I bought my wife a Ruger SP101.

[SunnySlopes]

The 357 mag, five shot DA only. She didn't like the grip so I put a Hogue monogrip on it today. Now she loves it.

Here's the problem. I love it too. It's a very cool gun, so I've somehow got to convince her that she doesn't want it. I want it.

Maybe I could tell her it was accidentally made from depleted uranium and is harmful for wimmin folk?

 

[Mastershroom]

I got the same thing, but with the exposed hammer. I assume you got the 2.25" barrel as well, as I don't think the DAO is available with longer barrels, but correct me if I'm wrong.

It's a ton of fun to shoot .38spl out of, but the stock grip doesn't quite manage the recoil of .357mag as well as I'd like. My middle finger kept getting slammed by the back of the trigger guard. I certainly wouldn't shoot those for fun, but I have fairly large hands, so my pinky doesn't really have anywhere to go on the grip, which I assume is part of my problem. I also ordered a Hogue rubber grip for mine, should be here this week, and I'll give the .357's another try next weekend. FWIW, I was shooting Federal Premium 158gr Hydra-Shok JHP Personal Defense rounds, which the guy at my gun shop said were pretty beefy. For almost $2 per round ($37 for a 20 box), they'd better be.

 

[Rom828]

Get her an LCR and then the SP101 is yours!

 

[tomrkba]

It's not like you cannot shoot it.

Besides, you need a manly gun in 44 Magnum.

nutnfancy's enthusiastic review of the GP100

 

[JohnKSa]

Buy an LCR. You might be able to work a swap.

 

[cslinger]

Horrible gun, heavy, not really pocketable, bigger than it needs to be, made by a company that sold out everybody's rights.......

Bad choice. I'll give you $250 for it take off your hands and "dispose" of it properly.

Seriously though. Tough gun to beat. Fantastic all around pistola. Can do pretty much anything you want. Enjoy. Shoot safe.

Chris

 

[Cemo]

I had to breakdown and buy a second one also. We shoot 110 gr. .357s in ours, the recoil is acceptable for both of us. We stuck with the factory grips, everything else we tried just weren't as good for us.

 

[RealGun]

I am going to the range today to test a new reload for my 3" SP101. These guns in my hands are too small for full power loads, which includes a lot of off the shelf ammo. I also have a GP100 5", so I can readily compare what weight and size can mean to the shooting experience and target scoring results.

I am not accepting the idea of shooting .38 Special. I bought a .357 Magnum and want to keep it that way...but it needs custom ammo. I have a number of powders and bullet weights to try, including mag primers where necessary, but am currently testing 19.2 g Alliant PowerPro 300-MP with 125g XTP. That's 15% below max load.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Why fight? Marital discord is all too frequent today. Just go buy another one.

 

[RealGun]

Cemo - We shoot 110 gr. .357s in ours, the recoil is acceptable for both of us.

I quickly loaded 12 of the 110 g XTPs to take along to the range with the 125g test. I had been thinking of those for .38 Spl. loading, but it makes sense to use them in .357 and the smaller gun.

 

[RealGun]

Bingo! The 110g XTP with a 125g soft load (*) was just the ticket to tame the SP101 3+" and still be shooting .357 Magnum.

(*) 19.2 g Alliant Power Pro 300-MP, SPP

Hornady has Critical Defense Lite in a caliber or two, and this one would be a good one for them to add, at least in concept. I can make my own, but if this round passes velocity and accuracy testing, it has the potential to be popular.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

You got her a SP101? Congrats because that officially makes you a good husband, AND a smart man. Now get yourself a 3" one and you two can live the rest of your lives in happiness.

 

[Black Butte]

Get her the 6-shot .327 SP-101 and the .357 will be yours.