I’m considering buying my first revolver. I’m looking at a 3 inch sp101, I’m just not sure about the recoil with full 357 loads. The most powerful thing I’ve shot would be a pistol grip only mossberg 500. I know it’s not a fair comparison but how would the recoil be compare to that. The only pistols I’ve shot have been 9mm, 45 acp and a 380 S&W bodyguard.
Sp101 recoil.
- Thread starter antmistr
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Blkhrt13
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The beauty of said sp101 is you can practice with 38s that won’t be that bad recoil wise. Then touch off a few 357 to check poi. With a 3inch barrel it should be more like the 45 you Shot. The Ruger is a fairly solid so it should soak up a good bit.
Frulk
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Recoil is a very subjective. I shoot hot loads through my SP101s without any issues. I also have aftermarket grips on them and the gun fits my hands well.
A good place to check what you can tolerate is a range that rents guns. See if that’s an option and make sure you try some 38 Special+P as a starting point.
The SP 101 is available in 9mm and .327 Fed Mag if you decide the .357 is just too much.
Welcome to THR and good luck with your SP search.
A good place to check what you can tolerate is a range that rents guns. See if that’s an option and make sure you try some 38 Special+P as a starting point.
The SP 101 is available in 9mm and .327 Fed Mag if you decide the .357 is just too much.
Welcome to THR and good luck with your SP search.
dfariswheel
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There's no doubt that a full charge .357 in a small frame revolver is stout.
However the SP-101 is a larger framed all stainless steel revolver so it's not going to recoil like an aluminum S&W "J" frame gun.
The biggest issue is muzzle blast in the 3 inch barrel but even that's not "quite" as bad as the 2 inch models.
Most people who buy a small frame short barrel .357 wind up shooting .38 Special +P.
There's plenty of this ammo available that gives excellent results and does it without the fierce, literally ear-splitting muzzle blast.
My favorite is the HOT Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P, lead, semi-wadcutter, hollow point.
This was the round that ended the police failures to stop with the standard .38 Special.
Today's +P ammo is downloaded from the original 1960's version probably due to people using it in small frame guns that weren't made to handle the higher pressures......
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108
In any case, you can do a WHOLE lot worse then a Ruger SP-101. If you don't like the full .357 loads you have the option of simply using .38 Special +P for carry and standard light .38 Special for practice.
However the SP-101 is a larger framed all stainless steel revolver so it's not going to recoil like an aluminum S&W "J" frame gun.
The biggest issue is muzzle blast in the 3 inch barrel but even that's not "quite" as bad as the 2 inch models.
Most people who buy a small frame short barrel .357 wind up shooting .38 Special +P.
There's plenty of this ammo available that gives excellent results and does it without the fierce, literally ear-splitting muzzle blast.
My favorite is the HOT Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P, lead, semi-wadcutter, hollow point.
This was the round that ended the police failures to stop with the standard .38 Special.
Today's +P ammo is downloaded from the original 1960's version probably due to people using it in small frame guns that weren't made to handle the higher pressures......
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=108
In any case, you can do a WHOLE lot worse then a Ruger SP-101. If you don't like the full .357 loads you have the option of simply using .38 Special +P for carry and standard light .38 Special for practice.
Ironicaintit
Member
I have a spurless DAO version, and it is a great little rig. I don’t think recoil is much worse than a 1911 in 45acp.
but I also have an LCR, and fire full tilt 357s in it without a problem
but I also have an LCR, and fire full tilt 357s in it without a problem
LUCKYDAWG13
Member
First off Welcome to THR the SP101 is a great little gun I have the 3" and like it a lot but find myself wanting the 4" now
and recoil is not bad at all
and recoil is not bad at all
I was surprised first time I put full loads through my sp101 because the recoil wasn't bad at all. The weight of the sp101 no doubt has a lot to do with it and would make .38 +p loads very easy to control for most anybody. Welcome to the forum!
Dan-O
Member
Depends a lot on what grips you are running on it too.
The gun is built like a tank
The gun is built like a tank
Monster Zero
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The beauty of a revolver is that you can work your way up. I practice with either cheap stuff off the shelf or my own reloads.
In nightstand duty, it's loaded with either BB 150gr wadcutters or 158gr swchp's both in .38 special. The 158gr load is a +p.
The only .357 load that's ever been shot in my SP is the Speer 135gr short barrel load, which is quite mild for a .357.
No need for anything more, IMO. YMMV.
