SP101 - Which barrel? 3.06" or 2.25"

[gmh1013]

I have the 2 1/4 and like it BUT after shooting the 3 inch I like it much better.....that 1 inch makes a big diff when shooting full power .357's
The Speer short barrel 357's are like a .38 plus p in the 2 inch.
but the 125 gr full power.....are not fun after 5 rounds.
I changed the grips the first day to Hogue too

 

[AH-1]

wacki what is the intended use for the SP101?.what I like you might not along with everyone else here.the best bet is shoot both and see what you like.I have the 2.25 and its a great revolver that said it isn't for ccw but I got it for woods carry when I was hunting or scouting.the first 2 rounds are snake shot.when the wife and I travel I never leave home without it.she really likes it and shoots it well with 38 spec +p's.
if you around the ft hood area you would be more than welcome to try my 2.25 at the range.

pete

 

[Old John]

I have been packing a 2.25" Sp101, in .357magnum, for the last 8 years. I have a 2nd one, just like it that I bought for a backup, just in case I lost the 1st one. I went with the shorter one for ease of carry. I carry mine in a Galco high-ride, open-top pancake holster. I generally only carry 110gr. WWB, HJLHP, in mine. They are easy shooters, heavy enough to do the job, I think. And they're quick to get in the 2nd shot.
I carry mine a lot more'n I shoot it. I only put a box of shells through it about once a month.
OBTW, the only tthing I ever killed with it is a couple of big marauding racoons, and a copperhead snake. I live out in the country, very rural. Not many bad guys out here.

 

[youngda9]

Here's the setup that I have...gorgeous and fits my hand perfectly. This is not a pocket gun...it's too heavy for that. The extra barrel length does wonders for velocity and accuracy and reduces recoil. Love my 3" SP101

 

[Tomcat13]

Thread bump

 

[Legionnaire]

I like the 2.25" SP101. For a 3", I picked up a fixed-sight GP100. Love 'em both. But I wouldn't turn down a good deal on a 3" SP, too.

 

[msparks]

While I have owned a 2.25" since 1992 I would gladly trade even up for a 3". The 3" has better balance as well as just as easy to conceal. I have an IWB holster and it sometimes feel like it will just fall out due to the shorter barrel. The 3" is all around a better gun. Maybe someday I will find someone that will trade with me.

 

[MCgunner]

Heavier bullets perform better in short barrel .357s. 9x19+P from a 3" auto has more punch than i got out of my 2.25" SP101 using hot 125 grain handloads with 2400, 18 grains. However, a 140 grain JHP with 17 grains 2400 got 550 ft lbs from the 2.25" and 600 from my 3" Taurus. I got 660 ft lbs from the short SP101 using a heavy charge of AA9 and a 180 grain Hornady XTP, but that's a critter load I developed for my 6.5" Blackhawk in which I get 785 ft lbs. Gives you some idea how a heavier, slower accelerating bullet is able to catch more of the pressure peak from the slower powders which work best in the caliber.

The SP101 is NO pocket revolver, not for me. I carry a 17 ounce .38 snub in a pocket. The SP101 is a fine belt carry either IWB or OWB and an inch more barrel makes no difference in a belt gun for carry. I'd go with the longer barrel should I get another SP101.

 

[MCgunner]

Another note, if you have trouble finding leather for a 3" gun, consider the Don Hume JIT slide for OWB. I've made my own IWB, Tandy Leathercraft kit.

 

[wacki]

wacki what is the intended use for the SP101?.what I like you might not along with everyone else here.the best bet is shoot both and see what you like.I have the 2.25 and its a great revolver that said it isn't for ccw but I got it for woods carry when I was hunting or scouting.the first 2 rounds are snake shot.when the wife and I travel I never leave home without it.she really likes it and shoots it well with 38 spec +p's.
if you around the ft hood area you would be more than welcome to try my 2.25 at the range.

pete

To scratch my .357 revolver itch? I just picked up a Marlin lever action in .357 and I want something to go along with it. I've been eyeing the Ruger LCR, GP100 and SP101 for a while now.

I mostly just shoot at the range but it would be nice to have a gun I can conceal carry if something strange comes up. My FNP-40 is just a tad too big for that. Given the responses in this thought provoking thread I'm strongly leaning towards the 3" bbl.

Btw, why did you go with the 2.25" bbl?

 

[wacki]

Everyone, I was a little worried when I started this thread that I would waste peoples time and clutter up the forum with silly nonsense. Instead I have been pleasantly surprised by amount of quality thought that has gone into a mere 3/4" of barrel.

Great thread people, thank you for the feedback.

 

[tubeshooter]

2.25" or 3.06"?

