Range Report - Ruger SP101 .357 MAGNUM

[AdamSean]

This is not the first time I took my baby to the range. This was the second. First off, I was pleased with my choice of weapon for concealed carry. It looked good, felt good, and shot well too. The only thing I didn't like was the really heavy trigger pull. So I fixed it.

I went to rugerforums.net and downloaded the IBOK which explained how to smooth out the trigger action. I polished the internal parts, focusing on the trigger sear and any sharp or rough parts. This improved the action about 10% in my opinion. I was pleased and fell in love with the gun. Well, I went one step further. I replaced the factory springs with Wilson Combat reduced power springs. I used the 10# hammer spring in combination with the 10# trigger return spring and OH BABY!!! The new trigger action was smooth as silk. I can pull the trigger with my pinky finger. Light, smooth pull with a clean, crisp break.

So I fed it some Blazer .357 MAGNUM 158gr hollow points. I didn't do any shooting beyond 7 yards today due to the fact it wasn't the best day to go to the range. It was cold and wet. But I was anxious to try out the new trigger action. SO I set up at 7 yards and ran 100 rounds through it.

This is double action rapid fire.


This is 5 rounds in single action.



I am totally confident with this weapon. It has become my favorite handgun. My Glock 26 9mm was my favorite concealed carry weapon, but this baby beats it with its power, reliability, and accuracy. I highly recommend the Ruger SP101 in .357 MAGNUM. I also think it is really sexy too.

 

[L-Frame]

+1 I'm right there with you.

 

[Rolex24]

I agree!!!!!! Just received my SP101, worked over by Marc at Gemini Customs no less, last Tuesday. Only have a hundred rounds through it but it's already my favorite handgun.

I think we've made a fine choice!

 

[Big Boomer]

great choice, I've had mine now for a few years and it gets carried often. Not always as my primary as I love my 1911's but it is with me as a BUG about 50% of the time.

I load it heavy for penetration if it ever needs to rear it's purdy little head

 

[politicaldookie]

I love the little SP's. Here are mine, a 2" with the factory CT grips and a 3", in between is my Redhawk 44.

 

[tblt]

I want one soon

 

[sm]

My Glock 26 9mm was my favorite concealed carry weapon, but this baby beats it with its power, reliability, and accuracy.

You are not the first one to have felt this way, and have let go of polymer guns in 9mm such as Glock 26 and other semi's in 9mm and .40's as well, you won't be the last either.

SP101's in both dedicated .38spl and .357s just flat work.

They are not ammo dependent, and this allows some quality lessons and practice with Speer Plastic Training bullets and wax bullets.

Setting a dime atop barrel near front sight, instills sight acquisition and trigger use in dry fire practice, by running a cylinder and not having the dime fall off.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I want one!

 

[ssjones]

Setting a dime atop barrel near front sight, instills sight acquisition and trigger use in dry fire practice, by running a cylinder and not having the dime fall off.

That's pretty interesting. I've only shot my SP once and was all over the place. I'll have to give that a try during the weekend football games.
I'd love some more tips on site acquisition if you have any more.

 

[The_Shootist]

Nods

If the Blazer 158gr HP rounds in .357 have any sort of a rep for self-defense I'd be inclined to use them as my SP101's carry round.

The box of 50 I ran through my Ruger not too long ago were damn accurate, and recoil was - while not negligible - more than manageable in the '101. You still knew you were shooting .357 rounds, but at least it didn't feel like you had to soak your hand in water or anything.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Congrats on a fine .357 for carry.

I need to acquire one someday myself as I've just got a M&P 340 .357 right now. Easier to carry, but less fun to practice with!

 

[Rodentman]

I have one on my short list.

 

[J&J]

Ditto on all good comments on the sp101. For a bit more controllability I found the houge (sp?) grip to fit my hand perfectly. Appreciate your comments on the trigger work, I will look into that for mine. Although after several 100's of rounds, it seemed to smooth out considerably.

John

 

[Stumpy.357]

With houge grips 158 Magnums are manageable, and 125 grain magnums are fun.

The trigger is ok. I hoped it would smooth out but it never improved much, so I'm having my local gun smith do a trigger job for me.

For a self defense gun, you can't beat it. It goes bang every time, and 5 rounds of .357 should be more than enough in a self defense situation.

Not likely you will ever be in an O.K Coral shootout where you will need more.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If at some future date you ever want to send the revolver back to Ruger for repair, bear in mind that they will replace the action parts you stoned and the springs you replaced.

 

[Master Blaster]

My Glock 26 9mm was my favorite concealed carry weapon, but this baby beats it with its power, reliability, and accuracy. I highly recommend the Ruger SP101 in .357 MAGNUM. I also think it is really sexy too.

So you are going to honestly tell us that the G26 is less accurate at 7 yards than your sp101 DA. I bet you can shoot groups with the G26 1/4 that size at 2x that distance. Plus the G26 holds 2x to 3x as much ammo as the SP101. 9mm +P out of the glock is going to be as powerful as the .357 mag ammo out of a 2" barrel.

I own both guns, both are holster guns, although I can get my G26 in the pocket of many of the carpenter jeans I own, in a pocket holster, the SP101 is too big and too heavy for that period.
The G26 is a way better concealed carry gun.

 

[RJM]

The G26 is a way better concealed carry gun.

Its not if the OP likes and shoots the sp101 better.

 

[ssjones]

I was able to shoot my SP101 with the new Hogue grips today at the Sleepy Creek range in WVA.
Details at this site if interested:
http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?p=217135#post217135

I really like the Hogue grips - shooting the .38's was much like shooting my MkII 22. The .357 loads still had a little kick, but better and nothing bothersome.

I took some cans up (a no-no, I later learned) and actually was pretty proficient hitting consecutively at 20-25 yards, which was a huge improvement from my last (and 1st) use of the gun. Not sure if the grips made that big an improvement or just familiarity with the gun. I was even able to hit some standing shotgun shells from about 15 yards.

It was a fun day and nice to get out in the woods, snow still on the ground but temps near 60 had it melting fast.

 

[BigMike66]

Took my brand new 3 " SP101, along with my 4" GP100, to an indoor range yesterday, and my first impression is: the SP101 is a keeper.

I shot the SP better than the GP with the same ammo at 15 and 25 feet.

I'm happy!

 

[Haywood]

My SP is a DAO. I shot it today. My groups were not as good as the target you show but I was close, as I said, I have a DAO Gun.