SP101 Keyholing??

[WarpathEngineering]

OK, for all you revolver guys out there. I'm in the market for an SP101 so I went to the local range and rented one for 1/2 hr. and fired 1/2 a box of .38 specials thru the gun (fired the other 1/2 thru a LCR but didn't like it as much). Loved the way the gun held but I started out at about 10-15 yrds and all my shots were keyholed. Is this normal at that distance? This was my first adventure with a 2" barrel. At 7 yards it was spot on. Like I said, it was a rental and pretty dirty so.....

 

[DanChamberlain]

Was it lead ammo? Reason I ask, is I once saw a rental gun that was severely leaded and they can keyhole.

Dan

 

[TiteGroups]

The bullets were not being spun up and stabilized by the rifling. I bet they never clean it. Probably a combo of a short barrel with little rifling to begin with and an extremely dirty barrel. At any rate they should refund your money, they failed to provide usable equipment.

 

[wwb]

Could be lots of factors affecting it, but I can tell you this..... I have a 3" (okay, 3-1/16") SP, and shooting 158 grain bullets of various types from Ranier Ballistics plated to Hornady XTPs, there's no keyholing out to 25 yards, which is as far as I've shot it.

 

[Kevin]

I agree, I bet the rental gun was dirty. I've got the 3" SP101 in .327 and it doesn't keyhole.

 

[WarpathEngineering]

I was using a new box of fmj ball ammo. Independence brand...you have to buy their ammo. The gun was very dirty and had powder stains almost covering the outside of the barrel from the muzzle blast. I must say, I liked the gun a lot...not it's performance but everything I've read to this point has been spectacular and I really don't believe that my experience properly represents the SP on the whole.

I like the idea of the 3 1/4" barrel but I'm going to attempt to pocket carry it for summer time use and return to my P345 when the cooler weather approches. I think I'll almost be forced into a 2 1/4" barrel. I split the box of ammo with the LCR and just didn't like it as much as the SP. I may wind up with one eventually if pocket carrying the SP doesn't pan out.

 

[louiethelump]

Dirty gun. The SP101 is not a key holer and you can buy ANOTHER one (NOT the rental) with confidence,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Ruger will fix it in the odd situation where it is the gun............. that is NOT normal and probably comes from rental gun neglect...............

Louie

 

[41manor44]

I agree with all that has been written here. My SPs don't keyhole but ofcourse they are cleaned after each session. I carry either for CC as long as I'm wearing a jacket or loose outer shirt but can't figure how to concel it for summer weight clothing. As far as pocket carry, it drags my pants down and prints. I have an IWB holster that would work with a big t shirt but don't think it would be very comfortable. It puts velcro next to bare skin as well as subjects the firearm to body moisture. I'm very pleased with my SPs but have to figure something else out for summer time.