Ruger SP101 .357 Mag

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armedpolak

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I'm considering getting Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum as my first revolver.

Please give me your oppinion on this handgun. Your experience with it.

Pictures would be great as well!

Thank you all!
 
Great little snubby, built like a tank as all Ruger wheelguns are. It's a bit on the heavy side, though, maybe a little cumbersome for CCW. As for it being your first revolver, you might not want to go that route. Full-house magnum loads through that gun are a good way to get into the habit of flinching. It's not so bad with .38 Special, though, but if I'd had it to do over again my first wheelgun would have been something bigger, like the 4" GP-100 I have now. I think it would have been a better way for me to get used to the .357 Magnum cartridge, but to each his own, though. Again, though, it's a great gun.
 
No firsthand experience with them, but I knew folks that carried them, and the shop back home I used to work for sold quite a few of them. Unlike a S&W J Frame they're a bit big for front pocket carry. They fall about halfway between S&W's J and K frames. If I didn't have my S&W M66 snubby (6 shot 357 Mag K Frame), or couldn't find a good used one (K-Frame 357 Mags are discontinued), the SP-101 would be my next choice. They're a sleek and tough gun. Their slighly larger than J frame dimensions make them a better choice for 357 Mag in my opinion. The little bit extra size and weight goes a long way. The size would make them easy to carry and conceal IWB. For an all purpose carry revolver I think it's one of the best options out there. Just a darn good proven gun that's real hard not to like.
 
Armedpolak,

Mine has been great. I've had absolutely no problems with it of any kind. It's tough as nails and very dependable.

I'd give it a "highly recommended" status.

Hope that helps.

Take care,
DFW1911
 
I admire your spunk. I started with a .38spl (S&W m37 airweight) and with .38+P I get a pretty lively ker-pow out of it :D The thing about the S&W airwieghts is they are so concealable without warping your clothing...that is, they don't pull down one side of your slacks (or skirt, in my case):neener: and they just DISAPPEAR under even a lightweight shirt, top, or sweater. I wear the m37 during Houston summers when a tee shirt and capri pants or lightweight denim skirt is my usual clothing and I've never been made and it never shows. Literally it shows no more than a small cell phone.

Now, they're not target pistols either, LOL, but they will do.

I can't speak to the 101, but I'd offer the S&W airweight snubbies as an alternative. My $.02, highly overinflated as always. :D

Springmom
 
Have had one for 9 or 10 years now. Great little revolver and real fun to shoot, even with the hotter loads. It's quite managable and pretty darn accurate.
 
Man I want a 2 1/4" one!!!!
I may have to break down and get it at the market hall show on the 25th.
That'll make the 5th gun this year. :eek: No wonder I can't save money. :rolleyes:
Help I'm afflicted.... thank the heavens I don't have a C&R yet.

PS... I have shot one.... :D :D :D nuf said.
 
It was my first gun and in all the "if you had only one (two, three, etc.) it usually manages to make the list. Like the round itself it can do a little bit of everything and do it pretty well.
 
The SP-101 is a good carry revolver, but a GP-100 would make a better first revolver IMO, if you're not going to carry it. It's easier to shoot with all types of ammo and has a better trigger.
 
Very good gun. You'll probably want to get the Wolff spring calibration pack for it. Dry fire a couple thousand times with the normal springs to break in the internals, then mess with springs until you find a combination you like.
 
I carry one IWB daily and find it very easy to conceal. A bit too heavy for pocket carry and the recoil is noticible. If you need a gun for concealed carry NOW then I say go for it. Some practice with other full size revolvers first will help you be a better shooter though. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

BTW for its size I can't think of anything more pleasant to shoot .357 out of.
 
I've also been looking at them. They're downright beautiful IMO.

But I'm 18, so untill I happen upon a guy in FL who wants to sell one, I'm out of luck.

So I hope you like it, and if you don't, let me know.
 
I've got three of them and can't speak highly enough of them. For simply home defense and range use I'd get a GP-100 but if you plan to carry concealed then the SP is the way to go. It's about the only snubbie I can actually enjoy shooting.
 
Great choice

I have been concealing one for over 6 years now. I think it would make a fine choice as a first revolver.

Beware. I currently have zero semi-autos now. Revolvers can become addicting.
 
If you plan on carrying it go with the 2 1/4", holster for the 3" are hard to find.
That said I have a 3" and love the thing. Added the Wolf springs and a Trijicon night sight.
 
i have a 3" SP101 & i L O V E it. as far as holsters go, almost any custom maker can make a holster for a 3". i have one coming from Tucker soon.
 
I carry one daily, have for 7 years now. Here's my take:

Yes, it's a little heavy. This is a good thing though, as the weight helps tame the 357s recoil.

You will most likely find that full house 158 grain loads match up POA/POI.

Get a good belt and holster.

Mine is appraoching 70,000 rounds, still just fine. If anything it's better than new, as the trigger has smoothed out quite a bit with use.

Also reccomend houge mono-grips. Having my pinky on the grip, rather than under it helps speed up rapid fire quite a bit. MUCH better control of recoil.
 
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SP101

I have one in my pocket know. One of my favorite carry guns. I have only shot full house 357mag. in it and its no problem.
 
Mine is appraoching 70,000 rounds, still just fine.
Click to expand...

HOLY BULLETS, BATMAN! :what: :what: :what:

Did you really mean 70,000?????? How long have you had it? And I have to ask...what have you had to replace along the way?

Springmom
 
Yep, 70,000. Had it about 7 1/2 years. Barrel tried to unscrew once around the 20,000 mark. Since then no problems.

I have noticed the front sight is actually worn down and rounded off a little though. It's on its third set of houge mono grips. Wore the other 2 pair out.

One other thing:

Other than about 4 boxes of 38, all of them have been full snort 357 rounds.
 
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