New SP-101 Wiley Clapp

[Antipaladin]

I bought on GB and picked up this afternoon. It's my 3rd SP and 9th Ruger wheel gun. I've had some rough actions in the past…we buy Ruger for their tank-like durability not because they're Bowen/Gemini smooth from the factory. This one, however, feels like there's gravel in the hammer assembly. Got a surprise when disassembling it finding factory shims in there. That's new. Everything was in place, nothing stood out while cleaning. Very rough, locks up every 3rd or 4th pull. One thing I noticed was there was what looked like blue ink/stain all over the grip peg. Maybe something indicating some sort of QC issue? Sending it back tomorrow and I'm sure they'll make it right. Just was looking forward to a couple boxes downrange on Saturday. I'll have to use my 20 year old SP-101 and new DW 10mm Razorback instead

 

[hittman]

You couldn't fire it at all?

 

[Antipaladin]

I didn't take it to the range today. I was dry firing with snap caps a few hundred times and it just sounded like it was grinding with every pull and the timing seemed inconsistent. I'm going to send to Gemini Customs anyway so may forego the NH postal trip. That blue "ink" seemed strange. As I'm coming up on 60, I'm only carrying my snubbies and 1911's almost exclusively anymore. Maybe I'm headed towards banging the ceiling with my 10/22 soon…lol

 

[mjh]

Well that is unfortunate. Quality control on new gun should ship it out the door in working order.

I picked up the blued Lipsey's 15707 model on Monday and got to the range today. 50 rounds of 158grn 38's and 35 rounds of 158grn 357. All seemed good. Once I find a round I want to shoot consistently I'll dial in the sights to match that round. Will give it a good thorough cleaning now that's it got some range time. Much nicer to shoot 357 than the old LCR that I traded away. I like my Rugers that is for sure--3rd SP for me, I'd have more than 1 GP but I inherited a 6inch Taurus M66 haven't have seen reason yet to get another GP>

 

[Antipaladin]

I buffed up the shims and the frame internals then dry fired all morning while on conference calls. No more grinding!

 

[Scooter1942]

I had the exact same problem with the binding. The transfer bar would shift to the right and bind inside the frame anytime the revolver was turned up and/or tilted to the right. Ruger replaced the trigger and internals and the problem went away. Sadly, this was on my 3rd Wiley Clapp. The first two were so badly manufactured as to be unshootable.

 

[Azrael]

Sort of the same problem with a SP101 Match can't shoot it single action since it's so hard to pull back the hammer by hand. Sent it back to Ruger, they did nothing and returned it to me stating : "within specs". Shoots double action fine, just cannot pull the hammer back in single action. I'll stick to my GP100.

 

[JackBull]

Sort of the same problem with a SP101 Match can't shoot it single action since it's so hard to pull back the hammer by hand. Sent it back to Ruger, they did nothing and returned it to me stating : "within specs". Shoots double action fine, just cannot pull the hammer back in single action. I'll stick to my GP100.

That is very disappointing to read.

 

[Mobuck]

I like the SP101 and would like it more if I spent the $$$ to have mine slicked up but just not worthwhile at this time.