Hi, Frank---
Since the SP101 is such a sturdy little revolver (read "heavy,") there is little reason to avoid +P.
My personal favorite carry load for ANY .38 Spl, not just snubs, is the 158 gr LSWCHP. I've used Winchester and Remington. I hear Federal makes it, too, but I've never seen any. I started with this back in the 70s when it was called the "Dallas PD load" in my part of the country. You'll also see it called "the Chicago load, "the FBI load," and "Winchester MS." NYPD used to issuse the same round, LSWC without the HP, and they were really pretty satisfied with it before going to the auto pistols.
This is just the old .38 High Speed or .38/44 load, originally rated at 1060 fps, when standard 158 gr LRN velocity was set at 855. You never REALLY got these velocities except in long, unvented, test barrels, but it served for comparison. Anyway, the dead soft lead bullet with generous hollow point and no jacket at all allowed for expansion, or at least deformation, even from even two-inch revolvers. Excellent penetration, too. It leads up the barrel up pretty quickly, but so what? You don't shoot lengthy tournaments with this type pistol or ammo, huh? You may have to ask your dealer to order this ammo for you. It's not widely stocked hereabouts.
Winchester cut back on the velocity for a time, and Remington became the favorite brand. Then Win raised it again. I haven't chonographed any of them in the past couple of years. I currently have fresh Win in two snubs and a four-inch, but only because my Remington was getting old.
BTW-- good practice load for this ctg is a hard cast 160 with 5.0 of Unique. Cleaner and MUCH cheaper than the factory suff, so you can practice a lot. Placement remains primary, even with the best ammo.
Sorry, no suggestion for smaller and more comfortable grip for the little Ruger DA.
Best,
RR
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