Ruger SP101 2.25" .357

[stonebuster]

For several months I'd been considering which snub to get to carry and ended up with this SP101 model 5720 .357. I wanted a snub small enough to carry comfortably, ability to shoot 38+P and .357 and heavy enough to enjoy extended range trips at a price I could afford. The GP100 3" was ten ounces heavier and the Airweights weren't going to be much fun to shoot. After adding 10# Wolff mainspring and hammer shims it's a pretty good shooter.

 

[wingriderz]

Very nice Congrats

 

[tlawler]

I’ve got an SP-101 snubby in .357 too and love it. I’ve been thinking about getting one in .327 Fed. Mag. now, but I wish they were available in less than 3”.

 

[Nacho Man]

Speak of the devil...
I bought this a few days ago from
a friend. She wanted to trade it in
to a gunshop and I said no your not.
Rather buy it from you then get ripped
off trading it in. Its a nice piece

 

[Kanewpadle]

Nice gun. Had one several years ago. 357 is a little stiff but manageable. Fine carry gun.

 

[stonebuster]

Nacho Man, Are those the stock rubber grip w/Altamont inserts? The photo looks like a bigger rubber grip than stock. I like the look but the stock grip is too small for me.

 

[CA Escapee]

I picked up this used SP101 a few years ago. The previous owner put an XS Big Dot front sight on it and brushed the finish. They must have put a spring kit in it, too. The trigger pull is very smooth and averages a tick over 8 pounds. It came with the Hogue rubber grips and I’ve found a couple of pairs of the Hogue wooden grips.

The extra weight certainly makes it more fun to shoot compared to other snubs around this size.



Bill

 

[robertrwalsh]

Those are excellent small (though not light) carry guns. They are built like a Skoda army truck, difficult to hurt and will last pretty much forever.

 

[dirty & hairy]

My wife commandeered mine after the first time she shot it. Luckily for me I know where she hides it.

.375 magnums are not a problem as long as you're wearing hearing protection.

 

[Nacho Man]

Nacho Man, Are those the stock rubber grip w/Altamont inserts? The photo looks like a bigger rubber grip than stock. I like the look but the stock grip is too small for me.

They are Altamont and stock oem Rubber base.
I agree the stock grip is too short, im looking at Pachmayr compact
but heard the fitment can be loose/sloppy depending on frame
variances. I guess I could order from Amazon and if they
don't workout return them.
Right now im looking at speedloader pouches. Im thinking about ordering this one
Barsony Revolver Leather Single Belt Clip Speed Loader Pouch for .22 .38 .357 Revolvers

 

[stonebuster]

They are Altamont and stock oem Rubber base.
I agree the stock grip is too short, im looking at Pachmayr compact
but heard the fitment can be loose/sloppy depending on frame
variances. I guess I could order from Amazon and if they
don't workout return them.
Right now im looking at speedloader pouches. Im thinking about ordering this one
Barsony Revolver Leather Single Belt Clip Speed Loader Pouch for .22 .38 .357 Revolvers

Pachmayr Diamond Pro is what is on my SP pictured above. They moved a little before I cut a strip of fuzzy velcro with the adhesive on the back and put it on the recessed part of the tang as pictured. It's rock solid now and a comfortable grip. It's a common complaint and I'm guessing you could use the same trick for the compact Pachs. The Diamond Pros are shorter and fatter than the Hogue monogrip.

 

[Texas Star]

You could have gone for the SP with three-inch barrel and a normal spur hammer. No need to step up to the GP with three-inch bbl.

I got the SP-101 with bbl. a fraction over three inches and think I got considerably better velocity, sight radius, and the barrel that helps to reduce muzzle flip on recoil.

In published tests, the Winchester 145 grain .357 Silvertip gives about 1200 FPS from a three-inch barrel. It's a grimly effective load. That comment is based on morgue results from the Medical Examiner's office, not on Internet gossip.

 

[stonebuster]

You could have gone for the SP with three-inch barrel and a normal spur hammer. No need to step up to the GP with three-inch bbl.

I got the SP-101 with bbl. a fraction over three inches and think I got considerably better velocity, sight radius, and the barrel that helps to reduce muzzle flip on recoil.

In published tests, the Winchester 145 grain .357 Silvertip gives about 1200 FPS from a three-inch barrel. It's a grimly effective load. That comment is based on morgue results from the Medical Examiner's office, not on Internet gossip.[/QUOTE
Hey Tex, I'd rather have the bobbed hammer and shorter barrel for no snag draw and less barrel poking my gut when IWB appendix carrying. Around these parts, you can get arrested if someone spots your gun so it's IWB for me. The slightly better velocity and sight radius I'll give up for slightly more comfortable IWB carry. At typical defensive distances and a good defensive load I feel it's more than adequate. No doubt the 3" SP is also a fine carry gun. I found my six month old SP for $450 OTD and it suits me.

 

[Arm]

I sold my SP101 snub a while ago, I found the accuracy not very good and recoil was not very comfortable for me. I have a SP101 in 9mm with a 3" barrel that is very accurate and very tame in recoil. Just to my liking. That said, the Ruger snubs are built like tanks and very reliable.

 

[stonebuster]

I sold my SP101 snub a while ago, I found the accuracy not very good and recoil was not very comfortable for me. I have a SP101 in 9mm with a 3" barrel that is very accurate and very tame in recoil. Just to my liking. That said, the Ruger snubs are built like tanks and very reliable.

Nice, good velocity,cheaper ammo, accuracy and lighter recoil in an SP101. Glad they come in a variety of flavors.

 

[Nacho Man]

If any of you guys are interested in a speed loader pouch,
I just got mine from Barsony Leather. Very nice, exactly what I needed.
One thing though, the button snaps are very tight out of the box.
I snapped them on and off about 30 times and now its easier and good to go.
Pouch holds hks speedloader snug and two snap button allow for taller
one like the safariland possibly. Not sure, I don't have one on hand.
Overall I like it, quality construction and leather is a nice thick soft suede.
They also have it in burgundy, tan and black.
Ordered from their amazon store, shipped next day.

 

[davemercer]

I sold my SP101 snub a while ago, I found the accuracy not very good and recoil was not very comfortable for me. I have a SP101 in 9mm with a 3" barrel that is very accurate and very tame in recoil. Just to my liking. That said, the Ruger snubs are built like tanks and very reliable.

I did not know the sp101 in 9mm was made with 3" barrel. Was this some kind of special run? Thanks for any info.

 

[Arm]

I did not know the sp101 in 9mm was made with 3" barrel. Was this some kind of special run? Thanks for any info.

These revolvers were made in the 90's, very few of the 3"models are around. They used moon clips or you can use Federal auto rim if you can find any. Some people claim these 3" models are quite rare.

 

[davemercer]

These revolvers were made in the 90's, very few of the 3"models are around. They used moon clips or you can use Federal auto rim if you can find any. Some people claim these 3" models are quite rare.

Thanks for response, interesting. I just purchased a SP101 in 9mm with 2 1/4" barrel. I would have liked a 3" model better, as I have a 357 SP101 with 3" barrel and it just seems right for a revolver that size.

 

[tlawler]

I’ve got an SP-101 snubby in .357 too and love it. I’ve been thinking about getting one in .327 Fed. Mag. now, but I wish they were available in less than 3”.

I just ordered my 3” SP-101 in .327 Mag for <$514 OTD. Range report to follow in a few days. Now I’ve got some reloading to do