Ruger Revolvers

[LadyNikon]

Greetings,

I am visiting in Michigan and happened to find a revolver at a gunshow I like.. finally. It is the Ruger SP101 3inch revolver. For those of you who have one what do you think? It fits my hands pretty well and apparenty has a recoil similar to my S&W M&P 9mm.

thanks,
Danyelle

 

[Jim March]

The SP101 is by FAR the strongest five-shot "snubbie class" revolver ever built. It's tougher than a lot of larger six-shot 357s. Ergonomics are excellent, accuracy tends to be "reasonable to good" esp. by snubbie standards.

The safety is excellent, a transfer bar. Trigger tends to be...well, OK, but responds well to minor improvement or a ton of dry-firing .

It's heavy for a small gun, but on the other hand it soaks up recoil real well. Good gun for purse carry and on-body carry isn't unreasonable either.

 

[eliphalet]

Have had mine about 15 years now, it's been everything I had hoped and more. Not a target gun but more accurate than I thought it would be.

 

[Im283]

I have had the SP-101 in .357 Mag , 3.1 inch barrel for about a month and a half. I love it. I have put about 500 rounds of 38 special and 150 mag rounds through it and it shoots really well. I think it would make a great range gun as well as one to carry concealed. Mine has a Hogue grip and is very comfortable to shoot, even the .357 is more than managable.

 

[fallingblock]

What Jim March said!

They are the "Energizer bunny" of five shot revolvers!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. If they might be of use, here are some observations on the SP101:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Ruger SP101 Report.htm


Best.

 

[MCgunner]

It fits my hands pretty well and apparenty has a recoil similar to my S&W M&P 9mm.

If you're shooting .38 in it, it might be similar to 9mm recoil, but if you're shooting 180 buffalo bore, well.....LOL! Be prepared to get slapped. A Hogue grip greatly improved mine, especially with heavy recoiling magnum loads. The trigger guard is no longer painful.

 

[tideguyinva]

I have both SP101 and the M&P 9mm. The recoil is nothing alike even with a .38. But I have to say the Ruger is one awesome handgun. Built like a tank and very controllable. And of course I agree with everyone elses descriptions

 

[GlenJ]

I just got a used 3" version Friday. I haven't got it to the range yet but after going over it, cleaning and polishing it, it is one heavy duty snub. It came with the Hogue grip I tried the the stock one and put the Hogue back on. Even if I don't end up carrying it I like how it looks next to it's big brother my Service Six. Now I need a GP100.

 

[PrimaryB]

You can't go wrong purchasing any Ruger wheel gun that fits your needs. But your not allowed to tease. You should post pics.

Pb

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Most small-frame revolvers are (as Jeff Cooper once described them) "carry a lot, shoot a little" guns. The SP101 can be shot a lot as well. While it is not as small as the S&W small-frames, it is about the same size as the classic Colt Detective Special. Its weight and larger cushioned grip make it downright easy to shoot with .38 Special (its original chambering) loads and at least tolerable with most magnums. If you like it, go for it.

 

[DWARREN123]

I really like mine!

 

[ronto]

I carry the 357 SP101 daily...A very reliable, controlable, and effective self-defense weapon...I love my little fire-breathing beast.

 

[Chief 101]

If you find someone that doesn't like the SP101 it will be one that hasn't had experience with it. Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[ProguninTN]

Sp101

I've got one. Great gun. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

LadyNikon,
The only bad thing you will hear about the Ruger SP-101 is that it's a little heave to carry around all day. It's a really nice revolver and it the weight won't bother you it's a winner.

If you are going to go that heavy you might want to take a look at the 3" Ruger GP100. It's only slightly heavier, will allow more comfort when firing .357 Magnum rounds and it holds 6 rather than 5 rounds. Just a thought. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1715&return=Y

 

[Cosmoline]

Great piece, and 3" is just the right barrel length. With some Hogue monogrips on it you can shoot full house magnum all day. NIB it's often rough but the trigger smooths out over time.

It's only slightly heavier, will allow more comfort when firing .357 Magnum rounds and it holds 6 rather than 5 rounds. Just a thought.

If you want six, I'd suggest looking for a Speed Six. It's about the same weight as the SP and is designed for concealed carry. The GP is great, but not as lean.

 

[ugaarguy]

Great little gun - this coming from a self admmitted S&W fan. I traded mine in on a rather uncommon Smith I couldn't live without. I have no regrets, but I'd not pass it up if another SP became available at the right price.

 

[DawgFvr]

SP101 is an excellent revovler. Take it to a higher level...get the 3 inch GP100 and then you have the ultimate Ruger.

 

[valor1]

It's quite big for a snubbie but it sure does the job well. Very durable and nice handling.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Also has the best sight picture of any fixed-sight snubby revolver to my knowledge.

I got a 2.25" one not long ago and am impressed with it. With the stock grips I can fire full-house commercial .357 Magnum loads like the 145 gr Winchester Silvertip without pain and with combat accuracy.

They're kind of endearing, too -- something about the compact but tough little fivegun gives it more personality than the average Ruger DA. I've started to call mine "Gimli."

 

[M1 Shooter]

I used to have a 3" .357 SP101. I wish I never sold it. Another one is definitely on my "must buy" list. Great little revolver.

It was controllable and accurate with everything I fired in it from mild .38 wadcutters to full power 158gr .357's. I tried the Hogue grip, but I found I actually preferred the factory grip for recoil control. The Hogues seemed to slap my hand harder when shooting Magnums, at least in my hands, YMMV.

 

[chris in va]

I just bought a used one. Previous owner was a female as well. It came with the Hogue monogrips which frankly I consider fairly mandatory since it allows all 4 fingers to grip the handle, unlike the stock version.

Doing some informal plinking at the range, I was able to hit a 4x9 piece of hanging steel plate at about 75 yards 2 out of 5 shots. This was just standing, no benches or anything. 38's BTW.

357 rounds always suprise people that shoot it. They curse, then start laughing.

BTW I would agree with the 9mm/38 correlation. Revolvers don't have that slide moving around though, so the recoil is instantaneous and solid-feeling.

 

[Matt Almeda]

Hi,
They are nice guns and they shoot reasonably well at the range.

Enjoy your new find!

 

[medmo]

A heavy duty 5 shot snubster that you can shoot a lot. Maybe with light 38spec loads it would be similar the 9mm M&P recoil. With full-house 357 mag loads it has a bit of both bark and bite to it.

Add: Green front night sight from Trijicon, Eagle Secret Service wood boot grips and a spring change out to the Wilson spring kit then you would have a ........ one like mine. Oh well, that's how I like mine.