My New SP101

[bulltaco]

I enjoyed the pics on the SP101 thread so much I went out and purchased one this afternoon. I just got back inside from shooting it and need some input from some of you who also are proud owners of these fine revolvers.

I shot 50 rounds of Speer Lawman 125 grn FMJ practice ammo. I was about 15 yards from my targets and my groups were low from my point of aim, about 2-4 inches. I also shot 5 rounds of Remington green and white box 125grn soft-points that were pretty much on target. Big difference in recoil but not too much to handle. Alot of fun!

So my questions are.....What ammo works for you and also what kind of holster and grips might go nice with this piece?

Thanks in advance for the input!

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

the hogue fancy hardwood grips are very nice. There are tons of different wood/style options. check them out

 

[ronto]

(1) The factory sites are set for a 158 grain bullet weight. 125 grain will tend to impact lower than the point of aim (they do for me.).
(2) For self-defense I use .357 135Gr. Speer GDHP "short barrel" specially designed for short barrels (mine is the 2 1/4" version).
(3) The factory grips, although good, were too small for my hands so after much research I installed Trausch grips and they worked out perfectly for me. http://www.trausch.com
(4) I carry it most of the time in my USA Works jeans front pocket with no holster. Not too heavy for me although some disagree.
(5) I'm going to install the clip draw for IWB crossdraw soon. I like keeping things simple http://clipdraw.com
(6) Dry fire it a lot and the trigger will smooth out nicely.
(7) Although the 2 1/4" was not designed to be a "target gun", I painted the front site ramp with red nail polish just to keep my attention where it belongs.
The SP101 is a great little revolver...Good Luck and enjoy it.

 

[Diamondback]

I have a pair of Hogue Compacs on my 3" SP-101...and they are a bit more comfortable when I'm using the "brisk" loads than the stock grips. On my 2" I have the standard factory grips , but added a pair if Chestnut wood panel inserts to replace the plastic....and they look real handsome.....bought them from a gent who sell them over on the Ruger Forum.....nicely made !

I too find the heavier 135-158 gr. loads tend to shoot straighter in my Rugers.....but not always. Sometimes you just need to try a bunch of different stuff to determine what your gun prefers best.

- regards

 

[rj112275]

done hume holster

my sp101 is packed in a Don Hume IWB holster. works well and under $40 for a great leather holster. i'll eventually get a holster that doesn't have the clip located on top of the cylinder, but the Don Hume works well for a starter.

as for ammo, my carry ammo is Remington Golden Saber and they shoot well out of the 3" sp101.

 

[Gideon]

I have the 3" model. I shot it only a little before it had to go home to Ruger to have a binding issue fixed. I'm stocking up on all different kinds of .357/.38 to try when it gets back. So try some of the 158gr as everyone thinks the gun is sited for it and have fun figuring it out.

I've bought a pair of full size rosewood badger grips but I KNOW they'll hurt more than rubber grips with full house loads. Had to get it for looks

For holsters I've ordered a MacDaniels IWB from Andrews Custom leather and for OWB a laredo defender from K&D holsters.

Mine is sharp everywhere! I intend to send it to Gemin customs for their basic package so it'll get a melt job, bead blasting and a full action job. I'm expecting that'll it'll shoot smoother/better than a new S&W when I get that done.

I don't think what I'm doing with my is rational or even the best choice for CCW but I just love this little gun, it's looks, etc and with .38 short barrel Speer Gold Dots the things is a pleasure to shoot.

Enjoy your new gun! And if you do dry fire it, BE SURE IT'S UNLOADED

God Bless
Gideon

PS, and post pics!!!

 

[bulbboy]

On both of mine - I have ordered the Secret Service grips from Eagle Grips.


and I use an OWB Laredo Defender from K & D Holsters - works great!

www.eaglegrips.com
www.kdholsters.com

 

[bulltaco]

Shot It Today!

I shot 25 rounds of Remington UMC 38 Special lead 158 RN and 15 rounds of American Eagle 158 grain grain soft points.

The stock grips are going to go. I love the look of the wooden grips suggested (Hogue, Badger, Ajax, and Eagle). Would they perform as well as the recommended rubber grips in handling the recoil?

 

[Gideon]

Glad you got to do some shooting! Generally woods will not help recoil. typically you feel more recoil with wood. Another factor is the backstrap. If you can see it, it'll hurt more. If your grip covers it, it'll make it feel a little better. Make the rubber such as in hogue, or Pachmyr and it'll feel the best.

Now having said that, some people say the "feel" less recoil with wood but that's normally becasue the particular wood grip they got improved the grip angle and the "purchase" ie., how the grip fits your hand, so they got a better hold on the weapon and that affects how felt recoil is transfered to the hand/wrist, then arm, etc.

