Considering a Ruger SP101

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JustsayMo

JustsayMo

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Been reading the (glowing) reviews and range reports about this little revolver and I'm thinking I need one.

I'm leaning toward the 357, 2.25" version.

Wondering if 38's shoot and 357's shoot close to point of aim out to 15 yards.

Also looking for a holster recommendations.

TIA
 
Very nice revolver, some say its to heavy to carry but i don't think so. I use a Uncle mike's holster. Its far more accurate then my 642 & more enjoyable to shoot , 357's are easy enough too.
 

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I have a Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum 2.25" barrel and I love it - not as much as I love my 1911's, but don't tell it that.

I have a Milt Sparks PMK holster for it and think it wears well and hold the gun high and tight. I wear mine around the house sometimes as a home protection gun, as it wears well.

It shoots well enough for a short barrel gun - as I would use it for close in protection (within 20 feet or so). It is not easy to be accurate with at long distances, but it is not meant for long distance shooting.

The 3" version would probably be a little more accurate, but I wanted the shorter barrel for better concealability.

Luke
 
I have the 3" and it's a superb gun.

In my gun, Magnum loads shoot dead on but .38s tend to shoot low, I suppose because the sights are regulated for Magnum recoil.

Get the Sp101; you won't regret it.
 
I bought a 357 sp101 2.25" just a week ago. It is my second revolver, the first being a SW 686 4" with the objectionable lock. The Smith has a much better trigger in my opinion, but the Ruger is just freaking cool. I love it's feel, the obvious strength, and how simple it is to detail strip (if revolvers get detail stripped).

I chose the sp101 over a J frame because I wanted a durable 357 & CCW capable, but shootable without pain. At 26 oz or so, you know you touched off a magnum but it's manageable and fun, at least for me. I've only run a few hundred rounds of 38 and 357 through it so far, and it is breaking in nicely. However I have polished various internal parts to smooth it up some, and replaced the factory mainspring with a 12# from Wolff. I tried the 8# trigger latch/return spring, but felt it was too light for good reset. This weekend I'll see if the 12# works OK versus the factory 14#.

All in all, I really like the SP101 and see it never leaving me. If you are not afraid to tinker a bit to smooth it up it is great fun.

unclenunzie
 
I bought a 3" SP101 last year and have fired close to 1,000 rounds thru it, primarily 38's. I think it shoots both well. (off the shelf ammo from Walmart, typically). My buddies who has a few Smith's thought it shoots real well. I did take it apart and polish some of the internals. I find it shoots DA well with the factory spring, so I haven't been tempted to tinker with it. I did put a Hogue monogrip on it

I just bought a Hunter holster for it this December (merry Christmas - to me!) and it makes a great range holster, snaps on/off the belt easily.

Here in Maryland, I have zero chance of conceal carry, but I can't imagine lugging this 3" gun around inside my waistband or pants pocket.

It's a pretty rugged gun, shoots accurately enough to make it a fun plinking/target gun. We have a Ruger MkII/22 lr as well and I usually to go the range with either my wife or daughter. Both enjoy shooting the SP101 as well, but dislike .357 rounds

Last year, I got bored during the winter and gave her a polish job, which included removal of the Ruger "billboard".

 
Here in Maryland, I have zero chance of conceal carry, but I can't imagine lugging this 3" gun around inside my waistband or pants pocket.
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I carry it around all day every day in a pancake holster on my belt. It's not a problem.

I love that polish job. Absolutely beautiful!!!

To answer the OP's question, 158gr loads shoot perfectly POI=POA in this gun. So do 180gr. lighter bullets tend not to. (I prefer 158 gr anyway in both .38sp and .357mag so it's no problem for me.)
 
some say its to heavy to carry but i don't think so.
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I've heard people say it's too heavy for pocket carry, which I would tend to agree with, but not to carry in general. I don't know too many people who would consider a 25 oz gun too heavy. Hell, it's only 2 oz more than a Model 60 J frame.
 
My own preference is for a Speed-Six, 3-inch. I have one that was born a .38 Spc and had it re-throated for a .357. It's extremely accurate because the gunsmith was a stickler for precision. The action is also astounding.
 
I'm no expert. I'm just a guy that decided to pick up a snub nose .357 one day. The gun I landed on was the Ruger SP101 with a 2.25 barrel and let me tell you, It has been a hoot. The gun is managable, accurate and fun to shoot. I went ahead and swapped out the springs for a set of Wolff's and it has made a world of difference. I also went ahead and polished it with some Mothers and the attention it gets at the range is remarkable, both because of it's looks and also because of the report that it has. I would say that if your looking for a piece to carry that will also be a great gun for the range then the Ruger SP101 is the gun for you!
 
I love mine. Had it for a few months now and no complaints. I have the 2.25" version and i usually pocket carry it b/c I haven't got a good holster yet.
 
Ruger SP101 - a great little revolver

I like mine and think it is a great little gun to carry. It is strong, reliable, well made and reasonably priced. Ruger has a real winner with this one and I just wish they made it in a 22LR again.
 
ssjones - How did you do your polish job? From what I can see it looks great.
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I would like to know as well, that looks awesome. I hope to get an sp-101 soon and polish it up, maybe put some wood grips on it too.
 
Regarding the original poster's question, my 3" shoots 2-4" low with every load I've tried.

Double action trigger pull is very heavy (my wife can't pull it accurately, if at all), and it's much harder to cock than my GP100. However, the single action trigger pull is very crisp and has no creep, which is new to me in transfer bar Rugers.

I like to shoot my 6" half-lug GP100 better, and I do so more accurately. I got the SP101 to hike with. Now that I have it, I don't take it anyway because it's tough to find an affordable standard holster for a 3". I hang onto it anyway but would trade it away for the right deal. Fit and finish are excellent, and it locks up tighter than any other revolver I've handled.
 
To the OP (JustsayMo)

I just tested my 2.25" SP101 on 1-15-10 with the following loads:

.38 Special 130grn FMJ (Winchester)

.38 Special +P 125grn JHP (Winchester)

.357 Magnum 125grn JSP (Remington)

I fired 50 rounds of each and found the following results:

At 15 yards I could keep all 5 shots in a 6" x 6" square (IPSC headbox) going double action with all three loads. I wasn't shooting slowly. The sights shot about 1" low at 15 yards with the .38+P and .357 loads, the standard pressure .38s were about 2" low.

At 7 yards I could fire 5 rounds into the IPSC A zone: (used a shot timer)
.38 in about 1.4 seconds (average of two strings)
.38 +P in about 1.5 Seconds (average of two strings)
.357 in about 3.5 seconds (average of two strings)

The standard .38s felt tame, the .357s were wild and hard to control. The 38 +P are comfortable to practice with and more fun than std. .38; it's what I will be loading from here on out.

Next up I am going to try the 135 +P Gold Dot short barrel to see if that will bring the POI up the 1" at 15 yards.
 
the SP101 is a solid gun. i've had the chance to shoot the 3" model, mostly .38, and i loved it. tax time is coming; it's one of the guns i'm looking at to buy.
 
I recently bought one and tested it out yesterday with .38+p and .357. The weight of it really makes it pleasant to shoot, but I think the aftermarket grip you can buy from Ruger will make it a dream. Mine will be here in a few days if you want a follow up opinion
 
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I've been carrying my 3" model SP101 in a Active Pro Gear "j-hook tuckable" holster for about a year or more now. It's been a good holster. I've been carrying the revolver for about three years or so any time I go out. I highly reccomend getting one.
 
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