WestKentucky
Member
Recoil is very shooter subjective. Today I shot 2 38 snubs. One heavier than the other, using the same box of shells. The heavier gun theoretically eats up more recoil energy, but my perception was that the lighter gun had less recoil and I believe the grip shape and the way I grip a small gun to be the reason. The grip shapes are different and the more rounded grip seemed to let the gun move more and the snappiness there is likely why it felt like more recoil.
LUCKYDAWG13
Member
I would load 38 Special ammo for S/D or H/D 357 magnum is just to loud to use without hearing protection
Thanks for all the advice. Has anyone here fired a pistol grip only shotgun? Just curious how it is compared to that. 99% of the time I would be shooting 38s but just wanted to know if I were to use 357s how bad the recoil is. Some say it’s not bad while others say it’s painful. Even with the shotgun (I know it’s different) with full power loads it stings your hand, but it’s still manageable. I’m not really recoil sensitive but don’t want to be shocked either.
LUCKYDAWG13
Member
if you can handle a pistol grip on a 12ga you can handle a 357 if thats what your asking
Yes. Thank you. I know the shotgun is heavier so it’s not the best comparison. But I just wanted to know if the 357 is worse than that.
shoebox1.1
Member
My 3 inch king cobra with magnums in it is pretty stout! I shot about 25 rounds through it and I was ready to switch to 38’s! Lol it’s very accurate with the 125 magnums though. I want to say the SP is heavier and should soak up the bang better
Riomouse911
Member
You’ll be fine.
As the others have posted, do your best to find some mild .38 Specials to cut your teeth on, Something like a 130 Gr. Full Metal Jacket or 158 gr Round Nose Lead load will be the perfect choice. If you’re unable to get quality instruction, read up on the basics of gun safety and revolver shooting (Tons of stuff online!)
Shoot your rounds slowly at 5 yards, learning the mechanics of the gun and get the feel for how it fits you.
After 100 or so familiarity rounds (it may be 200 before you’re hitting where you want to) you’ll be ready to graduate up in power-recoil levels to the +P. Do the same with these, working back to 7 and then 10 yards.
Then, and only then, would I recommend you go for the full power magnum rounds. Not that shooting them is an awful thing, but there is enough buck and roar to give lesser experienced shooters a ton of bad habits if they’re not ready for the challenge. If you start off at the high end, the noise, blast and recoil from a small magnum revolver will most likely require a lot of practice time and $$ at the range to overcome those bad habits.
Welcome to THR
Stay safe.
As the others have posted, do your best to find some mild .38 Specials to cut your teeth on, Something like a 130 Gr. Full Metal Jacket or 158 gr Round Nose Lead load will be the perfect choice. If you’re unable to get quality instruction, read up on the basics of gun safety and revolver shooting (Tons of stuff online!)
Shoot your rounds slowly at 5 yards, learning the mechanics of the gun and get the feel for how it fits you.
After 100 or so familiarity rounds (it may be 200 before you’re hitting where you want to) you’ll be ready to graduate up in power-recoil levels to the +P. Do the same with these, working back to 7 and then 10 yards.
Then, and only then, would I recommend you go for the full power magnum rounds. Not that shooting them is an awful thing, but there is enough buck and roar to give lesser experienced shooters a ton of bad habits if they’re not ready for the challenge. If you start off at the high end, the noise, blast and recoil from a small magnum revolver will most likely require a lot of practice time and $$ at the range to overcome those bad habits.
Welcome to THR
Stay safe.
Tallball
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My friend has a 3" 357 fixed-sight SP101.
Most people don't do well with the factory grips. Even something as simple as a Hogue monogrip is an improvement.
357's are kinda stout to shoot, but not terrible. 38's are NBD.
I've had two SP101's and they've both had lousy triggers.
The trigger on my friend's SP101 is pretty decent, though.
He held a lot of revolvers at the gun show before he bought the SP101.
Most people don't do well with the factory grips. Even something as simple as a Hogue monogrip is an improvement.
357's are kinda stout to shoot, but not terrible. 38's are NBD.
I've had two SP101's and they've both had lousy triggers.
The trigger on my friend's SP101 is pretty decent, though.
He held a lot of revolvers at the gun show before he bought the SP101.
In my opinion, the people who say that .357 recoil (in anything) is not bad are either lying, or have magnumitis, or they shoot a LOT and have gotten used to it. I find the .357 Magnum is simply not a pleasant gun to shoot. Sharp recoil, blast, shockwave. Yes, I know, there are people who shoot it all the time and say it's nothing... but that's part of it. They shoot it all the time. If you're not used to shooting pistols, you definitely need to work up to .357.
