New to me Ruger SP101 .357

[Jim NE]

Hi. Just bought a used stainless Ruger SP101 with a 2 1/4" bbl. today. It will be mostly a ccw, and be loaded with .38 +p. I may take it camping someday, however, and possibly may load it with .357's.

It's a pretty light gun for .357. Are there some factory loads I should stay away from in this gun? (As in too powerful...for the gun, that is.)

Any other knowledge you'd like to share about the SP101 is welcome. Thanks - Jim

 

[dusty14u]

I can't think of a load that is too heavy. I have the same SP101 and send some brutal handloads through it on a regular basis with no problems. The only limiting factor would be your hand and or wallet.

 

[lifebythehorns]

agreed, I have the same gun too(awesome) from what iv heard anything they make for the 357mag the sp can handle it, post short cylinder models of course

 

[Waywatcher]

I, myself, picked one up recently.

From what I hear/read and as mentioned above, your hand is going to be the limiting factor on what loads you will send through it.

I put Hogue Nylon grips on mine so I could effectively use my pinky, and upper-mid range .357 mags are still plenty for me. I am going to load some 180 grain hardcast lead at subsonic velocity for camping/hiking purposes. (~1025fps +/-)

In fact, I'll probably limit most of my loads to subsonic, to include 135 Speer Gold Dot and 158 LSWC, just because of the recoil.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have the same gun. I always shoot .357's in it. It will take it, if you can.

 

[shootniron]

I plan to buy the 5720 version of this gun for some carry use.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=274037522

 

[JEB]

It's a pretty light gun for .357. Are there some factory loads I should stay away from in this gun? (As in too powerful...for the gun, that is.)

it is a fairly light .357 but i find it just heavy enough to be manageable. as for any loads being too hot; not gonna happen! unless it is a WAY overpressure round (like a double charge) that little ruger will handle anything. very tough little guns.

 

[Jim NE]

Thanks for the info, everyone. And thanks to lifebythehorns for the passing reference on short cylinder models. I did some research, and mine was made after the short cylinder era.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Your SP-101 is built solid...really solid. Mine is one of my all time favorite .357's. Thats what I carry in it and shoot in it...no problem.

 

[bikerdoc]

One of my favorite carry guns when I am not packing a 1911. That is one stong gun only limited by the shooter. Find the best for you and practice. I use 125 gr Golden sabre. YMMV

 

[sidheshooter]

SPs are built way strong. Shoot whatever you can find while still enjoying the shooting!

As to other knowledge, SPs respond well to a bit of action fluffing and maybe some Wolff springs (I went to a 12 Wolff hammer spring from the grotesque stock 14 lb-er, and lightly polished the internals and it made a tremendous difference to me).

Possibly one of the best buys in an IWB holster for the SP are Elmer McEvoy's from his leather arsenal business:

 

[Peakbagger46]

I have the same gun and it shoots to POA with 158g-180g bullets; light 125g rounds hit way low. I think you will love it. I did spend several hours with an emery board and some careful dremel work to remove the sharp edges. Flitz metal polish also shined things up a lot (outside only) as mine was purchased well used. I use 180g hardcast for woods carry and some old 180g black talons on the rare occassion that I use it for CCW (like my glock 27 better for that task).

 

[Waywatcher]

SPs respond well to a bit of action fluffing and maybe some Wolff springs (I went to a 12 Wolff hammer spring from the grotesque stock 14 lb-er, and lightly polished the internals and it made a tremendous difference to me).

Reducing hammer spring weight increases lock time and decreases firing pin force, neither of which are desirable. Wolff springs make good springs, but I am opposed to lightened springs on these guns. The trigger with a 14 lb hammer spring is perfectly manageable.

 

[Hondo 60]

I certainly haven't run across any ammo that I thought was too powerful.
The SP101 is built like a tank.
Your great grandchildren will be able to fight over who gets it.

 

[willypete]

Are there some factory loads I should stay away from in this gun? (As in too powerful...for the gun, that is.)

None that I'm aware of. The SP101 is capable of handling any standard pressure .357 magnum loading currently available. Some of them may be painful to shoot depending on your comfort level, but the SP101 is a very well-built machine.

