SP101 22lr

[SDHillbilly]

Just received a NIB SP101 22lr. All reviews on this gun warned me that the trigger and hammer pull were extreme but I purchased it none the less.

I was hoping for some first hand experience from someone that has purchased the Wolff spring set for this revolver. I know that the Wolff website says that the set is not for 2011 and above models, but I believe that some owners have tried it anyway.

 

[weblance]

I have tried the Wolff springs in my new 8 shot SP101-22. None of the lighter mainsprings will give reliable ignition in DA mode. I did use the #8 trigger return spring, and that helped the trigger pull quite a bit. I have not polished, or shimmed the internal parts, and some owners are reporting that they CAN use the lighter springs with a polish/shim job. Mine has thousands of rounds though it now, thanks to my wife, and the trigger is nice, light, and crisp. I suppose it could be made lighter, but I dont see the need, as it is nice now. There supposedly has been a change recently to a heavier mainspring. Mine is an early production unit, and apparently has the lighter spring. This is only what I have read, so take that for what its worth.

 

[SDHillbilly]

Can you tell me what you mean when you say "early production unit". Mine is 2013 production unit and I have read that it comes with a #14 hammer spring.

I was hoping that the #12 would still reliably fire.

 

[HankR]

Mine had to go back to Ruger for light primer strikes, so I'd be a little leery of going any lighter. Ruger claimed they adjusted the headspace (I don't even know what that means on a revolver) and didn't mention any springs. It is reliable now, so whatever they did worked.

I didn't think the trigger was all that bad, but notice that I mainly tend to shoot it single action.

 

[CB900F]

SDHillbilly;

Once upon a time, in the distant past, I owned a brand new SP101. A gunsmith friend of mine advised me to detail clean it before I ever ran a round through it. I was very glad I took his tip, as there were enough "leftovers" in the frame to get a start on enough metal for a new gun!

I had dry fired it (it was a centerfire) and did notice a much better trigger after all the crud was removed from the innards of the gun.

900F

 

[weblance]

Early production means November 2011. I was waiting on the doorstep of my LGS the day they were announced, to put my order in.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I picked one up a month ago. Don't find the trigger to be too unbearable, but yes a tad stiff. It is in no way broken in though.

Sticky extraction has been my issue. Polished my chambers, but have t had a chance to shoot it again.

I won't mess with my trigger until it's broken in.

 

[SDHillbilly]

Thanks for the replies guys. Just in case anyone is interested I should explain a little more.

While firing single action the trigger is very acceptable, clean and smooth, not much different than my Security Six. The problem with single action is the hammer is very tight. So much so that my wife has to use 2 thumbs to cock it.

Firing double-action is totally unacceptable. There would be no way to accurately fire the gun.

I ordered the kit yesterday and will hopefully install it at the beginning of the week. At the same time I will do some polishing on some of the internals.

I will report back just for the heck of it.

 

[DPris]

The nature of the gun makes it unsuitable for most kids & people with lesser hand (trigger finger & thumb) strength.
It is what it is & the size should not lead to any assumptions that "Wow, that'll be a GREAT gun for my wife/child!"

The design & dimensions determine a stiff mainspring.
Sometimes a lighter spring will help, other times it'll only compromise ignition.
Ruger says they put some effort into making tolerances more uniform on the current SPs from gun to gun, but there are still variances that mean a lighter spring MAY work in one, while it may not in another.

Maybe next time when you read the reviews but want a gun anyway, try to check one out at a gunshop before buying?
Denis

 

[SDHillbilly]

The nature of the gun makes it unsuitable for most kids & people with lesser hand (trigger finger & thumb) strength.
It is what it is & the size should not lead to any assumptions that "Wow, that'll be a GREAT gun for my wife/child!"

The design & dimensions determine a stiff mainspring.
Sometimes a lighter spring will help, other times it'll only compromise ignition.
Ruger says they put some effort into making tolerances more uniform on the current SPs from gun to gun, but there are still variances that mean a lighter spring MAY work in one, while it may not in another.

Maybe next time when you read the reviews but want a gun anyway, try to check one out at a gunshop before buying?
Denis

The gun was bought for me and your point of "buying anyway" is well taken but unnecessary. I knew what I was getting into and all is good no matter how it turns out.

I was just looking for a little experience with the spring changes.

 

[HankR]

The nature of the gun makes it unsuitable for most kids

Glad my kids don't read this forum. Not knowing any better, they love it (and find it perfectly suitable).

 

[JJHACK]

I've been a Ruger fan much of my life. I've owned a few and always thought highly of them. Not in the same league as S&W for trigger to my digits, but perfectly usable for all the needs I've had.

However in .22 there are some issues as discussed in another thread here on .22 revolvers. The .22 requires a stiffer impact to the rim for ignition. So it's different then a Centerfire.

I'm also going to buy a .22 revolver in the next month. My dilemma is between the S&W and the Ruger. I'm glad to read the posts here on the Ruger to help me make a good decision.

How complicated is the polishing of the trigger parts on the Ruger? On the S&W it's a gun smith job in my opinion. However you folks talk about the Ruger as if its just a simple matter to take it apart and do it easily.

 

[SDHillbilly]

I've been a Ruger fan much of my life. I've owned a few and always thought highly of them. Not in the same league as S&W for trigger to my digits, but perfectly usable for all the needs I've had.

However in .22 there are some issues as discussed in another thread here on .22 revolvers. The .22 requires a stiffer impact to the rim for ignition. So it's different then a Centerfire.

I'm also going to buy a .22 revolver in the next month. My dilemma is between the S&W and the Ruger. I'm glad to read the posts here on the Ruger to help me make a good decision.

How complicated is the polishing of the trigger parts on the Ruger? On the S&W it's a gun smith job in my opinion. However you folks talk about the Ruger as if its just a simple matter to take it apart and do it easily.

Hopefully someone much more qualified than I will come along and have some insight to your question. As I said earlier I have ordered the Wolff spring kit and will be diving in at the beginning of the week with the help of a friend that is pretty handy with this sort of thing.
I will report back.

 

[NorthBorder]

http://www.teslamap.com/public/sp101...job/index.html

JJHACK. I just downloaded this website yesterday so I haven't had an opportunity to give it a go. I'm not that mechanically inclined but this does give alot of detail and the pictures are always nice. Hope it works for you.