New to Forum buying new SP101

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wizened curmudgeon

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I am new to the forum 'though I have read the messages for years. I recently bought a Ruger SP101 three incher and would like to ask some questions of SP101 owners. I have owned Mark IIIs in the past as well as Mini Thirty but have never owned the wheel guns.
I've read the reports of hard gritty trigger action in the past and want to know: Just shoot to loosen action or do a hammer/trigger spring work and polishing? Also I have small hands for a 190 lb. grizzened dude, will the stock grips be okay or do I need to look at other grips? Thanks for any info on these matters.
 
Factory stocks should be fine for small hands. I like them too, even though I have large hands. Just shoot it for a while. They tend to slick up nicely. There are also a few good guides on what to polish if you're up for a complete takedown. I wouldn't change springs until it's broken in a bit; then see how you like it.

And welcome aboard! The SP is a great gun to get started with wheel guns with.
 
I agree, don't change springs right off.

I suggest you do a lot of dry firing with your revolver. This will serve two purposes. The obvious first is smoothing out the trigger. The second is teaching yourself trigger control with a revolver. Revolvers have a heavier and longer trigger compared to a semi-auto and the trigger needs to be mastered. Without recoil masking any flaws you will quickly learn what you are doing wrong and right when pulling the trigger. After several hundred pulls both goals will be achieved.

Welcome to the forum!
 
IMG_0340.JPG I dry fired mine at least 2000 times lubing it along the way. It smoothed out just fine. I put Hogue grips on but I also liked the stock grips. I'm always switching grips around on my Revolvers. I shined my SP with Flitz Metal Polish and installed a XS Standard Dot Front Night Sight.
 

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Good choice with the three inch model, it's the perfect length for the 101 IMO.
The triggers get better with a lot of dry firing. I intend to do some polishing on mine, just haven't got to it yet.
The factory grips are OK for 38's and small hands. I have Crimson Trace grips on a 3 inch model that are very nice. My 4 inch has Hogue grips, not a fan of finger grooves but they were cheap.
 
Mine's a 2.25-inch.

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I have the 2.25 inch Sp101 that's probably 15 years old at this point, and really like the gun. Would follow the advice of the guys here about not reworking the trigger until you've used the gun for a while to see how you like it.

Mine has a Hogue grip, because I have fairly large hands and the factory supplied grips didn't have anywhere for my pinkie to rest (made my grip on the gun feel unstable).

ArchAngelCD is right about practicing with a revolver because the trigger pull length and weight will take some getting used to if you've only shot semi-auto before. Dry fire practice will be helpful, but to become skilled in shooting revolvers, you need to practice with live ammo. Mine has probably had 5,000+ rounds put through it, and I've never felt any grittiness in the trigger, even when it was new (could be at that time Rugers didn't have this issue). I reload, so putting lots of rounds through any gun I own isn't a major expense for me. But you can find good inexpensive ammo in bulk (suggest you start with 38 special and work your way up to 357 mag).
The more you shoot this gun, the more you'll come to love it.
 
I've owned my 3" SP-101 for several years. The factory grips are about as small as could be wanted IMHO. As others have mentioned, I'd also suggest using the gun for awhile before doing any polishing or spring changing. The trigger pull on mine is not light, but is smooth. I did try lighter trigger and hammer springs in mine. Trigger pull was reduced,But, trigger return was slowed enough that I sometimes short stroked the trigger. Not good. The lighter hammer spring allowed misfires with harder primers. Also not good. I soon reinstalled the factory springs....
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My friend with small hands bought the 3" 357 and is very pleased. He really liked the way it fit his hands. We went on several shooting range trips before I remembered to mention I had a Hogue monogrip to fit it, and he could have it if he wanted it. He likes the Hogue better than the original grips. He was lucky, his had a pretty good trigger right out of the box. He is 5'6" and prefers revolvers. It seems to be the perfect HD handgun for him. He likes it a lot and shoots it very well.
 
Had mine about ten years now. Our Smith did a trigger job on it and it is almost as smooth as my tuned 686. Had to go with Hogues as the trigger guard whacks my middle knuckle's "Blackhawk" bump. Wish the 101's 22 cal brother could have had as nice a trigger.
 
I find 3" revolvers to be the sweet spot with respect to point and shoot guns.
When my son absconded with my 3" S&W Mod 64 I needed a replacement and Smith prices were out of sight. I stumbled across a used 3" SP101 that had a trigger job and a set of Hogue grips just like my Smith was wearing. I can't compare my re-worked trigger to a stock Ruger trigger but after shooting this beauty I would never consider trading it for any short barreled Smith and I have a bunch including a half dozen PC models. A coat of white with florescent red on the front sight and it is good to go. You bought a great workhorse gun that will serve you well for years.

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ColtPythonElite said:
I bought a new SP in 1995. I haven't ever opened it up. I just dry fired it a lot.
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Same here I have the .357 version and a .38spl version(my mother-in-law absconded-she likes firearms) of the 101 and have small hands. Lots and lots of dry firing helped the trigger and the .357 is very manageable with the factory grips I think.
 
wizened curmudgeon said:
I am new to the forum 'though I have read the messages for years. I recently bought a Ruger SP101 three incher and would like to ask some questions of SP101 owners. I have owned Mark IIIs in the past as well as Mini Thirty but have never owned the wheel guns.
I've read the reports of hard gritty trigger action in the past and want to know: Just shoot to loosen action or do a hammer/trigger spring work and polishing? Also I have small hands for a 190 lb. grizzened dude, will the stock grips be okay or do I need to look at other grips? Thanks for any info on these matters.
Click to expand...

Believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear. There's nothing wrong with the trigger on a Ruger SP101. Like any revolver, double-action mode takes a little practice. I don't care for the stock grips on that piece, so I replaced mine with Hogue wood combat grips. They make it less concealable, but I live in NH so I don't care. I think you're going to love that gun.
IMG_0695.JPG
 
All the dry fire advice is a poor man's action job. If you ever have an issue with the trigger, get a good pro job. My 3" SP101, 357 has been opened up for lead bullets and had a full action job by Wheaton Arms. I have not messed with springs except on the 327 Federal Magnum version. For shooting 357 in any kind of load more potent than 38 +p, I like the nylon Hogues the best, nylon being my preferred material for concealment. My 32 H&R SP101 has a nice set of the original style grips with handsome inserts. The 327 Federal Magnum has finger groove Hogue Rosewoods. Of all of them I like the 32 H&R the best...for 6 rounds and for being bearable to shoot without ear protection.

Holsters...man, I have tried a lot of them. Come back if there is a question about what to do there
 
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