP100 4" is better than the 3" SP101 by far, plus is 6 round capacity.

That said the 3" SP101 is what's on my side if I'm going to be on my feet all day long hunting or backpacking, the 4" GP100 is used for car camping and lazy junk like that.

D-Thomas,

I have an 3" 101, I had a local smith do an action job, Wolff springs for $65 OTD, made the DA smoother than I thought possible. I shoot mine DA only now, still breaking it in, exceptional piece!

I have never seen nor handled a 4" .357 SP101, but will say I very much prefer the 3.06" barrel to the 2.25" version when shooting my little Rugers. I would like to buy a 4", but my budget is quite tight for the rest of 2012.

788Ham said:

I have the 3 1/16" 101, not bad to shoot at all with the .357 rds in it. I use mine for CCW, hardly know its there, even sitting down in a vehicle. You won't cuss yourself if you get one, very well made revolver.

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I could do without all my other guns but not the 3 incher sp101