Been looking for one of these for quite a while now that wasn't over priced. Put fifty rounds of 357 through it today.
Recoil wasn't bad at all. Trigger is a little heavy but manageable. Accuracy was great as long as I did my part. I like it.
Ruger Sp101 - The Other J Frame
- Thread starter Kanewpadle
- Start date
Been looking for one of these for quite a while now that wasn't over priced. Put fifty rounds of 357 through it today.
Recoil wasn't bad at all. Trigger is a little heavy but manageable. Accuracy was great as long as I did my part. I like it.
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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
Obviously S&W came first. I wonder why Ruger chose the same nomenclature
OP
They didn't come up with that. I did.
Close enough for government work. SHHHHH! No politics!!
Frank46
US Veteran
I've fired a SP101 in 357 magnum and while very controllable it didn't fit my idea of easily concealed. My carry gun is an all steel model 36 with speer gold dot ammo +p' That easily goes in my right jeans pocket with two speed strips for 15 rounds. Frank
KLYDE
Member
Congrats on your find. I sold off all my J frames except the 342Ti. That is my pocket gun. The SP101 serves for all other carry duty. Got both of mine set up for DAO. My favorite.
.357 mag
9mm
.357 mag
9mm
Last edited:
rjm6120
Member
OLDSTER
Member
The SP101 is much nicer to shoot for us old guys. Size is about 1/2 way between a J and K, and weight about like my M&P snub. 
lawandorder
Member
I don't know why but I have never been able.........
............to warm up to Ruger Double Action revolvers.
I own one of their Shotguns, a .22 rifle, and a .22 SAA but NO DAs.
............to warm up to Ruger Double Action revolvers.
I own one of their Shotguns, a .22 rifle, and a .22 SAA but NO DAs.
I had one in 32 H&R magnum...the 327 magnum hadn't been invented yet. It had the adjustable blade in the back, which I changed out to a Vee notch blade and I changed the front to a red fiber optic thing. I liked that little gun, it was deadly accurate. I changed the springs too. Let a buddy of mine talk me out of it. Wish I still had it.
Alpo
Member
I suppose you are calling it a J because it's a five-shot.
But I've got a 4" in 22, and it's a whole lot closer, in size and weight, to an 18 than it is to a 34.
I think of it as a K.
But I've got a 4" in 22, and it's a whole lot closer, in size and weight, to an 18 than it is to a 34.
I think of it as a K.
WB5MHA
Member
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.
Makes all the difference in the world.
hangnoose
Member
APPLES/ORANGES
I have owned 2 SP 101 357s in 3" & the shortie, both with the bobbed hammer. My 640 stainless is about the heaviest J frame I've held & there is simply no comparison between the 2. I'm not saying 1 is better than the other, I'll let others do that, just they are very different and in no way "close enough" to call the Ruger a J frame. For using heavy 357 loads I'd rather be holding the Ruger, for carrying/ fit,finish/ action smoothness I'll take the S&W all day. It (the Ruger) will suit many people right down to the ground and be a great choice for them, I can't take anything away from them. Give me my snub speed six 357 any day over the SP101 however.
I have owned 2 SP 101 357s in 3" & the shortie, both with the bobbed hammer. My 640 stainless is about the heaviest J frame I've held & there is simply no comparison between the 2. I'm not saying 1 is better than the other, I'll let others do that, just they are very different and in no way "close enough" to call the Ruger a J frame. For using heavy 357 loads I'd rather be holding the Ruger, for carrying/ fit,finish/ action smoothness I'll take the S&W all day. It (the Ruger) will suit many people right down to the ground and be a great choice for them, I can't take anything away from them. Give me my snub speed six 357 any day over the SP101 however.
American1776
Member
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I like both the SP101 AND the J-frame. From what I've learned from various people in the know:
The J-frame will tend to have better 'fit and finish'. Generally a lighter and smoother trigger, less cylinder endshake, tighter lockup. I personally like the look of the J-frame more as well.
The SP101 is no question a stronger design that will stand up to much more .357 magnum over the long run. Ruger's yoke-tubes are thicker, and therefore will prevent endshake better than a S&W. The lock work is different, and will be less likely to shoot out of time. Recoil with hot .357s will be much more manageable.
I personally prefer the feel and balance of the J-frame, even for .357 magnums. But if you want a durable J-frame sized revolver for exclusive .357 magnum use, the SP101 is THE gun to get.
The J-frame will tend to have better 'fit and finish'. Generally a lighter and smoother trigger, less cylinder endshake, tighter lockup. I personally like the look of the J-frame more as well.
The SP101 is no question a stronger design that will stand up to much more .357 magnum over the long run. Ruger's yoke-tubes are thicker, and therefore will prevent endshake better than a S&W. The lock work is different, and will be less likely to shoot out of time. Recoil with hot .357s will be much more manageable.
I personally prefer the feel and balance of the J-frame, even for .357 magnums. But if you want a durable J-frame sized revolver for exclusive .357 magnum use, the SP101 is THE gun to get.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I like the SP-101 best with three-inch barrel and normal hammer. It fills a niche better than comparable S&W's.
The factory trigger pull is indeed heavy.
I do think Ruger DA guns go out of time less often than do S&W's, and I've owned both and examined many.
The factory trigger pull is indeed heavy.
I do think Ruger DA guns go out of time less often than do S&W's, and I've owned both and examined many.
KLYDE
Member
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.
Had a 2.25" SP with the regular hammer, it was a nice pistol but a little heavy for carry and the trigger is indeed heavy. It was a handful shooting full strength 357s. Sold it to a friend. I now carry a Colt Cobra which holds an extra round.
mg357
Absent Comrade
I love the Ruger sp101 revolver very much.
In fact I am currently saving up for a Ruger sp101 .357 magnum revolver with a 3 inch barrel.
In fact I am currently saving up for a Ruger sp101 .357 magnum revolver with a 3 inch barrel.
Erich
Member
It's a five-shot D-frame. Hella strong, as it's way bigger than it needs to be. I love my 3" and use it happily with warm handloads.
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