Ruger SP101: Best Small 357 Snubby of them all
Ruger SP101: Best Small 357 Snubby of them all
Chuke reviews his latest aquisition, the SP101.
www.chukesoutdoor.com
Ruger SP101: Best Small 357 Snubby of them all
Chuke reviews his latest aquisition, the SP101.
www.chukesoutdoor.com
I’ve had one for years put pachmeyer diamond pro grips on it made a world of difference
First revolver i ever owned Sold it to the pawnshop somewhere down the road I had the 4” target model Good for 5 shots Ended up getting the 686+ 3”
I agree the SP101 is a great little 357. I personally wouldnt get a 357 revolver lighter than that SP101 because it gets ridiculous to shoot magnums but I like the smaller lighter S&W j frames in 38 special. Even the tiny 38 special revolvers are difficult to shoot though accurately. I also like the new Colt King Cobra its about the same weight as the SP101 but it has 6 rounds. Does the extra round make a big difference? I would say probably yes since you have so few rounds to begin with.
The Kimber K6S 2" is 23 ounces and has 6 rounds but the price is probably obscene. Having said that, these snubby revolvers are just too low in capacity and slow to reload. In today’s world, carrying a revolver for self defense is a serious handicap. And that’s coming from someone who still thinks revolvers are cool.
Local pawnshop has one of these, 276$. Im going guy buy it 2moro now 😆
Just put a 3-inch model on layaway today, to take its place between my 9mm LCR and 6-inch SecuritySix… I’M STOKED! 😎
I have that same exact 357 & I Loves it
GP100 rules!!!
Ruger My favorite revolvers had one but traded it great gun
That intro is goofy lol I love it.
I’m looking at buying the same model as yours tomorrow…
The older sp101s were reliable and hardly ever jammed with empty cases of any make. I’ve had three newer sp101s within the past two years and were all garbage. Quality control definitely took a dump with Ruger. The newer models have that crappy brushed dinged up finish. The older models were smooth stainless steel and of a higher quality
I’ve been wanting one of these for years. Finally grabbed one a few weeks ago. Love it.
LOVE RUGERS!
The Ruger AR556 which you use in your opener.
Ruger SP101, Security Six, GP100, Blackhawk/ Super Blackhawk…
Which are all Great Firearms!
Thought you might like to know that 1st the grips are the best for recoil over pachmayr rubber grips and I installed XS sights night sights plus I put appliance white touch up enamel paint in the square rear notch which improves the sight picture like night and day . I bought mine in early 2000 I think and will never get ride of it . It is my EDC with Hornady Critical Duty 135 Flex Tip . Excellent expansion from this snubby in Gel test . Also Great channel I used to live in Anchorage in the 70’s . Sorry I ever left .
I have a Ruger GP100 on layaway at my local gun shop and as soon as I get it I am putting the sp101 on layaway. I love revolvers, that’s all we had growing up along with lever action rifles and pump action shotguns.
Alaska is on my bucket list. My grandparents on my mother’s side lived in Anchorage and my grandfather was a security officer for the pipeline.
Dear Chuke,
You said that this revolver is heavier, but you don’t think that anyone cares. Let me say that I do care about the weight of the SP101.
Don’t just shrug off the weight of this gun. The weight is the main consideration with the Ruger SP101. It weighs more than its counterparts, which hit about as hard. It’s a backup revolver that weighs quite a lot. Now, the weight does several things. First, the negative thing is that this heavy little revolver would make a pretty significant difference if you were doing athletic activities (try XC skiing with a heavier gun). Of course, if you’re a man you don’t really care about this very much…
But the weight really comes into play when you shoot this thing. The heavy frame makes the Ruger SP101 more comfortable than other small frame 357s, as well as the "little brother" counterparts of this gun, by which I mean little 38s. Now, obviously the SP101 may shoot 38’s, and in my opinion excels at doing so. You should load Hornady 38 +P in your SP101 for consistent follow-up shots.
Finally, the heavy frame is designed by Ruger to be reinforced. This makes the Ruger SP101 a very reliable choice, for someone who cannot afford to have a misfire…
A fantastic gun Chuke. U can load that baby up with so Buffalo Bore and it won’t flinch. Great vidio
Holy shit 🤣🤣, I am very sick and very medicated and practically half asleep right now and that intro fucked me up baaaddd lol
I’d like to make two points.
1. The sticking empties is an issue with some and Ruger will fix it. I’m lucky as mine hasn’t had that issue at all.
2. I’m tempted to take your recommendation, and other’s to carry .38+ P in the city but I bought a .357 for one reason to shoot .357
Even though it shoots 38 special and much cheaper to use at the range, I still only buy .357
However, 38+ P, for defensive ammo in the city may be a more intelligent idea without sacrificing stopping power.
Love knowing I have what it takes with that .357 cartridge in the barrel though. 😎
For conceal carry isn’t it to heavy?
I had my hammer done plus I had my 2.25" ported. Great gun chuke. I use buffalo bore .357 for my trips to the woods.
Just got a sp101 it says 38 special on the side , gun shop says I can shoot 357 out of it the 38s are a little loose so I think the 357 will fit but I’m not sure ,??????? What u think 🧐
Traded my security six 357,for sp101,2,25inch barrel, LOVE it
I had an SP101 for many years. Very solid revolver but heavier than a brick.
