SP101 revolver quality and features questions

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diyj98

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 26, 2000
Messages
257
Location
WV
You'll probably get a different set of reponses if you ask on one of the S&W forums. Personally I've seen lemons from both companies, but I couldn't say either one was better. To me it's just whichever one has the features you like best and fit your needs.
 

LCP22LR

Administrator
Staff member
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Mar 14, 2022
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389
I have a SP101, that I go customized from Karl at Chestnut Mountain Sports. One of the best smiths out there for Ruger SP101's in my opinion. The SP101 has some weight, and is just an amazing piece, and if all else fails can be used as a blunt instrument if needed.

However out of the box the LCR offers a lot, and is my go to choice for carrying due to the weight.
 

Armybrat

Buckeye
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
1,525
Location
Round Rock, Texas
1993 vintage .357…

78685B2F-1CF0-4AC3-8C46-1FB8A25C7C6D.jpeg
 

KurtC

Single-Sixer
Joined
Dec 17, 2007
Messages
235
Location
New Jersey
This one is from the last century, but the Tritium front sight was replaced last year.
 

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harley08

Blackhawk
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Messages
574
I my opinion (and others in the business) the Ruger DA revolvers (Security Six series (not made any more but can be found), SP101, GP100, Redhawk, Super Redhawk) are stronger than the S&W's because they have no side plate and seem to be better able to handle high pressure rounds without loosening up because they are so robust. That said, the S&W trigger pull is probably better than the Ruger (but I've been hearing complaints about it with guns made in the last 5 years or so). BUT, you, or a gunsmith, can really slick up the Ruger action with a little polishing work and replacement springs.

The Ruger is also MUCH easier to work on the internals because of how they are made. S&W lock work has a lot of small pieces that you have to worry about if you want to work on it but the Ruger hammer and trigger assembies come out in one piece and are very easy to work on.

Put a L frame S&W (Model 686 .357 Magnum) and a equivalent Ruger (Stainless Steel GP100 .357 Magnum) in front of me, I wouldn't even think about it and would take the GP100. Then pass it on to my children, and they pass it on the their children, and ...
S&W sucks!!
My S&W 360 .357 blew up in my hand while I was shooting factory .38 specials (this was a fairly new gun with only 1 box of ammo thru it before this happened) Sent it S&W - They sent it back saying they could not find out what happened, they also said send us $680.00 for a new gun. Yea right away. I bought a Ruger, I now own 4 or 5 Rugers. Ruger stands behind their guns. I once had a problem with a Ruger, Ruger fixed or replaced my firearm, NO CHARGE - Buy a Ruger! (I do not work for Ruger) Rocko Rizzo
 

eveled

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2012
Messages
5,606
If the SP101 was 6 shots it would be perfect, but it is just too big and heavy for a 5 shot revolver. (IMHO)

The Colt Detective Special fits in the same holster but is 6 shots. But only .38 special.

The S&W J frames are smaller have 5 shots some are .357.

If they figured out how to make the SP101 a six shot .357 it would have trumped them all.

Flip side is the SP 101 is a tank and it's actually pleasant to shoot.
 
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Thel

Blackhawk
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
639
Location
Pacific Northwest
Colt's new replacement for the Det. Special is the Cobra and it can be had in .357. It would not take too much on Ruger's part to make a 6 shot SP as the cylinder would only need a few thousandths of an inch more diameter, open the cylinder window in the frame a small amount and move the barrel up in the frame a couple of thousandths. Or maybe they could do what they did on the GP 7 shots to solve the problem.
 

eveled

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2012
Messages
5,606
The .327 sp101 is just about perfect in my opinion. I just don't want to add another caliber.
 

lolbell

Single-Sixer
Joined
Sep 29, 2012
Messages
354
The .327 sp101 is just about perfect in my opinion. I just don't want to add another caliber.
The 327 is my caliber of choice. I have several, a couple of Blackhawks, Three Single Sevens, a GP100, a SP101, and a Henry Big Boy.

I can plink cheaper than 22s or load 130 grain bullets to 1300 fps for Alabama white tails.
 

Armybrat

Buckeye
Joined
Feb 22, 2007
Messages
1,525
Location
Round Rock, Texas
The 327 is my caliber of choice. I have several, a couple of Blackhawks, Three Single Sevens, a GP100, a SP101, and a Henry Big Boy.

I can plink cheaper than 22s or load 130 grain bullets to 1300 fps for Alabama white tails.
I like my .327 too. A perfect little hand cannon package, IMO.
(shown with .32 S&W long and .327 AE .85 grain speedloaders)
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