SP-101 barrel length

[lfpiii]

Thanks to the help of many forum members I am going to replace my carry S&W with a Ruger SP-101. I really regret selling off several SPs years ago. I have been thinking of getting involved in IDPA and wanted opinions on should I get the 2-1/4 or the 3 inch? I plan on using the same gun for both.

I unfortunately live in an area where no dealer really carries Ruger handguns. I have always had to special order Ruger. I am very familiar with the 2-1/4 but I have never even held a 3inch. Scheels opening the other day brought Ruger 1911s, GPs and single action but that was it.

Any opinion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I think you are going to need a 6-shot revolver and speed loaders or moon clips. 4.2" barrel Max. The GP-100 or S&W 686 would be a good gun.

from the net:
quote> IDPA has subdivided revolvers into two divisons. The moon clip guns now fall in Enhanced Service Revolver, mostly 625 .45 with some 610 10mms. They must now make power factor 165, same as the .45 autos in CDP... or L10. So the few 686 Supers and 646 .40s will take stout loads and the Ruger Speed Six 9mms that everybody was looking for are pretty well out of the picture.

Stock Service Revolver must use speedloaders (or speed strips, or belt loops, dump pouches, or loose rounds in your pocket, depending on how traditional you want to be.) Power factor requirement is 125. A .38 with good DA and some speedloaders will be all you need to be competitive there. <end

...JImbo

 

[lfpiii]

I should have specified that this will be for the BUG division. I have both a GP and 686.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

A sp101 is pretty heavy for a B.U.G. For a normal CCW I would go with a 3", as long as it's not for pocket carry. For a B.U.G. I would go with an LCR.

 

[Rumrunner]

Where are you in IL? MegaSports in Plainfield carries them or Pekin Guns in Pekin if you are near either of them.

 

[lfpiii]

I am headed to Pekin in the morning. Thank you all.

 

[SR-SP101]

What a small world! I bought my 2 1/4" SP-101 from Pekin Gun a few months ago. Iirc, they have them for $480. I think I might head up there on Monday. I am from Canton.

 

[mr surveyor]

I rusted several old blued snubbies over the years as my daily "field carry tool" as well as trying a 637 for a couple of years (not enough umpphh for my needs). Finally wised up to the stainless .357 SP101 and lucked into a never fired, safe queen, 1996 SA/DA model in 3 inch last year for $400. The extra 3/4 inch barrel/sight radius was an amazing difference for me over the true snubs, and since I do carry it in the field every day I found the tiny bit of extra length made little difference in concealement or carry. Thinking back, I'd doubt I would have bought it if it had been the short barrel.

Everyone has to weigh their own needs, but the 3 inch fits my uses very well.


surv