First year SP-101

Hey folks. I am considering the purchase of a 1989 SP-101 .38 Special with 2.25" barrel. The revolver has alot of carry wear but really hasn't been fired much. What I need to know is, were there any problems with these early SP's that were corrected in later models? Also, any idea what bullet weight it might prefer? Ideally it would be 150-162 grain lead slugs like my other .38's eat. Thanks!

I don't remember any problems, I think they just decided it was strong enough to handle 357mags so they lengthened the frame. I do seem to remember the early ones were for 125 Semi jacketed cartridges. So I think the others will be too long for the cylinder. Good luck. If you want to carry 38's it should be a fine gun. I think I'd go with an LCR or an LCRx for easy carry. Other wise I'd stick with the 357 mag and shoot what you want up to 200 grain lead.

Thanks. The plan is to use it as my working outside gun as it's stainless and already has a worn appearance. The extra weight should help tame the strong .38's I feed my full size revolvers. I have an S&W 637 but forget about a fast follow up shot with energetic ammo. I keep it loaded with 712 fps full wadcutters for discreet pocket carry.

So long as the lighter bullets work for you, you should be ok. By the way, there is one that is more current that will handle longer loads on the classifieds, you might want to consider, depending on the price of the other one.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=266316

Isn't the 125 grain rule only for the early .357's, not .38's?

My 67 yo memory has done gone and failed me. I don't remember. I think you may be right, now that you mentioned it. Thanks for mentioning that.

They used 125 gr. Loads before the frame/cylinder was lengthened to allow standard 158 gr. .357 loads. SP101's marked 125 gr. loads only were the early .357's with short cylinders.

Thanks!

In the past some have commented the sights on the SP's are set for 158 gr loads.

I hope that is the case. I had an SP with 3" barrel for awhile, it shot low with everything I tried.

Just to clarify the original SP had a shorter cylinder and was 38 cal. It would take any factory length load. The same cylinder was then found to be strong enough for .357 so it was also marked as a .357 for 125 great loads only as it was not long enough for 158s. Ruger then lengthened the cylinder on newer models so they could chamber any . 357 factory load. If your gun is a .38 you can shoot any weight you want regardless of which of the 2 cylinder lengths it was built on.

Thanks. Somebody wanted the gun more than I did and bought it for $75.00 more than I was willing to spend. With shipping and transfer that would be over $400.00. I'll keep looking, I do want one of these.