SP101 357 Match Champion or plain Jane version?

[Catpop]

My 101 is probably 15 years old, so it may have been built at a better time. It was bought NIB. It’s the only 101 I’ve ever shot, so I can’t vouch for the new production.
That said, I would buy another one today as mine has served me well! If I did, I would buy the standard model.
The shims would help with the side hammer drag in DA mode. But for the intended use, self defense, I bought mine, I wouldn’t have wasted the extra money then or now. For me its a self defense tool, not a target revolver.
It’s a great heavy duty tool that will last a lifetime!
Again, jmho

 

[Zaydok Allen]

SP101 in 22LR!

I had one and it was terrible. I had to polish the chambers because extraction was totally unacceptable. Barrel was canted. Had to jack the rear sight way over to get it to shoot straight. Heavy trigger. I traded it away for a Dillon 550B reloading press. Best decision I ever made in a gun trade.

My 357 3" SP101 on the other hand is great.

I've never understood the match champion or longer barrel SP101s. The point of the SP101 to me is for it to be small and concealable. That means 2 or 3" barrels. Not a 4". And why would you want a small gun for any match? You wouldn't. IMO if you have a 4" GP100, for woods walking, then skip the SP101 totally, UNLESS you get the 327 version, or if you want a concealable 357 mag, save longer and go after a Kimber K6s. Just my feelings.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

When you have to immediately buy shims and a spring kit for a near $600 gun, there's something wrong with that picture.

When you have to mostly shoot 38 special from a 357 magnum revolver, because it's too light and made of plastic, and becomes punishing to the shooter, there's something wrong with that picture too.

Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, but these two guns do different things well. To say one is better than the other makes little sense.

If a person wants a traditional all steel gun and one that handles 357 without issue, the SP101 is a good choice. If you are looking for a very light carriable 357 that is easily concealed, the LCR and LCRx excel.

 

[V-fib]

I had a 3" sp101 nice gun but could not shoot it accurately. I recently got a KIMBER 357MAG K6S TLE 2 6 shot revolver. Beautiful fit and finish, adjustable night sights, very accurate for me. And the trigger, smooooooth! see it here: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/415006407/kimber+357mag+k6s+tle+2

 

[stonebuster]

And they've made the SP101 for 20 years longer than the LCR and back in the day, I'm sure SP101's were better made than today too.

When you have to immediately buy shims and a spring kit for a near $600 gun, there's something wrong with that picture.

I'm sure the GP100s, S&W 686/586 and many others of 20 years ago were better made also. Attention to detail is sacrificed to keep costs lower by most manufacturers now and is why the older models often sell for much more than a new ones. You don't have to install shims and springs but if you choose to they only cost a total of about $20 bucks. Hammers that show drag marks from rubbing the frame are very common with GP 100s and need shimming if you want to stop it. My SPs hammer wasn't showing any drag marks but I shimmed it anyway. You can easily pick up a lightly used SP for $400-450. The Match Champions come with hammer shims installed but there's still no guarantee the trigger will be any better than a shimmed standard model. I chose to spend the $10 on my SP and GPs. I'm not attempting to change your mind but posting for anyone that might be "on the fence" about making their choice. V-fib, if money wasn't a consideration I would own that Kimber. I like my SP but that Kimber is in another class.

 

[TTv2]

When you have to mostly shoot 38 special from a 357 magnum revolver, because it's too light and made of plastic, and becomes punishing to the shooter, there's something wrong with that picture too.

Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, but these two guns do different things well. To say one is better than the other makes little sense.

If a person wants a traditional all steel gun and one that handles 357 without issue, the SP101 is a good choice. If you are looking for a very light carriable 357 that is easily concealed, the LCR and LCRx excel.

What does the cartridge have to do with the quality of the gun? Whether it's the SP101 or the LCRx, I'm not shooting .357 constantly. It'll be .38 Special mostly, .357 sometimes, and when carried whatever ammo I shot best with, is affordable, and has good results in gel.

The reason that I went with the .327 SP101 was because I got sucked into the steel fanboyism and I regret it. .327 isn't comfortable to shoot in it, so I can only imagine what .357 must be like.

