Followed Ruger’s SP101 instructions to prevent cylinder binding when using lead bullets by lubricating the crane/cylinder gap with Breakfree CLP/Mil Spec (I just used a couple drops). It seemed to work but after 50 rounds of Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr lead HPs, the cylinder would not rotate/spin smoothly, very rough. My other SP101 (blued version) can shoot 200 rounds using lead bullets straight without any cylinder binding.
The problem appears that excess Breakfree is seeping down from the crane/cylinder gap and onto the ejector. When I wipe this excess lube from the ejector, the cylinder will spin freely and I can continue my shooting session. Wished they designed the SP101 to shoot lead bullets as S&W did theirs with the addition of a “ring” which precludes lead bullet fouling entering the crane cylinder and causing binding.
Never any problem shooting jacketed bullets from the stainless SP101.
Please also share your SP101 experiences shooting lead and whether your cylinders would bind also.