Ruger SP101 Help

[JCook5003]

Hey guys-

I want to purchase a Ruger SP101 to have another option in my CCW choices, I want it to be .357.......

But I need to know what you guy's think 3" or 2" barrel, also what grips do you guys recommend. Also does anyone know an actual decibal rating of a 357 fired from a 2 inch barrel, I dont think I buy the saying, you'll go deaf from a 357.

Also what ammo do you guys recommend for low recoil and low flash, I was thinking about CorBon 357 Mag DPX.

Also what holsters go you guys use to carry your 2 or 3 inch SP101's in?

So what do you guys think or recommend?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[19-3Ben]

I LOVE my 3". I carry every single day in a www.concealco.com AKJ concealco IWB holster, and sometimes in a Bianci speed scabbard.

Go for the 3". You really don't lose any practical conealability, and you gain velocity (very minimal), sight radius, and balance.

 

[Bellzy]

I have a SP101 with the 2 1/2 inch barrel and I think it conceals nicely. I personally don't think 1 extra inch of barrel is going to make much difference in a SD situation but if you feel more comfortable with it then go with the extra.
As far as the noise level, I've shot 357s both indoors and outdoors without hearing protection ( 1 shot, not multiple as you would in a SD situation) and outside is not too bad but inside is, and I can't stress this enough, intolerable. You may not go deaf but you will have some degree of hearing damage. They are that loud.
Now to the SD ammo. I think one is as good as the other in a short barrel firearm. I know some guys would argue about that and you could look at numbers until your head spins but I think the advantage of one over the other is minimal.

 

[Brian Williams]

I suggeest that you do a search for SP101 here on THR, you will find an evenings worth or reading.

My preferred is a 3" 9mm, but they are getting hard to find.

 

[Old John]

2.25 inches

Well actually you are talking about a 3 1/16 inch barrel, versus a 2 1/4 inch
barrel. So,..... what is that?....13/16 inch.
I have a couple 2 1/4 " Sp101's.
I love them. they are a Good shooting little handgun for a daily companion.
Whichever feeels best will work just fine for you.
Have Fun!

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

I favor the 2.25" SP mainly because it easier to find a pocket holster( I have a Kramer) for it and fit it in a pocket. If carried with a belt holster either would work( I also have a belt holster from Dillon). The 3 1/16" gives a bit more sight radius. As to a grip I put on a Hogue wood grip with only a top finger groove. I find the ones with 3 grooves don't fit my hand on any size revolver very well. The Hogues can also be ordered without grooves. I can't comment on the results on an SP but I had a Colt Magnum Carry without the grooves and the grip surface was small much like a stock J frame grip and I only have medium sized hands. Here is one shown on a S&W:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/prodimg/19652L.jpg

On the SP it has a round butt to it as shown:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/prodimg/81600L.jpg

Other manufacturers of grips are Badger and Herrett's along with Eagle.

I do not think I would want to fire a .357 in a short barrel without hearing protection as it is pretty brutal. I did this once with a longer barrel gun when starting out (several rounds) and would up with a splitting headache (I already had hearing damage due to other causes). Also, over time it will degrade one's hearing.

 

[JCook5003]

I wont ever practice without protection, but I was thinking about a life or death situation would you actually go deaf from 1-3 rounds of 357 fired without hearing protection....I dont think you would but I am in no way an expert.

Thanks for the advice guys keep it coming.

 

[-terry]

I have the 3 1/16" barrel because it adds a bit more weight to hold the muzzle down and because it makes (in my most humble opinion) the gun look a great deal better...i.e. better proportioned.

Now I just have to decide if I really want to polish it or not.

 

[.45&TKD]

If you're considering pocket carry get the 2.25 inch DAO with the bobbed hammer.

Otherwise, for holster carry get the 3 1/16 inch.

 

[TNCarters]

I have the 2" barrel 357 in the spurless hammer DAO version. I find it plenty accurate out to 15 yards for self defense. The SP101 is available with Crimson Trace laser grips stock that are very slightly larger than the stock grips but not as large as the Hogues. I personally like the size of these and makes for great night sights.

There are lots of opinions on here about 357 ammunition for snubnose revolvers. Some of the most common recommendations seem to be the 125g Rem. Golden Saber or Speer Gold Dot. Speer also makes a 135g Gold Dot for short barrels that some people like but it is difficult to find except internet order.

The holster choice can be affected by both barrel choice and hammer spur. I have a Biachi belt holster specially formed for a spurless SP101 with 2" barrel. Fobus also makes some pretty good plastic paddle holsters that are not very expensive. Almost every holster manufacturer makes a model for the SP101.

 

[gggman]

I carry my SP101 in a Fist #12. It easily conceals under an untucked shirt or a sweater vest. I prefer the 2 1/4", and they seem to be more plentiful. Nothing against the 3", but I am paranoid about that extra inch possibly showing if my cover garment creeps up a little. I have Pachmaier grips, and they are both comfortable and concealable.

 

[ronto]

2 1/4" DAO (spurless) packed with 135gr. Speer 357 GDHP "Short Barrel" in a Mika round-cut pocket holster is my daily companion.

 

[markallen]

2 1/4 Spurless DOA. .357. In a modified Don Hume P.C.C.H. IWB holster. Wrapped with Pachmayr Grips. Out front a Small Wonder fiber optic sight. Loaded with 125 gr Golden Sabers. Two Bianchi Speed strips, with six rounds each. Why not carry the extra two rounds.....You never know? When I'm awake it's on my hip.

 

[landcruiser]

I second GGGMAN and MARKALLEN.

I have also hammered out the logistics and come up with the same. SP-101 .357 2 1/4" in Target grey but with a bobbed hammer.

