possible warranty work on SP 101

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bee-kay

Bearcat
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Mar 4, 2017
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I have owned my SP 101since about 2008 and I've probably fired it less that 500 times, with 50 of those shots being .357 .. Other than that .38 special.

I showed it to someone at a shop where I offered it as a trade in and I'll be keeping it... But he told me that it looks like the rifling is shot out.
I've noticed that the rifling seemed sort of shallow since it was new and I never gave it much thought , but now that it's been brought to my attention, it's got me wondering if it could be effecting accuracy.
I never really got into shooting it a lot, because out of all my guns, it's the least accurate, but I attributed it to having a short barrel.
I keep it loaded and sometimes carry it because of it's handy size.

That probably wouldn't be covered by warranty after that many years, because it could be considered wear.

What would you do if this were your gun?

Thanks
 

hittman

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I'd ask Ruger if they'll pay for shipping both ways.
Regardless of their answer I'd send it in.
 

NikA

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500 rounds isn't enough to shot the rifling out on any but the most overbore bottleneck cartridges. On a handgun, cleaning typically puts more wear on the rifling and I would estimate most guns can go 10000 rounds of jacketed ammunition before showing any real rifling wear.

I'd start by measuring it. Slug the bore and determine the rifling depth. If it's out of spec, most likely a factory defect. I'd wager it's "in spec" but on the bottom end, if I had to guess without seeing it at all.

I've only had one handgun that I felt the rifling was shot out on, a 10mm S&W 3rd gen.
 

bee-kay

Bearcat
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I've got a bit of experience with Ruger Custome Service dept - No complaints.
It took a long time because it was warranty work on a limited edition .41 mag SBH Hunter and they offered a trade but I decided to wait it out,
because I really wanted a stainless .41 mag.
After about 6 -8 months they replaced it with a new gun... PITA because then I had to go through the FFL/reg process.
But Ruger did me right.

So - OK - I'll slug the bore.

What I'd really like to do is mount it on a machine rest and find out if the innaccuracy is myself or the gun.
It would be easier to loan it to Hickock.45 and see if he can hit 2 liter bottles with it at 20 yd firing DA... I don't have a machine rest.
It's a DA / hammerless gun, so if I'm careful I can engage the SA sear by pulling back the hammer to cock it, after I pull the trigger about 25%

I guess the next question is : Is it better to contact Ruger CS by email or by phone?

Thanks for the replies
 

bee-kay

Bearcat
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Mar 4, 2017
Messages
39
Location
Northern California
Thanks for the replies.
My thoughts are : IF IT HAS LITTLE OR NO EFFECT ON THE GUN'S ACCURACY, then it's not a problem.
When I got this gun it was the first gun I got after being forced to sell all my others because I went broke a few years ago.
A 3" .357 SP-101 is a good choice as a first gun because it's a practical handgun in all categories.
Reliability, Power, Concealability, Durability... Accuracy Capacity ? Well it's more than a derringrer
But it takes a bunch of practice to hit targets with it DA.
Sorta rambling cause it's my first coffee this morning.
Anyhow - maybe it isn't the gun that's inaccurate. It's probably my fault.
I wish I could just put that gun in the hands of someone who shoots well and see how they do.

I will slug the bore, but I don't have a mic for measuring, just a Mitutoyo digital caliper .

This has just been on my mind, since I took the gun to a shop to offer as a trade and got informed that the bore looks worn out.
 

Biggfoot44

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What Contender wrote was my first thought. 500 rds of lead bullets with right/ ie wrong combination of circumstances have significant leading .

Reading between the lines , I would guess that OP has " casual " DA shooting skills ? Do you have a friend or fellow gun club member who is an experienced , confident DA shooter who could test fire it ?
 

bee-kay

Bearcat
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Messages
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Location
Northern California
What Contender wrote was my first thought. 500 rds of lead bullets with right/ ie wrong combination of circumstances have significant leading .

Reading between the lines , I would guess that OP has " casual " DA shooting skills ? Do you have a friend or fellow gun club member who is an experienced , confident DA shooter who could test fire it ?
That's what I'm thinking - I need to find someone who has skills firing DA, because that's a variable that is open, in this equation.
 

sgt 127

Bearcat
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Mar 16, 2013
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Nevada
Unless you shot 500 rounds of lead bullets lubricated with sand, there is no way that rifling is worn out.

