SP-101 .357/.38 Spec Question

[Lord Bodak]

I see that Ruger offers an SP-101 in .357 Magnum that is capable of firing .357 Magnum, .38 Special, and .38 Special +P. They also offer one in .38 Special that is capable of firing .38 Special and .38 Special +P. Both have the same MSRP. What reason is there to consider the .38 Special model when the .357 model is the same price and does everything the .38 does and more? Am I missing something?

 

[Preacherman]

No, you're not missing anything, and the .357 Magnum version is, as you've pointed out, far more versatile. However, there are some police departments and security companies that limit the caliber of their employee's firearms to .38 Special. For that reason, Ruger makes a variant in .38 Special, to satisfy that limited market. I'm willing to bet they sell dozens of .357 Magnum versions to every one .38 Special, though...

 

[Ala Dan]

I would opt for the Ruger SP 101 in .357 magnum, in
order to have a choice.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Lord Bodak]

Thanks for the quick answers guys. That's pretty much what I thought but I wanted to make sure

 

[rbernie]

Are the cylinders the same size (and just bored shorter for the 38 Special) between the two?

 

[Lord Bodak]

I haven't seen either in person so I can't tell. From the web site, it's possible: they both have the same weight but the .38 Special is 1/8" shorter in overall length. Doesn't seem like it'd be enough that you'd ever notice the difference.

 

[denfoote]

The MSRP is a fictional price that reflects what the manufacturer believes the gun should sell for. Usually, it reflects the wholesale price plus a certain percentage profit. Most, but not all, gunshops will sell the gun for much less, based on what the market will bear.
A most notable exceprion that I know of is Mandall's Shooting Supply in Scottsdale AZ. He sells his guns for MSRP (with it's built in profit margin) plus 15 percent!! His guns, with the notable exception of Glock, gather a lot of dust in their respective cases!!!

The point is, pay the MSRP no attention.

You can find the SP-101 for a lot less. I believe the Davidson's web site has a service wherein several dealers will give you quotes on the gun you are interested in. I too am interested in the SP-101. If I remember right, the price for one new in my local is just a hair over $350.

 

[Marshall]

$350.00'ish is one heck of a price denfoote. I see the SP-101 .357mag 2 and 3 inchers around here from $409.00 to $439.00 but not less.

 

[Lord Bodak]

I've only checked one place here in southeast VA and it's $397 there.

 

[tc300mag1]

they just went up around here to 419$ . so i would jump on it for 350$

 

[George S.]

SP-101's at my gun shop run $349 in your choice of caliber and barrel length.
http://www.eastcountyguns.com/CFRUGERREVOLVERS.htm

 

[gggman]

The gun shops in my area sell them new for $429, but I just bought a mint condition used one for $280.
$350 is a good price for a new one.

 

[Nick96]

Marshall,

I assume from your Green Country, Oklahoma location that you live in the eastern side. Many years ago I lived in OKC, and there were several gun shops that sold firearms at reasonable prices. Might want to find an OKC directory and call a few before making a purchase.

BTW, many, many, many years ago I lived in Tulsa - and wasn't aware of a really "good" shop there. Used to be a place called Dong's Sporting & Police Supply on Admiral that wasn't too bad. Then again, things may have changed in the last quarter century.

SP101's can be had new on the Texas south coast at stores & gun shows for $350 to $380. Have never seen a stock factory one priced over $400 around here.

 

[Obiwan]

I don't know if it applies here....


But I have seen some .357's that just don't shoot .38's worth a darn....

 

[Jim March]

Some nations ban the 357 for private ownership . Common in South America in particular.

 

[Marshall]

Thanks Nick.

Yes, Dongs is still there, a couple of pretty nice young men work there. Also, there is Sports World over on S. Lewis, they carry nice stuff. They are the premium Browning dealer here in town. If you want a good price on Brownings of any kind, they have the best price and inventory. The problem they have is that they are the most arrogant bunch of so & so's I have seen. The rest are pretty lame.

 

[TonyB]

I bought my SP(357) for $350 here in upstate NY..
it shoots 38's just fine,as accurately as I can shoot them anyway...

 

[Nick96]

My Grandfather claimed the .38 Spl. (which is really a .36) would actually be more accurate from a .357 barrel - since the bore of the .357 should be .003" tighter than that of a .38 Spl. Don't know if that's really true or not (especially with guns & ammo made after the 1930's). But he was generally right on in such matters.

Personally I haven't noticed much difference. Bullet weight seems to be more of a factor for me (heavier bullet = more accurate) with fixed sight revolvers.

 

[twoblink]

I bought a .357Mag because I can (if I choose) only shoot 38's my entire life. But if I want to shoot 357's, I can. It doesn't work the other way around...