Carl
Member
Does anyone here shoot .357 magnum loads for ccw out of a Ruger Sp101, or are the .38 +p+ loads the most popular?
.357 Mag in an SP101 for CCW
- Thread starter Carl
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space_cowboy
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- Mar 6, 2009
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what load?
c919
Member
Oh yeah. People who've never shot an SP101 seem to think they must kick like mules, but I don't think they're bad at all. Honestly, I enjoy shooting a box or two of full power .357's from my SP more than I do a box of .38's through any of the lightweight S&W snubbies.
Though my SP101 2 1/4" is my main CCW lately, it's also one of my favorite guns to shoot at the range. I usually shoot .357's through it (unless I'm with the wife and I bring more .38's for her), and I can shoot a few boxes without getting a case of "shaky hand/red palm syndrome".
Unless one wishes to pocket carry, I see no reason why anyone would go for a S&W .38 over a SP101. Not that I would feel undergunned with a .38, but I'd much rather have the comfort of a full power .357 and avoid the discomfort of the ILS.
Though my SP101 2 1/4" is my main CCW lately, it's also one of my favorite guns to shoot at the range. I usually shoot .357's through it (unless I'm with the wife and I bring more .38's for her), and I can shoot a few boxes without getting a case of "shaky hand/red palm syndrome".
Unless one wishes to pocket carry, I see no reason why anyone would go for a S&W .38 over a SP101. Not that I would feel undergunned with a .38, but I'd much rather have the comfort of a full power .357 and avoid the discomfort of the ILS.
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It's my every-day, all-day carry............
I always shoot .357's in my SP101, .2.25", Ruger.
Far as I know, I have never put any .38 specials in it.
I'm not picky about bullet weight, in .357's. I never feel under-gunned.
I practice with .357 magnums in mine. Yeah, they jump a bit.
That's why I practice. I generally use 110 grs. or 125 grs.
Even the .357 mag., 110 gr. HJLHP's will hit hard enough to do the job,
if you put your shot where it needs to be.
Shot placement is every bit as important as the weight of your bullets.
I don't think I need 180 gr. or 200gr. HP's for defense.
A man is a thin skinned animal, easier to kill than a bear.
YMMV.........
I always shoot .357's in my SP101, .2.25", Ruger.
Far as I know, I have never put any .38 specials in it.
I'm not picky about bullet weight, in .357's. I never feel under-gunned.
I practice with .357 magnums in mine. Yeah, they jump a bit.
That's why I practice. I generally use 110 grs. or 125 grs.
Even the .357 mag., 110 gr. HJLHP's will hit hard enough to do the job,
if you put your shot where it needs to be.
Shot placement is every bit as important as the weight of your bullets.
I don't think I need 180 gr. or 200gr. HP's for defense.
A man is a thin skinned animal, easier to kill than a bear.
YMMV.........
snooperman
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- May 4, 2009
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- 2,143
I have one and like the little Ruger a great deal
My carry gun for most days is the Colt detective with a IWB holster. However, there are times when I go out at night and I pack the Ruger SP101 as well as the Colt detective. In this case the Colt goes in my coat pocket on left side and the Ruger goes on the Right side IWB holster. I carry 38 special Gold dots in the Detective and ,357 magnum hollowpoints 125gr in the SP101.
My carry gun for most days is the Colt detective with a IWB holster. However, there are times when I go out at night and I pack the Ruger SP101 as well as the Colt detective. In this case the Colt goes in my coat pocket on left side and the Ruger goes on the Right side IWB holster. I carry 38 special Gold dots in the Detective and ,357 magnum hollowpoints 125gr in the SP101.
OldCavSoldier
Member
You won't have to hit your target...the muzzle flash will do the job just fine!!
357mag.
Member
Sp-101 is my EDC.I shoot 38's for most of my practice,but carry 125gr corbon mags.The weight of the 101 really tames the recoil of even the full-house mags imo.Nothing against the 38's,but I see no reason NOT to carry the mags.
The hot 110gr screamers sting a bit (no more than a hot .38SPL in an Airweight), but 125gr standard loads are not bad at all. (By standard, I mean a load like the Remington 125gr SJHP that goes 1400+ in my 4" barrels.)
Agreed.
I'm on the fence about what I would recommend for carry .38+P or standard .357, but I've got mine loaded with +P right now.
Agreed.
I'm on the fence about what I would recommend for carry .38+P or standard .357, but I've got mine loaded with +P right now.
kayaknjames
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- Feb 8, 2010
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- 9
I know ya'll are talking about 357, but I just shot my first sp101 over the weekend in 327, and all I can say is I would love this pistol in any caliber. I think the extra weight on the gun helps alot.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
When I had mine I found full power Remington 125-grain SJHPs to be quite strenuous, with a thunderclap blast and large muzzle flash. Lower velocity .357 loads like the Federal "Personal Defense" 130-grain HydraShok or the WWB 110-grain were quite tolerable. With all .38 Spl. loads it was a relative pussycat.
leadcounsel
member
Yes. The .357 is hot from this gun, but managble. I use both .357 and .38+P.
Landric
Member
My regular carry gun is a DAO 2 1/4" SP101 .357. My preference is the 158 grain Gold Dot .357, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere in ages. Right now I'm carrying Remington 158 grain SJHP .357.
What I would actually like is a 170-200 grain LSWCHP in the 1100 fps (from a 2 1/4" barrel) range, but no one makes it, and I avoid carrying handloads when quality factory ammunition is available, even if I don't consider it ideal.
What I would actually like is a 170-200 grain LSWCHP in the 1100 fps (from a 2 1/4" barrel) range, but no one makes it, and I avoid carrying handloads when quality factory ammunition is available, even if I don't consider it ideal.
Given the cost of ammo, in a range session I'll usually run through 50 or so 158 gr .38 spl just to work on mechanics, then finish with around 28 shots of 158 gr .357 in my HD load to groove the kinesthenics. Then work with the other guns.
This is not a suggestion that you should do what I do, I'm just relating my practice. As an HD option, I'm thinking the .357s will be formidable, but I may be rendered deaf by the experience. Cor-Bon Dpx seems like the best choice at this caliber.
I've been stigmafied about carrying .357 and collateral damage, so I normally carry .38 +Ps. But I have CCW Remington 125g SJHP .357 in my 3" SP101. But normaly just keep them for HD.
If I did normally carry .357, it would be the Corbon DPX.
If I did normally carry .357, it would be the Corbon DPX.
Chicken-Farmer
Member
I must be a wimp!
I have to say that i do not enjoy shooting 357 mag loads from my 2 1/4" SP101. The recoil is tremendous. I replaced the factory grips with the Hogue monogrip and it made the recoil better but still painful. I love shooting 38 special loads through the pistol. Maybe i need yet another grip. I am generally not very recoil sensitive, but i must say the small snubbies are a handful.
I carry 38 + P and although the recoil is still stout i am much more confident when shooting.
Chicken-Farmer
I have to say that i do not enjoy shooting 357 mag loads from my 2 1/4" SP101. The recoil is tremendous. I replaced the factory grips with the Hogue monogrip and it made the recoil better but still painful. I love shooting 38 special loads through the pistol. Maybe i need yet another grip. I am generally not very recoil sensitive, but i must say the small snubbies are a handful.
I carry 38 + P and although the recoil is still stout i am much more confident when shooting.
Chicken-Farmer
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