I just traded the hammer spring , it was easy, put a 9 pounder in. You can go to YouTube and watch how easy it is. The trigger one is a little more involved, but doable.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
My current concern is the cost of ammo and lack of availability of reloading dies. If I could load for it, it would already be mine. I may have to step out on faith.

327 federal loading dies should not be a problem. The problem is that most are not marked as such. The common .327 federal die used by most of us .327 reloaders is the 32 S&WL or 32 H&R dies, either spaced up for the addition .327 length with a washer (similar to using the .38 dies for the .357 magnum), or just spaced up with the lock nut if only reloading .327 rounds.

If you call the various reloading die manufacturers they will gladly tell you what 32 long or 32 H&R dies to get to reload the .327 federal.

I think Lee has now combined all their 32 dies into one die set .32acp, .32 long, .32 H&R mag, .327 federal (a simple call to Lee should confirm this).

The only problem that I have had (a minor one at that) is that most (older) .32 dies sets come with a roll crimp & I shoot a lot of plated bullets for practice & on those I like to taper crimp (there are stand-alone taper crimp dies available as well as some of the newer seating die sets give a taper/or/roll type crimp if set correctly.

quote:

Originally posted by tarheelbball:
I really like my 3" but I need to change the front sight to help my eyes.

I put this one on my SP101 and I really like it:
XS Sight

Just be aware that you'll need to drill a hole in the sight base while it's clamped in place on the gun. There's videos on YouTube that show you exactly what to do.

I love my 3" SP101. It's the perfect backpacking gun for anything but grizzly country. It's small and light enough that I don't even notice it on my belt, and the 3" barrel is nice for the longer sight radius and improved ballistics, but not so long that it digs into stuff when you sit down.

The SP101 is no pocket gun. If you're buying it for that purpose you'll be dissapointed. But that extra weight makes it far more shootable than your J frames, especially the scandium ones. It's actually a fun gun to take to the range and shoot all day, which is a lot more than I can say for other small revolvers.

The trigger is no target trigger for sure, but it's not horrible. My jframe has a crisper single-action, but the DA pull on my SP101 is lighter, smoother, and easier to stage.

The SP101 is also easier to detail strip than a jframe...at least, there are no sideplate screws to worry about marring up. This is a good thing, because mine does tend to allow dirt and crud in between the crane and the cylinder, and if shooting dirty lead ammo will quickly gum up the action.

The only other issue I've had with mine is I think one of the chambers is a bit out of spec from the factory. It consistent chronographs faster than the others, and brass from hot .357 loads sometimes sticks on extraction from that chamber.

I recently became the owner of a 4" barreled SP101 in 32 H&R magnum which have been replaced by the 327 Federal variants in the lineup . This was not something I was seeking per se, but the gun has a personal connection as it belonged to my Uncle who passed away last fall. He at one time had been loading his own ammo for it, and I was able to get the rest of the reloads he had as well.

I have had it out the the range once and did enjoy shooting it. I have been able to pick up more Starline brass and a die set and will use this as my introduction into reloading with my Dad and his Dillon 650.

Even with my limited shooting I can agree that the triggers do take some getting used to but overall I am impressed by the SP101 and have been interested in picking up the 9mm variant they make too.

One question I have is how the SP101 compares size wise to Rugers' old revolver lines like the Speed or Security Six? I am trying to find an older left hand leather OWB holster that is like the old Don Hume one my Uncle had adapted and used with the gun. Being he was a right hander, I can't use it but I'd like something so I can carry it around in the woods on my in-laws property.

The security six was bigger and not the same as the SP101. The SP101 is more j-frame size, but it's probably best to pick up a holster made for it.

I was just thinking that if a majority of the female defensive use carriers and competition shooters in the world ever gave the .327 variants a real try, they'd probably be the most popular cartridge in production practically overnight.
I know that as my small hands get older they appreciate tamer recoil.

