Ruger SP-101: 3-inch or 2-inch?

[Confederate]

I ended up with a 2-incher. My reasoning was that it was a defensive pistol, not a target pistol. Also, the difference in velocity is nil, as is, admittedly, the weight (the 3-incher is only one ounce heavier than the 2-incher). The reason I went with the 2-inch was that I have a 3-inch Speed-Six and a 3-inch SP-101 would have been redundant. And after getting a good holster for my 2-inch SP-101, I find it very comfortable and easy to get to.

So what think you? What would be your preference?






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[Cocked & Locked]

I like the short ones.

 

[spanishjames]

You made a good choice. Every gun should have a purpose. Even if it's just for fun.

BTW, nice pictures.

 

[ssyoumans]

I have both. I prefer the 3" one. Just as easy to conceal and it DOES generate significantly more velocity. I also have a 6" GP100. Last weeks comparisons:
Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrel 357 Mag
2" 1043 fps, 326 ft-lbs
3" 1138 fps, 388 ft-lbs (almost 100fps)
6" 1227 fps, 451 ft-lbs

Hornady 140gr XTP
2" 1162 fps, 420 ft-lbs
3" 1304 fps, 529 ft-lbs (large gain)
6" 1422 fps, 629 ft-lbs

Buffalo Bore 140gr Std Velocity short barrel ammo
2" 1154 fps, 414 ft-lbs
3" 1196 fps, 445 ft-lbs (small gain)
6" 1330 fps, 550 ft-lbs

Speer 125gr GD HP
2" no data, fired in 3" by mistake
3" 1286 fps, 459 ft-lbs
6" 1502 fps, 627 ft-lbs

Now, with that said, either will do the job! The 357 Mag out of the snubbies are no slouch!

 

[Confederate]

Yep, either will do the job. With a .357 125gr JHP, a bad guy won't know what hit him (and if I miss him, the muzzleblast will fry him). I have my 3-inch Speed-Six and like I said, getting a 3-inch SP-101 would be redundant. A 2-incher is just right!

I have a 4-inch Security-Six and a 3-inch Speed-Six. These are all great guns and I've never...never...even wanted a GP100. I went into a gun store recently and picked a 4-incher up and my first thought was, "Uuuuugh! This thing feels like a boat anchor!" I held it out at arm's length thinking that would change things, but no. There was no weight in the grips and all the weight was at the front, tugging at the barrel. I snapped it a few times (with the sales person's permission) and then tried the 4-inch 686. Much better! I had one of these years ago and must have been out of my mind for selling it. But I kept the 6-inch I had and later picked up another in a trade. Beautiful and the action was perfect...didn't need any work. But these guns are way too heavy in my view. The 6-inch Security-Six is much easier to pick up a Bigfoot with and packing it in the wilderness is much easier.

What gets me are these guys who buy 8-inch .357s. What's up with that? I imagine those things are strictly for competition.




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[ArchAngelCD]

Since both are so heavy pocket carry is probably not going to happen so since the SP101 will probably be carried on your belt I would have gone with the 3" version. I probably would have bought a Six-Series Ruger or a S&W K frame instead...

 

[eldon519]

I went with the 3" as I felt it was a better all-arounder. As mentioned it does get a good bit more velocity and turns more of the 357 muzzleblast into useful velocity. I also wanted the SP101 for woods carry in which case the extra barrel length helps a lot for shooting at smaller targets out to 25yds or so. For a 2" role, I probably would go LCR, but I do not have the same guns as you. My other 357 is a 6" GP100 so I do not have the 3" overlap you had.

 

[Cemo]

I prefer the shorter barrels in a five shooter. Better for coat pocket carry, which I do sometimes in the Midwest winters. Although, it wouldn't make any difference carried on a belt.

 

[MCgunner]

Long as YOU'RE happy with it. I'd gotten the 3", but I'm me. The 2" has two advantages I might prefer, though, I admit. One is carried OWB, the barrel sticks down less and requires less to cover up. Two is that it's slightly faster on the draw with the shorter barrel. I got 550 ft lbs out of mine with a 140 Speer and 17 grains 2400. It was dead accurate and for some odd reason shot to the same point of aim with .38s. Stay with 140 grains or heavier as the 125s lose a LOT out of the short barrel, more flash/bang than velocity.

Either SP101 is an awesome revolver for carry. Arguing over barrel length is just detail. Since you already have the Six, makes sense for you.

 

[Elmer]

3".

As has been said, the SP101 is too heavy for pocket carry. Get an LCR or S&W Airweight in 2" if you want to pocket/ankle carry.

 

[hdbiker]

I went with the 2 inch.my favorite load with jacked bullets is 140gr. Hornady HP,over 7.8 grains of Unique.Shoots to point af aim with no muzzel flash,and gives me just over 1100 FPS.Cast load is 158 gr MO. bullet over 6 grains of Unique,shoots a inch low to point of aim,and gives me about 950 fps,basicly no leading.fun gun,I live it.biker

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I wish I would have bought a 2", I'm disapointed with the holster selection for the 3"
101's.

