Picked Up a Ruger SP101

[Mastrogiacomo]

I shot .38s again today as it's best for my father's hands. He bought a value pack of them so I got some too; we went through 200 rounds between us and really had fun. A couple of things I noticed, I'm getting very good with the SP and shooting DAO is not as intimidating as it initially was. I'm also more confortable shooting just DAO now so I shot that way with my S&W 60 2." I didn't do as well with the 60 so I switched to single action and got caught off guard by how quick that trigger is. The gun could have flown from my hands if I didn't hold it good - this with .38s..... I said to my father, if the 60 (magnum) reacted that strongly to .38s, imagine what a magnum load would feel like. The SP absorbs recoil much better so I'm guessing it won't be much of an issue for you when you move up in caliber.

 

[cuteo100]

It is the best balanced SP-101 in both look and feel, IMHO!

 

[TonyB]

My SP is my ccw....the thing I like about it is the trigger...I had some work done on mine,it now has a 9lb DA and 2.5lb SA.But what I like about it that some may not is that I can "stage"(or is it stack) the trigger if shooting slow...it's almost like shooting SA.....this gun is really accurate for a snubby.I got used to the weight of it.I guess I'll trade weight for shootability.At resonablt self defense distances it shoots POA w. the 38 +p 135gr.

 

[cabezaverde]

I just bought a 2" .357, and have a set of Crimson Trace grips on order. I am sold on these grips, but am wondering how comfortable they are for shooting with the 140 Silvertips in particular.

 

[pinetree64]

Do they still make the 3" I have to have one! I always like the SP101.

tjg

 

[middy]

I've had my eye on the .357 SP-101 for long time. Definitely on my short list.

Some people don't see the point in a 5-shot revolver that's so heavy, but personally, I think 5 controllable shots of high-grade .357 is strong medicine for almost any self-defense situation from goblin to black bear. Also, the cylinder being the bulkiest part of any revolver, a 5-shot is that much easier to conceal.

Since they're all probably too heavy for pocket carry anyway, I think the 3" barrel carried IWB or in a high-ride pancake is the superior choice for this platform. YMMV.

cabezaverde, keep us updated on how you like those CT grips. I'm worried the recoil would be too punishing with the hard plastic. If you would, try them out with some fire-breathing loads (Double Tap?) with the CTs and the stock grips and let us know if the discomfort level is comparatively unacceptable.

 

[Dr.Rob]

and here I thought my dad was the only person I knew with a 3 inch sp-101...

it's a gnarly little beast... heavier than my Magnum Carry but that helps when shooting hot 125 gr loads.

BOTH our guns shoot the .357/158 SWCs the best.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello pinetree64, Yes, it's still made in the 3 1/16" barrel.

Best.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

The three inch SP is 27 oz. Both my 686 (4" and snubby) are 40 oz. I can deal with a Ruger.

 

[Ichiro]

~

.357 or .38?

I haven't shot any .357s through my SP, but the 125-grain Corbon .38s are easier to shoot than regular .38 special practice ammo. There was no smoke, the blast was small, and the recoil was negligible. If they weren't so expensive, I'd buy a case and use it for plinking ammo.

~Ichiro