Ruger SP101: Love it, Hate it, or...?

[cfullgraf]

I’m happy with my 4” 327 FM SP101. We have ground hogs around our hobby horse farm and the SP101 is next in line to dispatch the next ground hog. It has to do better than the 22LR that got the last one.

I also have. 9x19 SP101. I like moon clip semi-auto cartridge revolvers. The SP101 is nothing to write home about but it does fill a niche in my collection.

After owning a 3” 357 Mag S&W Model 60, I would not buy a 357 Mag SP101. The Ruger does not bring anything to the party my Smiths already do. With these small, light revolvers is brutal with full power 357 Mag loads so why bother.

Rugers are well made and another person may not find the recoil objectionable. So, yes, I can be a wimp.

I really do like the rubber grips with the wood panel inserts Ruger makes available for their revolvers these days.

Overall, I like the SP101.

 

[Rexster]

After a weekend of wrestling with a stubborn plumbing project, at my mother’s old house, an SP101 is my only weapon that I can grip, decently well, with my swollen, numb, aching right hand. My healthier left hands merely aches. So, from a practical standpoint, which includes the principle that it is best to carry a handgun that can be used one-handed, with either hand, the SP101 is the best handgun, for me, period, for at least the next several days.

Another of my “orthopedic” handguns, the Glock G17, is not a best weapon for me to use with a swollen hand.

As much as twenty years ago, when answering a question about my “primary” handgun, I would say “SP101.” If asked to explain, I would answer that I always had one or more SP101 snubs on my person, regardless of what other weapons I might be carrying. By some time in 2003, if I recall correctly, I had three SP101 2.25” snubs, two spurless, and one with a hammer spur.

 

[Tallball]

@Rexster I had a similar issue with a broken dominant hand. My good 38 revolvers were the only things I shot decently left-handed.

 

[TTv2]

Only thing I've shot well left handed is single action revolvers. Easier to cock than a DA and the grip shape conforms to my hand better than what a semi auto does.

 

[adcoch1]

I voted "love it", but with a caveat: I love my 3" 357. It has a heavy, but incredibly smooth trigger, and it balances well. I wear it OWB in a desantis holster, and quite literally forget it's there. But I haven't liked the two other examples I've shot. Both were short barrel 2 1/2" models, and they just didn't feel right. I almost passed up mine due to those experiences, but as soon as I held it, I knew it had to come home with me. And my redhawk and super Blackhawk like having a little brother around...

 

[Rexster]

@Rexster I had a similar issue with a broken dominant hand. My good 38 revolvers were the only things I shot decently left-handed.

I have the good fortune of being left-handed, so, I can still shoot. I write lefty, but throw righty, and tend to use larger tools righty. My first experience carrying handguns was not until I started police academy training, in 1983/1984, at age 22. (It was generally illegal for private citizens to carry handguns, in Texas, until the mid-90s.) Drawing the then-mandated L-Frame from the then-mandated low-slung duty rig was not unlike throwing under-handed. So, I carried right-side primary, at the beginning, and just kept right on doing so. After 3.3 decades of LEO-ing, it was hard-wired into my reflexes, to reach toward my right hip, for a weapon, by default.

There were times, however, that I had the presence of mind to reach for the ankle-holstered snub-gun, with my left hand, while seated in a Ford Crown Vic patrol car. This was especially true when I was in the right front seat. The brain seemed to sense that I could reach the snub more smoothly than I could lean forward and then grab the duty pistol.

 

[Snubster]

357 Terms, what kind of holster is that? I like the simplicity, spring clip and slight reverse cant. I have one that I'm looking to replace - but the maker is no longer around.

My EDC since 2008.
Love it.
Right now it's loaded with GT 145grn HP, around 1100fps, good load for this little 5 shot.

View attachment 1160886

 

[357 Terms]

357 Terms, what kind of holster is that? I like the simplicity, spring clip and slight reverse cant. I have one that I'm looking to replace - but the maker is no longer around.

I honestly can't remember where exactly I got it from.
It's been over a dozen years. If I recall it was a guy in a booth at a gun show that made them on the spot.

 

[EMC45]

My 2” .38 SP is a bit heavy for a ccw, but it does shoot well and recoil isn’t a chore when practicing with it.

View attachment 1160924

My 4.2” .327 SP is a nice little trail gun that packs enough to be taken seriously for SD and small game getting. I swapped the grip to a Pachmayr synthetic grip that fits my hands very nicely.

View attachment 1160925

Just bought this grip for my SP101. Didn't know it existed.

