my oldest son came down Saturday and we (both my sons and I) went to the local indoor air conditioned range with two bags full of hand guns and ammo.

including a pair of new in the box Rugers a sp101 357 match champion, and a gp100 22 4 incher

no problems at all with anything except the SP101, I sent 20 rounds threw it and it locked up on all four loadings, it locked up in single action, it would lock up in double action,

to put it lightly I was upset with the handgun, and was wishing that I had kept my series 80 stainless colt that I traded for the two rugers

I knew the ruger triggers would not be as nice as my old smiths and colts but I did expect them to function.

anyway I placed a call to ruger and they were quick to send me a return label without question, so I will send it back and see how it is returned

my old k22 6inch is still my favorite rim fire, my model 67 was nice but not as smooth as my old colt model 357, and the canik tp9sa still my favorite striker fired polymer pistol, and of course I love my stainless ultra raptor

pistols taken
smith k22 master piece
smith 67
colt 357
colt trooper III
ruger gp100 22
ruger sp101 357 match champion
Glock 17l
Glock 35
canik tp9sa
Kimber ultra raptor
ruger 1911 night watchman

Sorry to hear about your Ruger's but I am sure they will make it right. The absolute only polymer gun I will ever own is also a Cannik tp9v2 (similar but just da/sa). To me they are the best modern "plastic" gun out there or even as I think of them as a Glock killer. It's amazing capacity makes seem as just 1 full magazine will shoot forever. Though it will never compare to my Ruger security six in stainless shooting 357 mag. You will get your Ruger back and it will shoot like a dream. Enjoy

My new Ruger SP101 had close to a 15 lb double action trigger pull. Ruger said within specs. That was like lighting a rocket for me.

My cleaning and smoothing had no effect.
The first private action job resulted in light strikes.
After getting new parts and starting over, got it reasonable at 10 lbs.

No more SP101s and no new Rugers for me.

I am going to say the two worst shooting handguns that I have owned have been Rugers. It’s a shame too, my Blackhawk is a darn great looking gun too. My 44 Alaskan has a group the size of a manhole.

Sorry that you had a bad experience, I have a few Rugers and find them good firearms. Perhaps the previous owner mistreated them?

I recently bought a Ruger GP100 and a SP101. The trigger on the GP100 was great (for a revolver) and the SP101 was horrible. I ended up selling them both. I don't understand why Ruger can make a smooth trigger like those on the GP100s and yet the SP101s are known for heavy triggers.

Well, to be fair, 5 shots from a .44 pretty much create a manhole...

I had a Ruger SP101 327 magnum and it was the second gun I ever sold. With the stock plastic grips that gun kicked harder than any 357 I ever shot and the double action trigger was way to heavy.
Glock G27 was the first gun I ever sold.

I also had a GP100 Match Champion that the cylinder locked up on me. I sent it back to Ruger and they repaired at no cost. Ruger has excellent customer service and 1 week turn around time. I couldn't shoot accurately with the gun and sold it. I bought a S&W 627 8 shot and I can shoot it more accurately than any revolver I own.

Never shot a worse revolver than a SP101.

The SP-101 has a pretty atrocious trigger pull in SA and DA compared to a comparable Smith... I've shot a few and own an older .327/3" with the little adjustable sight. Recoil even with heavy loads is minimal with the Hogue rubber grips that came with the gun. Ruger just brought brought the variation back out but without the windage adjustable rear blade...

Just bought a Smith 632-2 Pro from a dealer who had it priced like a used .357...I was HAPPY to say the least...much easier to shoot than the Ruger...

The above said, all my new revolver money over the last 5 years has gone to Ruger. Three new LCRs, two Redhawks, 10mm Match Champion and the used SP....only because Smith makes nothing in a 9mm compact revolver, any .327s, any 10mms and only one 6" .41....

Bob

I put a Wolfe spring kit in my sp 101 , changed everything for the better

I'd start with a good scrubbing . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Sorry to hear that. I am sure they will make it right and you will be happy with it. I just bought my first Ruger, a vintage Redhawk (one of the very first ones released in around 1980). I like to shoot hot 44 magnum rounds and I have to say that I love it! Its an absolute beast.

I guess I have just been lucky. I have two Ruger SP 101's and they both shoot to POA at 25'. The trigger pull is not S&W quality for sure but neither one has ever had a problem of any kind.

Interesting how some like and others do not.
I owned a 3" SP101 and just replaced the springs. That gun rivaled any S&W trigger job I have ever owned. It was the only gun I could qualify with shooting offhand with either hand. I recently sold it to a lady starting classes for new lady shooters and she did not own a revolver. She has now become proficient with it and due to it's incredibly smooth, light trigger, her students do not tire after shooting it DA 50+ times per session. I truly miss that gun but it is really being put to good use.
BTW, I will put Ruger's customer service up against any other revolver manufacturers.
The only pic I have left,

I've handled and dry fired a couple of SP-101s with very slick triggers. It can be done.

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Release the Kraken

I've got one of the first SP101's made in .357 way back in the 90's. Thing is so slivk and smooth it isn't funny. Not as crisp on the break in single action as a Smith, but double action is exactly what I want in a sepf defense revolver. Smooth all the way through with no glitches whatsoever. I've got a newer SP101 in .22 and while nice, the trigger is nowhere as nice as the older .357

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Forum consigliere

SP101-Left.jpg
I have a 1997 factory polished DAO sp101 that is a dream to shoot. Action is butter smooth, 100% ignition and very accurate

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It is the Indian not the arrow

I have a DAO SP101 and had a trigger job and a Wolf spring kit installed. The trigger is great now, way better than the gritty factory feel.

Ky wonder, I have my dad's old (1950) K22 Masterpiece and it is the most accurate and fun gun I have ever owned or shot. It is still like new (the holster has taken all the brush scratchings!) I have been told to never let it leave my hands (as if, duh!) and it's my son's after I'm gone. I saw the gun in your post and just had to throw in my 2 cents on it! Dad used to take it rabbit hunting; if Mickey brought the rabbit around and it sat, Dad used the .22 to pop it so we didn't have to pick lead BBs out of it when we ate it. Just reminiscing...nice guns, as most all of you know! Sorry if I bored yinz!

My SP101 is the antithesis of yours - excellent double action triggers when clean and lubricated, acceptable accuracy for my purposes. and flawless reliability.

FYI: Both hammers have been bobbed to allow DA/SA trigger action. Hammers are responsive to holster with thumb break and strap. Hammers must be thumb cocked by supporting hand only.

Others who have experienced the lock-up you describe have found that firing residue can creep beneath extractor star. Simply brushing it out may take care of your problem. Plus, you may wish to experiment with brands of ammunition or, if handloading, with different powders to reduce the incidence of lock-up.

Heavy handloads in my 4.2-inch SP101 and my Freedom Arms 97s always leave large amount of residue during shooting. It has been no problem when woods walking or handgun hunting because few shots will have been fired. Of course, I check for the residue without diverting much attention to it. On the target range, just be aware.

Hope this helps.