Range Report: Ruger SP101 .357 3"!

R

Rogervzv

New member
I finally got my new Ruger SP101 3" .38/.357 to the range. I was shooting solely .38 special rounds for the gun's first range debut (I am not a huge fan of .357). I have to say that I was very impressed with the gun! This is a fixed sight model, so there is always the fear that the sight will simply be off by way of elevation, or worse, windage. No worries there! Here is a (terrible cellphone) picture of the first target shot that I fired from the gun at 8.5 yards:



This was the best group of the day, also at 8.5 yards shooting single action:


The double action trigger is a pretty stiff pull, but doable. The trigger is crisp and like all Ruger double action triggers, it is stagy, which I like. I may give the Wolff Spring Kit a try, or I may not.

In any case I am extremely pleased with the gun. My copy is beautifully made and the sights are perfectly aligned. Mechanically it is put together like a watch.
 
Nice gun and nice shooting!

I really like my 4.2" SP101! Mine has the adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front sight. It is very accurate and when I do my part I can hit a 12"tallx5"wide steel plate at 50 yds offhand 3 out of 5 shots consistently.

I also was able to hit a ballon at 100yds with elbows resting on a bench. I have the video somewhere, have to see if I can find it.

Edit found it: click on the pics to view videos.
70 yds


100yds - balloon
 
Last edited:
One of the cool things about the SP101 3" is that the rear sight system is basically indestructable; no worries about bending anything when pocketing or holstering the weapon as the rear sight is integral to the frame. Really nice for a carry weapon. And it shoots as accurately as if it were adjusted!
 
I didn't like the 4.2" version on release

I'm beginning to think it would solve a lot of my complaints about the Smith L-frame.
 
That is a beautiful gun. And good shooting too.

If I may offer a suggestion, you should try some Speer Gold Dots Short Barrel 135gr in 357 Magnum. Pretty good stuff and not nearly the amount of recoil of most magnum loads. Definitely more than any 38+p however.
 
Oh, here we go...it's always about the grips. IMO it doesn't matter how handsome your inserts are. Those grips on the SP101 are just wrong. They work quite well in the GP100 version.
 
Real Gun: What caliber? That brief description could be a 22LR, while the OP is talking about a 357.
Click to expand...

.357 Mag. Wouldn't make much sense for me to compare a .22lr to his .357....

Shoot my own .38spl and .357mag loads. Haven't shot any factory ammo through it.
 
Great shooting! I have a 3" SP101 I bought last winter. I'm hoping to use it as my CCW gun when I get my permit in a month or two.
 
Great shooting! I have a 3" SP101 I bought last winter. I'm hoping to use it as my CCW gun when I get my permit in a month or two.
Click to expand...

Here in Orange County California we can only designate 3 guns as our CCW guns and my SP101 is not one of my three at the present time. My plan is to practice a lot with it (I enjoy shooting revolvers more than 'bout anything) and next time I renew I may add the SP101 to the CCW line-up.
 
Real Gun: What caliber? That brief description could be a 22LR, while the OP is talking about a 357.
Click to expand...

precision_shooter:.357 Mag. Wouldn't make much sense for me to compare a .22lr to his .357....
Click to expand...

I am glad you like it. Perhaps it can be a platform for another offer of 327 Fed Mag, since a 4" barrel gun deserves to be a six shooter.
 
I carried a 3" hammerless 101 when I worked at a tougher bar. I can't remember for sure but I think I used Winchester 110gr. hollow points in it. Very little recoil, low muzzle flash, plenty accurate and I didn't want too much over penetration. I miss that gun, I think I swapped it off on a High Power or something else. I gotta stop trading guns.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top