SP101 back from Ruger

[JJHACK]

My Brand new SP101 was only shot 16 times the first day. The cylinder was so hard to rotate when drawing the hammer back I needed to use my other hand to help by rotating the cylinder itself.

So off this brand new revolver went back to Ruger. They had it about two weeks.

Got it back today. The written message said they replaced the pawl and adjusted several things. That they fired 100 CCI rounds and there was no problems. However there was also a note suggesting that I clean the extractor pocket every 50-70 rounds? I had only shot it 16 times before the problem showed up.

So I set up at 20 yards and fired of a full load of 8. To my surprise, four of the holes were touching, the other four were within an inch. I'm pleasantly surprised with the CCI mini mag round nose.

I loaded up stingers and they were about as good but only two holes touching. All these groups were 2.5" below point of aim and to the left. Appropriate adjustments made and the next 8 of each were into a silver dollar sized group. The Mini mags clearly a tighter group then the stingers.

Now I have one issue remaining and not sure how to fix this one. My rear sight is very high up. I hate adjustable sights this far from seated. My first thought is to get a shorted front sight? not sure what the options are. I definitely need to get this rear sight back down to a more secure location. I don't like having it this tall and vulnerable to getting whacked bumped or hung up on clothing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm surprised the revolver left the factory with that problem. They do test fire every one after all.

I'm glad they made good on the repairs and tested it with 100 rounds. That is very accurate for a short barrel revolver, very nice!

 

[David E]

Try different ammo. Have a known good shooter try it. Low left indicates a flinch if you're right handed.

 

[JJHACK]

Well I'll try different ammo to see if I get a higher group.

I use a 458lott and a 375HH for my living. I doubt it's a flinch with a 22 rimfire.

 

[skidder]

My rear sight is very high up. I hate adjustable sights this far from seated. My first thought is to get a shorted front sight?

I don't like my adjustable sights seated extra high also. A greater potential for a snag. I would file some of the front sight. Not so easy if you have one with a Hi-Viz sight. Not sure if they even make one for the 22.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Not so easy if you have one with a Hi-Viz sight.

Yes, the SP101 in .22 comes with a Hi-Viz front sight. You would need to change it out with a lower profile one if you want to lower it. Since mine is a plinker only, I have no problems with the sights sticking out a tad high. That fiber optic sight is ugly as hell..... but works very nicely.

 

[JJHACK]

It works awesome I just need one the next increment lower

 

[JJHACK]

The trigger is stiff no doubt about it. However accuracy is spectacular.

If the trigger was smoother this would be the best value in .22 revolvers ever.

Wolff is not yet offering a spring and shim kit for this. Once broken in, polished and tested with optional springs. I think this will be outstanding.

The only mechanical design issue is the very long hammer travel in double action. It's about 2 or more times the travel of a S&W centerfire revolver. Single action is good now. I think in time and a bit of polish this single action will be perfect

 

[JJHACK]

Oh, yeah.... I need a lower front sight or a taller rear blade.

 

[ultramag44]

Wolff does have a a spring kit for the SP101.
I only used the trigger spring. The hammer spring caused misfires so I removed it and out the factory hammer spring back in. A very crisp, creep free 3# pull.

Measure the base dimenthions of the front sight. There should be some all-steel ramp front sight that will fit, or one a bit larger that could be filed to for the female dovetail. A steel ramp can be filed to suit, then cold blued.

 

[JJHACK]

From Wolff this morning:

Hi Jim, at this time we do not have springs for the new .22 rimfire SP101’s. I’m hoping that will change next year.

John Andrews
Wolff Gunsprings

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The trigger is stiff no doubt about it. However accuracy is spectacular.

If the trigger was smoother this would be the best value in .22 revolvers ever.

Wolff is not yet offering a spring and shim kit for this. Once broken in, polished and tested with optional springs. I think this will be outstanding.

The only mechanical design issue is the very long hammer travel in double action. It's about 2 or more times the travel of a S&W centerfire revolver. Single action is good now. I think in time and a bit of polish this single action will be perfect

I'm not a Ruger basher and I own 3 SA Ruger revolvers and a short barrel Service-Six so understand I'm not getting on Ruger BUT, when you buy a revolver with a list price of $699 you should not have to make modifications to fix the trigger and such. (IMO of course) The factory trigger should be acceptable, not like a trigger job has been done but acceptable especially since you already sent it back to Ruger.

The S&W M317 Kit Gun has a list price of only $60 more and IMO is a much better revolver. The M63 is only $70 more and is made of Steel like the SP101 so it's a more direct comparison. I really like both for different reasons but mostly because they have good triggers and are very accurate. (at least the ones I've shot were) Note, both sport a 3" barrel instead of a 4" barrel like you have so that might make a difference to you too.

 

[JJHACK]

I was on the fence for months trying to figure out what to do between the 63 and the Ruger.

The feel in my hand was just so much more comfortable with the Ruger. The 63 was simply too small and difficult to handle. Up until the last few days before I chose to buy I was still on the fence.

If it were not for the one at the shop in Idaho that had a trigger as good as most factory revolvers I would likely have gone with the S&W. I'm not a brand specific guy. However some brands I would never own, Taurus revolvers and Browning rifles. But for S&W or Ruger, either one will suit me if it's good.

Granted I don't think you should have to make a new gun work with mods. However this is not unique to Ruger. I own a freedom Arms 83, They expect 125.00 to perform an action job on that! It's a 2500.00 list revolver, speaking of what should be included!

In the document that came back with the gun from Ruger, the double action trigger is stated to be set at the 13lb minimum per Ruger Spec. So it is built exactly as designed. I and most others would like that more in the 8-9lb range, and will have to settle for 10-11 with a rimfire. I guess?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I own a freedom Arms 83, They expect 125.00 to perform an action job on that! It's a 2500.00 list revolver

Are you kidding?!!!!! That is lame as hell. I always thought about ordering a FA some day, but that is CRAP. For that price it should be as good as it gets right out of the box.

 

[ultramag44]

I beg to differ.

This is the kit and it does fit. I took the # off the bag as it's in the box w/ my 8-shot SP101 adjustable sight gun.

Wolff spring kit# 17113

This is printed on the bag: RUGER SP101 ALL CALIBERS

I am only using the trigger return spring. Pull went from 4.5 # to 3#

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was on the fence for months trying to figure out what to do between the 63 and the Ruger.

The feel in my hand was just so much more comfortable with the Ruger. The 63 was simply too small and difficult to handle. Up until the last few days before I chose to buy I was still on the fence.

If it were not for the one at the shop in Idaho that had a trigger as good as most factory revolvers I would likely have gone with the S&W. I'm not a brand specific guy. However some brands I would never own, Taurus revolvers and Browning rifles. But for S&W or Ruger, either one will suit me if it's good.

Granted I don't think you should have to make a new gun work with mods. However this is not unique to Ruger. I own a freedom Arms 83, They expect 125.00 to perform an action job on that! It's a 2500.00 list revolver, speaking of what should be included!

In the document that came back with the gun from Ruger, the double action trigger is stated to be set at the 13lb minimum per Ruger Spec. So it is built exactly as designed. I and most others would like that more in the 8-9lb range, and will have to settle for 10-11 with a rimfire. I guess?

The Freedom Arms site offers to change the 4.25lb trigger pull to a very light 3lb or lower for $107. That light a trigger is uncommon on any revolver so if you want a target trigger they will do it but not everyone wants a target trigger.

784-3001
Honed action with trigger-pull set to min. of 3 lbs (specify weight). Factory original is approximately 4 ¼lbs. $107