View attachment 1160923
Both have had springs replaced and the trigger return spring channel polished, so the trigger pulls are much better than when they first came home.

Stay safe.

 

[Hookeye]

Shot a couple SP101 .357 mags
They did very well, but were bulky and heavy.
Id rather have a M60 Pro.

As for a trail gun, the adj sight model is interesting.
Grip angle always seems off to me, on GP, SRH, SP.
Id rather have a Blackhawk 4 5/8 w a Super dragoon frame and hammer swapped in.

Alas, I just drag my 6" Python around. If wanting a .357
Anymore, it's my little P365 riding in a fobus paddle.
LOVE that thing.

And why I no longer have any Smith J frames.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

The 4” .357 model is interesting, but it’s only 5 shots.

My Glock 20 equals it in power but holds triple the ammo and weighs the exact same.

 

[EMC45]

Much better with the new Pach grip.
The originals were too small, as were the Hogue bananas.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve come to the conclusion the 4” SP101 is lousy.

It’s a big, heavy gun that holds just 5 rounds. Makes no sense when the Kimber K6S is LIGHTER and holds an impressive sixth round.

My .327 holds six. And the .327 is the only reason I would buy a 4” SP. Especially since Kimber, S&W and Colt don’t chamber small frame revolvers in that round.

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

Much better with the new Pach grip.
The originals were too small, as were the Hogue bananas.
View attachment 1163491View attachment 1163492

Glad the grip works as well for you as it does for me.

Stay safe.

 

[C Younger]

I bought one new in 2001 for $355. It was a .357 with 3” barrel and had a hammer spur. It was my first concealed carry gun and I shot ok with it. I practiced both single and double action shooting because I always figured if I needed it in a defensive situation where time allowed, I’d shoot single action. I later decided I was done with DA revolvers and sold it. I miss that gun so much and kick myself every time I think about it. I’ve considered getting a new one, but they’ve doubled in price.

 

[EMC45]

Glad the grip works as well for you as it does for me.

Stay safe.

Thanks for the heads up man. I have a fat bag of primed .32 Mag brass ready for loading and shooting. I rarely shoot the SP due to the grips sucking and having grade school sized hands.

 

[plainsdrifter]

I’ve come to the conclusion the 4” SP101 is lousy.

It’s a big, heavy gun that holds just 5 rounds. Makes no sense when the Kimber K6S is LIGHTER and holds an impressive sixth round.

Lighter ain't always better specially shooting .357's
I'd bet their frames don't hold up for long either.

 

[plainsdrifter]

Not enough for what? A bad shooter? Hunting game at 100 yds? Quail hunting? LOL J/K

If your a proficient shot and lets remind each other there's rarely a time where yer getting in a long range battle with bank robbers toting FA AK's. Self defense is typically at ten yards or less. And if you shoot someone at a longer range than that your not really in that much danger and the judge is coming down on you.

 

[Hookeye]

Some threats may be proficient enough to be serious at distance.

Then theres always the chance that they suck but could land a lucky shot.

Some folks drive without seatbelts and never get in a wreck. Some are good drivers that get nailed a few times by the JD Byriders.

Play the odds, or prepare for the worst?

 

[stonebuster]

I bought one new in 2001 for $355. It was a .357 with 3” barrel and had a hammer spur. It was my first concealed carry gun and I shot ok with it. I practiced both single and double action shooting because I always figured if I needed it in a defensive situation where time allowed, I’d shoot single action. I later decided I was done with DA revolvers and sold it. I miss that gun so much and kick myself every time I think about it. I’ve considered getting a new one, but they’ve doubled in price.

I had a DAO SP101 2.25" 357 I sold for $500, missed it as you do and bought another DA/SA 2.25" SP101 for $600 at the same LGS I sold to. I won't make the mistake of parting with it again. I find it very easy to carry.

 

[C Younger]

Possibly.

I wish Ruger would offer the SP101 in a 6-shot variant. Just 5 rounds is not enough in that size and weight gun.

They do, in .327 Federal.

 

[Targa]

If you can find one in .327, that’s the trick. If you do, its going to be pricey.

 

[EMC45]

The new grips shot well. Loaded 50rds of 115gr cast bullet (I believe for a 32-20) over 4gr Universal. They shot well. My son liked them:

 

[EMC45]

The hammer is a blur in the pic and there is fire in the frame window - moment of ignition.

He kept all 6 on the paper plate @ 5y. Double action and first time firing a centerfire pistol.

 

[PapaG]

Love my 3" 357. Best da trigger on a small revolver I've had. Hated my 4" 22. Worst trigger ever and that was after two tops to my fabulous gunsmith.