Shopping around for a new Revolver and a question

[RC44Mag]

This is not a right away purchase as I've spent too much recently, just looking ahead. Checking out SP101's on the Ruger site and looking at short barreled .357's. For the heck of it I clicked on specs of the .357 and the .38 special P with the same barrel lengths. For the life of me I don't know, why does the .38 weigh an oz more then the magnum?

 

[hittman]

No idea on the weight but here's what I learned about the SP ~ for me.
Fine revolver, no doubt.
But ( for me ) odd physical size.
And 5 shots.
Heavy for a 5 shot revolver.

It hits an in between niche that doesn't have a home.

I prefer a Speed, Service or Security Six. Bigger size and weight is negligible.
Or, get the LCR. Multiple calibers and barrel lengths available. 22LR, 22 Mag, 38, 357, 9mm.
Also 5 shot but much easier for concealed carry. I've carried my 38 both ankle and IWB.

Oh, and my LCR came with a fiber optic red front site. A very handy thing to have.

 

[RC44Mag]

Good stuff Hitt. Thanks
I think the SPS with the 2.25" barrel is right in my wheelhouse. 25oz isn't a problem on the hip and better then humping my 686 or 629 around for a walk in the woods or wherever they're aren't big bruins. I don't mind being a round down to make it more concealable. Good PP against man and beast and just plinking on the east coast, mostly Fla. Perfect size for what I want, I think. We'll see. LCR are nice but I'm on a SS run as of late. Thanks again

 

[TScott]

The only reason I could think of that the 38 would weight more is that the cylinders are not bored quite as deep as the .357 leaving a little extra metal in the cylinders but I could't imagine that being an ounce difference.

 

[Rock185]

Listed specs are not always accurate. Just for instance, I'd seen my Ruger 3" LCRx 9mm revolver in some internet auctions listed as weighing something like 16 Oz., with an aluminum frame. Nope, has a steel frame and just over 21 Oz., IIRC.

Yes, the SP101s are relatively heavy little revolvers. I've owned a 3" example for years, with no desire to replace it with a light weight anything. In fact, the chunky little SP101 is one of the last revolvers I'd ever want to part with...

 

[RC44Mag]

I pulled the weight numbers direct from the mothership site. 25, 26oz. Like you I want a little heft to a .357. I don't want a titanium/scandium snub that feels like a heavy plumb hammer swing on my paw. Not a kid and with arthritis. No thanks

 

[Fox Mike]

Could it possible be that one has a hammer spur and the other doesn't? I own a SP 101 stubby (DAO) and it is a fine carry and easy to shoot in 38 but a 357 firing is an "experience".

 

[RC44Mag]

that's probably the reason. I was tired from watching the election stuff last night. One had a hammer, other didn't.

 

[peachhead]

Yeah I agree they are heavy but very solid. In a 357 weight is not a bad thing.

 

[eveled]

No idea on the weight but here's what I learned about the SP ~ for me.
Fine revolver, no doubt.
But ( for me ) odd physical size.
And 5 shots.
Heavy for a 5 shot revolver.

It hits an in between niche that doesn't have a home.

I prefer a Speed, Service or Security Six. Bigger size and weight is negligible.
Or, get the LCR. Multiple calibers and barrel lengths available. 22LR, 22 Mag, 38, 357, 9mm.
Also 5 shot but much easier for concealed carry. I've carried my 38 both ankle and IWB.

I agree 100%. If it had 6 shots the SP101 would be perfect. Just too big to be only 5 shots. Other than that I love mine.

 

[ex13F]

I have both a SS Speed Six and the SP101 2.25" and wouldn't part with either. Carried the Speed Six when I was younger, now the SP101 is more of a common companion. I like the weight of the little Gat.

 

[stonebuster]

I agree 100%. If it had 6 shots the SP101 would be perfect. Just too big to be only 5 shots. Other than that I love mine.

SP101 in 327 magnum is a six shot.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

looks like a real nice one right here on forum ,, NOT mine, just posting in case you haven't see it

For Sale - 1990 Ruger SP101 .38 Special 3" $465

************No Trades*********** Great condition no longer produced 1990 built 5 Shot .38 Spl. +P SP101 with 3 inch barrel. Some minor scratches. Front sight was replaced with green hi-viz. Excellent light trigger due to reduced power Wolff Spring Kit. I shot this with foreign hard primers...

www.rugerforum.com

 

[RC44Mag]

Saw it this morning here but two things, I'm thinking .357 and it's for a future purchase. Is a nice piece for sure and at that price it should go quick. Thanks anyway.

 

[mjh]

I have 2 357 SP's. I like for them the cost, durability, function quotient. Sure there are others out there. Shoot what yea like. I couldn't get rid of my LCR in 357 fast enough. I can shoot 158grn loads out of my SP's---not so much with the LCR>

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Had a number of Speed/Service/Security sixes and even though I liked their size, I ended up selling all and going with Ruger GPs and SPs. Ruger would not service the earlier revolvers (and no parts) and where I live there is a dearth of decent gunsmiths; getting even simple things done was nigh impossible.

 

[gunzo]

I think Ruger has gotten better at it over the years, but for the longest time one couldn't depend on Rugers spec for weights. They would often list same weight of different calibers or even barrel lengths. The numbers weren't really terribly off but were inaccurate in most cases.