DA vs SA - SP101

[Captain Slapnuts]

Is the 101 available in DAO, in addition to DA/SA? I've had both the hammered and bobbed hammer models. On both, it has the capability to hold the hammer back for s SA trigger pull. Is the hammerless model DAO? Would there be no point in swapping out with a regular hammer?

 

[Fox Mike]

Yes. I own a SP101 that is DAO it is not hammer-less, just has no hammer spur. Makes for a bit easier carry if in a jacket pocket. The DAO will not 'hold back' for SA firing.

 

[RoninPA]

I am not aware that Ruger ever made a hammerless revolver but with Ruger you never say never and I'm not quite sure how you would make a hammerless revolver.

Now the spurless hammer model that Ruger currently makes ( Model Number: 5720 ) shows that it is a DAO but I have not had a chance to operate one to see if it was made without the SA notch or if it was just made with no real capability to grab the top of the hammer to pull it to the rear where it will catch the SA notch.

That said, Ruger did make a SP101 (I have one) with a spurless hammer and without the SA notch (true DAO) for a contract for the NYCPD. It is marked on the left side with "SPNY"

Even the Ruger LCR is not hammerless, it just has a hammer that is not exposed, so it is a DAO revolver because there is no way for a person to get hold of the hammer. That hammer, by the way, does not have a SA notch. Now the LCRx on the other hand, does have an exposed hammer and at least the one I have (a Ruger prototype model) is both SA and DA.

 

[Timbo23]

Yes there is a DAO only SP101. It's shown on the Ruger web site and I have one. It's chambered in .357 Magnum and while it does have a hammer, the hammer spur is 'bobbed' to match the lines of the frame.
When the trigger is pulled the hammer comes back and is exposed. There is NO single action capability. You can NOT pull the hammer back and have it catch and stay back for a single action hammer pull to release it. As you pull the trigger the hammer comes back to a certain point and then is released to fire the cartridge.
So if you were carrying it in your pocket, the hammer could get caught on something as you pulled the trigger or something could come between the hammer and frame blocking the hammer travel. So pocket carry is OK but pocket firing may malfunction.
Ruger did make another DAO SP101 called the SP101DOS model, but it's not commonly found. The hammer is different from the regular hammer in that it is rounded like the 1911 Commander version making it easy to identify.

 

[RoninPA]

Timbo23, thanks for the update. I knew they made a spurless hammer model, just didn't know if it was DAO or not.

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

Possibly I mis-stated that. Not really hammerless, but concealed hammer, or zero hammer spur. I has a 101 that had a bobbed hammer, which I'm not fond of. I swapped it out for a spur hammer. You could thumb the hammer back for a SA shot.

 

[ammo dave]

I have a spurred hammer SP101 that I would like to convert to spurless but apparently the spurless hammers are not available from Ruger or any other source. I am reluctant to modify my existing hammer in case I have a change of heart down the line. Anybody have a source for SP101 hammers?

 

[Thel]

Numrich has them turn up from time to time albeit they are out of stock right now. One can also check Ebay.

Ruger SP101 Parts | Gun Parts Corp.

Find Ruger Model SP101 revolver parts and more today with Numrich Gun Parts Corp.. America’s leading revolver parts supplier.

www.gunpartscorp.com

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

If you want the stubby, bobbed hammer, those are available on eBay. When I was looking, they were plentiful. The spur hammer was the one that was not easily found.

 

[HOLVY006]

As long time 1911/2011 shooter, I really like the SAO I have both a 226 and a 229. I am looking forward to shooting them both in local outlaw and IDPA style matches. The 226 I sent to Sig Armorer for trigger work, the 229 was great out the box.
I also have both models in DA/SA...

 

[ammo dave]

I've been lurking on eBay for a couple of months and have never seen a SP101 hammer for sale.

 

[eveled]

There used to be a bobbed hammer available for the six series hand guns that still had single action capabilities. The top was checked. You could start the hammer back with the trigger then fully cock it with your thumb. It was called a speed hammer as I recall.

There were also DAO hammers that had spurs for retention strap holsters.

The SP 101 never had either of those that I am aware of.

My GP100

For my purposes a fixed sight revolver should not have a hammer spur, adjustable sight revolvers should.

 

[sharpblade7777]

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

Yes, so the 101 I had looked like the one in post 12, but without the checkering. And you could pull it back and it'd lock for a single action shot.

 

[RoninPA]

Yes, so the 101 I had looked like the one in post 12, but without the checkering. And you could pull it back and it'd lock for a single action shot.

I would venture to guess that the previous owner made it into a spurless hammer. If it came from the factory it would have had a hammer like in post 12. My spurless, SAO SP101 has the checkering on the top of the hammer.

 

[Fox Mike]

As mine arrived from the factory.

 

[eveled]

As mine arrived from the factory.

Also what my SP101 looks like. From the side it looks like the top one in post 13

 

[eveled]

Ruger did make another DAO SP101 called the SP101DOS model, but it's not commonly found. The hammer is different from the regular hammer in that it is rounded like the 1911 Commander version making it easy to identify.

I forgot about that one. I had to search for a picture. Best one I could find.

 

[ammo dave]

If I find a spurred hammer and remove the spur how do I disable the single action function? Modify the hammer?

 

[Captain Slapnuts]

What for? Nothing says you have to use it single action...