Ruger SP 101 3”

S Mac

Sept. 10, 2021 Steve left us. You are missed.
I owned one at one time, didn't care for the fixed sights, other than that was a great gun. I did have to hone the cylinder throats a touch, very little.
 

Will

Well-Known Member
I took some bullets sized .3585” and they went into the throats with a little friction so I’m hoping that won’t be necessary.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I mostly like mine, a 4.2" in 327 Federal. I had use of a 3" S&W Model 13 for about 6 months, on loan from one of the alphabet-soup Federal agencies. There is MUCH to like about a 3" barreled 357 Magnum as a defensive tool. That M-13 shot right to the sights with a load I have used for a very long time--13.5 x 2400 under Lyman #358156 and CCI 500s in W-W nickeled brass. Avg. was 1175 FPS from the 3", and about 1225 from my 4" 686. A few years later (1994) we adopted the 357 Magnum as a carry caliber, and the load was the W-W 158 JHP Super-X. Those loads were a close match to the 2400-charged '156' load, so I used it for practice. None of the loads listed do harm to either K-frame or J-frame Smiths, though even a SAAMI-level 357 load in any J-frame is more fun than I really want to endure. The FBI-blessed Federal #357B load is now coin of the realm, and not a real good idea in the K-frame Smiths. Rugers don't give a rip, those SP-101s can likely digest Doug Wesson-level loads without a whimper.
 

Will

Well-Known Member
I plan to put several types of bullets through it to find out what shoots POA.
Ordered a Wolf spring kit for it this evening. Hoping that really helps the double action trigger.
 

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
I have a Wolff kit for my SP-101 waiting for install as well. I have about 600 rounds through it so far, and will likely run 400-500 more through it before changing anything out. Another reason to finish that refill project in 327 Fed (interrupted by trip north for Thanksgiving). The ungodly D/A trigger stroke that the SP came with is relaxing a bit as it gets used.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I am a huge fan of 3" DA revolvers. That 3" tube is a good compromise. While not a snubnose, the 3" barrel is easier pack that a 4" barrel. You get a full length ejector rod, a little more velocity than a 2" barrel and a decent sight radius. At the same time you end up with a little less weight and bulk than a 4" barrel.
The SP101 is a solid gun and built like a tank. Like many of the Ruger DA revolvers they benefit greatly from a little work to clean up the action. Springs, shims and some careful polishing of key parts will vastly improve these little workhorses.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
SP101s clean up nicely inside. Don't be surprised to find a bit of machining "flash" and some rough spots inside. Just clean it up a bit and polish the trigger return tunnel a bit & deburr & polish the trigger link plunger lightly as well & reassemble with a medium weight Wolff trigger return spring for a really nice, but reliable DA trigger pull.