What Is It about the SP101...

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Ultraman

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What Is It about the SP101... That makes me feel so warm and fuzzy about them? In .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .9mm, .32 Magnum, .22 LR, 2 1/4" or 3 1/8" I love them all!

I see Speed Six's, GP100's, Security Six's and other Ruger wheelies in the gun shops cases and yawn. I see a SP101 and just have to ask to fondle it!

I have a fairly large (subjectively) S&W collection and am fond of them all but none make me feel like my SP101's do. Taking sentimental attachments out of the equation (guns dad gave me),

my SP101's are hands down my FAVORITES!

SP101.gif
 
I just wish I had the option of adjustable sights on a 3" SP101. I've been thinking about getting one, but I'd really like it for a light weight field gun, but the fixed sights are a problem for outdoor use. I own a medium frame Taurus M66 that is very accurate, so I've been convincing myself I don't need no SP101. I have CCW guns, too, that are lighter and easier to carry and have enough caliber to suit me.
 
Not as of yet....

I have not bought one as of yet but it is one that I can't seem to get out of
my head. The SP101 in .357 with a 2.25" will be the first for sure. I'm not sure
where it will head from there.... no matter, I can't go wrong with a SP101.
 
I know exactly what you mean, I've got three of them and am contemplating a fourth. As to the adjustable sights, I've got them on my .32 H&R and they are very nice plus you get the benefit of a sixth shot. I just find it the perfect all around sized gun for me when a big gun is just too big but I actually want to shoot the gun too.
 
Count Me IN...

Hello. I purchased an SP101 with the 3 1/16" bbl a while back and have never regretted it. It has proven reliable and POA matches POI with 145-gr and heavier loads. It is very close with the mid-range "magnums" such as Remington
125-gr. Golden Saber and Corbon's 125-gr. DPX. (I have not yet had a chance to try the Speer 135-gr. "Short Barrel" load for this caliber, but intend to.)

True, the DA trigger pull is heavy, but it's smooth and got quite a lot smoother as I shot it quite a bit. It is easy to "stage" for accurate, quick repeat shots.

RugerGP100andSP101ammotile1.jpg
I have strong regard for both the SP101 and the GP100, but between the two, my favorite is the SP. It can be concealed under a light outer garment or under a loose-fitting shirt and for me the factory grips are just fine. I also like the fact that the same J-frame speedloader I use for my S&W Model 642 works fine with the SP101, albeit with .38 +P rather than magnums so that it could be used with either revolver.

If interested, here are some reasons why I have come to really appreciate this revolver:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Ruger SP101 Report.htm

Best.
 
A stout, reliable little workhorse it is indeed. To me, the 3" SP101 in .357 is the perfect combination of caliber, weight, balance and concealability. Now if they would just bring back the SP101 in .22lr.....!
 
I just bought a 3". An initial scare notwithstanding, for me it was:
  • Heavy enough to enjoy my range time even with full power loads. The Airweights... not so much.
  • Small enough to conceal in a good holster. I heard it was too heavy for pocket carry, but that won't be my primary method, so I wasn't too concerned.
  • Accurately shoots a man-or-beast-stopping caliber.
  • SS NIB for less than $400 shipped - that was the biggie for me than no other gun could touch... at least none that will outlast me.

I might pick up a Model 60 like this one someday and give them a good side by side comparison, but for now I think I got the most for my money. :D
 
Sorry I can't join your parade I can't stand they way they look or feel in my hands. To me the their the Glock of the REV. Does everthing well and is a good weapon .Just not my cup of tea.
 
When I go dirt bike riding. The SP101 is the most concealable, lightest powerhouse I've got in the safe. It fits in a horizontal shoulder holster nearly up in my arm pit. I hardly know it's there. Yet, one time i came back to the truck with the boys and there was a group of ... Well, unwanteds hanging around the truck. I'm sure they were just waiting to see if someone would return to the parking area just before dusk. You know what, I surely didn't feel out gunned. Not at all. Nothing happened, and I'm thankful for that. Still I felt comfy with it. And the boys knew I had it. Gives piece of mind for them too. And the 1911 was in the truck ta'boot.

Each of my pistols has a specific purpose. Some purposes overlap.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=2392069&posted=1#post2392069

-Steve
 
The Glock of revolvers? Not exactly. The SP is actually far more traditional than the Smith and Taurus CCW .357's. Instead of trying to use space-age alloys, Ruger sticks to straight up stainless. This both keeps the weight where it should be and keeps the revolver free and clear of unfortunate problems such as fire cut topstraps. The "solid state" style clockwork and easy takedown is certainly an innovation over earlier Smiths & Colts, but the fundamentals remain the same.
 
I have a 2¼" version in .357MAG, but admit I don't carry it much. If I know I won't be keeping the gun on my body, I'll throw it in the car. Some of that is I have yet to invest in a good belt holster which I'm looking into now. I feel it's a little too heavy for comfortable pocket carry but I've pressed it into that service when wearing a jacket with big pockets.

It also has to go out for a trigger job; compared to some S&W revolvers I have the SP101 feels terrible.

So why do I keep it? Because I like the fact it is very well built - can'r see shooting this thing loose ever! They have to be the strongest snubs available.
 
My SP101 has about the heaviest trigger I've seen on a revolver, excluding the junk Taurus puts out.
 
I have a SP 101 in 357 mag and its the 3 inch model. Its a workhorse but not crazy about the trigger pull. I found with a 158gr SWC lead with 6.7grs of Universal Clays is very accurate in the little pistol. I shot a pheasant with it when it was standing in the middle of the road 35 yards away once. I think I will stick with that load and the gun. Steve 48
 
It's an easy matter to take a few pounds off the springs with an aftermarket batch. You can ease back on them quite a bit without running into light primer strikes.
 
Cosmoline, you miss understood my meaning. When I said like a Glock I ment Ugly(to me any way) but well built and dependable as hell. Isn't that what your always hearing about glocks + easy to service. I repeat I have no problems with the pistol I just don't like it or any Ruger hand gun for that matter except my MKII. That why we have different makes.
 
I have yet to see a truly attractive looking snubby revolver. Either they look like Taurus's pimp guns, or S&W puts Atomic NASA logos all over it and mixes the barrel color differently than the frame, or you have the sp101. The sp is all steel, and IMO looks ridiculous in a 2" configuration. But push the barrel out another inch to 3", and you have something that actually looks like a quality revolver. If they made a 4" .357 sp101, I'd be all over it. Considering the 32H&R 4" version, but probably won't get into an exotic caliber. I prefer having the option at least of walking into the nearest sporting goods store and having SOMETHING that will fit in my gun if need be, even though I reload almost all of my ammo.

Revolvers just don't look right unless they have a real barrel on them. They need to have a full lugged 5" barrel or longer, IMO.

I love my sp101 though.
 
How can you think the SP is ugly?? That's just bizarre to me.

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Some of that is I have yet to invest in a good belt holster which I'm looking into now. I feel it's a little too heavy for comfortable pocket carry but I've pressed it into that service when wearing a jacket with big pockets.
Click to expand...

I've had good luck with the new Galco vertical rig

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I had the uncommon .22lr SP with 2-1/4" barrel. Man, what a snoozer to shoot. :(

I think the .357's are nice though. Lightest realistic .357 for actually shooting your carry ammo in practice. ;)
 
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