Wood looks great, rubber generally feels great. Shape of the grip, it's size (boot vs full) and the angle all play a role in felt recoil. To reduce the felt recoil on the SP101 I believe hogue or pachmyr rubber grips will do the most for you and this grip:

http://www.trausch.com/

is seems like it would do even more due to how much rubber it seems to have between the back of the grip and the hand. I've read one post by a guy who has it on his SP and he loves it.

Now for concealed carry comfort isn't nearly as important as for a range gun so long as you can keep a good hold through reasonable decent double taps. If the gun slips and slides, then those grips are good for nothing except possibly show.

So you'll find the best shooting grips are almost exclusively rubber. Soft rubber graps cloths and can print. Harder rubber is better like your pachmyrs.

Wood looks pretty though and the neat thing about grips is how easy they can be changed

Hope this helps.

God Bless
Gideon

 

[bulltaco]

Thanks for the input, Gideon. I'm ordering the Trausch. Now if I can decide on the holster for my Ruger...............................................
Thanks to Ronto also!

 

[461]

Awesome gun all around. I currently have two and love them, I have a 2 1/4" 9mm with the Gemini Package and a 3" .32Mag that is waiting on funds for a makeover.

Gemini did great work on the 9mm and it's a current favorite. I had a 2 1/4" .357 that was great as well but I felt the 9mm covered my needs and sold it to fund other projects. Someday I'll grab a 3" .357 to play with when I get caught up on projects.

For Grips on the SP, I prefer the factory ones with fancy inserts, works on my hands anyhow.

 

[bulltaco]

The Trausch grips are on the way to me as I type. They must be coming from France.

I also ordered a Laredo defender from K&D Holsters.

Thanks for all the input! I'll post pics when I get everything!

 

[stinger 327]

Rubber grip with wood inserts in handle

Anyone have any pics of this? Where to buy them for Ruger SP-101?

 

[queg]

I replaced the original grips on my 9mm SP with Trausch grips. They were MUCH BETTER than the factory grips. That was a couple years ago. Since then, I replaced them with Crimson Tace laser grips. The CTs are also very nice.
I then Gemini Customs do some internal smoothing, trigger job, and bead blasting. What a difference! I recommend them highly. Well worth the money.
Good luck with yours and have fun!

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Rubber grip with wood inserts in handle
Anyone have any pics of this? Where to buy them for Ruger SP-101?

Yes...here's a pic of some for mine. These came from Tim's Workshop...I also have some from Altamont. They look great in the pics and on the guns.

For carrying and shooting with .357 ammo I prefer Hogue rubber. They don't look as cool, but they sure make it a nice to shoot handgun.

The Eagle and Badger wood ones do not work for me. The weird grip angle on those makes me point to the moon. Speedloaders don't work with either and empty brass hangs up on them when ejecting. I prefer the factory grips (with inserts) or Hogue. Have not tried the Pachmayr ones and the Trausch ones look too big to me for a concealed carry gun. But, I'm no expert.

 

[stinger 327]

Yes...here's a pic of some for mine. These came from Tim's Workshop...I also have some from Altamont. They look great in the pics and on the guns.

For carrying and shooting with .357 ammo I prefer Hogue rubber. They don't look as cool, but they sure make it a nice to shoot handgun.

The Eagle and Badger wood ones do not work for me. The weird grip angle on those makes me point to the moon. Speedloaders don't work with either and empty brass hangs up on them when ejecting. I prefer the factory grips (with inserts) or Hogue. Have not tried the Pachmayr ones and the Trausch ones look too big to me for a concealed carry gun. But, I'm no expert.

View attachment 481942

Which wood is this in the picture? I have one of these and have no problems with the speedloader. It was already on the gun which might have been one of the limited editions.
I would like to find another one of these grips if I get another SP-101. I don't like the black ones that come with SP-101.
Also mine isn't shiny it is like a dark grey color. Not shiny at all.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

These wood inserts are Oak. I didn't mean I had speedloader or ejection issues with the wood inserts. I was referring to Eagle & Badger wood grips which don't work for me...not inserts in the factory rubber grips. The factory rubber with wood or plastic inserts are designed to work fine.

Oak



I also like a Meprolight Tru-Dot night on the front.

 

[stinger 327]

Is yours the stainless steel model? It looks like it because mine is darker and not shiny don't know what kind of metal it is. It's a dull grey color.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Mine is stainless but I polished it. Ruger did make a few SP!)!'s in a dark "target gray" color. Here's a pic of mine before I polished it and switched out the grip panels.

Does yours look more like this (standard stainless) ?