Sighting a Ruger SP101 .357 snub

[Siaharok]

Howdy folks,

I just fired my new Ruger Sp101 .357 snub revolver for the first time. I don't have much experience with firearms, but it seemed pretty comfortable to me. Once I figured out the sights, I was able to hit decent groups at 7 yards. At first, I tried sighting with the bullseye directly above the front sight. This made it shoot terribly low. The gentleman at the range explained that my revolver is sighted for "combat". So I switched and covered the bullseye with the front sight instead. Et voila. It shot on target (ahem...when I did).

Are your sights similar? Are there any after market sights that you recommend? Or should I just learn to shoot this gun the way it is?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BlkHawk73]

You'll learn how the gun shoots with practice. My suggstion is if you're new as you say, get some good instruction. better to recify poor techniques now befor they become too difficult to change later.

 

[SAWBONES]

Siaharok, it sounds like you've got it figured out.

I have three .357 SP101s, and I believe these guns come factory-sighted to hit with POA = POI for 158gr loads, not for a 6 'o' clock hold.
All the lighter .357 loads will hit low, and .38 Special loads aren't even going to be close.

 

[Siaharok]

Thanks for the advice.

As for instruction, I've had some, I've read quite a lot, and I've practiced pretty diligently with an airgun. The gentlemen at the range were surprised at my grouping once I figured out how to sight the gun. They couldn't believe that it was my first time shooting the gun, and said that shooters with years of experience hardly shot any better. I didn't mention that it was also my first time shooting a .38. (Prior to that, I had only shot .22LR.) Not that I'm an expert, or I can't learn more. My point is that I was pretty sure that the problem was not with my technique.

Anyway, regarding the loads, that makes sense. Thanks SAWBONES. I'll have to try it out with a box of .357. But I'm not sure what you mean by a 6 o'clock hold. Could you please elaborate?

As I said, I'm pretty new to firearms. If I understand correctly, then your aim must change dramatically when you shoot .38 as opposed to .357. Am I correct?

 

[.45&TKD]

Ditto what Sawbones said.

If you're not shooting the 158's give them a try. They will probably shoot higher.

Another factor is hand size and strength. My wife shoots the lighter bullets just fine, but not me.

 

[Avenger29]

Anyway, regarding the loads, that makes sense. Thanks SAWBONES. I'll have to try it out with a box of .357. But I'm not sure what you mean by a 6 o'clock hold. Could you please elaborate?

He means holding the top of the front sight just under the bullseye. I.e- the sight picture you started out with. Known as a

I taught myself how to shoot from an Crosman airgun manual. And that is the method that they taught- put the top of the front sight under the target- it's also the way my rifles are sighted in...

 

[foghornl]

The previous posters nicely defined the "6 O'Clock" hold. I find that it works well for me....my 55+ Year old tri-focused eys need all the help they can get... I have a hard time lining up black sights on a black sillouhette (sp??) But lining up black sights on a white background (target) is much easier.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

You mentioned sight options. There are a number of front sight options.

Gold Bead front sight from Gemini Custom
Fiber Optic in several colors from Gemini
Standard and Large Dot sights from Express Sights formerly Ashley Outdoors available with or without tritium night inserts.
Tritium front sight from MeproLight and Trijicon

 

[Siaharok]

Thanks for the replies.