I am going to be getting a Ruger SP 101 .357. I am leaning toward the 2 1/4 inch barrel but the 3 inch is not out of the question. This will only be carried occasionally and will see more duty as a car/house gun. Never had a Ruger all my revolvers are older Smiths. I can't bring myself to get another Smith due to that infernal lock! Which do you prefer the 2 or 3 inch SP101?
Ruger SP 101
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Ruger lists the lengths as 2 1/4 and 3 1/16. My own preference would be for the longer barrel as it gives more weight, slightly less blast, and a longer sight radius should longer range be required.
For concealed carry, the extra 13/16" would be of no import since the barrel is always downward (horizontal and upside down holsters excepted). It is the butt that prints, and that is the same.
Jim
For concealed carry, the extra 13/16" would be of no import since the barrel is always downward (horizontal and upside down holsters excepted). It is the butt that prints, and that is the same.
Jim
I think the SP101 is the best, small platform for .357 magnum. For around the house and car, get the 3" version. Great shooter with just a slightly longer sight radius. A fluff/buff on the trigger will make it a wonderful pistol to own... too bad I traded mine off in a time of need. If you plan on concealed carry, get a j-frame and save some weight (and also carry .38+P).
House, car gun = SP101 in 357 with 3" barrel
House, car gun = SP101 in 357 with 3" barrel
Quoheleth
Member
Use the search feature...this question comes up once a month or so.
That said, I asked the same question last fall. The poll was 2 to 1 for the 3". I went with the 3. The SP101 is a great gun, solid, pointable, stout, heavy enough to help tame the .357 snap, and with a little work, the action is rather smooth, albeit heavier than say an old Smith model 28.
Q
That said, I asked the same question last fall. The poll was 2 to 1 for the 3". I went with the 3. The SP101 is a great gun, solid, pointable, stout, heavy enough to help tame the .357 snap, and with a little work, the action is rather smooth, albeit heavier than say an old Smith model 28.
Q
rdrancher
Member
I FTF traded into my SP101 2.25", and it has become my favorite shooter and belt carry. But - If I were to buy one straight-up, I'd make it a 3" to get the most out of the magnum loads.
rd
rd
Dan-O
Member
Hmmm......
DistantHorizon
Member
For car/house, the 3" is pretty obviously the way to go, IMHO. For carry, the 3" will go darn near anywhere the 2.25" will, with the exception of pocket carry.
There are a lot less holster choices for the longer barrel, but a little looking around should still come up with something suitable.
I have the 3", and to this day, I still don't know if I wish I'd gotten the 2.25" (I think it's mostly that I still want a snubby for my collection). Like you, I got the sp101 for purposes other than carry (in my case, I bought the 3" for taking women to the range, and I thought sight radius & less muzzle flip were important). My thinking was that someday I'll buy a pre-lock 640 for carry purposes.
I love the way the sp101 points and handles, and after several thousand dry fires, I'm pretty happy with the trigger. Maybe some wolff springs or a trigger job someday.
There are a lot less holster choices for the longer barrel, but a little looking around should still come up with something suitable.
I have the 3", and to this day, I still don't know if I wish I'd gotten the 2.25" (I think it's mostly that I still want a snubby for my collection). Like you, I got the sp101 for purposes other than carry (in my case, I bought the 3" for taking women to the range, and I thought sight radius & less muzzle flip were important). My thinking was that someday I'll buy a pre-lock 640 for carry purposes.
I love the way the sp101 points and handles, and after several thousand dry fires, I'm pretty happy with the trigger. Maybe some wolff springs or a trigger job someday.
gunman42782
Member
I personally would choose a 4 inch GP100 for a house and car gun. It is much easier to shoot full power loads with, and usually has a smoother trigger than the SP101. For CCW, SP101 with 2 inch barrel.
rantingredneck
Member
I'd agree with gunman42782 on the house gun/GP100 issue.
I have 2 4" GP100's that serve as house guns. One here for the wife when I'm away and one that is on loan out to my father in law at his house.
My SP101 is the 2.25" version. I fell into a deal on it at 290.00 used. Had I bought one NIB I'm not sure which way I would have gone. I've only had it a few months but it has displaced all my other carry guns except the LCP which has become a fixture in my pocket.
I believe the SP101 is the perfect balance of weight and power in a carry weapon. Even the 2.25" one tames the recoil of full power .357 loads fairly well.
You'll have a fine weapon either way you go.
I know you didn't ask, but I've got to plug a holster here too. AKJ Concealco. Excellent ambidextrous IWB holster.
I have 2 4" GP100's that serve as house guns. One here for the wife when I'm away and one that is on loan out to my father in law at his house.
My SP101 is the 2.25" version. I fell into a deal on it at 290.00 used. Had I bought one NIB I'm not sure which way I would have gone. I've only had it a few months but it has displaced all my other carry guns except the LCP which has become a fixture in my pocket.
I believe the SP101 is the perfect balance of weight and power in a carry weapon. Even the 2.25" one tames the recoil of full power .357 loads fairly well.
You'll have a fine weapon either way you go.
I know you didn't ask, but I've got to plug a holster here too. AKJ Concealco. Excellent ambidextrous IWB holster.
