Information on used pistols

[Kevin Stenberg]

I am looking on GB at SP101 in 38 specials. I am looking at one that looks like it is almost new. On the cylinder there is hardly a ring from rotation.
I do not like buying an unseen revolver. There isn't much that i know how or why to check. I just prefer to handle before i buy.
If anyone would like to look. The firearm # is 917083175

 

[waco]

Looks like the seller has over 1600 sells with an A+ rating. You can always email the seller with any questions. Looks good to me.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

Yes I already messaged him. I probably will not hear till tomorrow.
I also thought it looked almost new!

 

[obssd1958]

Kevin,
It looks just like mine, except mine is .357 Magnum. Mine goes everywhere with me, and I've enjoyed shooting it - both specials and magnums. I paid exactly what he's asking, for mine, 2 years ago.

 

[Glaciers]

^^^^^^^^^ Ditto 3” 357

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I looked at the revolver the OP noted and I cannot speak directly about that seller but I would not be concerned about buying that gun via GB.

I've purchased many guns via Gunbroker and with one exception, the experiences have been positive. In the one bad experience I didn't lose money, just some time.

NOW, moving onto the SP101:
I'm a fan of the SP101. It is heavy for its size and class but you will not find a stronger revolver in that class. I currently own two chambered in 38 Special. I've owned quite a few over the years and they are solid guns.
SP101 actions, like its bigger brother the GP-100, often benfit from a little work to clean them up but the work is easy and inexpensive.
A SP101 chambered in 38 Special is overbuilt. There is strength to spare in that platform.

 

[Ben]

I love my 357 SP 101
Built like a tank !
I don't shoot very many magnums in the revolver,
but if I need to , the revolver will handle any sane
357 load with ease.

 

[Bret4207]

Every time I see one of those I end up wishing it was in blue, and 3/4 of a lbs lighter. I know they're stout and near unbreakable, but I think Ruger could slim them down a bunch and make a more elegant revolver. At near $1K MSRP I wouldn't be buying one anyway, but a guy can wish, right?

 

[richhodg66]

I bet with full house .357 loads that little pistol is a hand full.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

Last night i was sitting at my computer screen. Trying to rationalize why i should hit the buy it now button. I probably waisted 1/2 an hour. Then i thought just buy it and get on with life.
I told the wife that the purchase was made. She just snickered and said. I wondered how long it would take before you got it! Thats just 1 of the reasons i love her.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Kevin, some hesitation before purchasing something is healthy. You want to make decisions based on logic, not emotion. I think you’ll find that SP101 to be a fine revolver.

Some positive points for you to ponder while you are waiting for your new gun: That SP101 looked to be in very good condition. Ruger’s customer service is top notch, so even if there’s a problem (highly unlikely) you have an excellent option for repair. Because that particular revolver is chambered in 38 Special, it is overbuilt for that cartridge. (that platform can be chambered for 357 mag, so there’s strength to spare when chambered in 38 Special).
I went the GB page and noted the serial number of the gun. I then entered that number on Ruger's serial number look-up function on the Ruger website. Ruger lists that gun as being shipped in 2016.

You’ll have to wait a few days for the shipping, transfer and whatever; but you’ll have a nice Christmas present for yourself.

I have a couple of SP101 variants that are chambered in 38 Special.
The 3” barreled model was a former French Police gun.
The 2 ¼” barrel model is a SPNY (Made specifically for the NYPD)

 

[Charles Graff]

Let us know how the purchase works for you. I am interested.

 

[Joshua]

Congratulations on your purchase!

I’ve had a stainless .357 Security Six for sometime now. I don’t think I will ever let that one go. One of my favorite guns.

 

[CZ93X62]

My first usage of a Ruger SP-101 was in 1999, a 357 Magnum x 2.75" owned by a relative in MT. We expended some old carry ammo from work that I had accumulated or bought, W-W Super-X 158 grain JHPs. The SP-101 bucked a bit, but not excessively. If 357 Magnum loadings are your carry ammo, the SP-101 is head & shoulders above the J-frame S&W 357s in terms of recoil management.

Years went by, and along came an SP-101 in 327 Federal. I love the thing, in spite of its glow-worm front sight. The full-tilt 327 loads are ungodly-loud, worse than my 30 Carbine Blackhawk. An RCBS #32-98-SWC run at 950-1000 FPS is a lot more polite, but still loud as can be. The 30-32 handguns with bullets run past 850 FPS are just eardrum drills, IMO. The revolver is accurate as all get out with cast or jacketed bullets--800 to 1400 FPS. If you want to turn money into noise, the 327 Federal should be your first stop.

 

[Jeff H]

Last night i was sitting at my computer screen. Trying to rationalize why i should hit the buy it now button. I probably waisted 1/2 an hour. Then i thought just buy it and get on with life.
I told the wife that the purchase was made. She just snickered and said. I wondered how long it would take before you got it! Thats just 1 of the reasons i love her.

Like Ben said - "any sane 357 load..." A 38 should last several generations even with very regular use.

I think the SP101 is the only revolver I've ever given a pass on my extremely picky weight-restriction tendencies.

I've been passively watching for another 3" 357 for a few years now and yours was priced better than any I've looked at in a long time.

 

[Glaciers]

I have been looking for a 357 SP 101 4” with sights like that fine one Ben is teasing us with.

 

[Jeff H]

I HAD a 3" with adjustable sights, long before Ruger thought it an attractive option. STUPIDITY reigned the day I let that one go, along with a handful of select older Charters when trying to get down to just large pistol primers. No one need remind me how stupid that idea was - I have thoroughly beaten it into my head for several years now.

I consider the SP101 to be the perfect platform for the 357, but my tastes in that area tend to run a little weird.

 

[462]

I bet with full house .357 loads that little pistol is a hand full.

The only thing I find uncomfortable, with 158-grain full house loads, is the smacking of the trigger guard against my middle finger.

 

[Jeff H]

The only thing I find uncomfortable, with 158-grain full house loads, is the smacking of the trigger guard against my middle finger.

When my dad loaded 357s (he never shot them) he loaded them full-tilt, even though he loaded everything else (but the 44 Mag) on the mild side. He loaded a bunch of 180s for me once and they were not bad, BUT I have small hands, small fingers and have more room between t he grip and trigger guard.

I love the grip on those too, but not everyone does.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

I guess i will see.