Fired the new SP101

[ssjones]

Took my new, Ruger SP101/357 and the old Ruger MKII up to a friends farm today to shoot. Wife and neighbor came along. We each shot the 357, 22 and the farm owners old H&R 22.

I fired about 30 38sp rounds and 20 357 rounds thru the new Ruger. Wow, I am an awful shot. At 25 yards, I could barely hit the paper targets printed on 8.5" x 11" paper. We closed it down to 15 yards and that helped a little. It's going to take plenty of rounds to get any kind of accuracy. Here's some pix of the last go around and the wife shooting the MkII. No problem with recoil shooting the .357's or any trigger issues. Hands felt fine afterward. These grips do seem very small, wondering if a larger set would feel better?

We had an informal competition, the wife and neighbor lady kicked my butt with the MkII.

This won't be a place I can drop in anytime and shoot, too close to their family residence but it was great to finally shoot the new SP101.


Wife's results with the MKII:

 

[Buckshot Bill]

Howdy SS. There's a saying that goes "anyone can shoot a short barrel handgun, but not many can shoot one well". I should know, because I have an Sp-101 that humbles me almost every time I take it out to shoot it. It really IS hard to be an accurate shot with one of these small Revolvers! It's not the gun's fault, It takes a lot of practice. Try .38 specials in it. They're a lot more "user friendly", and if you re-load you can really roll up some light loads that tame it down and make shooting it a lot of fun.

I've also found that the Hogue cobblestone rubber monogrip works real well for me. A little bigger to hang on to and really helps with recoil too. I'd try them. Good luck, Buckshot Bill

 

[dullone]

I put a set of Trausch Grips on my SP101 and love them!!!!! Highly recommend them.
www.trausch.com

 

[ssjones]

We did shoot 38 spls, 158 grain. Tonight I picked up a box of Remington 38spl/130 grain rounds at Walmart, maybe they'll allow me to be more accurate. I haven't shot a large caliber revolver in probably two decades, but thought I'd do better than my first 10 rounds, only of which one or two hit any paper!

I'm going by the giant Cabella's in PA next week, might stop by and look for some grips (guess they'd have Hogue). Wife's hand was hurting some this evening and she didn't fire any .357 rounds. We each have pretty small hands, but those stock grips are really tiny (guess designed more for concealment). I was also looking at the Trausch grips. Do either work with speed loaders?

 

[Glockman17366]

You'll like the Hogue Monogrip on that Ruger. It's a bit more of a handful, but definitly soaks up the recoil better then the stock grips.
If you go for another grip on your SP101, make sure you read the manual first.

 

[AdamSean]

I love my Ruger SP101. I bought mine only a week ago and I have performed the sear improvement, polished the internal parts and replaced the factory springs with Wilson Combat springs 10# Hammer spring and 10# trigger return spring. After that, the trigger pull is very light and silky smooth. I will be going out tomorrow for its second trip to the range. The first time back since the modifications. I can't wait. Go to rugerforums.net and get the IBOK. It is all you need to know about making the SP101 fit your needs.

 

[RUT]

>>At 25 yards, I could barely hit the paper targets <<

Since "snubbys" are designed for personal defense (up close & personal) and not as target guns, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[ssjones]

I'm a member of rugerforum.net and have the IBOK. Not sure I want to tinker any with the internals - it's seems to fire fine, no problem with the sharpness of the trigger or pull.

I didn't expect to be very accurate and improvement will come with more practice. There were too many folks around yesterday. I need to get to the range by myself for some consistency. That was a pretty casual shoot (we had fun, the primary intention).

Boy, cleaning the SP was a lot easier than my MkII - I always struggle getting that mainspring back in place correctly.

 

[rdrancher]

I'm a member of rugerforum.net and have the IBOK.

I left mine alone too, and it works just fine. Lots of dry fire practice smoothed the trigger nicely. Dry firing at the TV will give you a good front sight outline so you can see if you're jerking the trigger.

There's nothing more humbling than trying to fire a snub from 25 yds in your first practice session! Try practicing from 7yds until you can hit it well, then back up. It will build up your confidence level.

Congrats on your purchase, the SP101 is a fine carry.

rd

 

[Big Mike]

I also left my trigger alone. .38s for some reason shoot a hair lower than .357s at like distances. That said, I've only practiced with silhouette size targets at @ 20 feet or less. I would say that accurate shooting with a snub revolver at 25 yards would be tough for most shooters. Not saying it can't be done, just tough.

 

[markallen]

You might like to look at the Packmyr Compact grip. It's more rounded then the stock grip, but not as long as the Houge.

 

[moxie]

Nice gun. The Hogues will make it easier to shoot, but a bit harder to conceal as you suspected. With practice you can shoot it very well. Start with light loads, such as the 130 gr. bullets you mentioned, and work at 7 yards. Stay there for the next few sessions until you are getting 3-4" groups at that range. Then move out to 10 yards, 15 yards, etc. Don't try 25 until you have mastered those shorter distances. During each session, try some stouter .38 loads and ultimately the .357. Work on consistent trigger pull. Dry firing helps this. You can dry fire that SP forever and not hurt it. Have fun!

 

[machinisttx]

Since "snubbys" are designed for personal defense (up close & personal) and not as target guns, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Fine work can be done with a snubby, if one practices enough. 100 yard hits on a silhouette target aren't out of the question.

 

[the foot]

I carry snubbies, Model 60 and Model 19. I practice regularly and I know my limitations with these handguns.

For me, the most important part is that you understand your limitations with these short barrel guns.