Can you post a picture?

I'd buy a Lewis Lead Remover and drag it through the barrel a few times. Or, wrap some true copper Choreboy around a worn brush and scrub that barrel.
 
Joined
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Salina, Kansas
Did you shoot any lead bullets through it. Jacketed ones leave very little residue in my experience, but lead ones certainly do. No handgun bullet type wears out a bore in 500 rounds, or even 5000. Rifling is not very deep to begin with. Have you considered that the store might have been making excuses to lower the trade in value?

Agree with all if the above. Clean it with a new bore brush after soaking it for an hour or so with a good brand name solvent applied on a swab or patch. Have an experienced shooter test fire it on sandbags. If it won't stay inside 4 inches or so at 25 yards, then contact Ruger.

Ruger essentially provides a lifetime warranty, even if you buy one used. I know. Have sent used ones in and had them fixed for only one way shipping several times. Best service in the business in my opinion. They have never disappointed me. And I have been buying, trading, and collecting Rugers for 5 decades.
 
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Just another thought, but about the shop that said the barrel is worn. Is it possible they were trying to point out flaws, however slight, just to lowball you if you did decide to trade it in? You know, talk about how bad the condition is in order to get it cheaper.

Just a thought, because there are a few shops around here that would do that.
 

JStacy

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south Texas
Some sales person just trying to jack you around so they can sell it for a larger profit margin. I know shops have to make a living but I do not like the low ball technique. When they start that I just walk away from them!
 

bee-kay

Bearcat
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Mar 4, 2017
Messages
39
Location
Northern California
Unless you shot 500 rounds of lead bullets lubricated with sand, there is no way that rifling is worn out.

Can you post a picture?

I'd buy a Lewis Lead Remover and drag it through the barrel a few times. Or, wrap some true copper Choreboy around a worn brush and scrub that barrel.
It's really difficult to get a good pic of the bore. And even if I could, it would be difficult to tell how deep the rifling is.
I have a lewis lead remover and I cleaned the lead out.
After a few passes, I got a bunch of sparkly lead particles , and repeated that til nothing else came out, so I'm sure it's not leaded.

The rifling is pretty shallow, I have to admit, and I know it's not due to wear, because I just haven't fired it enough to wear it out.
It came that way.
I still have to slug the bore.
It's more difficult on a 3" revolver than a rifle barrel, where I can remove the bolt.

None of my shots keyhole, so possibly, it's actually okay.
 

sgt 127

Bearcat
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Mar 16, 2013
Messages
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Nevada
It's a little dirty. There's a reference for you.

DAFCB1B2-7B4D-4CD9-AF21-26A6284CC875.jpeg
00180805-EF72-411E-9D23-B0E1DFCC4D15.jpeg
 

JStacy

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May 6, 2016
Messages
503
Location
south Texas
It's really difficult to get a good pic of the bore. And even if I could, it would be difficult to tell how deep the rifling is.
I have a lewis lead remover and I cleaned the lead out.
After a few passes, I got a bunch of sparkly lead particles , and repeated that til nothing else came out, so I'm sure it's not leaded.

The rifling is pretty shallow, I have to admit, and I know it's not due to wear, because I just haven't fired it enough to wear it out.
It came that way.
I still have to slug the bore.
It's more difficult on a 3" revolver than a rifle barrel, where I can remove the bolt.

None of my shots keyhole, so possibly, it's actually okay.
oil the bore and then start a hollow base wadcutter in the muzzle .closed end out. and tap it through the barrel with a wooden dowel. The bullet is soft and it will upset as it goes through the barrel and than you can measure the land and groove marks.
 

sgt 127

Bearcat
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
8
Location
Nevada
I just noticed something. Did you buy the gun used?

You said:

"It's a DA / hammerless gun, so if I'm careful I can engage the SA sear by pulling back the hammer to cock it…"

Because a factory DA only trigger has the full cock notch removed. Somebody bobbed it.

Maybe some shot a couple thousand screaming .357's through it before you. But, I think you'd see forcing cone erosion and top strap cutting to go with it.
 

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