The good thing is, as everyone has said, that you can shoot anything down to the weakest .38 wadcutters in the gun. It's easy to work up to something powerful enough, but won't hurt you to shoot.
Grips are also vitally important. If the handle is too small for your hand, it's gonna hurt to shoot.
The good thing is, as everyone has said, that you can shoot anything down to the weakest .38 wadcutters in the gun. It's easy to work up to something powerful enough, but won't hurt you to shoot.
Grips are also vitally important. If the handle is too small for your hand, it's gonna hurt to shoot.
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P5 Guy
Member
A friend of mine has a SP101 that he only shoots 38SPL in. Fact is he gave me the box of 357MAG he bought for it, only 5 shot missing.
CopperFouling
Member
Armored farmer
Member
If I remember correctly the sp101 sights are regulated for 158s.
If held high on the grip, which I believe to be the correct way, the axis of the SP101’s bore is quite low, in relation to the axis of the forearm’s Radius bone. (The Radius bone is on the thumb side of the forearm. The Ulna bore is on the little finger’s side of the forearm.) So, the SP101, held high on the grip, produces relatively less muzzle flip than many other compact handguns.
Notably, when I first owned an SP101, in the early Nineties, to serve as a back-up for my GP100 duty handgun, I thought the SP101’s recoil was brutal, when fired with any Magnum ammo, but I do not think I was paying attention to holding high enough on the grip. I sold or traded that first SP101. When I subsequently realized that I had had not been handling the SP101 correctly, I bought another, in 1997, and still have it. This time ‘round, holding the weapon correctly, Magnum recoil was not so daunting. I added more SP101 five-guns, in more configurations, over the next decade, or so, and still have them.
Recoil affects different folks in different ways. In limited quantities, I have fired my SP101 snub-guns with full-pressure Federal and Remington 125-grain .357 ammo, and Federal Castcore 180-grain ammo. I have normally carried less-formidable ammo in my these smaller weapons. When it was plentiful, the 145-grain Winchester was a favorite. I have liked the Speer 135-grain Short Barrel .357 load, when I could find it.
I find it very comforting to know that the smallest revolver that I normally carry can be loaded with full-pressure .357 Mag ammo, the same as I have in my larger GP100 sixguns, or our .357 Mag lever-action rifles, and know that my hands can handle the resultant recoil.
Notably, when I first owned an SP101, in the early Nineties, to serve as a back-up for my GP100 duty handgun, I thought the SP101’s recoil was brutal, when fired with any Magnum ammo, but I do not think I was paying attention to holding high enough on the grip. I sold or traded that first SP101. When I subsequently realized that I had had not been handling the SP101 correctly, I bought another, in 1997, and still have it. This time ‘round, holding the weapon correctly, Magnum recoil was not so daunting. I added more SP101 five-guns, in more configurations, over the next decade, or so, and still have them.
Recoil affects different folks in different ways. In limited quantities, I have fired my SP101 snub-guns with full-pressure Federal and Remington 125-grain .357 ammo, and Federal Castcore 180-grain ammo. I have normally carried less-formidable ammo in my these smaller weapons. When it was plentiful, the 145-grain Winchester was a favorite. I have liked the Speer 135-grain Short Barrel .357 load, when I could find it.
I find it very comforting to know that the smallest revolver that I normally carry can be loaded with full-pressure .357 Mag ammo, the same as I have in my larger GP100 sixguns, or our .357 Mag lever-action rifles, and know that my hands can handle the resultant recoil.
antmistr,
I would try renting an SP101 first. Many ranges have them if they do gun rentals. Start with .38 Special, then work up to .38 Special +P and if you are still game, try the 110 grain .357 magnum rounds. They have the least recoil in .357 magnum and are quite effective. I rented a number of compact guns and passed on buying them after firing a full box of ammo through each one.
Good luck,
Jim
I would try renting an SP101 first. Many ranges have them if they do gun rentals. Start with .38 Special, then work up to .38 Special +P and if you are still game, try the 110 grain .357 magnum rounds. They have the least recoil in .357 magnum and are quite effective. I rented a number of compact guns and passed on buying them after firing a full box of ammo through each one.
Good luck,
Jim
dickydalton
Member
The best grip I found for recoil on my SP 101 is the Pachmyr Compac. I was surprised that it is better than the Hogue.
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