Deaf Smith
New member
Are the older Ruger SP-101 .38 special revolvers some sort of collectors guns?
I see them, used, for over $500.
Deaf
I see them, used, for over $500.
Deaf
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Older Ruger SP-101 .38 special
- Thread starter Deaf Smith
- Start date
LeverGunFan
New member
Early SP101 revolvers had a shorter frame and cylinder, they were originally intended for 38 Special only and not the 357 Magnum. When the 357 Magnum was first added as a chambering for the SP101, they were marked for 125 grain bullets only as that loading would usually fit the shorter cylinder and frame. Soon after the frame and cylinder of the SP101 was lengthened by about a sixteenth of an inch to allow use of all 357 cartridges. So perhaps the early SP101 models that you are seeing for sale at $500+ are the early short frame versions, which some would consider a collectors variant.
Deaf Smith
New member
Yes, it was a short frame one. No NYPD, but short frame.
Deaf
Deaf
Model12Win
Moderator
There is the SPNY revolvers, DAO SPs in .38 only with special bead blast finish and "SPNY" on the side. One of the best defensive revolvers Ruger ever came out with, made specifically for the NYPD.
"I bought a pair of those older models at a big discount when the change to the 357 capable frame was made . Gosh, I don't often do something right. "
Same here, I had the 101 in .357 and a .38spl appeared in the case of my local gun/pawn establishment. They made me a heck of a deal because no one wanted the .38spl since the .357's were hitting the market so I bought it and took it home, shot it and found it to be a nice piece. Ended up giving it to my mother-in-law. She had a couple of handguns, but long story short she bought a lake house and needed a gun there for things that go bump in the night and was asking me about a .38 for that house. So I handed her the little Ruger and told her use it as long as you need it. She was a happy camper, my wife was a happy camper and I scored some major brownie points with the ladies.
Same here, I had the 101 in .357 and a .38spl appeared in the case of my local gun/pawn establishment. They made me a heck of a deal because no one wanted the .38spl since the .357's were hitting the market so I bought it and took it home, shot it and found it to be a nice piece. Ended up giving it to my mother-in-law. She had a couple of handguns, but long story short she bought a lake house and needed a gun there for things that go bump in the night and was asking me about a .38 for that house. So I handed her the little Ruger and told her use it as long as you need it. She was a happy camper, my wife was a happy camper and I scored some major brownie points with the ladies.