 

[TTv2]

I've never understood the match champion or longer barrel SP101s. The point of the SP101 to me is for it to be small and concealable. That means 2 or 3" barrels. Not a 4". And why would you want a small gun for any match? You wouldn't. IMO if you have a 4" GP100, for woods walking, then skip the SP101 totally, UNLESS you get the 327 version, or if you want a concealable 357 mag, save longer and go after a Kimber K6s. Just my feelings.

Kit gun, the longer barrel is great for open carry and the small frame means lighter weight. The GP100 is too big for a .32 caliber and when you're not even getting the extra round vs the .357 models, there's no point in .327.

If it's .357, then there's not much reason to get the 4 inch SP over the 4 inch GP w/ 7 rounds. Weight isn't that much more and size isn't tremendously larger either. The .357 Redhawk tho is a beast and does not excel in a carry role.

The other issue with the 4 inch SP's are that Charter is now making 6 inch barrels for their 5 shot .357 and probably will be doing the same for their .22's. So, with that setup, you're getting a 2 inch longer barrel, but you're also reducing the weight a few ounces and (I haven't held or dry fired a new Charter) likely getting a better trigger too, all for less money.

I don't think the 4 inch SP101's are long for this world. The 3 inch and shorter ones will be around for a long time.

 

[RealGun]

To open carry I would want at least a 4" barrel. I have 3" SP101s in 357 and 327 holding 6.

 

[cogun4hire]

I had a 3" sp101 nice gun but could not shoot it accurately. I recently got a KIMBER 357MAG K6S TLE 2 6 shot revolver. Beautiful fit and finish, adjustable night sights, very accurate for me. And the trigger, smooooooth! see it here: https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/415006407/kimber+357mag+k6s+tle+2

Do you know how the Kimber compares to a LCRx by chance? I've been looking at both of these models as they are similar weight. The +1 of the Kimber capacity has me leaning that direction though...

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What does the cartridge have to do with the quality of the gun?

In this case everything. Shimming and springing the SP101 isn’t necessary for it to function. It’s just a preference thing for some. If someone decides to do it, it’s cheap as was pointed out by stone buster. And besides, the MC is already shimmed.

From your perspective the LCRx is a “better gun” because the SP101 can receive some quality tweaks out of the box and in your opinion, based on the price, it shouldn’t need it. At least that’s how you presented it. But it doesn’t need it to function. So if you think they are just overpriced, fine.

From my perspective the 21.5 oz LCRx is not going to be pleasant to shoot 357’s out of and is a flawed concept. So to me the SP101 is a “better gun” but only for my needs. Your needs are apparently different than the OPs. Both guns do things well and the cartridge is important in this context for that reason. Because of perspective and desired usage. So a blanket statement that one is better than the other is not fair or accurate. This is about perspective and the ability to shoot the 357 mag repeatedly and comfortably is paramount IMO. But you're not going to hear me strole in and make a comment that it’s a better gun than the LCRx, because it’s not true.

Also, the OP never mentioned interest in an LCRx.

The reason that I went with the .327 SP101 was because I got sucked into the steel fanboyism and I regret it. .327 isn't comfortable to shoot in it, so I can only imagine what .357 must be like

Material preference isn’t fanboyism. It’s preference for a heavier material that has a measurable benefit, recoil mitigation. But if it’s not worth the price tag or you don’t feel it’s beneficial that’s fine. Again, preference and perspective.



I shoot 158 gr 357’s from my 3” SP101 and while it’s not the most comfortable thing to do, it’s certainly not punishing in the extreme. If you find 327 mag unpleasant from your SP101 that weighs 29.5 oz if it’s a 4.2”, I don’t understand why you’d want to shoot 357s from an LCRx that weighs 21 oz.

Kit gun, the longer barrel is great for open carry and the small frame means lighter weight. The GP100 is too big for a .32 caliber and when you're not even getting the extra round vs the .357 models, there's no point in .327.

Yeah I get how some folks want to use them and I know what a kit gun is, but these MCs are marketed as match guns. My statement was geared toward this being a silly marketing scheme with the MC. I carry an L frame in the woods. A few ounces is not a deal breaker for me. But that’s just me. Small frame revolvers shine for concealed carry IMO, but that’s all it is, an opinion.

 

[biquer]

When I compared the triggers, the MC was better. But both needed trigger work IMO. The logical choice for me was the 4” blue.

