Crimson Trace Polymer Grips on SP-101.

[357_]

I just got a set and LOVE them. I know I've read different positions on the polymer grips fitting properly or being comfortable. I just wanted to offer my short review.

Pros: For CCW they are perfect for me, and I have larger hands. They made a huge difference IWB carry and they don't stick to your shirt on the draw. Also they are $90 cheaper than the full-size grips that don't carry as well (YMMV)

Cons: No master on/off switch. They still cost $180.

I'll get a target (paper plate) tomorrow and post it up, but 2 thumbs up on these!

 

[chicharrones]

I've got a set of those hard polymer CT grips on a Taurus Ultra-Lite snubby. The only thing that CT grip is bad at is reducing felt recoil. Otherwise, it is great for pocket carry.

 

[357_]

Yeah, the sp-101 does a great job reducing recoil just by being heavy. I'm considering carrying regular 38spl 148gr WC anyway. I don't see most rounds opening up reliably out of a 2" gun. Not to mention, I'd like the option of shooting through cover if I needed to.

I forgot the best part about them, buying them! I was at the store and had a short conversation with the store clerk, went like this ...

Clerk- "I never cared for lasers myself, so I don't know how long they'll last"

me- "Oh? Why don't you like them?"

Clerk- "It will give away your position if a Bad Guy doesn't know where you are."

me- "If he doesn't know where I am, why would I need to shoot him?"

That was pretty much the end of the conversation, the cop a few feet down had a good laugh and the clerk looked pretty foolish. And to think, all this time I thought lasers were too tacti-cool for me. Turns out, it's the opposite!

 

[Wolfeye]

How much clearance does the ejection star get with those grips? With my factory rubbers, I almost always jam a spent cartridge against the grip, shoving it under the star. Unless I find a grip that works, I'm selling my SP101 soon.

 

[10mm Mike]

me- "If he doesn't know where I am, why would I need to shoot him?"

because he is in your home uninvited?

but about the laser grips, I got the larger set for my 3" sp101 and they feel great. I haven't shot it yet so I dont know how they'll feel during recoil, but it sure fits my hand well. its just a bonus that it has a laser attached.

 

[tackstrp]

have had CT on a SP101. took it off because at such short ranges did not improve my point and shoot. Lasers dont work for me in texas sunlight. However if was to be used in the house at night, could be the red dot on bad guys face would scare the heck out of him. My eyesight is so bad . point and shoot is all i can do.

 

[357_]

I like my mepro-light sight, but it's nice to have an option if I have to shoot from the hip during a draw. It is a small chance scenario but, so is ever needing my gun for defense at all.

The thing I honestly like most about the polymer grips vs. the overmolded is the size! My Ruger came with the Hogue Mono-grip on it (which makes even the most tenacious Buffalo Bore loads seem like .38's). They aren't much for concealment though. I was going to buy wood grips or the stock ones but couldn't find them locally. I did find these and as was said, the bonus is the laser on them.

I do still wish it had a master on/off switch, seems like I'll be going through my batteries quite fast.

And to further my point on needing to shoot somebody if I'm hidden, I'd rather let him take my stuff. It's much easier to claim it on insurance than to have to fight it in civil suits. Not to mention it's a .357 and the mess would be awful!

 

[10mm Mike]

^ The instruction booklet that came with mine said that you can leave the master switch on, and it will only use juice if you press the button so the batteries will last just as long regardless of the position of the master switch. Thats not verbatim, but the gist of what it said, if it makes you feel any better.

did your mepro come pre-drilled?

 

[chicharrones]

I do still wish it had a master on/off switch, seems like I'll be going through my batteries quite fast.

I've had my CT grips on my Taurus since the fall of 2008 and it has no master switch. That Taurus has been my primary daily carry choice since then, and it gets put in my pocket 75% of the time over my other two carry guns.

My CT grip is still operating brightly on the original battery set. I did pick up another set of batteries a couple months ago, but I haven't had to use them yet.

Just do a check of your laser every morning. When the batteries go weak, you will see an initial bright laser quickly followed by dim laser light. That will be the time to change the batteries. Or, just change the batteries at a set interval like once per year if that makes you feel better.

 

[357_]

No, the mepro didn't come pre-drilled. It actually made me very happy! I put it in with locktight and went to the range with my drill and tools. It allowed me to shave just a hair off from it so it is perfectly sighted in for me. I just drilled it out with the appropriate drill bit, cheap Ryobi 18v and a less-than-steady-hand. I did take some advice and order a new pin with the sight, glad I did as the other one was 50-50 after hammering it out.

The Defender Series do not have on/off switches, they're made to be budget items and fill the CCW role. To me, you could argue the on/off switch either way but ultimately I think it was just too small of a grip to get that switch in.

