Ruger SP 101 357 Mag.
- Thread starter Ben
- Start date
That is a nice looking piece Ben. I carry a 4" 686 and often wish it were a bit lighter. As components are almost impossible to get out here, I shoot mostly .38 Specials in mine. I've found that the 173 grain Keith bullet over 3.5 grains Bullseye is about as good as it gets and the powder goes a long ways. Bet your 101 would like that load as well.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
The SP101 is a workhorse.
They combine great strength with a compact size. I think they deserve more attention than they receive.
www.artfulbullet.com
They combine great strength with a compact size. I think they deserve more attention than they receive.
SP101
In another thread a member spoke about a Ruger SP101 chambered in 327 Magnum and that reminded me of Ruger’s little brickhouse SP101 revolver. Back in the days of the Ruger DA “Six” series (Security-Six, Service-Six and Speed-Six), Ruger didn’t offer a small DA revolver. About the smallest DA...
www.artfulbullet.com
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
My sister in Montana has an SP-101 in 357--a 2-3/4" version. I visited her in 1999 in Bozeman, and she let me shoot it with her at that time; it was my first experience with the 2nd-generation Ruger D/A system. I loved the noisy little thing, and a few months later I bought a Redhawk x 5.5" in 44 Mag on the strength of that experience. That old boat anchor RH is a KEEPER!
For some years Ruger 38s and 357s were not authorized for carry at my shop; that has changed now, and both the SP-101 and LCR are very popular off-duty & backup get-off-me tools.
For some years Ruger 38s and 357s were not authorized for carry at my shop; that has changed now, and both the SP-101 and LCR are very popular off-duty & backup get-off-me tools.
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I think every Ruger fan was a bit sad when Ruger discontinued the DA Six series (Security-Six, Service-Six, Speed-Six). After the last Speed-Six left the factory in 1988, there was a void in the Ruger line. The smallest Speed-Six had a 2 ¾” barrel and was similar to a 3” RB S&W K-frame in overall size. After 1988 there was no longer a “small” DA revolver in Ruger’s lineup but even the 2 ¾” Speed-Six wasn’t really that small. The first SP101 was produced in 1989, (a few probably came off the line in 1988) so the void in the line-up was addressed quickly. And for the first time in Ruger’s history, they offered a true snubnose DA revolver.
The SP101 is a stout gun by any measure. The original SP101 was chambered for 38 Special +P but it was strong enough for 357 magnum cartridges. However, the cylinder was only long enough to accommodate 357 magnum cartridges with 125 gr bullets. Ruger made about 3000 early SP101 revolvers chambered for 357 Magnum and marked the barrels “.357 Magnum 125-grain ammo only”. Ruger then lengthened the cylinders and frames of all their SP101 revolvers.
The SP101 has been made with 2 ¼” barrels, 3” (actually 3 1/16”) barrels and 4” barrels. When chambered in 38 Special or 357 Mag with the 2 ¼” barrel it is a true snubnose. In the 3” & 4” versions it is a handy gun with a svelte 5 shot cylinder.
The SP101 is incredibly strong, and not just the parts that contain the pressure of firing. The lock work is beefy, the frame and barrel are stout, the entire gun is a little anvil. I think the SP101 is one of the most under-rated, and under -appreciated small DA revolvers made.
I have owned a small pile of SPS101’s over the years. Never had one fail. My current examples are staying, both chambered in 38 Special, both early model “short frame” examples.
The SP101 is a stout gun by any measure. The original SP101 was chambered for 38 Special +P but it was strong enough for 357 magnum cartridges. However, the cylinder was only long enough to accommodate 357 magnum cartridges with 125 gr bullets. Ruger made about 3000 early SP101 revolvers chambered for 357 Magnum and marked the barrels “.357 Magnum 125-grain ammo only”. Ruger then lengthened the cylinders and frames of all their SP101 revolvers.
The SP101 has been made with 2 ¼” barrels, 3” (actually 3 1/16”) barrels and 4” barrels. When chambered in 38 Special or 357 Mag with the 2 ¼” barrel it is a true snubnose. In the 3” & 4” versions it is a handy gun with a svelte 5 shot cylinder.
The SP101 is incredibly strong, and not just the parts that contain the pressure of firing. The lock work is beefy, the frame and barrel are stout, the entire gun is a little anvil. I think the SP101 is one of the most under-rated, and under -appreciated small DA revolvers made.
I have owned a small pile of SPS101’s over the years. Never had one fail. My current examples are staying, both chambered in 38 Special, both early model “short frame” examples.
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Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
I carry a 3” SP101. I like it. I would like to pick up a 4” with sights as Ben’s fine example.
I have a 4” GP100 357. The GP is a serious tank. But it’s also bulky and heavy. I have a blued Security Six with a 4” barrel which I prefer to the GP100. But none of the Rugers are going down the road, they are just good guns.
I have a 4” GP100 357. The GP is a serious tank. But it’s also bulky and heavy. I have a blued Security Six with a 4” barrel which I prefer to the GP100. But none of the Rugers are going down the road, they are just good guns.
Wasalmonslayer
Well-Known Member
I have the clone to Ben’s gun and truely love it!
One of my favorite pistols to shoot
One of my favorite pistols to shoot
Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Ben, what is your favorite loading for that SP101?
Thumbcocker
Active Member
This one I set up for Mrs.Thumbcocker. Tritium front sight, cylinder mouths honed to .358, reduced trigger return spring, and all the bearing surfaces polished. It will shoot 160 grain rnfps over 13.5 of 2400 supringly well if you hold on tight.
CZ93X62
Official forum enigma
T/C--13.5 x 2400 duplicates the W-W Super-X factory load using their 158 grain JHP. I've used that same recipe and Lyman #358156 for 30 years as my SAAMI-level & old duty load duplicator in 357 Magnum. I have about 800 of those waiting around for me to empty them out, and I need to get on that most ricky-tick.
May sound crazy, but I enjoy shooting 357 mags, with the Lee 105 gr. SWC with 5.5 of B'Eye for a paper punching load.
If I carry for SD, a Keith 150 gr. SWC, HP with 12.5 grs. of 2400 in a 357 Mag. case.
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Missionary
Well-Known Member
The only Ruger double action we have is the GP101 5 shot in 44 Special. I doubt I will ever "carry" it tucked away except in the Kayak.
But for hauling about down in the river bottoms and thick woods it gets out alot. It will probably handle any 44 Special load that is sane to put together. Generally it has a 240-265 grain FN looking out the barrel. PC'd and cast of range scrap pushed along about 800 fps.
But for hauling about down in the river bottoms and thick woods it gets out alot. It will probably handle any 44 Special load that is sane to put together. Generally it has a 240-265 grain FN looking out the barrel. PC'd and cast of range scrap pushed along about 800 fps.
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