Ruger SP101, Possibly dumb question...

B

buffalo_bore

New member
I just picked up my new .357 SP101 this afternoon, and have had a chance to put 100 rounds thru it already. What a nice gun!

Well, my question is this: Is the cylinder supposed to slide at all when the crane is open (loading position)? It has approx 1/8" of play, and when the crane is being closed, it hits on the recieving end of the barrel every time. I'm not sure if this is something to worry about. Just dosen't seem right to me. The only other revolver I have experience with is a .357 Ruger Security Six, in which the cylinder has zero play, and everything has always been very tight.

Maybe this gun just needs some break-in time? (My first ever brand new handgun.)

Thank you in advance for any responce. Reading some of the posts on here helped me to decide on the SP101.
 
I had one and carried it for a year or so til I went in search of something lighter. Cool gun though. Mine did that too, and at the time, there was no internet to ask anyone about it! Yeah, it's normal, and not a stupid question. It bugged the crap outta me too.

Good shootin

TX

Edit:\\ Sorry I need to read more carefully. I missed the part about it whacking the barrel. Yeah, that's not good.
 
Last edited:
My wife has an an original SP101 in .38 before they re-fitted the cylinder to accept .357's . It a really nice gun and the one my wife feels most comfortable carrying.
 
I have a new SP101 too but there isn't more than .015 end play in the cylinder when it's open. Even pushing it forward while closing, there is still spacing between the cylinder and barrel (just enough to see light through). Right off hand, I'd say you have something missing or out of tolerance. I'd take it back to where you bought it (assuming a gun shop) and have it checked out. At least compare it to another SP101. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
dean
 
I agree with Dean C. I tried closing mine while pushing forward on the cylinder. It caused it to drag but didn't prevent closing. It never hits while closing without pushing forward on the cylinder. Good luck; at least it is a Ruger. They stand behind their products.
 
Yes there is something wrong. There is a spring loaded pin in trigger group that keeps the cylinder crane from moving. The peening on my SP101 gave way and when I broke it down for cleaning the spring and the pin came out and disappeared. When I put the gun back together without the spring(missing to this day) the cylinder was unable to close unless I moved it 1/8 of an inch. Take it to a gunsmith or better ship it to Ruger.
 
Wow. Thanks for the input, guys. I honestly thought the gun just needed to be shot a couple hundred times for it to work smoothly, I guess a break-in period. I'll be bringing this back to the local gun shop tomorrow to get it looked at.

Probably another 10 day waiting period for the gun to be repaired :mad: , unless it can just be fixed at the shop. This gun is AMAZINGLY accurate. Defect or not, I still swear by Ruger.
 
tight sp101

I have an old one that was retro fitted to a 357; I have also had newer ones; the cylinder, in my humble opinion shouldn't slide; I would send it back to the factory, simply because its very difficult to destroy one of those;
 
Jvlip3 hit the nail right on the head. Just got my gun back from the smith, and it did have a factory defect. Was missing the spring pin in the trigger housing. Luckily, my smith just happened to have one on hand and installed it. Good as new. I recently got back from Oregon on vacation and had a chance to check out some SP101's up there. I knew there was something wrong with my gun 'cause all the guns I checked out were as tight as could be.

Thanks again for the input, fellas. Gotta go shootin now. :cool:
 
Had one a few years ago. Loved the gun.Don't really remember why I sold it.I do remember cleaning it and spraying it down with Gun Scrubber. I then forgot to relube it. After 3-4 shots the trigger locked up. Lubed it and it was back on track.Sure do miss it.

Kevin
 
Glad to be of help. I still can't find that spring and that was 1995. I too sold my SP101 for a much lighter Taurus 85. It was just a matter of personal choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top