Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum kit gun!!

[Love Life]

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[jandbn]

I was just drooling over it earlier tonight!

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/specSheets/5771.html

I thought maybe the better half would like to have one which fit her hand better than the 45 Bisley and I could shoot it every now and then...

[hporter]

I recently picked up the 22lr version of this gun with adjustable sights.

I like it very much, as it addressed the single complaint that I have with my 3" SP101 357 which is the fixed sights. I just can't get along with the neon green hi-viz front sight. I have so far resisted the temptation to put a dab of black paint on it, as the girl at the Ruger accessory shop told me that they will soon have plain front sights available.

[JDBrowning]

Picked up the new Ruger for a Christmas present for myself. On the range for the first time today and was happy with it. Recoil with full loads was easier on my hand than my S & W Mod 60 3". The gun feels a little barrel heavy, which I like, and shot good for the first time out. Was only shooting at 50 ft and shot one sub 1 inch group which is good as my old eyes just don't work like they used too. I think I'm going to like the hi-viz sights and I definitely like the gun.
hporter, go ahead and put a piece of black tape over the hi-viz and try it out and if you like it better, paint it. You can always scrape it off if your change your mind.

[hporter]

JDBrowning, thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't thought of using black tape. That would be much easier to reverse. It is funny how the simplest solution often eludes a person.

I am in the process of replacing the 3 dot sights on my Ruger 1911 with the factory plain black sights. I am learning more than I wanted to about filing tiny pieces of metal to fit a dovetail. I wish I would have thought of your tape idea before I picked up the brass drift punch!

How was the lock work on your new SP101? Mine was a bit rough from the factory, but it cleaned up well. I also put in a Wolff spring kit and a set of Hogue wood grips and now it is some kind of slick!

[hporter]

I will play the role of fellow enabler and advise you that you do indeed need another 357.

And I like your choice. My 3" 357 SP101 would be near perfect as a light packing handy revolver if it had an adjustable rear sight. I added a meprolight tritium front sight to mine, but there is something about the grip angle and the fixed rear sight slot that does not line up naturally for me. It handles fine and is accurate, but I prefer the new adjustable rear sight on my 22lr SP101 with the 4 inch barrel. For me, it just works better.

[hporter]

Ruger Porn... I tried to capture the sight picture I referenced above, and to give you something to look at. Although the 22lr version doesn't have the full under lug, it is still a neat looking revolver in my opinion.

[Beau Cassidy]

I saw the .22 version at a gun show a few weeks ago. I was floored when I saw it. Too bad I didn't have the money for it. One day.....

[JDBrowning]

hporter. When Ruger comes out with the plain sight version, order a replacement front sight, they may already have it.

My SP101 does very good in double action but the Wolf spring kit would lighten the pull, seems smooth enough to me. Single action has some creep but I'll fix that someday. Need more range time before I make any adjustments. I have small hands so the grips are just right. What pound Wolf spring did you use for the mainspring? Yours is a 22 so mine could be different, just don't know.

[Bret4207]

30 ounces! They could slim those guns down a lot. Still, at least they're starting to get the right idea. Now if they'd just go BLUE!

[hporter]

JDBrowning, I put in the Wolff spring kit from Brownells (#17113). It came with 9,10,12 pound main springs and an 8lb trigger return spring. I used the 9lb first to see if it would reliably function. I haven't been to the range yet - so I can't verify the installation. It is just a fun gun, so if it is not heavy enough, I can just move up in spring rate until it does.

When I ordered the new sights for my Ruger 1911, the young lady at Ruger confirmed the plain black front sights for the 22 SP101 should be available in the near term. I think these front sights are not very popular based on internet threads I have read on the subject. The hi-viz front sight sounds good in theory, and for tin cans and dark woods shooting it probably the best choice. But for punching paper I prefer traditional plain black sights.

[bruce drake]

30 ounces! They could slim those guns down a lot. Still, at least they're starting to get the right idea. Now if they'd just go BLUE!

I'm with you on the bluing of pistols. I am not a big fan of Chrome/Stainless. Love the look of a deep blue/black pistol with a clean set of wood grips.

Bruce

[Moondawg]

I have the three inch version of the 101 in 357. It seems to work fine just the way it is. My front sight came all black, no insert. So far as being fixed sights, thats OK. I don't look upon a small light weight pistol as a long range shooter. It's what it will do at 12 yards and under that is important. For longer ranges, I have a Rossi 92 in 357, that works fine up to about a 100 yards. For me, the Ruger 101 in 3" is just fine.

[Lonegun1894]

I will tell you the same thing I always tell myself, which is that I always need another .357, so i would be willing to bet that you do too. As to Ruger needing to trim these guns up some, I personally disagree. I have a .357 2.25" Ruger SP101 in my pocket right now, and bought it specifically due to the extra weight/bulk/strenght. Dont get me wrong, I have had both S&W and Taurus, and both were slimmer and lighter, and I liked carrying them. The problem with the other two was that both wore out as I used .357 and not .38 Special in them. The Taurus didnt make it to 10K rds, and the S&W snubbie I had years ago did better but didnt make it to 20K. I have put at least 30K rds through my Security Six which is as good as new and also bought a GP100 a couple years ago, so hope the SP101 is as good as these two. I am willing to carry a little more weight in exchange for having a gun that will last more than 5-10 yrs. I do have to admit that I wish my Rugers were as smooth as the S&Ws I've shot have been. The Security Six is there, but it's also almost broken in.

[rintinglen]

I do not need another .357--but I sure want one of these. I am planning on getting a 22 version as soon as I actually get the chance to hold one. I still regret not getting one of the 5 inch S&W M-60's. Sigh, too many guns, too little money.

[machinisttx]

I hate reading threads like this. I already have something like a dozen .357's...I wanted a 3" SP101 when I ran across a steal on a 2.25". I guess I'll have to buy 3" and 4" versions now.

[hporter]

Love Life,

I only have about 300 rounds through it, but it looks promising. I was having problems with the heavy trigger pull and the gritty action. But I have cleaned up the action and installed a set of Wolff springs and she feels 100% better.

I should have a chance to shoot it this coming week. I will give you a report afterwards.

[hporter]

Love Life,

Please don't' sell your 586, those are beautiful revolvers.

Try puppy dog eyes. SWMBO decreed something similar to the orders you are operating under. A few puppy dog eyes and now she is helping me to pick out a bigger gun safe!

[PacMan]

What i really like about mine is that the cylinder throats are better than any of the GP100s that i have tried or owned except and older 5" model. Using minus pin gauges .3575 will go and .358 wont on all five cylinders. Amazing i think.
Have only tried one load so far and it is the same load i shoot in the 5" GP100 is a stout dose of HP-38 over a 160 gr LBT FN and it will group under 1 1/2" at 25 yards with the guns less than perfect trigger.
I did smooth it up a lot by pushing on the hammer spur and dry firing but the creep is still there. It is much better though.
With the stout HP loads recoil was better than my model 60 Smith so life may be good.