Ruger SP-101 reload strips, ammo advice

J

Jefs

New member
I'm a newbie to revolvers and this forum looks like a good place for revolver info (I shoot glocks and hit gloctalk.com for glock info). I bought a 2 1/4" .357 mag Ruger SP-101 yesterday, enjoyed my trip to the range, and plan to ccw it some in a FIST pocket holster. I'd appreciate any advice I could get concerning:

1) what to carry as a reload ("speed strip"?)
2) range ammo
3) carry ammo

I've a Walmart nearby that carries 125 gr Winchester jsp (I think 158 gr also),
125 gr UMC jsp and I shot some of this yesterday and wonder if this makes for good target ammo. At the gun shop salesman's suggestion, I also picked up (and shot) some Federal 158 gr Hydra-Shok jhp and 158 gr Rem Golden Saber for carry.

I enjoyed my trip to the range and the revolver so much there's a good chance I'll pick up a 4" (Ruger GP100 or S&W 686) later this week.
 
Good choice. The Bianchi speed strips are surprisingly fast once you get used to them. I prefer the Safariland push speedloaders to the HKS twisties but check them both out.

For ammo, test a few. Right now I've got Winchester 158 grain + LSWHP .38s in mine. I also like 110 grain grain .357s (Winchester white box or Fed. Classic. Very manageable but watch out for that muzzle flash), even though it's trendy to dump on lightweight loads. 125 grain .357s are surprisingly controllable. I leave the 158 grain .357s to bigger guns just because they tend to hop too much in my SP101, although they certainly aren't punishing. Haven't tried any of the middleweight loads yet.
 
Try a variety of ammo and see what feels/shoots best for you. If you are new, the 110 grain loads are fairly manageable. Also consider some of the 38 +p as an alternative. The 180 winchesters are good in a GP sized gun but tend to be a little uncomfortable for me in the SP.

For extra I most often use a speed strip or an HKS speed loader in the pocket. For all day wear I will use a speed strip in a 2x2x2 ammo pouch.
 
:) Congratulations! You’ve made an excellent choice for a carry piece. I use, both, Bianchi Speed Strips, and Safariland Comp II speedloaders with my S&W revolver.

One of the best things you can do for yourself, right now, is to contact Matt Del Fatti and check out his, ‘Split-the-belt’ speedloader holders. I keep two of them in front of my revolver at all times with an extra speed strip in my front weapon-side pocket. (Matt makes some beautiful holsters, too.)

By the way, you can’t go wrong with Golden Sabre.

Here’s the link,

http://www.delfatti.com/

Good luck with your nice new Ruger. It’s a keeper! ;)
 
Thanks for all the good info. I've located the HKS speedloaders and bianchi speed strips online, but from what I've been able to determine I don't think Safariland makes a speedloader for the SP-101. If Safariland does make one could somebody tell me where I could locate it. Thanks again, all.
 
:eek: Oppps! I forgot. Yup, speedloaders for the Ruger SP101 are hard to find. I use the HKS’s on my S&W 22 and 44 caliber revolvers; and the Comp II’s on the other S&W’s.

I just plain forgot that Safariland didn’t make the Comp II for the SP101 - Sorry. This looks like it might work, though:

http://www.speedloaders.com/

(And knowing Matt as well as I do, I'm sure he could come up with a split-the-belt holder for this one.) :)
 
Been doing it for two years with no problems, so you must know something I don't (which is entirely possible).
 
:eek: Well, somebody should tell Safariland! I would have purchased an SP101, years ago, except customer service told me they didn't make a Comp II for this Ruger.

Go figure! Which one do you use - that 5 shot Charter Arms model? Thanks. :)
 
I actually ordered it from Dillon, it's a Comp I described as designed for "Smith J frames."

I took a revolver course with an instructor who despised the HKS loaders and made us use the Safariland Comp I and IIs. It ran worked fine in the course and it's worked fine in my own practice since then but I appreciate you bringing this to my attention. I better do some more follow up.
 
I really prefer the Bianchi Speed Strips

The times I carry only an S&W J frame or a Colt Agent, I usually don't care to carry something as lumpy as a speedloader in my pocket. Speed Strips, while not as pure-dee rapid, are flat and easy to transport.

All that said, I have a single Safariland push loader for my Agent, and it works very well when I'll tolerate the bulk.

Best,
Johnny
 
I just received the Safariland Comp I Speedloader and it works like a charm in my SP-101. The label sticker specifies Charter Arms 5-Shot 38, S&W 5-Shot .38, and S&W M60 .357 Magnum. MK11, thanks for the pointer to Dillon's, and thanks all for the info.
 
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