SP101 2" Need some help choosing the model (.38 vs. .357 mag)

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Roman2in

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I'm trying to choose between Ruger SP101 2" barrel chambered for .357 Magnum and the same exact gun chambered for .38 special. I've read a few threads on this particular topic, but I still can't quite make up my mind.

I have pretty much decided that standard .357 magnum would be too much. I'm not really worried about recoil, especially in a rugged sp101, but I'm afraid that loud noise and muzzle blast will make it impossible to fight, should an incident happen indoors, in the dark. (as far as I understand it might totally disorient you and make you extremely vulnerable) Yet, I would really like to have something more powerful than standard .38+P.

So what I'm trying to figure out is whether I should get the .38 only model, and simply use the most powerful .38 ammo I can find (+P+? will .38 model handle it?) or get the .357 model and use the weakest .357 magnum ammo.

Just wanted to know what you guys think on this topic.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I don't want to use .38 in .357 mag, because I read that .38 lose even more performance when fired from a gun chambered for .357 mag.
 
If yo buy the .38, your only choice is the strong .38spl. If you buy the .357, you still can still use a strong .38 (ie. Double Tap or Buffalo Bore), but you also have the option of a weak .357 (like the Speer SBGD).
 
If yo buy the .38, your only choice is the strong .38spl. If you buy the .357, you still can still use a strong .38 (ie. Double Tap or Buffalo Bore), but you also have the option of a weak .357 (like the Speer SBGD).
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True, you have more options with .357, but .38 does not preform as well when fired from a gun chambered for .357

So I figured for best performance I should decide exactly what I will be using, and get the gun chambered exactly for that caliber.
 
(I have the .357 2" SP101-you won't regret getting an SP101 of any kind!)

Is there any difference in weight between the 38 and the 357 SP101? I recommend the 357 one, you can always back down to 38+P or 38 should you not like the recoil or muzzle flash from the 357 loads.
 
P.S. I don't want to use .38 in .357 mag, because I read that .38 lose even more performance when fired from a gun chambered for .357 mag.
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Where did you read that? I'd also be curious why you want something more powerful than .38+p? Are we talking about home defense?

I've got a SP101 .357 2.25" DAO. I like it with both .38+p and .357. Like you, I wouldn't want to shoot a .357 indoors because of the loudness and the muzzle flash. Luckily, I shoot .38 better, so it's an easy choice for home defense. I am plenty comfortable with 38+P as a defensive round.

Of course, I don't mind having the option of shooting .357s should the need ever arise. Buying the SP101 .38 doesn't make much sense to me. It's not even lighter. But to each their own.
 
According to their website both models weigh 26oz.

Here's where I found out that .38 will preform better in a gun chambered specifically for .38: http://www.snubnose.info/docs/38-snub_vs_357-snub.htm
snubnose.info said:
It is true that .38 Specials will lose a little velocity when fired from a revolver chambered for the slightly longer .357 Magnum
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There are other sources, but that's the only webpage I could find at this moment.

I will carry this gun, but it will also be for home defense. (at least for the first 6 month - year, then I will probably get something more powerful and easier to shoot for home defense.)
 
True, you have more options with .357, but .38 does not preform as well when fired from a gun chambered for .357
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We're talking about a 2" revolver with fixed sights here, which is primarily a concealed carry/short distance gun, not a target revolver. I doubt you would see a noticeable difference between the two in this scenario.
 
Go with the 357 3".

Firing 38Spl, your losses with 357 chambers won't be as much as your gains with the extra inch of tube - and said extra inch won't be any more difficult to pack 98% of the time.
 
If you're worried about flash and blast behind the gun, what do you suppose it'll be like down range at home defense distances? The BG might need the fire department before EMS and LEO!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, I try loads at night on our range to check flash. e.g. Power Pistol loads have more flash in 9mm than WWB's; though not a whole lot. Used to load max 296 (H-110) .357:::flame throwers out of a 4"!!!!!!!!!!!!! Didn't have to be dark, eveniong was enough to make the flash very visable, though not debilitating.

Buy the .357!!!!!!!

Bob
 
We're talking about a 2" revolver with fixed sights here, which is primarily a concealed carry/short distance gun, not a target revolver. I doubt you would see a noticeable difference between the two in this scenario.
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I wish people would tell me these things before I shoot snubbies out to 100 yards and actually hit stuff.
 
I'm not sure that most adversaries would notice the lost energy. Were it me, I'd go with the 357, just to expand my options... but you really can't go wrong here.
 
Good grief. I don't know how someone got you so wrought up over such minute statistics. If you're on the receiving end of a .38 or .38+P fired from a .357 you are NOT going to feel the difference. The options you have with the .357 by far outweigh the tiny little loss you might have with .38s. If you're worried about recoil, use the 110-gr. .357s. Not much difference between these and the .38+Ps.

My wife has carried the 3" .357 for 14 years. When she went through her training course she was hitting steel drop targets with .38 Specials at 30 and 40 yards. It is NOT a target gun, BUT it does what it is supposed to do, and does it very well.

Figures on paper don't mean squat in the real world. The 6.5x55 Swede isn't supposed to be able to drop critters like it does either, but it defies what it says on paper.

Get the .357. Later you'll sure wish you did.
 
Unless there's a significant price or weight difference, which I don't believe there is, it's a no-brainer to get the .357 for the versatility of all .38 and .357 ammo.

Accuracy at self-defense distances (30 feet or less) will be negligible if anything. You're not going to be 'defending' yourself against attackers from 100 yards! Most incidents of self defense are within a very close distance and require immediate stops with just a few shots. You're better off with the versatility of the .357 - and it'll be easier to sell/trade down the road (although having a .357, I would never trade it - it's a primary summer carry gun).
 
I'm trying to choose between Ruger SP101 2" barrel chambered for .357 Magnum and the same exact gun chambered for .38 special. I've read a few threads on this particular topic, but I still can't quite make up my mind.

...

So what I'm trying to figure out is whether I should get the .38 only model, and simply use the most powerful .38 ammo I can find (+P+? will .38 model handle it?) or get the .357 model and use the weakest .357 magnum ammo.
Click to expand...

You're aware, aren't you, that you can fire .38 Special in a gun chambered for .357 Magnum?

Get the .357. Shoot .38 in it.
 
I carry a .357 with a light .357 load (like 110 grain Powrball or Hydroshock) or with GD 38+P 135.

BTW, get a Big Dot tritium front sight for it. I love mine.
 
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