Lol love the intro! Gotta wonder about what’s in your water. Good stuff!
I have a 2004 model….love it…its the pre-mim version…
It’s called a bobbed hammer
Why would you compare this to the S&W 642? It’s comparable model especially with the bobbed hammer model you used would be the S&W 640, or the model 60 if you want a hammer. The 642 is an aluminum framed 38, doesn’t make any sense to me to compare.
"I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t choose this over an LCR or a 642."
Probably because they’re considerably smaller? Not just the weight, but the dimensions. Shorter barrel, shorter grip, smaller cylinder, and internal hammer. A j-frame or LCR with boot grips is much more suitable for alternative carry methods, like in the pocket or on your ankle. Not to mention that the LCR has a smoother, lighter trigger than the SP101. The SP101 is a fine gun, but if you need a revolver for deep concealment it isn’t the best choice for most people.
There are plenty of good reasons to carry something smaller besides being a "really frail person" or a "woodland elf". Ironically, the SP101 is a much better fit for the "frail" people you describe since the recoil is more manageable than in the smaller guns.
Install the 9lbs spring kit and you will really love it!! The trigger staging on this revolver is perfect especially with the sprig kit upgrade. I got my trigger pull to 9 lbs DA on both my sp101’s Wilson Combat or Wolfe are great products , I’ve used both. Keep the originals to send with the gun if you sell it 😁
The SP101 is a gem, it’s a bit chunky but it really handles the 357’s well and is far more shooter friendly than the super light J-frames.
I agree with you, Chuke. The Sp101 is superior to the 642 in most ways. However, an ankle gun the sp101 is not. Way too heavy, man. Get ready for knee surgery.
What are expansion threshold velocities on the 38 special rounds? I’m asking because it’s a 2.25".
You should try using your right hand and hitting the ejector rod with authority to release the empty cases. Use the palm of your right hand not your index finger like a greenhorn. It is like working the bolt on a military-style bolt action rifle. I have the same pistol and I rarely have stuck cases because I work it like a man, man! Lol. Come on!
I have this model ( 2.2” spurless hammer .357Magnum ) and I have the 3” with hammer spur as well . Absolutely love these guns!!
I installed the Hogue mono grip on both and the just feel amazing in the hand also shoot very well with the heft weight these Rugers have . I pocket carry my 642 air weight .38+p everyday everywhere for the last 5 years but just yesterday I decided to reinstall the small OEM grip on my 2.2” sp101 and start pocket carrying this spurless snubby , it does weight almost twice as much as the 642 but it also has twice the energy ! 😜
So nice having carry options .🤩 Great gun, I highly recommend this revolver! ✌️🇺🇸
I never owned a revolver till last year.
Got a GP100 with 5 inch barrel.
Beautiful but not EDC under common conditions unless you live in the country.
Will definitely get this one next.
Cant f wait)
Looks like a great EDC despite low capacity with few speed loaders its great.
These are fantastic revolvers you can carry full house 357 loads and the recoil is not horrible like with an LCR or a j frame and Ruger customer service is the best in the industry
Block, why even admit to it?
I have a sp101 and a Alaskan and can’t say enough about them! They are killer weapons .
Didn’t hit nothing lol
CARRY EVERYDAY?everywhere…..3"BBL … FULL LOAD 357 MAG …..IWB….small of my back….in and outta vehicles every day…..forget it is even there….GOTTA HAVE A HEAVY BELT !!!!!!! oh yea…..speed loader in my front pocket>>>ain’t no cheapie rubber junk either….top of the line…Them bullets go from loader to da chambers with one smooth MOVE….!!!!
Hey Chuke, you’re not the only one with tight SP101 chambers. Take a look at this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6481RUVZ6Y&ab_channel=TheGunSnob
Big fan of the SP101 _ if you shoot a lot of .357 I like the Hogue or Pachmayr grips. They tame the recoil better and fill the hand to manage it.
I EDC a S&W 640. Don’t like the condom gripped Rugers at all! I just traded off my Ruger snub-nosed 357 GP100 on another S&W. I just can’t get used to the double recoil of the condom grips, where the gun moves first, then, once it reaches the limit of its elasticity, your hand moves, and I personally think the elastic, whiplash effect gives more felt recoil than my solid framed, wood stock equipped 640 with the same ammo. It’s just something I never could get used to, despite a years worth of trying. On the other hand, I love my big, full size Ruger, and wouldn’t trade it for love nor money!
Does double action wear a revolvers trigger mechanism down more than single action since you have to pull the trigger harder? Would a Ruger Sp101 with a hammer last longer than a hammer less one if the hammer was used periodically?
I have a 642 AND a 3" SP101 along with a 60-7. A few years ago I would have agreed the SP101 is the best small 357 magnum. Next Tuesday, 15 Feb, I pick up my Kimber K6 DASA 2" which I may very well like better than the SP considering the better sights and extra round in the cylinder. I will be keeping the SP101 whether I like the Kimber better or not. The 642 is for jacket pocket carry, I consider it superior for that niche.
That was a great intro…
I have one of these and I also have the LCP 2 and both are awesome little guns to hide away and go on about your day
Sure do love mine.