There is a lot more available for the 2"

 

[jad0110]

I really like either, but for me, the SP101 itself is redundant since I am able to carry medium and even large frame revolvers without much trouble IWB. On the other end, for pocket carry I prefer something that weighs under 2 lbs loaded (S&W 642 for me). But, even though the SP would sorta be the odd gun out, I still might pick one up one day. Very nice guns. Not sure what bbl length I'd go for. I suppose a 3" in the end.

 

[Doug S]

I bought a 3in, because I have a J-frame snub, so the 3in Ruger seems to be more versatile for my needs. In your case, since you already had a 3in, I think you did well to buy the 2in.

 

[shinyroks]

Bought my gf the 357 sp101 in 2" and she loves it. The entire gun lays in my outstretched hand, and she deems it "cute" as well as the grip being just the right size for her hand. Don't know about the cute part, but it does seem to fit her well...
And it shoots well too, 8" target at 100 yds is pretty good for a snubby in my opinion...

 

[jmr40]

Speer 125gr GD HP
2" no data, fired in 3" by mistake
3" 1286 fps, 459 ft-lbs
6" 1502 fps, 627 ft-lbs

If I were buying a 357 revolver it would have at least a 4" barrel. You just lose too much from shorter barreled revolvers. My G-19 is getting 1250 fps with 9mm Speer 124 Gr. HP ammo. In a gun the same overall size as the 2" SP 101. It's 1/2 lb lighter, more accurate and with 3X as much ammo.

I own and like 357 revolvers, but they are most useful with long barrels and heavy bullets. Otherwise you are just shooting a very loud 9mm.

 

[EVIL]

3" for me...I think the extra inch really helps stabilize the weapon when carried IWB. Probably even the new 4" would carry just fine IWB.

Here's mine, I love it - I think it is my favorite pistol; carried & shot often.

 

[Nico Testosteros]

I voted for 3" with my greenbacks but is mainly for trail carry and backup while hunting.

 

[Brian Williams]

A Grail gun for me is a 3" SP101 in 9mm.
My vote is for 3"

 

[4v50 Gary]

Three. Longer sight radius and weight. Besides, I already have some 2" snubbies.

 

[bikerdoc]

I got both, Each has its place, 2" gets carried more often, but the 3" gets its share of hip time.

 

[MCgunner]

If I were buying a 357 revolver it would have at least a 4" barrel. You just lose too much from shorter barreled revolvers. My G-19 is getting 1250 fps with 9mm Speer 124 Gr. HP ammo. In a gun the same overall size as the 2" SP 101. It's 1/2 lb lighter, more accurate and with 3X as much ammo.

I don't care for the vaunted 125 grain stuff. Heavier bullets work better in short barrels. I get 1263 FPS/410 ft lbs from a 115 JHP in my little pocket 9, yeah, that's MY choice as a primary carry, I agree with your point on that. That load will put up 1340 fps/440 ft lbs from a 4.5" barrel, too. But, I got 550 ft lbs from a 17 grain 2400/Speer 140 JHP load in my 2.3" SP101 and 662 ft lbs from a 180 grain XTP over 13.8 grains AA#9. The heavier bullet accelerates slower down the bore than a 125 grain bullet and catches more of the pressure that's lost in flash/bang with the 125 in a short barrel. I never carried the 180, too much penetration, but would if hiking outdoors and a 3" barrel would get a little more out of that load, too. it puts up 1400 fps/785 ft lbs out of my 6.5" Blackhawk, which is the gun for which it was worked up. My carry load for .357 is the 140 Speer load. I no longer have the little SP101, but it did carry better than my medium frame 3" six shooter, an older Taurus 66. That gun has a square butt which is a little bulkier than the SP101's Hogue and it's also fatter and a little heavier on the belt. The SP101 IMHO is the BEST .357 belt carry extant. But, I don't sweat the 1 round deficiency to the medium frame guns. That does bring up another advantage to my 9mm Kel Tec, though, 11 rounds on tap and a faster reload. It's very accurate, too, and pocketable at 14 ounces. Physical size is a little smaller than my little Taurus M85UL .38.

It really is hard to argue against the little 9s as a daily concealed carry with .357 magnum as your arguing point.

 

[gunnutery]

Confederate, what happened to your grip screw?

I've been carrying the 3" model for about 7 or 8 years now. Holster selection is lacking, but still existant. I've been carrying it in a tuckable IWB holster and love it. The extra inch on the barrel isn't uncomfortable.

 

[Confederate]

Everyone has raised some good points. That said, I find the 2-inch SP-101
to be an excellent pocket pistol. It goes in my jeans pants pocket just fine,
as well as coat pockets where a 3-incher would be cramped. I would have
gotten a 3-inch, however, had I not had my 3-inch Speed-Six.

I also agree with the poster who said it's a bit easier to clear from one's
holster. The weight and balance suits me just fine, but if I were walking
out in the middle of the woods or hiking somewhere, I'd carry my Speed-
Six. I'd only carry the SP-101 if I were trying to conceal it by carrying it
in my coat pocket or holster under my jacket.

 

[788Ham]

tightgroup tiger,

Take a look at the Bianchi brand of holsters, I got a pancake type for my 3" 101, hardly even realize its there, even sitting in the car. It can be canted forward with one of the forward slots also.