Thanks alot, vthoky, for making me want another gun I already have a stainless 2" SP101 and 4" stainless GP100, but after seeing your post, I now want a 2" blued SP as well.

quote:

Originally posted by bearverine:
I was just thinking that if a majority of the female defensive use carriers and competition shooters in the world ever gave the .327 variants a real try, they'd probably be the most popular cartridge in production practically overnight.
I know that as my small hands get older they appreciate tamer recoil.

If you shoot competitions that only require one cylinder full then the lighter recoil would probably be nice but if any reloads are required on the clock then the long .327 cases are a big determent to times.

Hard to beat a 9mm or 38 super for revolver competition.

I even shorten .38 special cases for quicker reloads as the case lengths are based on old black powder loads so nothing is given up when shortening the cases, but cylinder reloading times are improved.

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
Thanks a lot, vthoky, for making me want another gun

I'm here for you, man.

Which 2" SP do you already have? And how well do you like the 4" GP? I dislike cleaning it, but I love shooting my 6" GP.

Drifting my own thread for a moment:

SP101 is offered in 22LR. I wonder why there's no 22WMR offering.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
Thanks a lot, vthoky, for making me want another gun

I'm here for you, man.

Which 2" SP do you already have? And how well do you like the 4" GP? I dislike cleaning it, but I love shooting my 6" GP.

Here you go:



I really like both alot, however, I did try the SP out as a carry gun & couldn't get real comfortable with it because the hammer kept digging into my side(IWB.) The GP is a tank and still looks like it's new and I've had it over 20 years. I have plans on a blued 4" GP (6 shot) and another stainless 4" GP 7 shot at some point.

The SP101 is a great gun/platform. Like the others have said, they are heavy and are not a pocket gun for the average person or pocket. I have 2 - 2" .357 Sp101 revolvers(recently traded into the second one) and obviously really like them. Although I don't carry one often,I do like the extra weight and simple mechanisms they offer for home defense. I don't shoot .357 rounds that much in the SP101 as it packs quite a kick but the .38 rounds shoot wonderfully and allow for quicker follow up shots. They are a sleek revolver in my opinion and will last forever. I have a GP100 6" which my son already has claimed when he comes of age but it is a BIG gun. Although semi-auto pistols pretty much rule the roost today, there is something timeless about a good revolver. I recently ordered some Alta Mont wood grip panels for it as the plastic panels just don't have the same appeal as wood and steel.

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
Here you go:

That's a good-looking pair of Rugers, remsig!

I have a 3" SP101 in 357. Like others, the recoil has some punch and 38's are a dream. Now, this thread has me looking for a 327, UGH!

I have the 2.25" version, put the wolf 9lb hammer spring in (still havnt done the trigger spring, maybe this weekend), It is still part of my EDC rotation even after all these years. I carry it in a simply rugged pancake holster.

I really like mine, had it around 10 years, its not going anywhere.

I like the blue but for my money it's the WILEY CLAPP version.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vero8,

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by remsig:
Here you go:

That's a good-looking pair of Rugers, remsig!

Thank you. My brother bought the GP for me in the mid 90's and will be given to my son when he old enough to have it. The SP I bought from another member here about 5 years ago and will be given to my 2nd son when he's old enough. They should easily last for a long time being as beefy as they are.

Shot my friend's 4" SP-101 almost 10 years ago.
That led me to getting my own, a 2.25" DAO version about 5 years ago.

Trigger was horrible on mine when I first got it, at almost 14.5 LB trigger pull.
Sent it out for some work, and it came back at a much smoother sub-8 LB pull. He also jeweled the cylinder face and painted the front sight.
It's the one I grab most often when I'm heading out the door for around town carry.

Have since added several other Ruger double-actions including a 3" GP-100, 4" Redhawk, 4" Security Six and a 4" Police Service Six.

quote:

Originally posted by pessimist:

quote:

Originally posted by tarheelbball:
I really like my 3" but I need to change the front sight to help my eyes.

I put this one on my SP101 and I really like it:
XS Sight

Just be aware that you'll need to drill a hole in the sight base while it's clamped in place on the gun. There's videos on YouTube that show you exactly what to do.

If I can do it..you can do it.

A blued 3" would be nice.