Where do SP101s stand in the Ruger line-up?

P

Pond James Pond

New member
I have a Redhawks and like the whole Ruger revolver thing and so I tend to read threads that deal with Redhawks, SRHs, SBHs, GPs and LCR etc, but I can't say I often see threads about the SP101.

What are they like and how do they stack up to the other Rugers?
Are they too build like a brick outdoor water-closet?
Do they also have innovative trigger assemblies?
Do they give hot loads a derisory snort?

In other words are they as Ruger as the other Rugers are? :D

(I think I've just coined a new adjective: "Man, that gun is just SOOOOO Ruger! Y'know?")
 
GP100 is built like Arnold Schwarzenegger (back in his prime - not now). SP101 is built like a lean track sprinter. I just shot mine for the first time last week. Accuracy was only so-so - but I think that is largely because of the factory grips that don't seem to fit any human hand. I'm going to order a Hogue monogrip and that should improve matters.

I've heard lots of comments that the trigger is not nearly as good as a GP100. I can't answer that as I've never shot a GP100 but I can say it was "stiff". Fortunately, Youtube videos show that changing the trigger springs and polishing the surfaces is a 20 minute very easy job.

This is a very light gun (for a .357) so shooting full magnum loads is a handful. Not awful but you definitely know what's in there.
 
SP101 is built like a lean track sprinter.
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LOL
A 250 pound lean track sprinter!:D
Are they too build like a brick outdoor water-closet?
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To the OP, yes. Only a smaller one!
I have shot them, really didn't llike it. But that's my opinion. Where as I am usually very easy to adapt to all sorts of different grips, frame sizes, and grip angles, there is something uncomfortable to me about the SP101. Not necessarily in shooting full howse 357 magnums, it's 1 3/4 pound bulk takes care of recoil quite well. But the hold just doesn't feel right somehow.
 
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Cheapshooter, actually Arnold was only about 240lbs when he was at competition peak. He just looked huge. Now Lou Ferrigno - he was huge.
 
the sp101 is overbuilt if .38s are carried. for magnums it is the minimum that lends itself to real shootability. other than trigger pull and weight, it out performs other "j" frame sized guns.
 
I look at the SP101 as bigger than a J-frame, smaller than a K-frame, and probably stronger than a K-frame (or at least as strong). A bit of a funny size. Too big for a pocket gun. Smallish for a belt gun and only five shots. I love mine, though.
 
I have a first year of production (1989) SP101 .38 Special. I have always thought that the factory grips to be too small as my pinky could never afford any contact with the grip, and therefore, less than comfortable grip attainment. I have wide hands and long fingers. This is my wife's gun: she is 5' 2" with fat hands and was not comfortable with it until I went with:

RugerSP101Grips2_zps07f64341.jpg


We are now both very pleased with the result.

Hogue Monogrip. Very inexpensive.

Yes, the SP101 3" is too heavy/large for some to CCW. Yes, it is heavy for a .38 Special small gun.

The fact is that it is a perfect HD pistol for my wife when the SHTF during a home invasion using +P Hydrashok ammo. I know the ammo is not state of art but the home invader perp won't know the difference.

I still have my 1911 Government Model .45 as a "backup".
 
I have owned both, so I'll try to answer your questions without getting too wordy.

The SP 101 is probably Ruger's answer to S&W's J-frame, so think small-frame .357 revolver, though you aren't limited to snub-nose configurations.

Not sure what's meant by 'how they stack up,' but in terms of build, they are built much like their other revolvers; I believe 'robust' is the term used in their advertising.

The trigger assembly in most respects is very similar if not exactly the same type as used in the GP series. The factory triggers tend to be stiff, and at least in my case, I went with Wolff Springs to mitigate the pull. There was a slight difference in removing the grip, but removing the mainspring and trigger return spring was the same as in my GP.

I wasn't into reloading when I had the SP 101, and I was unaware of Buffalo Bore ammunition at the time (not sure if they even existed 10 years ago), so I never put any really hot loads through mine, but the hottest factory loads I ever put through mine were no problem at all, except in terms of recoil. I definitely should have replaced the grip for a Hogue.

Hope that helps.

I should've probably mentioned that the SP was never as accurate for me as my GP, but inside 7 yds it was more than precise enough for SD purposes (5 shots consistently inside the pie plate with no trouble at all).
 
I've got the one with the 4.2" barrel. I originally bought it as a basic HD gun for me and my wife. However she doesn't have enough hand strength to pull the trigger. I like shooting it. I have it dialed in now. I'm decent with it in double action (now that the trigger has loosened up some), and I'm pretty good with it in single action. I shoot it more accurately than I shoot most similar sized hand guns. Although I do like me a SW 686 plus.

It is still in the HD role for me and also makes a good trail gun. Full 357 loads are definitely fun and sporty, but they aren't a problem for me with this gun.

If I was going to ccw a revolver it would probably be an LCR just due the size factor.
 
actually Arnold was only about 240lbs when he was at competition peak. He just looked huge. Now Lou Ferrigno - he was huge.
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But neither were lean track "sprinters"!:D
AKezpat, those grips look like they would go a long way toward improving my opinion of the SP101.
I also think Pachmayr is coming out with Diamond Pro grips for it.
That, combined with Ruger now releasing the SP 101 in a 4.2"327 Federal is going to cost me money one of these days!
 
I think they're well though of for the most part, with some quite fond of them.

