Sp101: best 9mm DA revolver?

[cookekdjr]

Hi folks. Hope everyone had a merry X-mas.
My .357 research led me to many positive reviews on the sp101. I'm now very interested in one in 9mm.
My question: is the sp101 the best double-action revolver in 9mm? If not, what is?
I think a 9mm sp101 would be both: 1) a good investment (no longer made) and 2) cheap to shoot because of low-cost 9mm. Just wondering what you folks has to recommend. BTW, I'm a very big S&W fan, but I've heard there were some problems with the 547, and they are more expensive to boot (and not available in stainless steel).
Thanks and have a great day,

David

 

[461]

I personally have two SP-101's, one .357 and one 9mm. I don't feel qualified to say it is the best 9mm revolver as there are many out there (although most are no longer made) but I can tell you it is probably the strongest you'll find unless you happen upon a Speed-Six in 9mm but that's a full sized weapon. The SP-101 9mm is plenty accurate although I haven't shot groups for size as this is a defense weapon. I sent mine off to Gemini Customs for slicking up with an action job, bobbed hammer and also had a large gold dot front site put on it and it handles beautifully now with about a 9 pound DA pull and complete reliability. I really like mine so I'm sure you will be pleased if you get one but be advised, an SP-101 is much heavier than a J-frame or the Taurus offerings. I had to search around for mine for a good while and then when I found it I had to jump through a lot of hoops here in CA as it isn't on our list of approved handguns. Worth the wait though and is now a permanent part of my collection. Good luck.

 

[cookekdjr]

Thanks, Tim. Will probably bid on one in the next couple weeks.
-David

 

[MatthewVanitas]

@461: Speaking of which, when do we get to see your custom pics, Chief?

 

[gunfan]

David:

Tell us of how the 9mm really shoots. (I know that you'll give us the "straight dope!")

Scott

 

[461]

MatthewVanitas- I'll indeed have to do that although I'm afraid the learning curve will be steep for me on figuring out how to post photos. I'll try to look into that tomorrow, kids are off school so maybe I can get some expert help.

 

[461]

Well I'm giving it a quick try and hoping for the best. Be gentle, this techie stuff is way past me.

 

[461]

Seemed to work, but still can't figure how to make it open up as a real picture instead of a thumbnail. Anyhow, you can at least see the gun- Quite a change eh Matthew?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Quite the change indeed. Man, that melt-job looks pretty sweet. You can enlarge the thumbnail just by clicking on it in the forum, FYI.

Nice looking project, very glad it worked out for you,

-MV

 

[461]

I'm pretty happy with it, Marc at Gemini did a real nice job on it. I recommend them highly. Always wanted a 9mm snubby.

 

[Moonclip]

I like my S&W 940 better than my Ruger Speed Six 9mm and better than a SP101 9mm I shot.

However the Rugers would be better for extensive shooting. Not to hijack the posts but I recently passed up a 9mm SP101 at 4250 in CA of all places.

Some nicks and dings and the previous owner filed down the front sight some. May have had trigger job and the ejector rod seems wobbly more so than my 357mag Sp101. Should I buy this gun or not? I can't really afford it but I'm hoping I can get it later this year maybe. These guns are hard to come by at any price, especially in CA. It's hard to break a Ruger after all.