If my S&W 442's a J-frame, what's my SP101?
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P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Not sure if there is a definitive answer!
Just compared mine against a K and L frame - and I'd say ''K'' is about it.
Of course the five shot cyl' makes things look smaller but in actual frame size? I'll vote ''K''. ''J'' it ain't
Just compared mine against a K and L frame - and I'd say ''K'' is about it.
Of course the five shot cyl' makes things look smaller but in actual frame size? I'll vote ''K''. ''J'' it ain't
Jim March
Member
Since the SP101 eats out of J-frame speedloaders, I call it a "semi J" .
.SAWBONES
Member
It's a beefed-up J.
The Ruger SP101 loads with the same 5-shot speedloaders that fit S&W J-frames, but it's heavier (about 25 oz.) and much stronger than the Smiths, being quite comfortable to shoot with nothing but full power .357 Magnum loads on a continual basis, and with no fear of breakage or going out of time.
NONE of the J-frame Smith snubbies can make the same claim. Even the all-steel Model 60s can handle only a modest amount of full power .357 Magnum, and aren't really comfortable to shoot with .357, either.
The Ruger SP101 loads with the same 5-shot speedloaders that fit S&W J-frames, but it's heavier (about 25 oz.) and much stronger than the Smiths, being quite comfortable to shoot with nothing but full power .357 Magnum loads on a continual basis, and with no fear of breakage or going out of time.
NONE of the J-frame Smith snubbies can make the same claim. Even the all-steel Model 60s can handle only a modest amount of full power .357 Magnum, and aren't really comfortable to shoot with .357, either.
Stephen A. Camp
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Hello. I think of it as sort of a beefed up J-frame.
Both use the same speedloader, but the SP101 seems "stouter" than the J-frame be the latter lightweight or steel.
Best.
Both use the same speedloader, but the SP101 seems "stouter" than the J-frame be the latter lightweight or steel.
Best.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
YES on the speedloaders. I have used a ruger moonclip for a sp101 in 9mm in a S&W 940 and I think it works better than the S&W ones.
In answer to the question it is a Ruger.
It is between a J and K, Kind of like a Jframe on steroids. It is what S&W should have made their 357 J frame in stoutness and leave the original J frame alone.
In answer to the question it is a Ruger.
It is between a J and K, Kind of like a Jframe on steroids. It is what S&W should have made their 357 J frame in stoutness and leave the original J frame alone.
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Hutch
Member
Second best?
Jkwas
Member
sp101, the j frame, and taurus small frame all use the same holsters for the most part. I would say it's like a heavy J.
SAWBONES
Member
The differences between S&W .38 Special J-frames and .357 Magnum J-frames are minimal, basically slight differences in cylinder length and diameter, or in a few cases, frame length. Holsters that fit the former will generally fit the latter, and vice versa, for a given barrel length.
"...sp101, the j frame, and taurus small frame all use the same holsters..."
Unfortunately, this is NOT true.
Many S&W J-frame holsters will fit the small frame Taurus guns like the Model 85. After all, all of Taurus' original tooling was what Bangor Punta left there in Brazil when S&W changed ownership, and their original revolver designs were close copies of the Smiths.
OTOH, holsters made for J-frames WILL NOT fit the Ruger SP101. I have half a dozen J-frames and two SP101s, and all the J-frames fit in the same holsters as each other, but the SP101s won't fit in any of these. It's simply a bigger frame size.
"...sp101, the j frame, and taurus small frame all use the same holsters..."
Unfortunately, this is NOT true.
Many S&W J-frame holsters will fit the small frame Taurus guns like the Model 85. After all, all of Taurus' original tooling was what Bangor Punta left there in Brazil when S&W changed ownership, and their original revolver designs were close copies of the Smiths.
OTOH, holsters made for J-frames WILL NOT fit the Ruger SP101. I have half a dozen J-frames and two SP101s, and all the J-frames fit in the same holsters as each other, but the SP101s won't fit in any of these. It's simply a bigger frame size.
DWARREN123
Member
The SP-101 is a J frame +
Doug Add
Member
I know at least one that will. My SP101 rides securely and comfortably in a Kirkpatrick 4100 j frame belt holster.
MCgunner
Member
A J and a half frame?
A gunsmith told me that both a colt detective and a Ruger SP101 are "D" frames. I don't know if he was pulling my leg or if that is correct.
I do know that from talking with holster makers, the same holster will always fit a colt detective (and other similiar colt revolvers like the agent) and a Ruger SP 101.
Of course, this assumes they all have basically the same barrel length.
I do know that from talking with holster makers, the same holster will always fit a colt detective (and other similiar colt revolvers like the agent) and a Ruger SP 101.
Of course, this assumes they all have basically the same barrel length.
SAWBONES
Member
The D frame is a Colt designation. It has nothing to do with Ruger.
The D frame and Ruger SP frame are close in size, but the SP is bigger in most dimensions except for cylinder diameter.
The D frame and Ruger SP frame are close in size, but the SP is bigger in most dimensions except for cylinder diameter.
ribbonstone
Member
Take a caliper to any new made "j-frame" and then to an older (before the introduction of the .357 J-frame versions) J-frame. Even the .38's and .22's are built on the new slightly longer .357frame now.
Husker1911
Member
The answer is "Tuesday, if it doesn't rain."
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