4" SP101 Thoughts?

Saw one of these today in the gun shop and was wondering what your thoughts/experience is. I love the fiberoptic front sight and the adjustable rear sight. I also like the rubber/wood grips. My hands are too sweaty to use full wood grips.

Cornmastah wrote:Saw one of these today in the gun shop and was wondering what your thoughts/experience is.  I love the fiber optic front sight and the adjustable rear sight.  I also like the rubber/wood grips.  My hands are too sweaty to use full wood grips.

First of all, I would encourage you to immediately buy any firearm you fancy. It just makes perfect sense. In return, I expect you to unhesitatingly give me the same advice.  

That being bloviated... I wonder if the target sights and small platform of the SP101 aren't at odds functionally. The SP101 isn't a target revolver, yet the sights somewhat preclude its function as a carry gun.  If you'd like a target .357, the GP100 Match Champion (daddy wants!) might be a better fit.

That one sure looks purty too... How much does one of those run?

Err... Ruger's MSRP is $899. Street price ??? Meybe $800?

The double action trigger feel is supposed to be very good, as Ruger has adapted the LCR trigger technology to the Match Champion. This is from professional gun whores writers, so take it with a grain of salt. I haven't had the opportunity to play with one.

Normally I don't like full wood grips, but the stippling? on the grips looks like it might give enough texture to hold on even with sweaty hands. CF, I think you should get one and then let us all know how much you love it.

Cornmastah wrote:Normally I don't like full wood grips, but the stippling? on the grips looks like it might give enough texture to hold on even with sweaty hands.  CF, I think you should get one and then let us all know how much you love it.

It is on my list - unfortunately, well down on that list, so don't wait up. Too many long guns, mil-surps, semi pistols and Cowboy guns ahead of it. The wife does have an older GP100 with the classic rosewood and rubber stocks and a butter smooth double-action pull - it is truly a world class revolver.

Personally, I would get a regular gp100 over the Match Champion. The big issue for me is the Match Champion fixed sights. I read they are calibrated for 158 magnums, which is a fine round, but one reason I like the gp100 is the flexibility to shoot unlimited 125 magnums. There is a decent difference between POI for 125 vs 158.

But as far as the SP101, I think it is a nifty idea with that 4 inch barrel. I still want one with the 2 inch barrel first, but I see the appeal of the 4 inch barrel in that frame size.

Yesterday when I was at the gun shop, I looked at it again. It is calling out my name... Part of me wants someone else to buy it real fast--the other part wants to put it on layaway so nobody else can look at it.

So I ended up picking up this gun a few weeks back.  Didn't want to say much until I had a chance to shoot it.  I put about a 100 rounds of moderate .357 mag loads (158 gr LSWC Unique) through it, and I have to admit I enjoyed shooting it quite a bit.  I really like the fiberoptic front sight as it really stands out even in lower light conditions.  I also like the longer barrel.  As for smoothness, it doesn't quite come with a smooth Smith trigger, but it isn't bad either.  My well broken-in gp100 is quite a bit smoother and would be my choice between the two if I was going to be shooting lots of rounds, but the SP101 is still a nice one to shoot.  Glad I bought it and will probably enjoy shooting it for years to come. Oh, and didn't bother posting a picture because it looks just like the picture above .

Cornmastah wrote:Oh, and didn't bother posting a picture because it looks just like the picture above .

"This is my gun. There are many like it, but this one is mine."



LOL.  Congratulations!

Ya know, there's a lot of talk about the Ruger revolver triggers not being the same quality as the S&W triggers. I'll certainly agree Ruger triggers are not usually as smooth, and they do have a tendency to stack, but I'm getting to the point where I really appreciate Ruger double action triggers.

The reason why is the TOTAL trigger action, from start to finish, is noticeably shorter to me than the S&W triggers. I never appreciated it until I started shooting revolvers in IDPA. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that when I execute a less-than-perfect trigger pull, the shorter pull length on the Ruger results in the sights not going as far off target than with the longer pull of the S&W revolvers. Seems like it's more forgiving than the S&W trigger, even when said S&W trigger is honed by a master gunsmith.

TJ, the wifey found an used GP100 that has one of the finest revolver trigger pulls - single and double action. Only one I know better is a very warmed over S&W 19 competition gun -- and it has to be fed a steady diet of Federal primers to ensure ignition.    