SP101 with a 3" barrel and a Simply Rugged holster.
Here is my revolver set-up...
That's my SP101, 3" barrel with the sourdough pancake holster
from Simply Rugged.
Quality workmanship and the straps can be removed.
They custom fit the holster to fit tight.
Here is my revolver set-up...
That's my SP101, 3" barrel with the sourdough pancake holster
from Simply Rugged.
Quality workmanship and the straps can be removed.
They custom fit the holster to fit tight.
If it's not going to be carried much why the hell not get the 3inch bbl? I mean, it has no drawback then at all? Heck I carry the 3" model as my EDC and i don't think it's any tougher than if it had a 2"bbl.
You really might as well get the extra bbl length to get more balance, velocity, sight radius.
So i have to ask...why are you looking more to the 2"bbl? What advantage would it have for your purposes? (not being a wise guy. Genuinely asking.)
You really might as well get the extra bbl length to get more balance, velocity, sight radius.
So i have to ask...why are you looking more to the 2"bbl? What advantage would it have for your purposes? (not being a wise guy. Genuinely asking.)
HUGE +1 to that. I have two of his holsters, one for my Sig p232, and one for my SP101. In fact, i am wearing the Sp101 in my concealco rig right now. I love it. My father and I just bought matching guns (plastic bottom feeders...i know), and I recommended AKJ Concealco to him. If I recommend it to my father, you know how much I believe in the product.
For $60 you get a holster that I'd normally expect to find in the ~$90 range. The only down side is that you have to be willing to wait for it.
Z-Michigan
Member
3" for your stated uses. They are nice guns - I have a 2.25" model. Of course, I agree with the other poster that for mostly house use, a GP100 is worth considering - either 3" or 4" model. (The 4" GP100 would be quite big for carry though.)
cluttonfred
Member
If you're considering an SP101, any barrel length, you owe it to yourself to visit www.geminicustoms.com to see how beautiful and cool those five-guns can be.
Click on the "revolvers" section and be prepared to drool.
Click on the "revolvers" section and be prepared to drool.
Big Boomer
Member
Get the 3" there are volumes on reasons why.
Here's mine:
Here's mine:
Thanks for all the replies and the holster info/links. I was considering the longer barrel for when the wife shoots it at the range. I figure this way it will give her better control. I have some pre lock Smiths both airweight
(642-1) and steel(model 60) in .38 for CCW.
I also have a circa 1981 model 10. The only .357 I have is an older Rossi (1997)that has locked up on me with magnum loads. Rossi fixed it and so far at the range no problems with .357 and especially with .38 but I can't trust it for CCW.
(642-1) and steel(model 60) in .38 for CCW.
I also have a circa 1981 model 10. The only .357 I have is an older Rossi (1997)that has locked up on me with magnum loads. Rossi fixed it and so far at the range no problems with .357 and especially with .38 but I can't trust it for CCW.
machinisttx
Member
I have a 2.25" SP101 in .357. When I bought it, I was looking for a 3". If it hadn't been for the roughly $250 out the door price, I would have waited on a 3" version.
Buy the 3".
Buy the 3".
Not sure about Ruger, but a reason to get a 3" S&W rather than a 2.5" one would be that the stroke length on the ejector on the short barrel isn't really long enough to fully eject the shells.
The extra 1/2-3/4" in barrel length should make roughly zero difference in how it carries.
The extra 1/2-3/4" in barrel length should make roughly zero difference in how it carries.
SAWBONES
Member
The usual advice about SP101 purchase on BBs like this one is get the 3 1/16" barrel version, but as the owner of three SP101s, two of which are 2 1/4" barreled guns, I recommend the shorter barrel if it's for CCW; the shorter barrel length does make a significant difference in concealability if you carry OWB, and in comfort if you carry IWB, especially (though not only) AIWB.
BikerRN
member
I have a 3" GP100 that I carry as a "Primary Gun" off duty.
My off duty BUGs are a S&W 442 with a 1 7/8" Barrel and a Ruger SP101 with a 2 1/4" Barrel. I like longer Barrels for my "Primary Gun". Yes, I carry two or three guns off duty, depending upon how I'm dressed.
The 3" Gun hides very well in an IWB Holster, I use a Milt Sparks' Summer Special II with a 1 1/2" Belt. If you use a good Belt and Holster it goes a long way in aiding concealment. Another advantage of the 3" Gun, especially in .357 Magnum, is that the longer Barrel increases "burn time" and allows one to make more use of the .357 Magnum's "power".
Take care and stay safe.
BikerRN
My off duty BUGs are a S&W 442 with a 1 7/8" Barrel and a Ruger SP101 with a 2 1/4" Barrel. I like longer Barrels for my "Primary Gun". Yes, I carry two or three guns off duty, depending upon how I'm dressed.
The 3" Gun hides very well in an IWB Holster, I use a Milt Sparks' Summer Special II with a 1 1/2" Belt. If you use a good Belt and Holster it goes a long way in aiding concealment. Another advantage of the 3" Gun, especially in .357 Magnum, is that the longer Barrel increases "burn time" and allows one to make more use of the .357 Magnum's "power".
Take care and stay safe.
BikerRN
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