Considering an SP101- accuracy?

My 3 inch is accurate to 25 yards, but I am limited by the small black front sight and my eyes. I've thought about replacing the fron sight, but as mine is a carry gun, I am ok with my ability to shoot it at a reasonable SD distance.

I imagine with fiber optic sight and a longer bbl, you'd be fine out to 40 yards, or further depending on your ability.

It should serve you well as a woods gun too, but have you thought about going all the way to a GP100? I think you'd enjoy it more for range, and woods. Neither is real good for CC.

Honestly, if it were me, I'd look at a S&W 686+ with a 4" bbl, based on your uses.

The 4" bbl SP101 falls into that kind of useless category for me. I want a shorted bbl for carry, but more capacity for woods. So small for carry, large and incharge for range, and/or woods carry. JMO

Whether you agree or not, I'm sure the 4" SP101 is plenty accurate for your needs, and would serve you well.

Have two of the 4.2s, accuracy is not an issue.
Might end up with three.
Denis

I would be willing to bet it will be more accurate than most people can physically hold the sights on a target. My experience with testing handguns in a Ransom Rest clearly showed that most handguns are more than accurate enough for most humans. Anytime a customer would complain that a gun we sold them was "inaccurate" we would let them watch a test of their gun in a Ransom Rest and they would quickly withdraw their complaint.

Many suggest to replace the Ruger grips with the Hogue fingergrooves for a good grip.

I found the SP's to be reasonably accurate out to 15-20 yards. By modern revolver standards they are above average. I never had one of the longer bbl ones but the fixed sights are an inherent limitation for fine-tuning at longer rangers. They are not on par with an adjustable sight revolver of the earlier vintages. If you're looking for a tough Ruger with good down-range accuracy, I'd suggest a Security Six. A notch up from that would be a target model S&W or Colt from the good old days, which will drive tacks.

Four months ago I bought a brand new 4 inch. First trip to the range my first five shots, two were bulleyes and three were in the black at 7 yards. This is all double action 357 magnums. After 60 rounds of both 357 and 38 specials I was impressed with this revolver. I like it better than the 3 inch version because of the sights. This is now my all around 357 magnum which is replacing my old Ruger Police Service Six. The old Service Six is now only used as my bedside revolver only.

For me this was a great choice.
Good luck,
Howard

Ruger makes good revolvers, so I can't think of a reason why the SP101 (of any barrel length) wouldn't be inherently accurate. Assuming all is in spec, I'd expect it to be able to shoot good target loads into a 3/4" group at 25 yards from a Ransom Rest. The rest is up to the shooter. Rugers can be a little rough from the factory, but they respond very well to some fine tuning from a good 'smith, making it easier on the shooter.

That said, I never got the SP101 "thing": For a 5-shot revolver, it's heavy. And though it can be radiused, the squared trigger face feels as though it's been designed to cut skin. And in a 4.2" barrel configuration, it's not ideal for range work or carry, IMO. IfI wanted a Ruger for the range and occasional carry in the woods, I'd look into a GP100.

999 out of 1,000 revolvers will be more accurate, right out of the box, than the owner.

+1.
enjoy your ruger and don't worry about its accuracy. work on your own.

It's a common misconception that shorter barrel guns are far less accurate than longer barrel ones. It's all about the shorter sight radius making it much harder to get the gun on target because a very slight movement with the front sight makes a big difference downrange. You need to worry much more about how a gun feels to you and how you shoot it than you do the accuracy of the gun, because I can guarantee that, unless the gun has major issues, it's more accurate than you are.

I don't really use my 3inch SP for fine target, I have other guns for that. It does place 5/5 into vitals out to 25 yards with even cheap commercial reloads.. Can't ask for more that that.

The SP101 is excellent. Better trigger than the GP100 in my experience with both. A 6" barrel makes the revolver nose heavy, especially with a full size underlug. The GP is easier to shoot once on target, but the draw and the acquisition will be faster with the 101. Unless you have giant claws. Congratulations on your ruger, don't look back.

I sold my 3 inch and am sitting here typing this with a snub 101 in my pocket. I have my Security Six that was my duty weapon and given to me when I retired in the night stand.
Both are great guns and well broken in, and yes if I don't practice they are more accurate than I am.

bikerdoc, sitting here typing, with my SP101 (.38/.357 Mag) close by. They're good little revolvers. Mine has a 2.25" barrel. It's accurate enough, and given the fixed rear sight on mine, the accuracy down right impresses me. I would like to get one with a longer barrel, and adj sight. Time to save some pennies.

Geno

i have a 3" SP101 it shoots ok for what it is

I've got the 3" version, I really like it. My DA wasn't the best when I got it, so I had a smith do an action job, definitely helped it. Now the DA is very smooth, the $65 bucks was worth it. At 25 yards, they shoot very good. A good load for .38's in it, Win. 231, 4.0 gr with a 158 gr. SWC, outstanding accuracy!

NIce with the hogue grips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlL2rKOC0zU

my 3 inch'r is a laser beam with gold dots 38+p's, well pop can accuracy is no problem any ways. I love mine for woods carry.

The Hogue grips are absolutely necessary for accurate shots, out to 30 yards. They are large enough to get a firm grip on. The factory ones are for concealed carry, and not good for more than 25 feet, in my opinion.
The SA trigger, after doing a "poor man's trigger job", is wonderfully smooth and crisp. The DA pull is less so. The front HiVis sight in daylight is wonderful.

I've had once since '96 with fixed sights and the 2+1/4" barrel, DA only, no hammer. I had a hard time hitting accurately with it and installed Crimson Trace Lasergrips. I also went to low-end .357 Magnum ammo and, when it became available, .38 Special +P. It's fine at self-defense distances, though a little heavy to carry as a backup, and I was comfortable to about 30 feet using the laser. It would not be my choice for plinking. Colt Police Positive revolvers are now seriously overpriced, but I got one before their prices went through the roof. IT is a fine plinker, and I have often carried it as a backup.

I have a two inch DAO model. I have had trigger work done on it. I can hit 4 out of 5 golf balls at 10 yards if I stage the trigger. That may not be great to some of you fine folk but for me that is as good as I can do with a handgun.

I agree with what was said about the trigger face needing some radiusing as well as the guard for that matter but that is my only beef with the revolver. Mine has been fantastic and I carry it as primary carry every so often (yes I am a die hard wheelie).