ruger sp101 question

[crazyXgerman]

as previously discussed, i finally took the wifey to the gun shop today and she picked out a ruger sp101 for herself. it's a 5-round .357 cal. stainless revolver with 3" barrel. she liked the feel, weight, and size after comparing a number of different ruger and s&w models.

however, we didn't purchase it right away because she didn't have an HSC (we live in PRK ), i just picked up my new springfield less than 30 days ago ( PRK :banghead: ), and most importantly, the price seemed too high.

they wanted $439 for it. when we got back home, i checked gunsamerica.com and found one for $356, but of course by the time you add shipping, 3% for CC, and the dealer transfer fee, it's almost a wash.

i checked davidsons and found two local dealers who sell it for $380. however, the model listed there was ksp331-c while the model we saw in the store was ksp331-x. ruger's site shows the ksp331-x.

my question: does anybody know the difference between the two? i can't seem to figure it out. there are almost no google hits for the c model but a lot for the x model. is it a typo maybe (x and c next to each other on the keyboard)?

 

[Doug Add]

I think your typo theory is probably right. The only suffix I have seen other than X is XL for DAO models. The SP101 page on Ruger's website does not list a C suffix model.

Excellent choice by your wife! I thoroughly enjoy my 2.25" SP101.

 

[RoyG]

Maybe give Ruger a call?

603-863-3300

 

[crazyXgerman]

what a novel idea!

i couldn't find any details about the -c model online so i finally called ruger. they had to do some research but eventually called me back and confirmed there was no -c model.

it was a typo after all - case solved

 

[TMM]

this might be too late, but i noticed how she won't be CCW'ing...

why get a light 5-round revo when you could get a 6-round, heavier GP-100? obviously concealment won't be a problem, and the heavier weight will dull the recoil. and the extra one round is always good to have.

~TMM

 

[Stasher1]

why get a light 5-round revo when you could get a 6-round, heavier GP-100?

At 27 oz. the 3" SP101 is anything but light, by 5 shot revolver standards anyway.

 

[crazyXgerman]

valid question, tmm. she handled a number of different ruger and s&w revolvers of various frame sizes, and that's the one she felt most comfortable with. larger frames / 4" barrels were too big for her. she'll shoot .38 from it anyway.

 

[BigRedBowtie]

Our local market on them is $389, but I have seen a few at $399 lately. My wife has a 3" '101 and likes it well enough. But she shot a friends 6" GP-100, and now its on the short list.

BTW, I must concur... that a SP101- of any configuration- should not be considered "light".

 

[TMM]

ok, i didn't know how heavy they were. atleast, i didn't check.

as long as she's happy, that's cool.

~TMM

 

[pezo]

There not that heavy. compared to smith and wessons 5shot titanium pocket thingies they are. 12 oucnces versus 24 ounces in the ruger I beleive. correct me if Im wrong. I find this to be an advantage shooting heaveir loads in the ruger but yes perhaps to heavy for pocket carry than smaller smiths but try shooting these 148 grain fittochi sjhp's out of the smiths.ouch. I prefer .357 mag for defense over .38's for the most part and the ruger is more pleasant with them.

 

[gazpacho]

Have her try it with the Hogue Monogrip. With it, I find the SP101 to shoot superbly. It drops into thehand naturally, and the extra rubber helps with recoil.

If you like to mess with things, you might also replacing the hammer spring. OEM is 14#. I swapped out to the 12# (I don't trust the lower springs), and the trigger pull got noticeably nicer. I didn't touch the trigger spring because some people have mention trigger return problems with the lower weight springs. Then again, you live in the wonderful republic of litigation, so maybe the factory set-up would be the safest.

 

[crazyXgerman]

hehehe, yeah, the guy in the store handed her the titanium thingamabobby at one point and she didn't like it at all. and yes, hogue grips will definitely be installed.

question:

how about remington umc .38 special fmj 130 gr. for training and remington umc .38 special +p jhp 125 gr. for home defense?

i've been shooting remington umc in my semi-autos for some time now and am very satisfied with it. natchez has them for very reasonable prices. thoughts?

 

[Doug Add]

how about remington umc .38 special fmj 130 gr. for training and remington umc .38 special +p jhp 125 gr. for home defense?

Many will tell you that the SP101 is sighted in for a 158 gr. bullet.

I have been using the UMC 130 gr. for target/practice and find it quite an acceptable round, both for my 2.25" SP101 and my 4" S&W 586. My personal choice for hd is a 125 gr. +P gold dot from Georgia Arms. I have not compared it with the UMC either with regard to accuracy or pricing, but I get it at the price stated on their webpage without shipping costs at the local gun show.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

A buddy of mine just bought a NIB sp101 3" for $300 here. Now when I find the funds for that GP100...

 

[crazyXgerman]

Many will tell you that the SP101 is sighted in for a 158 gr. bullet.

could you elaborate on that, please?

 

[Daniel Boon]

sp101

I just bought a sp; paid 359+ its tighter than a wedge, and will shoot any hot factory load you put in it; but I'm having a problem with it; at 10 yrds, it shoots at least 18 " low, fixable, but still a pain; I hope you have better luck with yours.

 

[Doug Add]

Quote:
Many will tell you that the SP101 is sighted in for a 158 gr. bullet.

could you elaborate on that, please?


Different weight bullets will have a different point of impact. A 125 or 130 gr. bullet will shoot to a different point than a 158 gr. bullet. As I recall, Ruger has the SP101 set up for 158 gr. Use a different weight bullet and you may have to adjust your point of aim or modify the front sight.

 

[crazyXgerman]

interesting, doug. so what are we talking about on 7 - 15 yards? a few millimeters or 18 inches?

it appears the heavier cartridge/bullet is a tad more expensive in comparison, and also usually lead round nose instead of full metal jacket. does that mean it's also dirtier?

 

[Doug Add]

so what are we talking about on 7 - 15 yards? a few millimeters or 18 inches?

I am not a revolver expert, nor do I play one on TV.

I have actually never made a comparison. All I have shot out of my SP101 is 125 or 130 gr. .38 and 125 gr. .357, so I don't know how they compare to a 158 gr. bullet.

I can shoot my 2.25" SP101 quite accurately with the 130 gr. FMJ .38 and the 125 gr. JHP .38 +P, and have never filed down the sight or made extreme adjustments in point of aim. In fact, I don't recall making adjustments in point of aim. I'll compare next time I shoot it if I can pick up some 158 gr. ammo.