School me on the SP-101

[David LaPell]

Ok, I have never owned or really even looked at a SP-101 before, but being a NYS Hunter Safety instructor has one good perk and that is you can get some good discounts through IHEA on firearms, and Ruger has stepped up big time. One of them is the 2 1/4 inch barrel standard .357 SP-101. I know they are strong guns, but that is as much as I know. I am looking for a good .357 carry gun and I am thinking this gun is just the ticket, especially given the prices of even a used K-frame Smith .357 snubbie and as much as I like J-frame Smiths, I am not in the mood to tempt one in .357. I am just not familiar that much with the SP-101, how are the fixed sights and is the trigger decent on them in double action? Also, in case I do get one and I don't care for the grips, who makes some nice boot grips for it?

 

[contender]

Well, we own 3 of the SP-101's here. Two of them are in 357.
I use ours a lot in our NRA WOT clinics. MANY of the ladies enjoy them when compared to other 357's we have them try. Heavier than a J-frame, absorbing more recoil easily. As with any gun, the heavier it is, the less felt recoil. BUT,,,,,,,, I have never felt the gun was too heavy. I always feel like it's not even there when I carry one. Miss Penny says her's adds a bit of weight to her pocketbook when she carries it there. But she now likes her new method of on body carry & says it's comfortable.
As with any Ruger DA,,, the more you use it, the smoother it gets. Springs can be replaced if the action feels too heavy. As for grips,,, I don't use boot grips,, but I have used Traush, Hogue & a few others. (Miss Penny's SP is wearing a set of custom wood panels that were Karmaed to her from here!!! ) Many grips available, so I'd think a set of boot grips would work if you choose them.

 

[6gun]

SP101 357 with 2/14" barrel is my carry gun I carry it in a Forbus paddle holster which will slide into the waist band of what ever I'm wearing, I'm happy with the fixed sights they work great for me, but of coarse I shoot Vaquero's so I'm use to fixed sights, I liked the factory grip OK but decided to replace it with the Hogue Soft Over Molded Rubber grip which was a big improvement, Hogue also has a nice selection of wood grips the same style for those that prefer wood if you check their web sight.

Trigger was decent but I installed a Wilson Combat spring kit, and did a action job which did a lot to improve my trigger pull an smoothed the action up, I highly recommend buying one for anyone that prefers a revolver as a carry gun I'm very happy with mine.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Sounds like a nice rig 6gun....Got a pic? 8)

I have been on the scout for a 3-4" SP 101 that won't break my (small) piggy bank for quite awhile. I see them in the pawnshops occasionally but they don't last long even at "obama prices". My M19 Combat Magnum is a fine piece but I'd like to do some extended practice with full tilt 125 gr which is what I keep in it for security use. That round is taboo for the Smith as a steady diet but the Ruger wouldn't mind I'm sure... :wink:

 

[Kevin]

Here are mine. The top is the .327 and the bottom is chambered in .38. You can see the difference in grips. The bottom are, I believe the Hogue boot grips. And I think they are far more comfortable than the factory. Both are fun and accurate. I can get an "ok" grouping at 25 yards with the .38.

They are unloaded and cocked to illustrate the difference between MIM parts and the older style.

 

[6gun]

Sounds like a nice rig 6gun....Got a pic? 8)

I have been on the scout for a 3-4" SP 101 that won't break my (small) piggy bank for quite awhile. I see them in the pawnshops occasionally but they don't last long even at "obama prices". My M19 Combat Magnum is a fine piece but I'd like to do some extended practice with full tilt 125 gr which is what I keep in it for security use. That round is taboo for the Smith as a steady diet but the Ruger wouldn't mind I'm sure... :wink:

No pics never figured out how to post them here, nothing special about it's looks just your everyday plane old SP101 with the black rubber Hogue over sized finger grooved grip.

Shocked my kids one day when we went out shooting, they set some cans up at about 50 yards to shoot with there rifles while they were aiming I shot their cans down with my SP101, they didn't think a 2 1/4" barrel could hit anything. :lol:

 

[6gun]

Here are mine. The top is the .327 and the bottom is chambered in .38. You can see the difference in grips. The bottom are, I believe the Hogue boot grips. And I think they are far more comfortable than the factory. Both are fun and accurate. I can get an "ok" grouping at 25 yards with the .38.

They are unloaded and cocked to illustrate the difference between MIM parts and the older style.

Nice looking Revolvers Kevin, not to sure your wood grip is Hogue, I could be wrong but the ones I have seen look just like my rubber one with three finger groves and a different profile, yours looks more like a custom made one to me.

 

[Kevin]

6gun:
You could be right. I bought the gun and these grips were on it. It also came with the original grips. I cannot find any markings on these wooden ones at all.

 

[6gun]

6gun:
You could be right. I bought the gun and these grips were on it. It also came with the original grips. I cannot find any markings on these wooden ones at all.

Still a nice grip no matter who made it, I don't care for the looks of the MIM hammer, wish Ruger wouldn't have done that, how do you like the 327? I've never even fired a gun in that Cal. yet, is it a 6 or 5 shooter?

 

[NewportNewsMike]

..No pics never figured out how to post them here,

Posting pictures is rather straight forward, once you get your (free) account set up at Photobucket.com or some other photo hosting Website.

You upload your pictures to your Photobucket album. Then, when you are creating your message here to the Forum, next to your picture in Photobucket will be a list of "Links to Share this photo." Simply click on the tab labeled IMG and it will copy all the URL info onto your clipboard. Then paste that in your message and, bingo, you have pictures linked to your message.

If you delete the pictures in Photobucket, they will disappear from your forum message also.

