Would Like Your Thoughts On the Ruger SP-101

Thoughts on SP-101

I've owned 3 SP-101's...........and loved 2 of them. The first was a 9mm...wish I still had that one, but my sister needed a defense gun, so gave it to her. I had put on the Crimson Trace laser grips and it made all the diff in the world as far as fast and accurate hits.

My replacement was a .357 sp-101 that shot about 8 inches to the left at 25 feet.....and the group wasn't that great either. Even with laser grips, holding right on the X....6 in group was the best you could get at 25 feet. Moved that one on down the line.

Kept the $200 grips, so got another .357 in "Target Grey"....I don't know what that finish is, but it looks nice. Installed the laser grips and once again headed to the range. This sp-101 is accurate....so I'm with Charlton Heston...you will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

For a small gun with crappy sights, definately go for the laser grips. Puts you right on target every time. I personally would NEVER shoot anything bigger than 125 hollow points.....believe me it jumps plenty with those. It's a small gun and a lot to hold onto with full power loads, but my reloads are loaded down to 9mm+p speed and I can manage those just fine. Winchester makes 110 grain .357 hollow points...I'm trying those next.

If I could get another one, I would buy an SP-101 in 9mm, even with the moon clips....a 9 is hotter than a 38 special but not as hot as a 357. It seems to be the ideal cartridge for the sp-101.

As far as the GP-100 vs SP-101.....they don't make laser grips for the GP series, so I'm sticking with the SP-101 with light bullets. I love mine.
 
Sp-101

I put the Trijicon front night sight on mine a while back. Since its just a sight blade is was easy to change out. Just drive out the cross pin. The factory was tight but got it out with pliers. Put new sight in slot, carefully drill hole through the sight with the proper size bit at slow speed. drive in roll pin. Now my front sight glows. Also I love the Trausch brand grips. They are made in France but he has USA distributors too. You can find them on the net. He makes them in black and white. The white is very unique I like it! Anyway I shoot my 2 inch SP a lot. I love it!
 
My first handgun was a 3 inch barrel Ruger SP101 in .38+P. My nightstand gun.

I picked it up brand new for a song at $210 in 1995 I think. The dealer was happy to get rid of it because the .357 was more popular. Nevertheless it is a steady solid piece and for the price I payed I could just cry with joy.

The SP101 is a good choice.
 
I have a SP-101 with the 3" barrel.

I've only shot the 158gr 357's in it. It is the most accurate small centerfire revolver I've ever shot. Shoots point of aim the three 158 loads I've tried.

The weight and balance of the longer barrel are good and soak up recoil very well. I thought it would be a beast, and I suppose with the flash and report of the 125gr loadings it would be more of a handful.

It is a great little gun.
 
My first snubby was a 2.25" SP 101 in .357 mag with full hammer. Loved it. Wish I had been able to keep it.

Second was a 2.25" Taurus 605 in .357 with full hammer. Love it too and wear it a lot.

Would like to try a 3" version of the SP 101 but there are so many things on my want list! Probably won't bob the hammer...

Maybe some deep down part of me just likes snubbies, but I think the reliability of revovlers in general is an unquestionably big draw. Never had a problem with either of my snubbies. (Or any of my six other revolvers, for that matter.) The only think I don't care for either my Ruger or Taurus is the sights - difficult to find quickly and worse in low light. Wish I had something better - those laser grips mentioned by 308 win sound like the ticket...
 
Here is my take from the CCW perspective. I have a 2.5 inch SP101 hammerless double action only revolver. I forced my self to buy strictly with "concealed carry" in mind this time. The last gun I bought was too big. It worked "ok" for CC but I was thinking about it all the time I carried it. This gun I forget about until I lay on the bed on it. I got a "Desantis" ambidextrious in-the-waistband holster for it. I never even think about adjusting my clothes, or if anyone can see it that way. The real proof is that I really do carry this gun all the time. It is comfortable for me.

The gun itself is fun to shoot. It kicks with 125gr mag pills, but I like that. If you dont like a gun that kicks, get a gun built for .38special +p I guess. I can shoot it smooth and accurate enough. It is really easy to stage the trigger, by pulling it back 2 clicks, and finishing feels almost "single action". From real shooting and lots of dry firing, the action has smoothed out pretty nice without any spring kit or smith work.

I really like this gun for concealed carry, and for home defense it would be fine. Think of it as a tool in the defensive world. It isnt good for much else, but it shines in that area. If you want a fun plinking, target, competition gun, look at Ruger's GP100 or other brands...

Jeff
 
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