SP101 barrell length question

3

.38Catt

New member
Yes, its been asked before. However, why deny you the chance to pontificate?

2.25 vs 3 1/16 barrell? I had the 3 1/16 inch barrell and had to sell it after the big "D" and I don't mean Dallas.

I will be shooting Golden Sabre .357 and 158 grain FBI .38s from this platform.

My heart says 2.25 but my head says 3".

Usage would be HD and car/carry. I would only carry while walking the dog at night, ISWB.

Thanks!

.38Catt
 
I like the longer bbl

I no longer have the 2.25" SP but I still have the longer bbl brother. I don't thing there a tremendous difference between them, but the 2.25 incher was heavier than I wanted in a pocket and for IWB carry the bbl length is a moot point anyway. The longer site radius and a slight ballistic gain helped sway me for the longer one.
 
For the uses you specified the shorter barrel wouldn't give you any advantages.

Go with the 3" and put a Trijicon front sight on the end for when you walk your dog at night.
 
.38,

The 2.25 inch barrel Sp101 is easier to carry in the appendix position. It is also a bit lighter.

I've owned several Sp101 including the 3+ inch version and I much prefer the snub 2.25 one.

If I need a gun as heavy as the 3 incher I'll get a revolver that holds six instead of 5.

Deaf
 
Okay..New twist

IF and I mean IF I go with the 2.25 inch barrel, hammer, or no hammer. I'm thinking no hammer.
 
Everybody knows the holster strap goes over the hammer. Without it your gun will fall out. Nobody wants to lose their gun, and single action is kinda fun too :D.
 
A hammer is only a problem if you want to pocket or purse carry. From a waistband holster you'd have to try pretty hard to get it stuck on something.
 
Maybe just me, but if I was going with a 2ish" barrel, I'd skip the sp101 and go with a LCR. If the piece is going to have all the weight of a 101, then you might as well get the 3" version. The 3" is only 1 oz more than the 2" sp101. The 3" is a great do it all gun, IMO. But ultimately it's personal preference.
 
I felt all the extra barrel length did was get in the way. I started with a 2.25", moved to a 3 1/16", and am now back to a 2.25".
 
For pocket carry 2 in for belt carry 3 in. As said earlier I think the sp 101 is a tad heavy for pocket carry. I shoot the 3 in better than the 2 in and use belt carry.
 
My 2 cents:

I bought the 2 1/4 for the purpose of carry. The more I carried, the more I realized I could carry "more gun" and still conceal, and I shoot "more gun" better. Thus, carry "more gun" - go with the 3 inch and the longer sight radius that comes with it.
 
From my own data I tested the same rounds in both my 642 with a 1.87" barrel and my SP101 3"

.38 +P 158 LSWC 6.0 Power Pistol

S&W 876fps 269ft/lbs
Ruger933fps 305ft/lbs


So what you get with this load is 57fps and 36ft/lbs by using the longer barrel.

Magnum loads might yeild even more of a power gain.
 
IF and I mean IF I go with the 2.25 inch barrel, hammer, or no hammer. I'm thinking no hammer.
Click to expand...

.38,

That is the version I have. DAO SP101. I changed out the mainspring to a Wolf that is 12 lbs (factory is 14 and to heavy. Never ever a misfire and much better than the factory pull.)

http://www.gunsprings.com/Revolvers/RUGER/SP-101/cID3/mID52/dID234

And the grips.. Secret Service wood grips.

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/Ruger-SP101-Series.html

A bit thicker than the ones on my J .38s but with DPX .357 rounds they help alot to control the gun.

Deaf
 
I carry the 2 1/4" DAO (spurless) in a Mika Pocket Holster daily.
In a typical SD high tension situation you be at close range (much less than 7 yards) and will more than likely be firing DA anyway, so I see few advantages to a 13/16" longer barrel and a hammer spur that enables the SA function.
 
The 2.25" is easier to carry and conceal. To me, that makes all the difference in the world. I also doubt that you will really gain enough velecity or accuracy with the 3" barrel to make the extra length worth it.
 
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