Ruger SP101 357 Magnum 2 1/4"

[HEADKNOCKER]

Picked up a very nice Ruger SP101 last Friday
This is the 6th one I have had over the years & very possible the LAST!
I have missed all the others & even though not a S&W built like a Tank...
I cleaned it up & shimmed the hammer, trigger & hammer dog + put some Wolff springs in it & slapped a Hogue grip on to give a full three finger hold + also polished & rounded the trigger face
Even better the HKS #36 speed loaders for a J Frame work with it & have a holster for a Colt Detective Special that is 100% perfect for the Ruger..
I have a DAO hammer for this revolver but just may leave it as is

 

[billj47]

SP101

I have one for OWB carry and a 442-1 for pocket carry. I prefer the Ruger for shooting because of the extra weight. But I have a few S&W's.

 

[BB57]

I like the SP101 and a I've owned them in 2 1/4" and 3" lengths but I prefer the 3" barrel. It is just as easy and comfortable to carry, and it's ballistically more efficient with .357 Magnum. I have Model 60s in 2 1/8" and 3" lengths and I again prefer the longe " barrel.

As the OP noted it weighs about 5 oz more than a Model 60 with the same barrel length and it makes it more comfortable to shoot with full power loads.

It to be honest for concealed carry I am far more likely to carry a Model 66 or a 686+. The Model 66 is still,easy to conceal but much more comfortable and effective to shoot with full power .357 Magnum loads and the 686 isn't significantly larger and is only a couple ounces heavier.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

This the 6th Ruger SP101 I have had over the years
Started out with a 1989 38spl 2 1/4" 1st run with green grip inserts
Then a SPNY NYPD undercover DAO snub 2 1/4", next was a 125gr ONLY 357 magnum short frame, then a 9mm 2 1/4" & a 3 1/16" 9mm DAO with extra hammer for DA/SA & now this one

I really miss the 3 1/16" 9mm one from the early 90s

The prices have more than doubled on these as well as S&Ws since 20 years ago...
This newest one was made in 2017 = 576-

Here's the older DAO hammer I have for conversion = kind of hard to find because everyone wants one & another pic of the SP101 2 1/4" snubby

 

[Arm]

I have an early Sp 101 in 9mm, 3" barrel. I've had it from new, great accurate revolver.

 

[Krogen]

They are good guns. Not the class of an S&W, but reliable, stout guns. My SP101 is a 2 1/4" with the spurless hammer. It's covered with beauty marks from its prior job of accompanying me everywhere. It was retired when I became more concerned about "only five shots."

Yeah, I've heard the spirited discussions about capacity, and the reliability of revolvers vs. autoloaders. Still, I feel more comfortable with a P228 these days. The P228 has never hiccupped; not even once. That it holds nearly 3x the rounds is a plus. I suppose some folks might say you actually need 3 puny 9mm's to equal 1 .357, but it's all about personal choices IMNHO.

 

[firefighterjohn]

HeadKnocker, that's a really nice one you picked up and are upgrading!

Like BB57 said above, I have a SP101 in 3" and it's really fun to shoot and carry. They are tough, reliable and will always stay in my collection. Something about that big barrel underlug makes it look sweet!

 

[Pig Hunter]

There is no reason a handgun that big shouldn't have a 6 shot cylinder. If Colt and Kimber can do it why can't Ruger?

 

[dirty & hairy]

I have the DAO version and absolutely love it. Sometimes weight is a good thing.

 

[BB57]

There is no reason a handgun that big shouldn't have a 6 shot cylinder. If Colt and Kimber can do it why can't Ruger?

The S&W Model 60 is almost identical in frame size and it's a 5 shot pistol. In fact the same speed loaders that work in the model 36 almost always work in the SP101.

The SP101 does have a bit more metal in the back strap and frame, and the forcing cone is more robust;

Width wise they are very close in terms of cylinder diameter, but the slightly thicker frame is evident, and again you can see the stronger back strap;

 

[80sgyrene]

Mine is a Lipseys

Also have some stag for it

 

[Ranger514]

I own a 66 snubby and a SP101 snubby in .357 magnum. Both are great little defensive revolvers. The 66 got carried a lot in my earlier LE days, both on and off duty. A year ago, I inherited the SP101, which gets carried a lot on our property now that I'm retired. They both like to go to the range together.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

The first five SP101s I had got shot a lot
The 3 1/16" 9mm I had was the most accurate of the bunch because of the added barrel length & weight
If I came across a 3"er I'd buy it in a heartbeat if the price was right

Haven't been to a gun show in six years since my ole bud Mean Marcus passed away + my Twin Brother Jerry passed away 15 months ago now + older bro died Thanksgiving 2020

I now have my youngest son to go shooting with & he wants an AR-15 because of all the BS on the news etc.
We are going in the morning so He can buy one
Saw a S&W M&P15 Sport II for $599 this morning & will pick it up when they open tomorrow morning @ 10:00am
they are $799 @ Bass Pro & Cabelas SO~~~

He will be 31 in August JFYI

He plays guitar, bass, keyboards etc. & has maybe 20+ guitars?
I have a Fender Jazzmaster coming for his Birthday

I have had many J Frame S&Ws + Ruger SP101s
It seems the prices have went crazy since the pandemic & there is no limit to the prices, Gunbroker helps keep the prices high as once someone sees a auction go for a higher price that sets the bar for the next auction

I don't see many handguns now days I even care to look at
That's Just terrible too...
If I do, they are insanely priced like they are gold

Need to buy up a couple 22 long rifle pistols & rifles to shoot with the grand kids, S&W 617, Ruger MKII, 10/22???

