Ruger Sp101 - The Other J Frame

[hangnoose]

GO WITH THE 3" IMO

I shoot better/faster in DA mode at closer ranges, so no hammer for me. It's amazing how much more accurate that extra 3/4" barrel makes, for me anyway.

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Get the Spring kit, theres a nice little video ( actualy ) 3 diff levels, some 1200 grit sandpaper, your fav polish,and about 3 hours in front of the tv, makes a nice little Ruger, regards Ernie

The paper and polish is just for "cleaning " up the whole gun

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I like the SP101, but I just wish it had a few different features:

1) 6 shot cylnder instead of 5
2) Adjustable sights
3) Lighter DA pull

Imagine an SP101 in the 3" model with adjustable sights, a slightly lighter DA trigger pull, in 6 rounds!

 

[eveled]

I have the same bobbed sp101. If it were 6shot it would be perfect IMHO. Which is why the 327 magnum SP is so popular. Probably the perfect carry revolver, but I don't want to add another caliber.

Here is mine with a fixed sight GP, and security six. I always wanted a stainless speed six, but hear parts are no longer available, plus I never found one. I bought the SP, & GP thinking one of them would satisfy my desire.

 

[Wee Hooker]

The SP101 trigger pulls are heavy...very heavy. New spring sets are available from Wolff. Try out the spring for optimal control while reliably firing your favorite round primer. Not complicated. I'm all thumbs and replaced the two springs in twenty minutes.

Makes all the difference in the world.

I've owned " a few " GP100's , a security six and as well as Sp101's in 22, 9mm and 357. All were quality guns but ALL suffered from horrible and heavy triggers. The good news is that the triggers are easily fixed with a $15 spring kit and a little TLC. These Rugers come apart and go back together with less worry for a newbie than a S&W . If yours has a tough trigger, try a 10# return and a 12# hammer spring to start.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I've owned " a few " GP100's , a security six and as well as Sp101's in 22, 9mm and 357. All were quality guns but ALL suffered from horrible and heavy triggers. The good news is that the triggers are easily fixed with a $15 spring kit and a little TLC. These Rugers come apart and go back together with less worry for a newbie than a S&W . If yours has a tough trigger, try a 10# return and a 12# hammer spring to start.

My Dad has the DAO model SP101. I can't shoot it accurately because of the trigger pull. I might have to try this. I have a Taurus 85 and replaced the factory 14# trigger return spring with a Wolff 6.5# trigger return spring. It made a huge world of difference and cut my groups in half.

 

[eveled]

http://www.gundigest.com/wp-content/uploads/416-W1_500.jpg

I found this interesting picture comparing a humpback to a centennial to a bobbed sp101

 

[palmetto99]

I actually traded a j-frame for a 3" SP101. I love my j-frames, but I've grown pretty fond of the SP101. I handles .357 better than my model 60-9. The trigger is a tad heavy, but very smooth.

 

[Texas Star]

Yeah, my SP-101 has a smooth trigger, just heavier than S&W J-frames usually do. And the action is longer.

But it balances well and points well and handles heavy recoil better than a J-frame.

 

[Texas Star]

I have the same bobbed sp101. If it were 6shot it would be perfect IMHO. Which is why the 327 magnum SP is so popular. Probably the perfect carry revolver, but I don't want to add another caliber.

Here is mine with a fixed sight GP, and security six. I always wanted a stainless speed six, but hear parts are no longer available, plus I never found one. I bought the SP, & GP thinking one of them would satisfy my desire.

Your middle gun impresses me. I had one like it, with those smaller Lett grips. Handled very well, but I traded it for one with adj. sights. I wish I could have both. That fixed-sight GP is a great duty revolver, but so is the one with target sights, and it allows sighting in for preferred loads.