I'm guessing her GP had some work done on it. I'd love to know what 'smith, because I'd send him several more Rugers.  

Have you tried the GP100 Match Target Champion? It's supposed to have a very good trigger right out of the box.

Haven't tried the Match Target yet. It's an interesting gun, and while the fixed sights will likely be a deal killer for me, I'm thrilled to see Ruger putting a little focus on the GP100.

I just listened to Michael Bane's podcast for the week. He was talking about his Gemini-tuned Wiley Clapp 3 inch GP100, but he also mentioned ANOTHER Ruger revolver he's working with that he can't talk about yet. He let it slip that it's a nice little gun and big bore.

Very interesting. I'm very anxious to see what this will be.

Hmm... you know Michael's lub for the .44 Special... in a GP100 2"? Wuuf. That'd be a thumper - and one to put on the wish list.

Absolutely. I can't think of what else it would be, given those two qualifications. I don't think one could reasonably make the LCR a larger bore caliber, and anything other than a GP100 couldn't really be called a nice little gun. I'm going to follow this one.

Well TJ, we missed our bet...

From Michael Bane's blog:
"I've got several guns in house I'll be shooting next week, too, including the super cool Ruger Redhawk KODIAK .44 Magnum 2.75-inch, another TALO exclusive."

Still thinking Ruger needs that .44 Spl thumper in the GP100.

Wow. I didn't expect that.

Yeah, I'm not sure that my collection really needs a 43 ounce short barrel 44 mag. I'm with you CF, they need to convert that GP100 unto a 44 special.

I'd also LOVE to see a Bearcat in 32 H&R or 327 mag.

But I don't want to hijack Corn's thread (at least, not more than I already have).

Tennessee Jed wrote:

I'd also LOVE to see a Bearcat in 32 H&R or 327 mag.

TJ, would you buy a 327? I don't think I would get another revolver cartridge unless it offered much more than what I already have in .38/.357, 44, 45, etc...

[/quote]

TJ, would you buy a 327?  I don't think I would get another revolver cartridge unless it offered much more than what I already have in .38/.357, 44, 45, etc...[/quote]

Yes, but it would be 100% dependent on the size of the platform. I wouldn't get a GP100 in 327, or even an SP101. However, when we get down to the Bearcat size, that's where I can see some benefit.

In other words, I'd want it in a small 22 sized frame and view it as a replacement for 22 rimfires, not as a replacement for 38 or 357. I'd also be happy with a 32 H&R in that size.

I wouldn't shoot full-house ammo out of it much. That's what the 38/357/44/45 revolvers are for. But I'd like it in 327 for the option to shoot that caliber if I decided to do so.

I'd shoot cast bullets, at a lower end velocity, and use a fast-burning powder like Bullseye or AA2. With that combo, I'll bet shooting handloads would be cheaper than 22 long rifle, without much recoil or blast. And I wouldn't be dealing with the ammo drought the same way I am now with 22 long rifle.

I think a Bearcat is the ultimate "stuff it in the back pocket of yer overalls" gun while working in the yard or garden. More anti-snake and varmint gun than anything else. But if I could get it in a small centerfire cartridge I could handload and not care if Wal Mart has ammo in stock.

Ok, that makes sense. How much smaller is the bearcat than a S&W airweight? I guess I haven't really looked at a bearcat before.

It's been a while since I held a Bearcat, but as I recall, the width is similar to a j-frame. The grip is a little longer, and obviously the barrel is longer. That back-pocket-overall carry won't fully conceal the Bearcat, but it will conceal most of it.

Charlie Foxtrot wrote:

Cornmastah wrote:Oh, and didn't bother posting a picture because it looks just like the picture above .

"This is my gun. There are many like it, but this one is mine."



LOL.  Congratulations!

I have to admit, the stock photo looks better...

Here is mine:

Great looking revolver. That model makes a lot of sense to me.

Very shootable and feels quite a bit smaller than my gp100.

Cornmastah wrote:

Charlie Foxtrot wrote:

Cornmastah wrote:Oh, and didn't bother posting a picture because it looks just like the picture above .

"This is my gun. There are many like it, but this one is mine."



LOL.  Congratulations!

I have to admit, the stock photo looks better...

Here is mine:

Pretty damn cool. Love the old school cool grips.

Thanx!