So after buying a few autoloaders recently I kind of find myself gravitating back to wanting a wheelgun. I have a few though I had a Smith 19 that I sold a while back and now I don't currently own a 357 magnum. I was eyeing the Ruger match champion and I really like the grips and overall feel, though then after holding the 3" sp101, I like the more compact feel I think of a smaller frame. Plus it's about $200 less. I also like the 3" barrel as it seems like it would do fine for informal target shooting while being easier to pack. What say you guys who own a sp101? I know everyone loves the GP100, but how's it's little brother stack up?

My wife loves her SP101(.38 special). It is a tank and can handle punishment for sure. Ruger might not make the most sexy looking revolvers,(although there are a couple),but they will outlast most on the market today. I do like the button on the side to expel the cylinder. I think that was a great idea on Ruger's part.

I love them. Learned to shoot on a 2 inch model with 38 specials.

now I carry an LCR to avoid weight but that little tank of a gun was incredible.

If you were eyeing the Match Champion, then you might consider the 4.2 inch SP101 with adjustable sights.

Built like little tanks, they're great wheel guns. I have both a 3" as well as a 2 1/4 DAO variant. Even with 5 rounds, you almost never feel undergunned with a 357 Magnum. They carry well in a good IWB holster too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CQB60,

I have a 4" GP100 and 2" SP101 and love both of them. As CQB60 said, they are tanks and handle the recoil of full magnum loads well.

Completely agree with previous posters! One would last you two lifetimes with reasonable care. They are heavier and clunkier than the S&W M-60 in .357 - but much more strongly built. The weight is a real downside if you're going to pocket carry - ditto for the M60 in .357 ... They are relatively straight-forward to upgrade to Big Dot tritium front; that said, someone else did the work on the one I have with a Big Dot. Speedloaders are the same for both SP-101 and M-60. There is no downside to the 101, except for weight and maybe DA-pull, in my opinion. Waiting on funny money to put a Big Dot on this one ...

I neglected to mention, you can improve the action by simply replacing the factory 14lb mainspring nicely with a Wolff reduced power MS of your preference, 11 or 12lbs

The SP101 is a fine revolver. I plan to keep my 3" .327 for a long time.

Thanks so far for the replies and eye candy. I thought I heard some info about cylinder issues on the 3" model about 6-12 months ago. Hopefully that's resolved if it was even a real issue.

My 327


I enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
If you were eyeing the Match Champion, then you might consider the 4.2 inch SP101 with adjustable sights.

Thats a good looking revolver

I like the SP101 so much, that I have 2 of 'em. Both .357, both hammerless, and both 2 1/4".

You can't beat this little powerhouse of a gun.

I have a stainless GP100 3 inch 357, that is a great gun. Handles hot rounds very easily, but as others have also reported it is heavy. I joke "That if you ran out of ammo - just throw the empty gun at the "perp's head" - that will surely stop them!"

I also have a stainless SP101 2.25 inch 9mm, and recently replaced the tigger spring with a lighter Wolff Spring, made a world of difference! Like the GP100, the SP101 is not a lite-weight, but I have carried it with no issues with an IWB rig.

Both are great guns, require very little maintenance, and will outlast anything I can put them through - definitely a gun to pass along to the "next generation" in the family.

I have a 2 1/4 .357. I changed out the trigger spring to a lighter Wolff spring and a tritium front site. Did it myself, easy. Will not ever sell but can only carry in heavier clothes. A good tank of a revolver.

If you don't mind doing some light gunsmith work, buy this front sight: xs sight

The stock sights aren't very good and this is a big improvement.

I sold my SP101 357 and picked up a GP100 in it's place. Everyone has their preferences, but the 357 was not fun to shoot in the SP101.
When I ran across another SP101 3", chambered in 38sp I bought it. That little gun is great for me. It's balance and weight feels just right for the 38sp cartridge. Range days are a blast with the SP101 and the GP100, a pair of my favorite revolvers. Both of these will outlast me.

I have the 2.25" version. the trigger got better after some use and dry firing.

I love that gun for backpacking and when Im out fishing and hiking around. I keep it loaded with 180g hardcast ammo, awesome gun, Ill never get rid of it.

The only complaint I have is that I wish I got the 3" version.

Most small-frame revolvers, especially lightweight ones, are easy to carry but difficult and sometimes unpleasant to actually shoot. The SP101 is for shooting.