So I picked up an SP101 today...

[TargetTerror]

I had been eyeing an SP101 for a while, and today I finally picked up a used one in .357 magnum. It's a 2.5 inch version. I just got back from the range, and all I can say is WOW!!

The gun is amazing! Excellent trigger pull, both in SA and DA mode. Very smooth action and handling all around. The .357s were definitely stiff, and hurt my hand after a few rounds when I didn't use my shooting gloves. But, it really wasn't all that much worse than a J frame with 38+p that I shot before. The grip is amazing - small enough to conceal, yet big enough to hold and squishy enough to absorb some of the recoil.

And the best part? I was grouping about as well as I group at 10yards with my Sig P6 9mm! This gun is VERY accurate, and pretty easy to shoot accurately too. I seem to shoot consistently left, but I'll just have remember that if I ever need to pick off bank robbers at 100 yards

 

[gunsmith]

I have one too

Right now it has crimson trace laser grips on it, not comfortable at all.
For awhile I had houge grips, really sweet.
You can shoot all day with Houge grips but they don't conceal quite as well.
Clean the cylinders really well after using .38's because the rings will cause cylinder bind when using .357 and you'll only get off a few shots!
It's a great gun

 

[BikerRN]

Congratulations!

I too just picked up a Ruger today, but it was a 3" GP100. If you like the SP101 you may want to consider sending it to Marc Morganti at Gemini for some porting and gunsmithing. I'm going to do that to my GP100.

I'm now on the "lookout" for an SP101 to send to him after I send him my GP100. The SP101 is a great little gun. Carry it well and stay safe.

Biker

 

[timothy75]

Glad you like it, now I dare you to get GP100.

 

[JT'sDad]

Congrats. I bought mine in 1993. Could be the best gun ever made!

 

[hexidismal]

Many years ago I got the chance to shoot a couple different incarnations of the SP101. At the time, I really didn't like it at all. BUT.. that was before I had any real experience with revolvers. In fact, that was so long ago now, that I wasn't even old enough to own one.These days, now that I currently own and enjoy 6 other revolvers (4 smiths, 1 colt, 1 Ruger single action) , I feel like maybe I should give the SP101 another try. I have a feeling that now I'd get a very different impression from it. Eventually I will, but there are just too many other guns on the list first.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

I've got a SP101 3.06" barrel. I originally bought it for a Tackle Box gun, but I liked it so well that it's now one of my primary CCW options. Congratulations on your fine choice!

 

[MCgunner]

Nice gun, ain't it? I have a Hogue monogrip, rubber, on mine. It conceals fine either IWB or in thunderwear. I have an alloy framed .38 for pockets or ankle holsters. The SP101 is the lightest .357 I can shoot effectively and comfortably. I had to add the Hogue because that trigger guard was banging up my middle finger with heavy loads. It is REALLY sweet with hot stuff, now. Mine shoots dead POA with .38 OR hot .357, don't find THAT too often! Your shooting left might be shooter induced. Mine is spot on. But, then, that varies from gun to gun. I probably got lucky with mine a little. But, then, they're not built for bullseye competition, but it's totally amazing how good the little buggars are. Mine will shoot 2.5" groups and that with the SHORT barrel. I don't normally shoot that good with a snubby, not much worse, but not THAT good. Even off hand, the thing points so well and the trigger is so slick (a bit heavy, haven't installed my spring kit, yet), it's easy to shoot.

Now get out there and burn up some hot loads. You'll never hurt that little cannon, will outlast your grandson, LOL.

 

[P. Plainsman]

They're great little pieces -- possibly the best Ruger revolver. I call mine (2.25" DAO) "Gimli." I don't usually name my guns.

Re grips: Consider the Hogue rubber monogrip. I alternate between the Hogue and the factory grip depending on how I want to balance shootability vs. concealability.

You can shoot all day with Ho[gu]e grips but they don't conceal quite as well.

That about sums it up.

The SP101 is still plenty shootable with the factory grip. But man, does that Hogue feel nice. Some of my favorite ergonomics on any gun ever. I ask myself at times why I tolerate a five-shot handgun for CCW/car carry when I own good high-cap semi-autos; then I pick up the SP101 and think, "oh yeah."

All about feel.

My project this weekend is to try out some serious .357 Magnum rounds in the little SP -- Buffalo Bore's "thumper" 180 grain hardcast flatnose --

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357

-- which I figure should be good for at least 1200 fps from that short barrel. I'll be using the Hogue monogrip for that project.

 

[MCgunner]

I fired mine over my chronograph with 180 Hornady XTPs in front of 13.8 grains of AA#9. I get 785 ft lbs out of my 6.5" Blackhawk with that load and I got 1306 fps/662 ft lbs out of the 2.3" SP101. That's pretty amazing out of that short barrel and adequate to stop a good sized hog if I needed it. I fired it when I first got the gun and didn't have the hogue, yet. First two rounds were dead on 2" apart at 25 yards. Last three I flinched. ROFL! The recoil was such, that trigger guard was really hurting! With the Hogue, it's just a warm load.

