+p or not

[pearson1662]

Are all SP 101s in 38 special "+P"? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_SP-101

[Shooter6br]

yes built to 357 mag standards

[bhn22]

This is a question you should ask Ruger, for an official answer. To my knowledge, Shooter6br is completely correct.

[218bee]

why bother with +p??? but I'm sure the little Ruger will handle them

[Harry O]

Yes, it is OK for +P cartridges. I bought one of the first ones out, that were chambered in .38 Special (ONLY -- not .357 Magnum/.38 Special). It had a slightly shorter frame and cylinder than the ones made today. It was specifically advertised at that time as being designed for +P cartridges. This is very easy to believe if you compare it to a S&W Model 36. It is heavier and larger in all dimensions than the S&W, not to mention the frame being solid instead of one side being removable.

A number of gunsmiths rechambered them to .357 Magnum, but it was limited to 125gr flat-nose or HP .357 Magnums because of the overall length of the cartridge. I considered having it done, but didn't. Soon afterward, Ruger started chambering it in .357 Magnum and stamped it for 125gr cartridges maximum on the barrel. A while after that Ruger redesigned the gun, lengthening the frame and cylinder slightly so any normal .357 Magnum cartridge can be used.

PS: Both my S&W 36 and SP101 have 3" barrels. It makes it much better when ejecting cartridges and I don't think it makes any difference at all in carrying concealed.

[subsonic]

Yes, +p is fine, .38-44 level is still less than .357, and I shot plenty of 358429s over 12gr of 2400 out of mine.

In response the the 3" bbl - 3" won't fit as well in a pants pocket if that matters. These little tanks are too heavy for pocket carry anyway IMHO. My SP101 is gone and a 337 is present.

For the weight and size, it makes sense to me to go to something that has 6 shots available. Not that the 6th shot will probably matter if the first 5 didn't work.

[Harry O]

subsonic: We agree that the Ruger is a tank. The size and the weight place the SP101 somewhere between a S&W K-frame and a J-frame (not halfway, though. It is a little closer than a J-frame than a K-frame). Even if it was the same size as a J-frame, it would probably still be a tank, but then it wouldn't be a Ruger.

I can see how carrying it in a pocket would make a 2" better. I usually use an SOB holster. I have one for each. I also have a side carry under behind the pants/holster for the S&W. Haven't gotten one for the SP101 yet. You need a different one for each gun. The SP101 will not fit in a S&W J-frame holster.