SP101 - Which barrel? 3.06" or 2.25"

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The longer barrel will make the gun a better performer in every respect except one - it will have less felt recoil, a longer sight radius, and more power. The only thing you gain from going with the shorter barrel is ease of carry.

FWIW, I like the look of the longer guns. Put some fancy grips on them and they can get might purty...
 
The SP-101 isn't a gun you'd want to just drop in a pocket or stick in an ankle holster anyhow. They're solid but a bit heavy and at their best in a good holster.
Since you need to have the right equipment to carry it anyhow, might as well go with the one that's a little easier to hit with and hits a little harder.
I say go with the 3".
 
The high intensity.357 mag cartridge is especially partial to a longer barrel length. According to personal experience and an article by a gun rag hero it loses velocity faster on a percentage basis in short barrels than less intensive rounds such as .38 spl do. The difference between velocity achieved by the .357 from a 2'' and a 4" barrel is said to be significantly greater than between a .38 spl in those two barrel lengths. I don't remember the exact numbers, but way back in time my former Taurus 2-1/2" .357 chronographed well below 1200 fps with Remington 125 gr HP ammo that Remington claims produces 1450 fps in a 4'" bbl.

Granted, the ammo makers routinely list higher velocity numbers for their ammo than customers usually achieve in the real world as opposed to what is possible under ideal conditions in a factory owned and operated ballistics laboratory. But even if you reduce the .357's advertised claim by 100 fps the difference in velocity between 2-1/2" and 4" barrels is still significant in my opinion. I have never chronoed the velocity of .38 spl ammo fired from those 2 bbl lengths, but I seriously doubt there would be that much difference in velocity with that milder cartridge. To me that suggests that the comment by another poster that the proper barrel length should depend on the intended use of the gun is correct. If you want maximum power from a .357 the longer bbl would be more appropriate, if somewhat lower performance is satisfactory, and for my uses it is, the shorter bbl would be more convenient for carrying and would probably do the job equally as well. Just my opinion, and I'm guessing that many self-proclaimed defense gun gurus who I admit are much more knowledgeable than I am in regard to combat type ammunition would disagree.
 
I've owned both and I would prefer the longer barrel. The SP101 is too big and heavy to really be a pocket gun IMHO. If one is going to carry it on a belt the small difference in barrel length doesn't make much of a difference at all and offers the advantages noted above.
 
It all depends what method you wish to use to carry, that is, if you are going to carry it concealed.

Yes, the longer barrel will be a bit more accurate, however the downside is it will be a bit more difficult to conceal!

If you have a way to substantially conceal it under whatever clothes you tend to be wearing, or if you don't need to carry this particular gun every day but have another smaller gun you can carry, go for the longer barrel.

If this is your only conceal weapon, I would choose the shorter barrel.

I carry a full-size .45 Auto, however I also have two other guns that fit nicely into my pocket using Robert Mika Pocket Holsters! So, I don't have to carry my largest gun all the time, I have various choices!

If this will be more of a range gun - a lot of shooting, but not as much carrying concealed, then I would go for the longer barrel.
 
I find the small revolvers with a 3 inch a lot easier to shoot than the 2 incher. For a small powerful CCW the 3 inch SP101 is ideal. Also a good trail gun.
 
I've long been an SP101 fan and remember that some years ago the 3 inch versions were scarce and hard to find because nearly everyone wanted the 2.25 version. Fast forward and according to Internet forums the opposite is now true. I don't know which Ruger sells the most of but I do know I continue to see far more of the shorter ones for sale in shops and at shows. I like the 3 inch guns but have gotten rid of mine in favor of the 2.25 version because I find the shorter barrel to be more universally useful for me.
 
It depends on the intended use. Mine is the shorter barrel, for CCW use in an OWB holster. The shorter barrel, when utilized for OWB carry, is easier to conceal.

My wife's nightstand gun is a 3" M60 S&W. This gun is not intended for CCW.
 
even 3" is a bit marginal for 357 loads, and "point shooting" is much easier with 3" vs. 2", irrespective of load
as said, 3" guns carry just as easy as 2" guns, other than pocket carry
the SP101 is not a "pocket" gun nohow, unless you really are the Jolly Green Giant; it's a hefty little chunk

I say 3"
we sure like ours
 
My two cents:
For CCW go with the 2.25".
For home defense/range gun go with 3"( or 4") GP 100.
 