 

[19-3Ben]

I put hogue monogrips on mine. For a tad under $20, they really help the recoil with full-blast magnum rounds. They are great.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Yeah, I wish I had a chrono, because I have the hunch the Buff Bore 180s might do a good deal better than 1200 fps. Buff Bore's Tim Sundles clocked that load at 1302 fps from a 3" barreled S&W J frame.

Suppose it's 1250 fps: that'd be 624 ft/lbs from the little 25 oz bobbed-hammer five-shooter! Very considerable.

 

[GTSteve03]

Suppose it's 1250 fps: that'd be 624 ft/lbs from the little 25 oz bobbed-hammer five-shooter! Very considerable

I shot a 158gr load doing 1250 out of a 3" SP101 with Hogue grips, and that was quite enough for me! I can't imagine shooting a 180gr pill at that kind of velocity...

 

[MCgunner]

It ain't THAT bad with the hogue grip, but, put it this way, you know it earns the term MAGNUM when you pop the cap on one. Pretty useful field load, but I'll use my 140s for self defense.

Now, my handload mimics BB claims pretty close up to 6" barrel. Out of my Rossi 20" M92 carbine, though, they're claimin' some unreal, almost .30-30 performance. I'm only getting about 1650 fps with my handload. I'm wondering what kind of powder they're using, or perhaps some duplex concoction, to get the most out of such a wide variance of barrel length. I haven't obtained any BB 180s, but if and when I do, i'm going to try 'em in my rifle and just SEE if they meet the claims. I mean, kinda neat if they DO perform that well. Just wish I could get a handload figured out that would. But, heck, my standard 14.5 grains 2400/158 cast/gas check SWC moved nearly 1900 from the rifle and has killed a doe at 80 yards. It's pretty well good 'nuf I guess. Ain't like I'm gonna make a 200 yard gun out of it with BB loads.

 

[chris in va]

I have the 3" as well, but sometimes feel the shorter version would have been better. Either way I enjoy mine.

 

[rrruuunnn]

sp101 custom work done

i got custom porting, polishing, trigger, moon clip conversion. the wolf 10# misfired almost half the time with the moon clips on. without the moon clips the gun would not fire. i replaced the spring to 12#. now the gun misfires about 2% of the time. with certain ammo the gun will not fire at all without the moon clips. i will have to put the 14# trigger spring back. the moon clips are tight so take time to load. has anyone else have this much trouble with custom work. i don't want to mention the company's name. because i believe that they have a good reputaiton. and that my gun was one of the few.

 

[skeeter1]

I had a S&W M66 with a 2.5" barrel, but it was a bit too much for me. I ended up selling it to a friend in the US Army, and he can handle it much better than me. I'll stick with my M60 in .38Spl.

Having said that, the Ruger is indeed a fine and rugged handgun. You'll enjoy it for many years.

 

[gunsmith]

I found

Houge grips made shooting .357 great fun, a nice joyful thump and pure fun.

 

[DWARREN123]

I have one with the 3" barrel. They are definitely fine little revolvers. 38 spl do feel better thru them. The stock grips are too small for me so I put some Hogue mono grips on them which give good control but are a little big, then I went to Pachmayr which are better for concealed carry. I like rubber type grips for comfort.

 

[P. Plainsman]

The Pachmayr Compac is a decent grip for the SP101. It is concealable, has a nice pebbly texture, and unlike most Pachmayrs it is made of fairly hard rubber, while still having some give.

I generally dislike Pachmayr's revolver grips ("Gripper," Presentation, etc.) because they are too soft and floppy, which can impede accuracy. However, the Pachmayr Compac for the SP101 is different. It could work as a compromise between the factory grip and the Hogue.

 

[spyderdude]

Congrats on the new SP101, it'll last you a very long time, and probably live longer than you. I have the same one with the spurred hammer, and I couldn't ask for a better snubnose 357. Many people say it's too heavy for pocket carry, but I find it to be comfortable. I mostly shoot .38s through it at the range along with a box of 357s. It doesn't get carried much anymore, but I keep it around in case my autoloaders decide they're not going to cooperate when I need them to. When it comes to personal defense and reliability, you just can't beat a good wheelgun!

 

[duckjihad]

Bought the three incher about 6 years ago. Had Tom Clements slick the action. Put hogue finger groove wooden grips on it, and filed the front site down til it printed where I pointed. Really like that peice. Ity's my trail gun and night stand gun.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Heh. Here's an update:

My project this weekend is to try out some serious .357 Magnum rounds in the little SP -- Buffalo Bore's "thumper" 180 grain hardcast flatnose

Took the sturdy dwarf to the range today and fired half a box of the Buff Bore 180s. "That's a spicy meatball." Going through a cylinder left my palm stinging, about like launching a 300 gr .44 Magnum load from a 4" steel N-frame. Nevertheless, the revolver remained in control.

It's an accurate load. This often seems to be the case with heavy bullet loads using slow powder charges. My experience was similar to MCGunner's; I managed to put three rounds right next to each other at 10 yards ... then I started flinching and the group opened up.

Good ammo. Much power in a small package. Wouldn't be crazy at all to load your SP with the Buff Bore 180s for woods carry.