Is it OK?

[djh]

Someone tell me if it is OK to shoot the 38 Special cartridge in this revolver:
Can't seem to find any information on it one way or the other...

Would like my Granddaughter to carry this gun but a 357 is a bit too much for her.

Ruger Model SP101,357 mag. 2 1/4 inch barrel.

Thanks,
djh

 

[JmE]

Yes, it's chambered for .357 so the lower pressure .38 special is fine. Many SP101 owners shoot .38 for target and fun.

 

[Bunk40]

Should be fine, but you can always call Ruger or go on their website to get their advice or a telephone number. I have the hammer version of this pistol which accepts .38 Special, .38 Special +P, or .357. Good .38 Special low-recoil (fairly expensive) accurate ammo is the Hornady Custom 158 grain 158XTP round. SP101 sights are set for 158 grain bullets. Hornady ammo available from Cabelas.

 

[JmE]

Here you go, straight from Ruger: http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/index.html

Strong and reliable shot after shot, all SP101 revolvers boast solid steel sidewalls (no side-plates), making them rugged, reliable, and dependable. Available in 22 LR, 327 Federal Magnum, 38 Special and 357 Magnum (which also accepts the less expensive 38 Special cartridges), you can count on the SP101 when you need it.

 

[Lee Martin]

It's perfectly safe.

 

[woodsy]

Is it really that difficult for some people to read the owner's manual?
If you don't have one, the Ruger website has it for every model.

 

[djh]

Thanks to everyone that answered my question. I appreciate it.

woodsy,

I could have done without the sarcastic remark. It really was not necessary.

djh
Just so everyone will know I saw this gun advertised on GunBroker.com. At the time of my question I had not and still have not purchased the gun
I did not think to go to the Ruger web-site as suggested.
I just thought I would ask the question to be answered by knowledgeable Ruger owners.

djh

 

[22/45 Fan]

Thanks to everyone that answered my question. I appreciate it.

As a general rule, ANY revolver that shoots .357 magnum cartridges will also accept .38 Specials (and last longer if they are used). The reverse is not true and guns specified as chambered for .38 Special will not accept and are not safe to use with .357 magnums.

The difference are the .357 case is slightly longer to keep it from chambering in .38 Special revolvers and the .357 is factory loaded to MUCH higher pressure than any .38 Special round.

 

[mike7mm08]

Only thing to keep in mind with shooting 38s is being shorter you will get some powder fouling in the cylinder. A good scrubbing before shooting 357s is a good idea if any decent quantity of 38s have been shot through the gun. If it is going to be a carry gun I would be in the habit of cleaning the gun spotless after shooting. A perfectly clean gun goes a long way in ensuring reliability.

 

[Fox Mike]

Is it really that difficult for some people to read the owner's manual?
If you don't have one, the Ruger website has it for every model.

Perhaps the manual wasn't with it. Ever think of that? It would have been much nicer to show where to get the manual ( https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/sp101.pdf ) than to be a smart a--.

 

[rugerguy]

all good points above, and I have to somewhat agree as to 'woodsys' comment, he said where to go for this information, BUT... how and when someone gets an item, was NOT it explained by the seller what it is your are "exactly getting"??? when you shop around for the "item", how does one decide what to buy, and what they are in fact "buying"??? this ain't exactly a "pig in a poke"...................bad or NO information by or from the original seller, be it a store, a shop or a gift from a buddy, some "responsibility" has to called for by someone, this "ain't a toy" either.........yes it amazes me when folks get 'something' and they have NO clue as to what they "got",,,,we see this all too often at gun shops, stores, gun shows , and even "on the street"........... just MY .02 cents............

So, to answer the question, "yes", you ( she ) can shoot.38s, AND '.38 specials'(there are like 7-8 different calibers of .38 one can use) in a gun chambered for 357 magnum. :wink:

 

[Hugh]

Yes you can shoot .38 Special ammunition in your .357. It is the same bullet. The only difference is the length of the cartridge case. .38 Special cartridge case is a little shorter than the .357. After a time of shooting .38 Specials you may want to be sure the cylinder chambers are thoroughly cleaned at the front end, because there will probably be a buildup of residue, over time this buildup could cause difficulty in chambering or ejecting .357 cartridges.

Enjoy shooting .38 Specials out of your SP-101 .357, many if not most of the rest of us do.

 

[Pal Val]

I'm a believer that there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. You have your answer (it's a "yes"), and I encourage you to ask anytime you have a doubt.

BTW, the SP101 is a fine gun. I know first-hand. My wife has very small hands, and shoots one very well. The trigger travel is a bit long, but it's OK once you get used to it.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Yes I have 2 of the 357 sp101's and I shoot 38's out of mine most all the time. I keep them loaded with 357 ammo for emergencys but when I go out to shoot I replace them with 38's for practice then about once a year I shoot the box of 357's up and get another fresh box for carry. That's about the only time I shoot 357's. The sp shoots great with 38's and is a sweet little gun. The 357's are a little too snappy in the sp101 for comfortable shooting.