sp101 in 357 or 38
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walker944
Member
Always go for the .357, you won't be sorry. If you choose the .38 spcl, then decide you wish you had the .357 you'll kick yourself silly for not just buying the .357 when you had the chance! I'm here to help you prevent future self inflicted bruises. 
Dan-O
Member
.357
Defiantly take the .357. I would plink with .38 loads and carry .357's. I had one and I still regret selling it. Make sure you shoot both types of ammo before carrying. My point of impact changed quite a bit between the 38sp bulk ammo and the Black Talons I was carrying.
Landric
Member
I have the 2 1/4" DAO in .357 Magnum. My understanding is that the only difference between the current production .38 Special and .357 Magnum is the chamber, they are the same size and weight. Given those factors, I'd buy the .357 since you can still shoot .38 Special if you choose to.
If the .38 Special was significantly smaller or lighter, it would be a tougher decision.
If the .38 Special was significantly smaller or lighter, it would be a tougher decision.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Considering Ruger charges the same price for both their .38 Special and .357 Magnum SP-101 there's no reason not to buy the Magnum. Having the choice of shooting more powerful ammo is always a good option even if you don't need that option right now.
Unless you have a job where you can only carry a .38Spl chambered revolver, get the .357Mag model. Reasons posted above apply....WAAAAAY more versatile when you can pick from .38Spl cowboy or target wadcutter ammo, all the way up to the "just short of thermo-nuclear .357 Mag super-duper" loads
About 3 cylinders full of 158 grain .357 is all I can stand before my hand just can't take it. So I mostly shoot .38s in mine....BUT I can shoot the .357 if the need arises. Other way around, you're stuck with .38 and that's it.
Go for the .357.
Go for the .357.
There's no reason to get the .38, at least no reason I can think of.
You can buy the .357 and never shoot anything but .38s in it if you choose.
If I wanted a .38 Special+P-only carry revolver, I'd get an Airweight. If wanted a Ruger for all-around use and target shooting, I'd get a GP100. If I wanted something in between, I'd get the SP101 in .357.
You can buy the .357 and never shoot anything but .38s in it if you choose.
If I wanted a .38 Special+P-only carry revolver, I'd get an Airweight. If wanted a Ruger for all-around use and target shooting, I'd get a GP100. If I wanted something in between, I'd get the SP101 in .357.
C-grunt
Member
Get the magnum. No reason not to. I rarely shoot mags in mine, but do load it with them for hiking and what not.
I have the 3 inch and its probably my favorite handgun, though my new 1911 is a contender. The little revolver is fairly light and small, yet still has enough weight and size to handle the .357s well. Its also very accurate.
I have the 3 inch and its probably my favorite handgun, though my new 1911 is a contender. The little revolver is fairly light and small, yet still has enough weight and size to handle the .357s well. Its also very accurate.
SimpleIsGood229
Member
Definitely go for the .357. If you're a collector, I could see getting the .38; otherwise, buy the .357 and don't look back.
My guess is that the .38 is marketed to certain places or applications where there is a legal or liability-related reason not to shoot anything called "Magnum."
Mexico, for example, doesn't allow you to keep anything bigger than .38 at home, AFAIK. Australia has a similar, though not identical, restriction that I don't quite understand (no gun laws make sense, really).
Some PDs may not want their officers to carry Magnum BUGs, for whatever reason.
Otherwise, I can't see why Ruger would bother making the .38 version at all, given what's been posted above already.
Mexico, for example, doesn't allow you to keep anything bigger than .38 at home, AFAIK. Australia has a similar, though not identical, restriction that I don't quite understand (no gun laws make sense, really).
Some PDs may not want their officers to carry Magnum BUGs, for whatever reason.
Otherwise, I can't see why Ruger would bother making the .38 version at all, given what's been posted above already.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
The cylinder and frame external dimensions are the same. The Special-only cylinder will have the forward chamber shoulder in a different location, to match the shorter case.
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