Yes, the longer barrel will be a bit more accurate, however the downside is it will be a bit more difficult to conceal!
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I think that depends largely on the mode of carry.
 
Generally, I would not consider the SP 101 a pocket revolver -- it's a bit too big and heavy for that. To my way of thinking the SP 101, regardless of barrel length is a holster gun.

Now, when it comes to concealability in a holster gun, it's the butt and cylinder you have to worry about, not the barrel. You lose nothing there by going to the 3" barrel.

Fnally, the advantage of the longer barrel is sight radius -- and in those barrel lengths (2-3") the slightly longer barrel represents a big percentage gain in sight radius.
 
Generally, I would not consider the SP 101 a pocket revolver -- it's a bit too big and heavy for that. To my way of thinking the SP 101, regardless of barrel length is a holster gun.

Now, when it comes to concealability in a holster gun, it's the butt and cylinder you have to worry about, not the barrel. You lose nothing there by going to the 3" barrel.

Fnally, the advantage of the longer barrel is sight radius -- and in those barrel lengths (2-3") the slightly longer barrel represents a big percentage gain in sight radius.
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This. It's a belt gun. Get the longer barrel for the longer sight radius and for the added ballistics -- this ain't 45acp that doesn't really care how long the barrel is. Every extra bit of barrel gains you something with a full bore .357 round.
 
I recently just bought the 3" Sp-101, and I'd have to say that it is a dandy gun. Conceals just as good as a subcompact auto IWB. A good belt and holster and you will be very comfortable due to short grip. the extra .75 inch is nothing to conceal...and you might as well have it for the range.

I had a difficult time finding this version locally (seemed to be many more 2.25"s around...) I shopped around a couple of monthes and scored one at a fair price.

Though, I wouldn't want to shoot 357 mags out of it all day - I shot 5 cylanders of full .357sd (25 rd) out of it last night at the range without much discomfort at all - and then proceeded to shoot 50 rds. .38 SPL with out skiping a beat. (and then on to other pistols...:)) I think the longer sight radius is what does it for me for the 3". I also, like the way the slightly longer barrel looks .. a little more attractive than the < 2" snubbies IMHO.

I've got to say it is a great gun: when loaded up w/ .357 for carry, I am quite secure. It will also become my trail gun this summer no doubt. Go 3."
 
I bought a .327 SP last year, 3" barrel. What a nice gun it is. The ruger houge grips really made a difference for shootability. I use it for a bedroom go to gun and holster carry in the field. (by the way, .327 is a pretty stout round, I load 32 h&r mag in the house)
 
I've got to say it is a great gun: when loaded up w/ .357 for carry, I am quite secure.
Click to expand...

That's the best thing about the SP101 -- you can load the hottest, nastiest 357 rounds out there in it. Try that on something like a j-frame, and the bullets in other rounds can unseat. Also, you'll probably have a bloody hand.

Loaded with some 125gr buffalo bore stuff that hits over 1400 fps out of a 3" barrel, I feel pretty confident with my SP101 too. Yeah, it's only 5 shots, but each one of those suckers is going to count. Plus, if you run out of rounds, you could probably beat someone to death with it. :p
 
I like the way a 3" SP101 balances much like a 4" S&W Model 19. I like the way the 2.25" SP101 fits into some pockets, and also works well on the rare occasions I use an ankle holster. I would hate to have to go through life limited by just one SP101.

For those times my double-stack duty P229 is a bit large for off-the-clock concealment, two SP101s are a good combo. Life is good!
 
I have both 3-inch and 2-inch .357's.....My preference for doin' a lot of shooting is 3-inch....for doin' a lot of carryin' is 2-inch....
 
I've carried the 3" version for about 7 years now. I carry a tuckable Active Pro Gear holster at about the 4-5 o'clock position.

11-jhook.jpg

Finding a holster for the 3" model used to be a challenge. I couldn't tell you how it is now as my holster is still going strong after about 5 years of almost daily use.

I'd go with the 3" model as others have said, it'll give you a bit more velocity and heft to take the recoil.
 
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