They're very rugged and heavily built, and will withstand any sane loading you use in them. Like the Six series and GP100, they're a modern action and are very strong and durable. At about the same size as a S&W J-frame, they're handy guns but due to a heavy metal construction they are rather heavy for their size. I think one of the reason you don't hear about the SP101 much is due to the excellent LCR. The LCR is lighter, has a great trigger pull, and has a whole host of cutting edge features. It also looks more "tacticool" which is a big selling point for some.

I think the LCR is the better gun when chambered in .38 special... but for serious .357 magnum use, the heavier SP101 frame helps absorb recoil and to me seems stronger in the long run. There are some really cool SP101 models out there too, like the new .327 Federal Magnum kit gun.

So, both are great revolvers with different strengths and weaknesses.
 
When Ruger introduced the GP-100, they dropped the security/service six line. Ruger designed the SP-101 as a smaller law enforcement revolver for detective work. It was not released to compete against the J-frame. IT was originally introduced as a .38 Special gun. It was later made to handle only the 125 grain 357 cartridges. They decided 125 was too limiting and lengthened the cylinder by 1/16 of an inch to handle all 357 loads.

The SP-101 is built like a tank. I gave my dad my 357 J-Frame scandium as a gift. He uses it as his CCW. The SP is heavier than a scandium J-Frame. I never shot the J-frame well. It just hurt. My hands are way to big. I can shoot the SP better.

I do not carry it for CCW anymore. It is a tad bulky for pocket and heavy for summer CCW. It can be done, but my pocket 9mm holds three more rounds. I carry it when I am in the California woods often. Contrary to popular belief, there are NO man eating bears in 98% of California.

The SP can be greatly smoothed out with a set of Wolfe Springs and a little honing. The factory grips just plane suck. Aftermarket grips make a huge difference. IIRC, the Sp and Gp-100 use the same springs. The actions are very similar internally.
 
there is something uncomfortable to me about the SP101. Not necessarily in shooting full howse 357 magnums, it's 1 3/4 pound bulk takes care of recoil quite well. But the hold just doesn't feel right somehow.
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I concluded that the trigger reach is long on both the SP101 and Redhawk. Don't know about the Super Redhawk. That results in a need to have grips that fill in some behind the trigger guard and have a minimum of material to the rear of the grip. Maybe not perfect ,but Hogues are the best I have tried, especially nylon combats.
 
I feel that the SP101 is at its best with 6 rounds of 327 Federal Magnum or 32 H&R. The model was originally 38 Special but has been modified for 357, which made it quite harsh to shoot for me. I can think of guns I would rather have for 22. I say this owning the model in 357 and 327 Federal Magnum, the latter in 3+ and 4+ barrel lengths.
 
Laz wrote:

I look at the SP101 as bigger than a J-frame, smaller than a K-frame, and probably stronger than a K-frame...
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I'd say this is a fair assessment. It usually gets compared to the J-frame and it has been most popular as a 5-shot snub. Barrel for barrel, it is bigger and heavier than the J-frame. Compared to a lot of K-frames, it has more steel down barrel too. It's an interesting combination of sturdy and slender. That makes it a natural fit for .327 Federal Magnum, which puts big power in a slender package...


Real Gun wrote:

I feel that the SP101 is at its best with 6 rounds of 327 Federal Magnum or 32 H&R...
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It's nicely analogous to six rounds of slightly more powerful .38 or .357 in a slightly larger K or L frame. Everything is just a little more compact! Of course, you really need aftermarket grips for the comparison to hold. I understand the SP101's stock grips on a snub but with longer barrels or magnum loads, I want a full grip.

BTW, I was very happy to see Ruger come out with the 4" in .327. Once you get a Hogue on it, it feels like the perfect balance of these features.
 
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I'd consider a 327 magnum snub or a 22lr with one of the longer barrels, but there are a lot of guns higher on the list.
I don't see where a gun between a J frame and 686 fits for most people, which is why I don't think they have ever sold that well.
 
It took them a little while to get me with a SP101. I have Smith's in 38 and 357 for normal duty. And a Ruger Black Hawk in 357 mag if I feel frisky. So I did not feel the need for one in that range of calibers.

But I am also a 32 cal freak!!! I was all set to get a 3 inch gun in 327 magnum.
THEY QUIT MAKING THEM!!!
So I filled my snubby need with a Taurus M327. I would rate that as one of my top 10 best buys. Most accurate snubby I have ever shot and was cheap.. $230 cheap. ( Thanks Ruger!!!) It my daily carry gun.

But in the end they did get me. They mended the error of their way and got me with the Single 7 ( thanks Lipsey!) and Finally the SP101 in 327 magnum in a 4 inch package.

The SP is not as accurate as the Single 7, but it is also less fussy about ammo and for my range gun. After I changed the grips. I love it!! Fit right in its place.
Not my CC gun, Not my hunting gun. But I spend way more time at the range and it gets a serious work out. From plinking to Blasting and every were in between. The 4 in SP101 in 327 is in my opinion the perfect match for the 327 round.

100_9719_zpso1x2852k.jpg


100_9772_zpsixi5trbl.jpg
 
I bought this 4.2" 327magnum a couple of months ago. It is maybe a little larger than a J-frame, definitely thicker and heavier. It's significantly smaller than a k-frame. The grips are small and awkward. I have shot a number of j-frame snubs that fit my hands better. But I had already planned on replacing the grips. I won't be using it for cc, so there was no reason for me to keep such small grips on it. The out-of-the-box trigger sucks. I like the gun in general, but the trigger is disappointing.

This is with the original grips:

Ruger2032720l_zpstaovqoj9.jpg
 
This is with the aftermarket grips. I have very large hands and can hold these grips much better than the originals.


7139ec28-578a-4655-be3a-f30a26c85d74_zpsotqeajqm.jpg
 
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