SP101

[PatrioticRick]

I have the SP101 DAO that I got for my birthday a year ago, I wanted it for my summer carry weapon, but I am still wearing it for CCW.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ccwguy]

Here's mine.

New the week after Christmas. I added the Badger grips just today.





I love it!






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[nomad4me]

I love the SP101, My father-in-law is just getting into the swing of things and getting his CPL. I have been trying to point him in the SP101 direction. He seems to be stuck on the S&W M60. I will keep working on him.

[old grunt]

Started a thread about that new LCR(sorry..did NOT know one was running)and was glad to see new products coming from Ruger, BUT on second thought I was on the "right track" when focusing on an SP101. The new revolver looks promising and it might be a fine BUG, however the 101 is a tried and ture platform and Smith does have the lightweight snubbies covered pretty well with their J-Frame Airweights and exotic metal guns. I wish Ruger well and it STILL MIGHT be a gun I consider, but my next revolver will either be a DAO 357 SP101 or a no-lock Smith 442 or 642(evidently both!!). Man cannot live by auto alone!!!! JUST SAY NO TO GUN LOCKS!!

[old grunt]

Hey CCWGuy.....................NICE GRIPS!! Had to acknowledge those Badgers AGAIN!! Really makes the gun. Nothin' like "wood and steel" for that ol' school feel !!

[Deanimator]

I recently saw a magazine article which claims the SP101 is available in .45 Colt. I've never seen one. Is this true or bad writing/proof reading?

[old grunt]

.38Spl, .357 Mag(which,of course allows the .38Spl option)and the NEW .327 Fed.Magnum which makes the Sp101 a "six-shooter" instead of five. No 45.

[rcsnpr]

I Love my SP101 2.1/4 with Houge Grip. IT IS A BEAST when at the range! So much fun to shoot. I wont get a laser for it and I took off my laser on my PF-9. For me I shoot better when I just draw and fire, either from the hip or with both hands. When I use the laser I can't hold the dam dot still and I shoot poorly. Heres the pics and a comparison with a SMALL PF-9.

[old grunt]

.357 or 38Spl. ??

[ccwguy]

Hey CCWGuy.....................NICE GRIPS!! Had to acknowledge those Badgers AGAIN!! Really makes the gun. Nothin' like "wood and steel" for that ol' school feel !!

Thanks, again! I agree with the "wood and steel old school feel" and your comments about the Ruger LCR versus the SP101 and the S&W exotic lightweights in your other post.

I also have one of the S&W M&P 340's with the Crimson Trace grips, but think I will be selling it soon. When it first came out, I had to have one, but after carrying and shooting it for the last 15 months, I realized I actually wanted something heavier. I also have the S&W 1911Sc and think it might be replaced by a Dan Wesson CBOB in the near future.






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[rcsnpr]

.357 or 38Spl. ??

Me? Oh yea I just assumed the sp101 should be shot with .357 Mag.
Sorry I didn't state it. Even the 38+p doesn't come close to the FUN of 357 Mag. My Dad was next to me at the range and he said it felt like his chest was collapsing every time I fired because of the shock wave. haha.

[whisky19]

Me? Oh yea I just assumed the sp101 should be shot with .357 Mag.
Sorry I didn't state it. Even the 38+p doesn't come close to the FUN of 357 Mag. My Dad was next to me at the range and he said it felt like his chest was collapsing every time I fired because of the shock wave. haha.

You got that right! Sometimes I just go to the range and shoot my sp for FUN! I found that the MagTec softpoints have the biggest flash and the loudest bang ! Sounds like a cherry bomb going off!

[old grunt]

That's the beauty(or burden)of handgun ownership..we are always looking for the "better mousetrap". I have found that when all is said and done you gravitate to a couple of 'platforms'(1911's,Glocks, certain kinds of revolvers etc.)and return to them when you're done experimenting. I've always loved 1911's and was a late convert(thanks to the old job)to Glocks. Talking revolver...Smith K and J Frames for their smooth DA triggers and Rugers because they're built like framing hammers!! I've roamed about the gun world, but those have always remained constant. My wife jokes that I'd divorce her before my 2 Colts got sold! I NEED to replace my sold revolvers and I know in which direction I'm heading. Good Luck and let us know how you make out!!

[old grunt]

NO that was for Deanimator! He got some bad info from a gun mag!

[Wuchak]

.357 or 38Spl. ??

They make a version that is chambered for .38 Special only. The .357 version will of course also fire .38 Specials. Some people claim that accuracy is better with 38's out of a gun chambered only for them. I've never tested this so I don't know but I suspect that it could be true but it's probably marginal. In a snubby like the SP101 I don't think any small gain in accuracy would be worth the loss of flexibility you get with the 357 model.

The SP101 was originally offered only in 38. Massad Ayoob had one reamed out to take .357 and he convinced Bill Ruger to make it a factory offering. The first SP101's in .357 made by the company were simply 38's reamed out. Because of this the length of the cylinder would not accept anything larger than a 125gr bullet and the guns were marked 125gr only. Shortly after they retooled and extended the cylinder to take any .357 load. The first ones are now somewhat collectible.