 

[kozmic]

I have a 4.2" .357 model and love it. The trigger is not overly heavy or long and is very crisp. The sights are fantastic and it's build Ruger tough. It would be nice to have that additional round, but the SP101 should be on everyone's "gotta own one" list! (just like a Rickenbacker bass guitar)

 

[Otreb]

The trigger pull on both of my SP's is very good. No heavier than any of my J's were. What I find is that the pull is a bit longer when compared to the J frame.

I agree. I'm constantly hearing how bad the DA on Ruger Sp101s are, but mine seems lighter than all but one of my J frames- my EDC 442 which has approaching 3k in it.
I was looking at the measured DA trigger weight on the Gunblast site between 3 different sp101s and they ranged between 9.6 and 10.25lbs. I looked at the measured weights between 4 J frames that ranged between 9.3 and 13lbs. None of these guns were rimfires either.
They are different triggers, no question. IME the Rugers have a longer stage and softer reset which trips people up when accustomed to DA Smiths, but in the Ruger, I like the long smooth pull and strong bolt engagement before the break. It allows me to shoot groups right on top of my best SA efforts.

 

[eveled]

Your middle gun impresses me. I had one like it, with those smaller Lett grips. Handled very well, but I traded it for one with adj. sights. I wish I could have both. That fixed-sight GP is a great duty revolver, but so is the one with target sights, and it allows sighting in for preferred loads.

Thanks, what you say is true regarding adjustable sight guns. For some reason I like my revolvers with fixed sights. The security six was my dad's like I said I wanted a stainless speed six, when I found the fixed sight GP w/ the relatively scarce barrel length I had to have it. Someday soon I am going to bob the hammer and add serations like the factory speed hammers that came on some speed sixes.

In my eyes fixed sight guns should have bobbed hammers, and adjustable sight should be left with normal hammers.

 

[WB5MHA]

One thing more. In addition to the heavy trigger pull (before spring replacement) the SP 101 is rather large for concealed carry. A J frame Smith is simply smaller and lighter and easier to conceal.

 

[kaaskop49]

This is the 2nd recent SP101 thread. Most of us seem to have similar opinions: it is rather heavy and the trigger pull is long and heavy. Time for Ruger to install lighter action springs that will allow proper ignition with factory magnum ammo.

I would also like an aluminum frame, but perhaps the front lockup of the crane into the frame prevents this. Oh well.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Hedrin]

I received a second hand SP101 snubbie from a friend of mine as a gift a few years ago. It is a 1994 former police secondary gun, and by all accounts it has had thousands of practice rounds in service between 1994 and 2012. It has the smoothest action of any revolver I have ever handled and the only maintenance it has ever had is that the springs were replaced just before it was sold to my friend. I was wary of it at first, but the recoil is surprisingly small, and if I don't flinch when I'm choking down full magnums, my groups are respectable.

 

[camsdaddy]

I have had several SP101's over the years but currently find myself with none. I find that shooting 357 from a J frame or an SP101 to not be any fun so I don't. When I shoot an SP101 with 357 the trigger guard cuts my finger. I then decide that if I'm gonna carry a gun that shoots five shots of 38 I might as well carry my Model 60. That said if I ever needed a small snub to club someone with the SP would be my choice.

 

[model3sw]

Interesting, I am not a Ruger follower and was never aware that Ruger referred to these as J-frames

Obviously S&W came first. I wonder why Ruger chose the same nomenclature

Mark ... Ruger does not use J frame as description for the smaller frame guns. They are EXCELLENT and very high grade manufacture. Next time we meet up I'll show you a custom, magna-ported SP101 with some fine trigger work.

Knowing you, once you handle one, you'll need a few to put along side your most precious S&W J's.

 

[eveled]

If Ruger had made it a six shot, they would have put a serious hurt on J frame sales, IMHO.

 

[Harrison]

I have a 3" SP101 in 357 and love it. It has a good trigger pull and is a good solid revolver. A little bit large and heavy for pocket carry, but rides on a belt just perfect. The little rascal is a joy to shoot with 357 mag. I wish I could say the same for my J frame.