1989 First Year SP101 38 Special

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Star43

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I was just looking at an old 1989 Ruger catalog. The SP101 had just came out. Seeing the catalog made me think of mine. I know mine is an '89 as the serial number is 570-370**. It is new in the box. I was actually looking at it just a couple of months or so ago just to wipe down and admire it....I also remember just seeing the new 357 version model and another caliber version in about 3 or 4 gun shops recently and I have to admit that in my opinion, my gun is actually better finished, and the cylinder play is a lot tighter, and the gun just feels "smoother" and just a bit "better built" ...again in my opinion. My question is if other guys have compared the old original gun to the ones being made now and if they have similar thoughts as I. Maybe I just got lucky, but I don't think I'm "that" lucky. 🙂🧐🤔
 
My 1993 SP .357 has better fit than my 2016 3" SP .327.
Both have very nice brushed satin finish.
IMG_6450.jpeg
IMG_1478.jpeg
 
There have been a few manufacturing changes since ~2017 that make recent SPs less desirable. That said, early SPs were definitely had sharper edges on the trigger guard, hammer, etc. and I'd say the best samples are from around 2010.
 
NikA said:
There have been a few manufacturing changes since ~2017 that make recent SPs less desirable. That said, early SPs were definitely had sharper edges on the trigger guard, hammer, etc. and I'd say the best samples are from around 2010.
Click to expand...
Well I can say that on my 1989, there are no sharp edges that I see. I can only speak for the one that I have ...But I have seen new ones in the gun shops around me and they do not look as refined as mine. It's not even close.....but I am not picking on Ruger.....times have changed and they make so many now compared to back then...I am glad I have what I have and bought what I have back then......it is not long ago I was in a shop and was just checking out a S/W revolver, and I asked the guy if it was new or used. He just looked at me and chuckled "of course it's new"... I have asked that about a S/W more than once lately. It was the cylinder play...much too loose. Anyway, I sure like my 1989.....and now I see why so many guys on this forum like the "old" guns. It's not to save money, it is for the quality....
 
According to Ruger my SP, 570-06*** dates to 1988. I picked it up used in early 2012. It appeared carried some but not shot much. I have to agree these early models' fit and finish is much better than recent models I have handled.
 
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Actually yours is an "89" like mine. They came out in 1989. You can look up the Ruger serial number chart.....570-00001 was the very first one and it shows as 1989......We have the first year's batch and I think we are lucky to have them. 👍👍
 
Star43 said:
Actually yours is an "89" like mine. They came out in 1989. You can look up the Ruger serial number chart.....570-00001 was the very first one and it shows as 1989......We have the first year's batch and I think we are lucky to have them. 👍👍
Click to expand...
I'm often not comfortable with sweeping generalizations like that,

1725367142674.png


KSP182-GreenInserts.jpg

You may want to check the date code on your manual in the lower right corner of the cover. The SP manual went to press in 1988, in time for those earliest shipments.

Like most Rugers made while the program was still in effect, the earliest guns (as high as 500 for some models) were reserved for subscribers and shipped later than the earliest commercially shipped examples.

This is the lowest one I have:
1725367819157.png


As a side note, that one pictured above has the scarce, early dark green grip inserts.
 
And further proof ( ?? ) guns may not be made or shipped in numerical order.
 
GP-100

173-73190 shipped in 1997.

D173-73190 shipped in 2009.
 
I see that the #04568 says it shipped in 1988 ?? Could that be some kind of mistake ? If it isn't a mistake, why even do a serial number chart in the first place, unless it's just sort of a general consensus type of chart.....This reminds me of all the catalogs when I always noted that Ruger listed the same weight for their Single Sixes for example an NR5 and a KNR5 and they are both listed at 33 ounces.....For years I noticed this. Yet when one handles a Blued SS compared to the Stainless model, it is very clear the stainless which of course is all steel is a bit heavier. Why would they list the weights the same ? I never understood that at all....🧐🤔
 
Last edited:
Some of these things ain't an exact science.
That’s why you’ll see folks here say “with Ruger never say never” ……
 
Ain't that the truth !! 🙂🙂. Besides after all these years it's a little to late to fix all of the listed gun weights on the old catalogs.....I still like looking at them anyway.......love the old catalogs....👍
 
While I don't have any SP101 guns I do have a Redhawk and a Super Redhawk that I bought about 5 months ago, bran new in the boxes. They have the best fit and finish of any revolver that I have used, bought, or shot, bar none. They also have the smoothest triggers and hammers too. For me the best purchases I made in recent years. However the kick from those 44 mags is bone crushing.
 
Glad you like your Redhawks. I personally don't own one of those and couldn't comment on a Redhawk.....I guess the Redhawk line is doing well which is good to know .....although I do remember not long ago about a couple of guys having problems with the Wiley Clapp SP101. They were having some issues with theirs.
 
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