Ruger sp101s were first available in .38 only. When that market was sold out, Ruger made them in .357. Colt will do the same marketing. Then, hammerless or with a shroud. You have to sell out each market first. Maximum marketing. Not many companies start with a small gun, they build the big one then start chopping them off. These marketing types have to get the most return on the original product, them SLIGHTLY modify and start selling to us again, aka..new and improved. Colt will sell everyone of these things they can turn out. Then the shiny ones and the hammerless ones and then the .357s. And the gun guys will buy them!! Cause that's what we do. And the beat goes on. I had a 101 first in the neighborhood, did measurements against a mdl 19 cylinder and went to work. .357 Ruger 101 months before they offered them. Retail marketing is a wonderment. Look how many of us are excited about a Mossberg 14 inch "not a shotgun".