My Pop taught my Twin Brother & I how to shoot when we were Five Years Old with a H&R 9 shot 22lr revolver & a bolt action Marlin when we were fishing & that made us aware of the safety aspect & how to safely handle firearms when we were young
At the fishing lake they have a range next to my Pops favorite fishing hole & a brick of 22s lasted us all day long...
That was 50+ years ago = Thanks Pop!

Those memories come back every time I go shooting

Constitution Carry comes to the state of Indiana July 1st 2022
Haven't gotten my carry permit for this state YET, It's Coming Soon...
SO~ In three weeks everyone here will be carrying a handgun that's not a felon or have a court order against them, two miles away across the Ohio River in Louisville KY they have had the Constitution carry for a decade, I carry every time I go over there because it's needed, people will walk up on you at the stop lights etc. & it just isn't safe over there, beggers, drunks & homeless everywhere
My Wife can use a revolver just fine but has trouble with most autos, I did pick up a M&P 380EZ Shield + Have a Taurus 85CH

RUGER SP101 357 MAGNUM

 

[Ruger Nut]

The first five SP101s I had got shot a lot
The 3 1/16" 9mm I had was the most accurate of the bunch because of the added barrel length & weight
If I came across a 3"er I'd buy it in a heartbeat if the price was right

Haven't been to a gun show in six years since my ole bud Mean Marcus passed away + my Twin Brother Jerry passed away 15 months ago now + older bro died Thanksgiving 2020

I now have my youngest son to go shooting with & he wants an AR-15 because of all the BS on the news etc.
We are going in the morning so He can buy one
Saw a S&W M&P15 Sport II for $599 this morning & will pick it up when they open tomorrow morning @ 10:00am
they are $799 @ Bass Pro & Cabelas SO~~~

He will be 31 in August JFYI

He plays guitar, bass, keyboards etc. & has maybe 20+ guitars?
I have a Fender Jazzmaster coming for his Birthday

I have had many J Frame S&Ws + Ruger SP101s
It seems the prices have went crazy since the pandemic & there is no limit to the prices, Gunbroker helps keep the prices high as once someone sees a auction go for a higher price that sets the bar for the next auction

I don't see many handguns now days I even care to look at
That's Just terrible too...
If I do, they are insanely priced like they are gold

Need to buy up a couple 22 long rifle pistols & rifles to shoot with the grand kids, S&W 617, Ruger MKII, 10/22???

My Pop taught my Twin Brother & I how to shoot when we were Five Years Old with a H&R 9 shot 22lr revolver & a bolt action Marlin when we were fishing & that made us aware of the safety aspect & how to safely handle firearms when we were young
At the fishing lake they have a range next to my Pops favorite fishing hole & a brick of 22s lasted us all day long...
That was 50+ years ago = Thanks Pop!

Those memories come back every time I go shooting

Constitution Carry comes to the state of Indiana July 1st 2022
Haven't gotten my carry permit for this state YET, It's Coming Soon...
SO~ In three weeks everyone here will be carrying a handgun that's not a felon or have a court order against them, two miles away across the Ohio River in Louisville KY they have had the Constitution carry for a decade, I carry every time I go over there because it's needed, people will walk up on you at the stop lights etc. & it just isn't safe over there, beggers, drunks & homeless everywhere
My Wife can use a revolver just fine but has trouble with most autos, I did pick up a M&P 380EZ Shield + Have a Taurus 85CH

RUGER SP101 357 MAGNUM

HK,
Very nice SP. It looks as if it hardly has a ring on it. But, I'm sure it will get a "GROOVE" with what I know about how much you like to shoot from your replies here on the site.
I used to own (3) but am down to (1) exactly like yours. My son likes it as well. He has it right now.
Again, very nice SP. I hope you keep this one.

 

[Mr. Tettnanger]

I recently bought a brand new 3" SP101.

I have also owned a 1/2 dozen or more of these. I sell them off chasing the next greatest thing and end up missing the simple tank, SP101!

This one will be last!

 

[BigBelle]

I have never handled one of those before, though they look pretty solid, Congrats to the OP.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

There is no reason a handgun that big shouldn't have a 6 shot cylinder. If Colt and Kimber can do it why can't Ruger?

That is the reason I didn't buy Ruger's .44 Special. Also their
5 shot .44 weighs a ton.

 

[BEEMER1]

I'm not much for Ruger revolvers. I have had 6 or 7 through the years and they are all gone but this SP101.

I have between 25 and 30 Smith revolvers and I can't ever remember selling one, I like them all.

I kept this Ruger as I like the looks of it.

What do you guys think?

 

[Bald1]

Had one back when they were under $400 new. I put a nice set of hogue wood grips on it, and had a custom Alessi holster made. It was very nice to shoot. Well built and attractive. I just never could get comfortable carrying it concealed. It felt a lot bigger and heavier than a 2" K frame. I traded it off and never looked back.