I have a Orourke leather pocket holster and a Jaypee OWB belt holster that I have modified with removable(lift the dot snaps) loops for IWB carry also.

I highly recommend the Pachmayr compac grips(if they fit your hands). I have slightly larger than average hands and they are right on the money. For comparison the stock GP100 grips and Any Berretta 92/96 out of the box fit me perfect.

 

[chris in va]

You'll get plenty of opinions either way. It just depends on what you plan to do with it.

I have the 3" version. Surprise, it's the same size as my Sig 220 with the Hogue Monogrips installed.

Since you'll be using it a lot for CC work, get the 2".

 

[SAWBONES]

Re: ammunition choices for the SP101, these guns seem to be factory-sighted for 158gr .357 Magnum loads. Mine shoot most accurately & precisely with Buffalo Bore 158gr .357 Magnum JHP, so that's my choice for CCW.
I use Double Tap 158gr .357 JHP for practice since it's cheaper but about the same in accuracy and felt recoil as the BB, just a tad less powerful.
IME, the usually-recommended 125gr .357 JHP loads hit low.
Only you can tell which loads shoot best from your gun in your hands, so be prepared to experiment a bit.

 

[.45&TKD]

I made the same observations as Sawbones regarding the 158 vs. 125 grain magnum loads in my 2.25 DAO.

 

[Legionnaire]

I have a 2.25" .357 with spurred hammer. I did pick up a DAO hammer, though, and have swapped back and forth. Generally prefer the spurred hammer, though. Stock grips for me, although I replaced the inserts with some nice Myrtlewood grips I picked up from 41Magnum over at RugerForum.com.

 

[Rexster]

(1) Either length is good. (2) Winchester Silvertips. (3) Milt Sparks PMK. (4)Pocket or ankle carry points to the shorter length; waist-level holster can realize the advantages of the longer barrel. I only own the snubbier-length .357 SP101s presently. Though the longer length makes sense, I have a 4" Speed Six that rides so comfortably in a Sparks PMK, obtaining another SP101 is not a priority.

 

[olywa]

My first SP101 was a 2" 357 that I carried in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar pancake holster. I was very happy with it but ended up selling it to my buddy after I got the 3". In all fairness though, this is also my walking around woods gun most of the time now as well. However I still occasionally carry it concealed and it works fine for that too.

My 3" SP101 was sent off to Gemini Customs for a little of Marc's magic and his gold dot front sight. This little 357 now does everything I need a 357 to do. It's a peach to shoot 148gr wadcutters in at the range and for the occasional bunny or grouse. It handles stiff 180gr cast loads fine and I stuff it with Speer 135gr Short Barrel loads for concealed carry. I've been using a Simply Rugged holster but last week I got a new Fobus Evolution paddle for it and my first impressions are pretty positive. This model has the open end so it works for any barrel length. Oh yeah, I've put a lot of different grips on my SP101s, but I always end up coming back to the Hogue rubber Monogrip.

As far as I'm concerned there are no bad choices when it comes to the SP101, except maybe choosing not to own one...

 

[Random Discharge]

Shooting Low

It's well established that Ruger regulated the SP101 sights for 158 loads. I like the lighter 125 loads for SD, but prefer 158 loads for field or walk in the woods carry with my 3" SP101. I may switch to 158 loads across the board.

Anyone unpinned the front sight blade and put in a replacement to regulate theirs for lighter loads? Curious about what you used and how it worked it out.

Another option I've thought about: I've noticed POI on my automatics is the front sight "dot." Don't know how universal that is, but with light loads POI with my SP101 is about where a dot would be put on the front sight....add a dot for SD and use a 6 o'clock hold in the field with heavier rounds?

Regarding grips: +1 on the Hogue with finger grooves-fits me like a glove. Never tried the Pachmyer though - I think their rubber is better for CCW in general since it is not as "sticky" and less likely to catch or pull on clothing.

 

[gggman]

Yes, the pachmaiers are more suited to CCW than the hogues. Pachmaier uses a firmer rubber compound, and the grips are smaller. They are fairly comfortable to shoot, but the hogues are better at absorbing recoil. Since I carry mine a lot and shoot it a little, I like the pachmaiers. I have other guns for extended target practice sessions.

 

[lanternlad1]

I had a 3" in .357. Loved it, but it was a little too long to carry IMO. Kinda wished it was 2". I'm looking at the new 101 in 327 Federal lately. 3" 357 performance with 38 recoil, and six shots instead of five. Now if they would make a 2"...

 

[-terry]

My SP101 (3" barrel) shoots very low, 4" at 25 feet, 18" at 25 yards. This is with both 38 and 357 ammo. My handloads shoot about the same (148 LWC over 5.0 Universal).

For starters, I have just filed the front sight down a bit. I'd like center hold for 38 and 6 o'clock hold for 357 at 10-15 yards.

 

[The_Shootist]

Hey Chris in VA

Nice comparision. I always thought the SIG 220 was a BIG gun - you pic kinda puts things in perspective. Might even persuade me to pick one up

Anyways, I have the 3 1/3" bbl .357 version and put hard rubber Pachmeyer grips on it, making it easy for both IWB carry and range work.

As for ammo? I'll get flamed for being a heritic but the FBI Load / BB standard pressure loads seem to shoot to POA and allow reasonable follow-up shots. WW ST's in 145 gr are on the edge of uncontrollable. If I was going to carry .357 ammo in it, it would probably be the Golden Sabre 125 gr medium pressure round but right now I'm too cheap to do much practicing with it.

Not when GA Arms FBI practice load is $ 9.75 for 50