SP101 9mm

[dbracin]

I've just acquired a SP101 9mm 3". Based on the serial number it was made in 1992. Sorry, I haven't had time to take any pictures, but will soon. What kind of box would it have come in? It did not come with any moon clips, so I have some on order. Anything special I should know about this revolver? I'm new to Ruger revolvers, although I have few :roll: of another brand. :wink:

 

[maxpress]

geez, how come you guys (not really into rugers)always find these i i ahve an impossible time finding one (-:

ok really though it shoulda come in a yellow "cigar box" with the eagle on it when it was new. i cant remember off the top o my head if you can fire them without clips. it is a kinda rare revolver and ussually demands a premium price. its built on a .357 revolver so it should handle max loads with ease. so thats my limited knowledge and im sure some experts will be along shortly

 

[Flash]

Yep, black and yellow box but they had the stick on label on the end. A generic yellow ruger box will serve you as good as a paper bag for collector value. The last one I had I got $600 for but it had the box.

 

[DGW1949]

The 9MM Round headspaces off the case mouth, so it should chamber and fire fine W/O the clips. Ejecting the empties will be a different story....you may have to punch them out one at a time.

I'm saying "may" here because the one and only 9MM DA revolver I ever saw had a roundish wire thingy on the cylinder that "grabbed" the rebated rim of the cratridges and pulled them out when the ejector-rod got punched. But that was an older Speed-Six. I got no idea how the newer 101 works.

Sorry that I aint more help.

DGW

 

[nn]

Nice find.

 

[22/45 Fan]

I'm saying "may" here because the one and only 9MM DA revolver I ever saw had a roundish wire thingy on the cylinder that "grabbed" the rebated rim of the cratridges and pulled them out when the ejector-rod got punched. But that was an older Speed-Six. I got no idea how the newer 101 works.

In the early 1980's S&W built a 9 mm K-frame, the model 547, with a central ejector that didn't require moon clips. Here is a description of the gun and it's unique extractor:

http://www.vintagepistols.com/range_report_S&W_547.html

 

[dbracin]

Thanks for all the replies. The more I handle this little revolver, the more I like it. I'm thinking some Holly or Maple wood inserts would look excellent and add a nice contrast to this revolver.

I am excited about shooting this one and can't wait for my moon clips to arrive. This thing is built like a little tank. I disassembled it yesterday and cleaned it. I find it quite a bit more complex internally than a S&W, but not more difficult. I like the fact that the complete trigger assembly just snaps right out.

 

[DGW1949]

Yeah, I perty-much look at the 101 as being the penticle of small-frame DA revolver development. And if I had need of such a gun, I'd want the 3" version too.

FWIW....
I aint much on Maple but Holly is a different story. I like Holly a lot.
Some sort of dark Walnut would look good on there too....just my opinion.

DGW

 

[Flash]

I can tell you that you're not going to be too excited after you leave the range. The sp-101 in 9mm Luger isn't an accuracy weapon, it's a close quarters self defense weapon. A cylinder full in the boiler room at 20 feet is what you're after. Not the "X" ring at 25 yards.

 

[DGW1949]

I can tell you that you're not going to be too excited after you leave the range. The sp-101 in 9mm Luger isn't an accuracy weapon, it's a close quarters self defense weapon. A cylinder full in the boiler room at 20 feet is what you're after. Not the "X" ring at 25 yards.

Heck Flash....I am always after the "X-Ring".....but that don't mean that I always find it. :lol: .

DGW

 

[deac45]

I remember reading an article by Robert Shimek back when the 9mm was still in production. He wrote about how efficient the 9 was from a 3" revolver comparing favorably to a 4" semi-auto in velocity.

deac45

 

[Flash]

I remember reading an article by Robert Shimek back when the 9mm was still in production. He wrote about how efficient the 9 was from a 3" revolver comparing favorably to a 4" semi-auto in velocity.

deac45

But certainly not in accuracy. Mine would hit the backstop at 25 yards....................almost everytime. :lol:

 

[ncspeedsix]

I can tell you that you're not going to be too excited after you leave the range. The sp-101 in 9mm Luger isn't an accuracy weapon, it's a close quarters self defense weapon. A cylinder full in the boiler room at 20 feet is what you're after. Not the "X" ring at 25 yards.

I have to disagree here. I own a sp101 in 9mm (albeit the shorter barrel version in 2.25 in) and am very pleased with its accuracy.

 

[David Sinko]

Did Ruger put a true .355" barrel on these revolvers or did they rip off the customer with a .357" barrel? If your revolver is hopelessly inaccurate, this could be a big part of the problem. Of course cylinder throat dimensions will play a big part too.

And will it fire loose rounds? Moonclips should be needed only for extraction, but I don't know how Ruger designed these things or how much effort they put into them.

Dave Sinko

 

[njdet354]

You can use "9mm federal" rounds if you can find them. They have a rim on them so you don't have to use moon clips. They were made for 9mm revolvers. Tuff to find but they show up from time to time. I have a 9mm Speed Six and love it. I believe they did put true .355 barrels on the Speed Six an SP 101.

 

[bhp9mm]

i like my sp101 in 9mm

 

[8emem]

I have a 3-inch SP101 9mm that is very accurate for its size. I am getting bench-rested groups between 2-3 inches at 25 yards. This particular SP101 has a strong preference for the 115 JHP. It does not like anything FMJ or 124 grain. I have not tried 147's yet but intend to some day.

I don't think the sights are regulated for 9mm. I would guess that they are the same sights as those on the 38/357 versions, which are regulated for 158 grain bullets. The 115 JHP printed 8 inches low at 25 yards. I carefully filed down the front sight so that 115 JHP would print to point of aim. Windage was also off by about 4 inches (to the right) so I rotated the barrel a little to fix this.

I don't know if the bore is .355 or .357 but the accuracy is good, so it really doesn't matter to me.

 

[garp007]

I have SP 101 in 9mm with 2,25" barrell. It is the only gun I will never ever get rid of. Cheap ammuniton, reasonable recoil, ideal for self defence, enough accuracy.

I fired it without the clips as I use them only for carry and only sometimes training. It is difficult to find them in the market. I was lucky and bought last pack in local shop and also receive by post as a gift from one nice guy. When not using the clips it is no problem at all to get empty cartridges out , you need to take one after another but it goes really smoothly. A friend of mine has Taurus in 9mm and he must use s screwdriver to get them out !!! Well, Ruger is a Ruger 8)

Enjoy this beatiful gun.