First Impressions; SP101

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beefyz

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Awhile back, posted question re recommendations for a CC .357/.38. Many of you responded, Thank You to all, and after much deliberation and based upon my intended usage and what was available, I settled upon the Ruger SP 101 w/ 3.o6 barrel in .357. First outing with it today using Fed.38SP 158SPs & then Rem .38Sp+P 125JHP. As many of you pointed out, stock "sights" could be a problem, but that was NOT evident here. First shot @ 35' was a perfect bullseys in a 6" dessert pie plate. Remaining 24 rds were w/I 2-3" of this. I consider myself a rifleman ( "I have no need for a pistol" says Quigley says I ) and have never really done well or appreciated a handgun; I'd rather be using a carbine but didn't have that choice. Next up was the +Ps and I shot similar results w/o really noticing a +P difference. First impressions; I think I got a winner here. Will try some .357s next.
Have some very good (your) choices lined up for a CC holster. While the stock grips were ok, they just looked kind of cheap on this nice SS revolver. Felt a bit small in my hands, and my hands are just average size. I'm wondering how full wood grips would affect a CC carry as I haven't seen to many SPs in this configuration.
 
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I bought the Houge soft rubber ones for my SP 101 and they fill my hand up better and give me better control.

They are cheap so if you don't like them it's not a big issue.

I think you made a good choice in hand guns and it will last you a life time and more.

By the way, when you get around to shooting .357mags out of it you will really appreciate the soft rubber Houge grips.
 
Those are good revolvers. You made a fine choice. .357s will be sharp out of it, though. Be forewarned.

For grip size, you might check to see if the Tyler T-grips will fit it.
 
Good thing about the SP101 is that after you have fired your five you still have a good rock, the gun, to hit them with.

Deaf
 
I wanted an sp101 .357 for years and was finally able to snag a used one. It is probably the last gun I would ever give up. It's powerful, robust, and quite accurate for a snub. 158gr .357 are right on target at 25 yards.

Having it in hand immediately gives me the warm and fuzzies. From daily carry to clearing a bump in the night, I am always happy to have it on my person.

Now, it is a bit heavy and bulky, and I generally prefer a nice light 9mm pistol for edc. However, when I can conceal it, I prefer the little .357. The SP line is just a fantastic value and has a really aesthetically pleasing rugged profile.
 
If the Hogue Tamer grips will work, they are incredible with reducing recoil. I shoot my Ruger Alaskan 44, a snubby, with these grips and they keep things very comfortable. I now shoot almost all magnums, and the specials only once in a while. I thought it would be the opposite......
 
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beefyz

Like the concept of the SP101 (small compact .357), but never could get comfortable with the weight and balance of the gun.

Quigley on revolvers: "Said I didn't have much use for one...never said I didn't know how to use it".
 
After trying stock, Hogue, and Pachmayr, Badger Boot Grips won it for me. I shoot mostly .357 out of the 3" model, and I find them pretty comfortable. They may have a little more palm slap than the other grips, but they don't take off web skin like the three rubber options do for me. Also, the Badgers are resin impregnated, so you can sand them to personalize the shape/hand fit and then just buff them back to get a uniform finish without having to re-dye, coat, oil, etc.
 
I got my 3" SP101 last year. I swapped the stocks out for Badger's also. They don't work as well with speed loaders (I'll have to try to sand them as eldon519 suggested). I found an OWB holster at Winthrop Holsters. Works well and a good price. I also ordered an IWB clip holster from Lobo Leather. I like it too. In general, the SP101 is a bit easier to shoot better than any of my J-frames (gasp!). It's solid as a rock.
 
Pachmayr will soon be releasing their Diamond Pro grips for the SP 101. They are larger size. $24.95 retail.
 
Not a great pic, but shows the Badger stocks and the Winthrop Holster is in the background.
 

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I have Hogue grips on mine and love them. The stock grips were too small for my hands and I have had good luck with Hogue grips on a bunch of my other revolvers, so I put them on my SP101.
 
Again guys, thanks, alot of choices here. Next week i'll try to throw out some
.357s. THAT should make up my mind fast.....
 
I love the Pachmayr compact grips. Very comfy. They are my summer/camping grips as I don't mind if they get wet or knocked about. I have some lovely wooden inserts made by a friend that I use in the stock rubber grip at other times. I do prefer the Pachmayrs though.
 
I bought these Altmont grips to replace the stock ones. While they do look nice and are smaller that the Pachmahr, so they conceal a bit nicer, they hurt a bit with full load 357s.

DSC00001_zpskvi7spqo.jpg

I looked long and hard at those Badgers too.
 
I've noticed that the problem with some of the rubbery grips (especially the big Hogues) is that they tend to catch a shirt that's hopefully covering the pistol. But those Pachmayr's might be a harder rubber that doesn't do this.
 
MIL-DOT said:
I've noticed that the problem with some of the rubbery grips (especially the big Hogues) is that they tend to catch a shirt that's hopefully covering the pistol. But those Pachmayr's might be a harder rubber that doesn't do this.
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Actually they are supposed to be worse, because they are soft. I have a pocket holster that lets me carry in my right front pocket with nothing showing.
 
"I'm wondering how full wood grips would affect a CC carry as I haven't seen to many SPs in this configuration."

As noted by others lots of options. There are Hogue wood grips if ordered directly from Hogue come in various configurations, woods, with or without finger grooves, grip caps and checkering. Herrett's can make grips to fit one's hand. Badger is offered and if ordered directly from Jim Badger can be had with or without finger grooves and be fit to one's hand. On eBay there are a number of grip configurations from various Thai producers. Eagle also offers grips.

For now my SP has a Hogue Coco Bolo grip with a top finger groove only that I have been happy with. They are a little large for pocket carry but for belt use are fine.
 
I have skeleton fingers and as a result I have been searching for 6 years trying to find a grip that gives me proper trigger reach on my SP101, and fills my hand enough that the gun isn't rattling around in my hand and beating me up with 357 loads. I have yet to find it.

I've carried it with full size finger groove Badger's. Yes it prints a bit more than with the stock grip. Ok, but not great for me.

I have a full size finger groove grip from Tim's Workshop. Beautiful maple, but still too thin.

I really want to try some Eagle grips on it, but don't feel like dropping more cash right now on a maybe.

So far the best grip I've found that works for me is the Crimson Trace grips that reside on it now, but good god are they ugly. I can never seem to find a grip that gives me a proper trigger reach on a small gun. I wish to god Nill made SP101 grips.

Custom Grips from Herrett's may be my only option.
 
Great little revolver. Had my action slicked up and a lighter spring installed. With the Hogue grips it really fits me comfortably. Will never part with it.

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