Any other knowledge you'd like to share about the SP101 is welcome. Thanks - Jim

Hogue makes a very nice set of grips, but I find the factory ones to be more comfortable when shooting and carrying, and I actually carry Speer 135 gr GD .38 Special +P ammunition, rather than .357 magnum ammo. I used to carry Speer 158 gr GD .357 magnum ammo, but after much studying, I've come to the conclusion that terminal effect is very similar with both ammunition types, and follow-up shots (if needed) will be much faster with the .38 special ammo.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

You may have heard the saying "This gun is made to be carried a lot and shot little." This gun is made to be shot. It has some weight to it, a more hand-filling, cushioned grip and a smooth (albeit slightly heavy and needing its sharp edges blunted) trigger. I had one and found it to be a pussycat to shoot with all .38 Specials, reasonable with milder .357 loads (e.g., the WWB 110-grain JHP), but downright nasty with Remington 125-grain SJHPs. These had a fierce roar and kick and a thunderclap-like blast. But no factory load is going to hurt the gun.

 

[lifebythehorns]

your welcome jim, they are barrel stamped "125 grain bullet only" or something like that

 

[Jim NE]

your welcome jim, they are barrel stamped "125 grain bullet only" or something like that

Yes, that's what I've read. Also, they apparently started to make long cylinders within a year or so after production started. By 1991 (I think) they were all long cylinders. Mine was made in '93. Had mine turned out to be a short cylinder version, though, I wouldn't have been TOO disappointed - they're starting to become collector pieces among some Ruger guys. I knew NONE of this stuff before yesterday. Thanks again for the heads up.

And thanks to everyone else too. Sounds like the gun was well designed. Good to know about those Hogue grips, willypete. I like the concealability with the factory grips, but if it turns out to be more of a camping gun, I'll definitely look at Hogues.

Love the photos, guys. Sidheshooter, who makes the great leather speedloader holders? Very cool, I'd like some.

 

[SG1]

I have the same gun and love mine. I also purchased the nylon Hogue grip for mine. The factory grip conceals more easily, but it was just never comfortable enough when shooting to enjoy for me. I carry IWB on the strong side and find that if I cant my holster forward a bit the longer Hogue grip isn't hard to conceal and feels like a more positive draw for me. When drawing with the factory grip, I always felt like I needed to adjust the gun in my hand before getting a positive grip, not so with the Hogue.

That being said, if I had more money I'd buy a nice set of Badger wood grips

 

[bandook]

Hi. Just bought a used stainless Ruger SP101 with a 2 1/4" bbl.
...
...
Are there some factory loads I should stay away from in this gun? (As in too powerful...for the gun, that is.)

That's one thing you don't have to worry about when you buy a Ruger revolver. Shoot whatever suits your fancy.

 

[fatcat4620]

It is a lot tougher than you are. Its not "can the gun take it", can you?

 

[griz1]

I shoot 180 and 200 gr Cor-Bon in mine with no problem. As most have already said your hand will give out before the gun does. The best 357 mag out there IMHO.

 

[RichB70]

Sp-101 3" 357

I got one a few monthsago. This a strong piece and made to shoot I have fired 180 grain rem. a little sting but not that bad. I'm 70 years old and it won't be a range gun but for field carry. LCR 38sp for CCW is a great carry.



Rich

 

[Jim NE]

Its not "can the gun take it", can you?

That's a very good question. Don't think I'll try to find out. The reason I asked in the first place was because I'd heard that model 19 and 13 S&W's had some limitations on the higher power .357 loads (repeated use), being that they're not quite as sturdy as N frames.

Also, I try to read labels of products before I buy them, but I've been known to unintentionally buy inappropriate ammo (as in not the right load) when I'm in a hurry. Wanted to make sure that I wouldn't hurt the gun if I made that mistake.

I can heal. My guns can't Thanks for responding.

 

[Doug S]

From everything I've been reading, this gun is apparently strong enough to handle any factory load you put in it. I picked this one up this week. Looking forward to the first session at the range this afternoon.