I went with a 3" about 10 years ago, and I have absolutely no complaints. I wanted versatility for possible woods use, and I thought the longer barrel would help.

I like the extra sight radius, velocity and recoil dampening like everybody else.

If I want to go with a bit shorter and lighter, I have a dedicated 2" .38 for that.



That's just my situation, though. As said, consider your intended use. I sure wouldn't throw a good shorty SP101 in the creek, that much is certain. Both should be great.

 

[skidder]

I find there are 3 classes: concealed carry (sp101 2.25"), general use packing/shooting (4" GP100), and target/hunting (6" GP100, Redhawk). If your going with the 3" sp101 you are eliminating the concealed carry option, why not go the whole way and get the 4" GP100? I think the in-between guns should be a second, not a first choice.

 

[harmon rabb]

I find there are 3 classes: concealed carry (sp101 2.25"), general use packing/shooting (4" GP100), and target/hunting (6" GP100, Redhawk). If your going with the 3" sp101 you are eliminating the concealed carry option, why not go the whole way and get the 4" GP100? I think the in-between guns should be a second, not a first choice.

a 3" SP101 is very easy to carry concealed.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

If your going with the 3" sp101 you are eliminating the concealed carry option

What!?!?

The 3" SP 101 is just as easy to conceal as the 2 1/4" barrel.

 

[Gary A]

I find it interesting that a few years ago it was difficult to even find a 3 inch for sale and both the standard 2.25 inch and the DAO version were to be found everywhere. Although I do see more 3 inch guns for sale these days, the shorter versions are still, by far, more numerous at least where I live. I am fairly confident that Ruger has and does sell many more 2.25 inch .357s than 3 inch in spite of the fact that the longer barrel has become the favorite choice on gun forums. I just don't think that online popularity has translated into dominance in the marketplace. Someone (quite a few "someones") is still opting for the shorter barrel.

 

[skidder]

Let me rephrase, what would be easier to pack and conceal, a 2.25" or a 3.06"? Be honest....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Let me rephrase, what would be easier to pack and conceal, a 2.25" or a 3.06"? Be honest....

No difference. The SP 101 is not a pocket revolver. It's too heavy. For a holster gun, the parts that affect concealment are the butt and the cylinder. Three-quarters of an inch more barrel will have no effect on concealability.

 

[skidder]

Vern, I asked you to be honest....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I am honest. Just how do you see 3/4" more barrel affecting concealability?

I can make a holster that makes a M1911 completely disappear, so even people who know I'm carrying ask, "Where is it?"

To make a 3-inch barrel SP 101 disappear is no trick at all.

 

[tubeshooter]

It's not a matter of "being honest". With the understanding that it's not a pocket gun, it is literally no more difficult to conceal IWB/OWB.

Might make a difference with ankle carry - I wouldn't know.


If it was that clear-cut, everybody would just get a 3" GP-100 or something similar. There's a reason they don't.

 

[NMGonzo]

Either one is going to be fine.

I have the 3 inch and most of the time is on apendix IWB, or 3 o'clock with a simply rugged silver dollar? holster.

Quick gun to deploy.

 

[skidder]

I give up, the 2.25 is worthless. The longer the barrel the better, I know when to concede.

 

[MCgunner]

Vern is right carried IWB........ and OWB ain't THAT much to worry about with the 3"er. IWB, the barrel is out of sight. My IWB holster will hold 3" or 2". The barrel is inside my pants. It's the grip that can bulge or the diameter of the cylinder, but the barrel length from 2 to 3", let alone 2.25 to 3.15" or whatever it is, makes absolutely no difference. It can theoretically slow the draw/presentation, but the extra sight radius might just make up for that in quicker sight acquisition. I'm not sure the difference there is worth arguing about, though.

As for pocket carry, two strikes against the SP101. First strike, I don't like most grips on the thing that would allow pocket carry. The hogue is awesome, but a full fist grip. Second is the weight. 27 ounces is way too much for this 6 ft, 210 lber. I prefer an alloy .38 for pocket carry. In .357, the LCR would be an option, but I ain't into 15 ounce .357s. It'd take .38s if I had it, so why bother with a new gun?

Anyway, I had a 2.25" SP101 and it was NOT worthless. Thing was very accurate and easy to shoot and carry. The difference isn't worth the argument IMHO. The 3" tube will give you 50 ft lbs, mas o menos, but that's not worth the arguement, either, IMHO.

 

[tubeshooter]

I give up, the 2.25 is worthless. The longer the barrel the better, I know when to concede.

You don't seriously believe that, do you? Be honest...


I think MCgunner is spot-on.