Sounds a lot harder than it really is!

 

[6gun]

..No pics never figured out how to post them here,

Posting pictures is rather straight forward, once you get your (free) account set up at Photobucket.com or some other photo hosting Website.

You upload your pictures to your Photobucket album. Then, when you are creating your message here to the Forum, next to your picture in Photobucket will be a list of "Links to Share this photo." Simply click on the tab labeled IMG and it will copy all the URL info onto your clipboard. Then paste that in your message and, bingo, you have pictures linked to your message.

If you delete the pictures in Photobucket, they will disappear from your forum message also.

Sounds a lot harder than it really is!

Not so sure I want to open a Photobucket account this forum is the only place I would ever use it, other forums or sending pictures email I can just send them right out of my picture file on my computer, it's so much easier.
But thanks for the help.

 

[Scott r]

Can the bob hammer spur model be fired single action, or is it a true double action only?

 

[eveled]

I am one of the people who think the sp101 is too big and heavy for what it is. I like my jframes for pocket carry, but my sp101 needs a belt and holster.

If I am going to go that route I can carry something with more than 5 shots just as easily. My Walther 9mm PPS, with 8+1, or a 1911 commander. If you really want a .357 a snub nose GP100 would be a better choice IMHO.

With all that said, the SP101 is a rock solid reliable piece, and I haven't sold mine because I do like it, but I rarely carry it. Ed

 

[eveled]

Can the bob hammer spur model be fired single action, or is it a true double action only?

True double action only, cocking is not an option.

The liability would be too high for Ruger to release a hammerless gun that still could be cocked. If you did not want to take the shot, it would be hard to release the hammer without having an AD.

 

[Scott r]

Understood. Thanks

 

[markallen]

This is my SP101 with a Pachmayr boot grip on it.



And this is the same SP with a set of Trausch grips. I have had Hogue's, Pachmayr's, and the original Ruger grip on this gun and Trausch is the best one I have used.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Can the bob hammer spur model be fired single action, or is it a true double action only?

True double action only, cocking is not an option.

The liability would be too high for Ruger to release a hammerless gun that still could be cocked. If you did not want to take the shot, it would be hard to release the hammer without having an AD.

When you WILL fire, eg at the range, whats to keep you from starting the hammer raise with the trigger, completing cocking with your thumb, and then shooting in SA mode? Have shot bobbed Smiths that way... :?

(An old "Skeeter" method btw... :wink: )

 

[19ontheslide]

When you WILL fire, eg at the range, whats to keep you from starting the hammer raise with the trigger, completing cocking with your thumb, and then shooting in SA mode? Have shot bobbed Smiths that way... :?

(An old "Skeeter" method btw... :wink: )

-- Well, not much except for that one tiny little pesky detail; that spurless SP-101 hammers are not equipped with a single action notch. Makes cocking them really tricky.

 

[Bucks Owin]

When you WILL fire, eg at the range, whats to keep you from starting the hammer raise with the trigger, completing cocking with your thumb, and then shooting in SA mode? Have shot bobbed Smiths that way... :?

(An old "Skeeter" method btw... :wink: )

-- Well, not much except for that one tiny little pesky detail; that spurless SP-101 hammers are not equipped with a single action notch. Makes cocking them really tricky.

OK, good reason!

(You can tell I am a SA fan.. :lol: )

 

[6gun]

When you WILL fire, eg at the range, whats to keep you from starting the hammer raise with the trigger, completing cocking with your thumb, and then shooting in SA mode? Have shot bobbed Smiths that way... :?

(An old "Skeeter" method btw... :wink: )

-- Well, not much except for that one tiny little pesky detail; that spurless SP-101 hammers are not equipped with a single action notch. Makes cocking them really tricky.

OK, good reason!

(You can tell I am a SA fan.. :lol: )

Stuck BOTH feet in amigo! :wink:

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I use my LCR as my carry gun it's a 357 Mag as well. But I like the SP101 for field carry. Rides good in a holster. I prefer the 3" barrels for that and have 3 of them. One of my favorite guns. You can load heavy cast bullets. I've got two with Hogue grips and one with a Trausch grips. Wish they were still available. I think you would love the SP for a woods gun.

 

[Alpo]

Here's my DAO .357

And next to its big brother GP100

I can shoot .38s all day and usually put a box of 158 grain .357 magnums through it each range session with no problem.

 

[Dregg]

When you WILL fire, eg at the range, whats to keep you from starting the hammer raise with the trigger, completing cocking with your thumb, and then shooting in SA mode? Have shot bobbed Smiths that way... :?

(An old "Skeeter" method btw... :wink: )

-- Well, not much except for that one tiny little pesky detail; that spurless SP-101 hammers are not equipped with a single action notch. Makes cocking them really tricky.

^^This^^

Here are my "twins", both DAO SP-101's.
I'm not a fan of "cocking the hammer" on a double action revolver. If I wanted a single action revolver, I would purchase a single action revolver.
On both of these revolvers, I went to Wolff for their spring sets. The double action trigger pulls on these twins are identical and both buttery smooth.
I'll never get rid of these.

 

[Bucks Owin]

Stuck BOTH feet in amigo! :wink:

Not if you have ever fired a S&W with a hammer bob, I guess you never have hijo. :wink:

 

[6gun]

Stuck BOTH feet in amigo! :wink:

Not if you have ever fired a S&W with a hammer bob, I guess you never have hijo. :wink:

This thread is not about S&W's with bobbed hammers, it's about Ruger SP101's :roll: and I won't buy a gun with a bobbed hammer I'm not interested in them.