Ruger SP-101: Crimson Trace Ouch!

[Confederate]

I always liked the idea of a laser on a handgun, so when I got a good deal on a pair of Crimson Trace grips for my Ruger SP-101, I decided to give it a try. Now I wonder what I could have been thinking!

First, my new laser grips don't seem to be particularly well sighted. When I sight in a target using my fixed sights, the dot is almost always somewhere else. Maybe it's supposed to be that way, who knows?

Second, although I haven't shot it, the grips look like they would sting a lot more than the factory grips.

And finally, the gun can't be fired without the laser being activated. No matter how I try to hold the gun, one has to hold the grips to turn on the laser, and one can't shoot without squeezing the grips.

This was a compulsion buy, but before I thought about getting rid of them, I wondered if anyone had anything NICE to say about them? Is the laser more apt to be sighted with .38Spc or .357 at fairly close distances? And are the tiny grips as uncomfortable shooting hot magnum loads as they appear to be?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

They can be a very useful tool, especially for dry firing and learning how much you are flinching when you shoot.

They have other uses as well...

But as for sighting, they should have come with a tool to help you sight them in. Just like adjustable rear sights, you'll need to tweak them with the tool.

They don't work for everyone. I have two pairs that are currently not in use.

 

[357 Terms]

I have the rubber overmould model of CT grips on my 101, great recoil absorbtion.

The grips can be adjusted for POA.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

As others have said, they are adjustable. You got the cheaper model there. The larger grip is better in every aspect except CCing. Maagnum loads are fine with the overmolds. The model you have does not have a master on off switch.

I like mine fine. I'd buy more.

I think you just gut a model you don't care for man. I'd sell them and get the overmolds. Can you return them?

 

[MCMXI]

I bought a Ruger KLCR with Crimson Trace grips last week and picked it up from my FFL guy yesterday. It took all of three minutes to adjust the laser dot using the Allen wrenches supplied. The grip feels fine and I doubt I'll have any issues shooting Golden Saber .357 Mag 125gr BJHP ammunition that I use in my other KLCR.

 

[rcmodel]

Sight them in and enjoy it.

Here is an owners manual that tells you how in case you failed to get one.
http://www.crimsontrace.com/media/owner_handbooks/Laser_Sight_Owners_Handbook.pdf

No, CT did not design a grip that is going to hurt any worse to shoot then what you were using.

Sometime the subtitle difference in a small, round-butt grip kicks less then what came on the gun.

You simply will not know until you shoot it.

rc

 

[Confederate]

Well, there're two Crimson Trace grips for the SP-101. The smaller ones seem to be the ones that make control difficult for many who shoot .357 mags. Although I haven't shot any through my Ruger with the CT grips, they seem pretty small. But they also feel very comfortable. I just don't know what happens when the pin hits the primer. I used to have a Security-Six which felt great when shooting .38s. But those skinny little grips failed miserably when I shot .357s!