And the manual says the batteries last 4~ straight hours. I suppose it just seems like I'm using it alot right now.

 

[ulflyer]

The CT I got for my LCR came with information that they would send me a new battery every year. Presume this will occur o/a the date I registered the CT with them. Nice thing is the battery also fits the key fobs of my cars.

The LCR came with the best soft grip I've ever had on a snubbie and I regretted giving them up for the CT, but thats the trade-off. Bought an OWB holster, 2 loop kind, that pulls the gun up close and wear it all the time now, even in the house.

 

[10mm Mike]

I just drilled it out with the appropriate drill bit, cheap Ryobi 18v and a less-than-steady-hand.

That makes me feel better, since I don't have a drill press and was worried about messing it up doing it with a hand drill, and because of that I was putting off buying one.

On sighting it in before drilling: if you would have set the sight in all the way and drilled the hole in that position, how far off would the sight have been do you think?

Oh, and one more question on drilling the sight: when you drilled it, did you mark where to make the hole and take the sight out, then drill it, or did you drill it in place while in the gun?

 

[357_]

That makes me feel better, since I don't have a drill press and was worried about messing it up doing it with a hand drill, and because of that I was putting off buying one.

On sighting it in before drilling: if you would have set the sight in all the way and drilled the hole in that position, how far off would the sight have been do you think?

Oh, and one more question on drilling the sight: when you drilled it, did you mark where to make the hole and take the sight out, then drill it, or did you drill it in place while in the gun?

I put it all the way in with locktite and shot 5 rounds to see where I was at. The drift was spot on of course, but it was a little low. I just took the sight out and sanded it a TINY bit so it sat lower and brought my rounds up. It wasn't a huge deal and you probably don't need to do it. If you're nervous I'd skip the sighting in step. This isn't a hunting handgun.

As for drilling, locktite it in and just drill it in place. Take the grip off and put the peg in a vice. I drilled slowly and notched both sides before going all through it. If you take your time you should be all set.

Disclaimer: I bought this gun used for almost nothing, I really don't care if it's pretty and if I had broke it drilling the sight I'm not sure I'd be too concerned. It is what it is, a hunk of metal that goes bang every time. It is't super-accurate and it isn't particularly pretty. It's a tool and I treat it as such. Please DO NOT ruin your gun on my advice. If you share my views your all set, but I don't want you to mess up something if you aren't sure.

 

[10mm Mike]

thanks man!

 

[KevinB]

Cool review, thanks for posting. I didn't realize CT had another offering for the SP101 other than that large grip that looked like a monogrip on steroids. Please post a review after you shoot them, I'm interested to hear how they perform.

I've also gone to .38 special with my SP101. It does do a great job of taming the recoil of the .357s but I just had a feeling I wasn't gaining much in performance for the trade off in blast and report. I can also shoot it faster, more accurately, and use the same ammo as my j-frame S&W. I'm currently using the Speer gold dot short barrel stuff, but I would love to try some of buffalo bore's offerings.

 

[bikemutt]

I've thought about the lasers quite a bit and one thing I'm not getting is why I would a dot on a bad guy's forehead scare him? Heck, unless I'm looking in the mirror I have no idea what my ample forehead looks like. I figure if I'm in a tight situation the last thing I'm doing is looking all over my body to see if there's a red dot on it.

I know there must be more to this...

 

[10mm Mike]

the larger ct grip really isnt that big. bigger than the compact one that 357 has, clearly, but i'm fairly sure that its smaller than hogues monogrip. its actually about the same size as the stock rubber grip, except for a slight pinky extension at the front.

 

[357_]

I've thought about the lasers quite a bit and one thing I'm not getting is why I would a dot on a bad guy's forehead scare him? Heck, unless I'm looking in the mirror I have no idea what my ample forehead looks like. I figure if I'm in a tight situation the last thing I'm doing is looking all over my body to see if there's a red dot on it.

I know there must be more to this...

The intent isn't to scare anybody. It is to allow you to know where you will be shooting without using the traditional sight picture. In a rushed shot it can be the difference between hitting the BG and whatever it is behind him (wall or people).

The most likely case for me is if I was firing from my vehicle to somebody reaching in. The other is if you were knocked to the ground and the BG was coming at you. It works well in almost any situation that you are pressed for space and time.

As far as him seeing the dot on his head, well he would. It is a VERY bright laser. If it's dark the damned thing is like a flashlight if it hits anything even remotely reflective.

 

[chicharrones]

The intent isn't to scare anybody.

+1

You can't put a laser on a gun in the hopes it will scare away an attacker. If it does make an attacker flee that's great, but that shouldn't be the reason for using a laser.

Lasers are great for dim light and near darkness. I happen to have a laser on an air rifle for anti-possum duty when the need arises. Traditional sights are near useless at night. Obviously.