Ruger 3" SP101 in .32 H&R Magnum

[P. Plainsman]

Handled one in the gun shop last week. Why am I suddenly so taken with this little six-shooter?

Can't rightly think of a use for it. I'd want at least a .38+P for CCW, my house guns are .357/.45 ACP, and I have a .22 pistol and rifle for cheap plinking.

But it just seems like such a cute (there, I said it), sturdy little revolver. One could, I don't know, pop it in a backpack for long hikes or something. Since factory .32 Mag is pricey, this yen is probably also a roundabout way of kick-starting myself into taking up reloading.

Anyone got one of these guns? What are they like to shoot? The one I handled had a decent, not great action -- what I think of as average for an out-the-box Ruger DA. The SP101's lockwork feels different from the GP100's when you cock the hammer; the "clicks" seem to come at different places.

 

[Erich]

These get discussed over at sixgunner.com forums and the Ruger forum every once in a while. A search over there might turn up some threads of interest.

I agree - I continue to find myself intrigued by the .32 H&R Magnum - but I've resisted thus far.

 

[denfoote]

The cartridge continues to exist!!
That is what baffles me!!!
I guess somebody somewhere must be using it in sufficient quantities to justify keeping the ammo on the shelves and the guns in the lineup!!

 

[Rangie]

I have this crazy idea in my head involving this gun and .30-.22cal sabots. Along the lines of the .223 timbs.

 

[Tacoma]

I feel your pain. After amassing a collection of a dozen .38 /357 snubbies, I began loosing sleep over one in 32 mag. What the &E+#& did I want this for? Ammo was expensive. Brass and bullets likewise expensive / relitively harder to find and I wasn't set up to reload it? Just in the nick of time I ran into a used Sp 101 in 9mm. Presto! Problem solved. Here was a sweet little snubbie that was different AND dirt cheap to shoot!
Unfortunately , it has only postponed the "need" and I'm still trying to talk myself out of a .32

 

[iluvG.R.I.T.S]

Once I shot mine,it was worth the trouble of looking for the ammo.I liked it so much I got a single six in 32 also.

 

[JBP]

The 32 H&R Mag is one of my favorite rounds. Light recoil and flat shooting. I have four including the SP101 (also 2 NEFs R76 and a H&R 586). My wife finds the recoil out of my Taurus 85CH a bit much for her but has no problems with the 2" R76. Georgia Arms makes a very nice 100gr JHP for $11.50/50.

 

[P. Plainsman]

G.R.I.T.S., does your 4" SP shoot factory ammo to proper elevation?

I ask because one poster over at the Ruger Forum (thanks for the tip Erich) said his .32 SP shot everything high. The sights are adjustable for windage, but not elevation.

 

[iluvG.R.I.T.S]

Mine is very accurate,and ill use the cheapest ammo i can find and Federal Hydra shock.I also shoot 32 long and have no problem with those either.

 

[kjaniak]

I have a 3" SP101 in .32 H&R Mag that I bought back in May. Love the thing. Accurate and very little recoil. Trigger pull is gettting better with age. Ammo is a bit expensive at anywhere from $7.99 to $9.99 a box in my area. I use mine for CCW and general fun shooting. Would never sell it.

 

[zeke]

Plainsman-have one of the sp101 4 inchers, which had elevation problem (can't remember if high or low). The front sites come in 3 different heights. Ordered a replacement from Brownells. They need to be drilled.