 

[TTv2]

In this case everything. Shimming and springing the SP101 isn’t necessary for it to function. It’s just a preference thing for some. If someone decides to do it, it’s cheap as was pointed out by stone buster. And besides, the MC is already shimmed.

From your perspective the LCRx is a “better gun” because the SP101 can receive some quality tweaks out of the box and in your opinion, based on the price, it shouldn’t need it. At least that’s how you presented it. But it doesn’t need it to function. So if you think they are just overpriced, fine.

From my perspective the 21.5 oz LCRx is not going to be pleasant to shoot 357’s out of and is a flawed concept. So to me the SP101 is a “better gun” but only for my needs. Your needs are apparently different than the OPs. Both guns do things well and the cartridge is important in this context for that reason. Because of perspective and desired usage. So a blanket statement that one is better than the other is not fair or accurate. This is about perspective and the ability to shoot the 357 mag repeatedly and comfortably is paramount IMO. But you're not going to hear me strole in and make a comment that it’s a better gun than the LCRx, because it’s not true.

Also, the OP never mentioned interest in an LCRx.



Material preference isn’t fanboyism. It’s preference for a heavier material that has a measurable benefit, recoil mitigation. But if it’s not worth the price tag or you don’t feel it’s beneficial that’s fine. Again, preference and perspective.

View attachment 837222

I shoot 158 gr 357’s from my 3” SP101 and while it’s not the most comfortable thing to do, it’s certainly not punishing in the extreme. If you find 327 mag unpleasant from your SP101 that weighs 29.5 oz if it’s a 4.2”, I don’t understand why you’d want to shoot 357s from an LCRx that weighs 21 oz.


Yeah I get how some folks want to use them and I know what a kit gun is, but these MCs are marketed as match guns. My statement was geared toward this being a silly marketing scheme with the MC. I carry an L frame in the woods. A few ounces is not a deal breaker for me. But that’s just me. Small frame revolvers shine for concealed carry IMO, but that’s all it is, an opinion.

Believe me, I understand others have different needs, likes, wants, etc. I just don't think any 4 inch SP101 is worth the money while a 3 inch LCRx is. I wanted to give the OP an alternate option because it doesn't make sense for me to say the SP101 sucks and then say he's better off with the standard model vs the Match Champ.

Which I agree with you on, it's a marketing gimmick to call it that, but the way I see it the "Match Champion" tagline is like Performance Center for S&W and that's exactly how I look at it.

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

I went to another gun shop yesterday. I fondled the Sp101 MC, the SP101 3", and a LCRX (22lr). This is the second time that I've held the MC. When I compared it to the 3" SP101, I was not all that impressed with the feel. The 3" felt more natural to me.

I then had a bit of an epiphany! None of these guns really excited me! I just kept thinking that for the money, I'm just fine with my 4" GP100. I can't justify the dollars! I'm going to cool my jets and put the cash back in the safe. I will stock up on some ammo so that I can shoot what I have a little more. I may even invest in some more reloading equipment and get back at that!


I appreciate all of the feedback and opinions. It was all very helpful! Thank you!

 

[RealGun]

I went to another gun shop yesterday. I fondled the Sp101 MC, the SP101 3", and a LCRX (22lr). This is the second time that I've held the MC. When I compared it to the 3" SP101, I was not all that impressed with the feel. The 3" felt more natural to me.

I then had a bit of an epiphany! None of these guns really excited me! I just kept thinking that for the money, I'm just fine with my 4" GP100. I can't justify the dollars! I'm going to cool my jets and put the cash back in the safe. I will stock up on some ammo so that I can shoot what I have a little more. I may even invest in some more reloading equipment and get back at that!


I appreciate all of the feedback and opinions. It was all very helpful! Thank you!

A very significant part of liking a gun is having ammo well suited to it (and vice versa). Reloading for many is key to owning and shooting a number of revolvers happily. .357 Magnum brass can serve from very tame to crazy power and recoil levels. Then there is always 38 Special. Also when reloading you are less likely to see dollars signs every time the gun fires...somewhat an illusion, but it works for me.

 

[V-fib]

cogun4hire said:

"Do you know how the Kimber compares to a LCRx by chance? I've been looking at both of these models as they are similar weight. The +1 of the Kimber capacity has me leaning that direction though..."

Sorry, can't help you there. My only other revolver that is close to it is my 642 which is 10oz lighter.

v-fib