Author Topic: SP101 Barrel length (Read 2927 times)

photobear · « **on:** April 20, 2010, 05:42:41 AM »

I'm going to get a Ruger SP101 for my all-round handgun...home/car defense, carrying while hiking/fishing, and concealed carry. Which would be the better barrel length... 2 1/2" or 3 1/16? I'm leaning toward the longer barrel for the longer sight radius and better ballistic performance, but will it be that much harder to conceal than the shorter barrel? Mostly I'd be keeping it at home, in the car, and on the trail.

Ron/Pa. · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2010, 04:25:58 PM »

I have the Sp101 in 2 1/2 . It is still a little heavy as a carry gun. In a self defense situation , accuracy is second in line. Getting the weapon out and into action should be first priority. My Ruger is in 38+P and is all I can handle, recoil wise. But,I sure do like it!!!

helotaxi · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2010, 04:56:37 PM »

I have the 3 1/16" barrel version and it's plenty easy to conceal. It isn't unpleasant to shoot until you get to the full house .357 mag loads. I've run 100 rounds of 158gn .357 loads through it in a day...once. My hand was sore for a few days after. Really like the gun but it is for sale because I want to get out of double action .357s and into single action ones

454Puma · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2010, 03:33:00 PM »

helotaxi
Really how much you want for it -I've been looking for a 3" version for a while? PM me and let me know and we'll work out the details!

demented · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2010, 03:44:37 PM »

IMO, the three incher is one of the best hiking/camping/knock-a-round handguns ever. Both it and the 2-1/2 can be concealed but neither are light enough for pocket carry, my 3" model is on my side anytime I walk outside, go hiking, fishing, ATV riding-anywhere but when I want to easily carry concealed, this job reserved for my Smith 638.

jackruff · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2010, 04:10:09 PM »

I just bought a 2" SP101 last week. I like it. There was not a 3" barrel anywhere around here. So far I'm getting better hitting at least close to where I aim. It's a lot harder to hit a small target than with my GP100 with its 6" barrel. The SP101 recoil, even with 357 magnum loads does not bother me. With 38 spcl it's not bad at all.

Tom C. · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2010, 05:55:05 AM »

My SP101 is a 3”. It is a matter of personal preference. What isn’t personal preference is the sights. I find the sights practically unusable on the SP101, which is why I had S&W J frame sights fitted. Now it has good sights and is as good as anything. The competition for small J frame sized .357 is the S&W Model 60 Pro. It comes with good sights. It also weighs about 3 oz. less, but those 3 oz. on the SP101 are beef that makes the thing nearly indestructible. Your choice.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2010, 06:51:02 AM »

I had both and sold the short one . The S&W J frame airweight works better for me as a pocket gun . The longer bbl. SP-101 is a fine belt gun and it blances better for me than the shorter one . BUT if you don't mind the weight (and most do) the shorter one may hide better.

canon6 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2010, 07:58:03 AM »

I have had both, now only have the 3 1/16 incher. It comes close to the "mythical all around gun" if there is such a thing. Doug

Noreaster · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2010, 10:26:33 AM »

I had the short one and wanted the 3inch. I took it bow hunting and camping... all around gun. I love the grips and shot full power 357 mag all the time without a problem. What really got me was the holster I bought was made for the 2 1/4 and 3 1/16 guns. I could've had the longer sight radius and alittle more velocity and carried it in the same holster.

Dinosaur · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2010, 06:25:14 AM »

I've had a 2" for quite awhile, but I've always had a thing for 3" revolvers so when I found a 3"er I bought it. It is now my every day carry. I carry IWB so barrel length makes no difference and the 2" has no advantage.

bulletnose · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2010, 04:28:46 PM »

I had the same problem. Could not decide which one so I ended up with both.

Old Griz · « **Reply #12 on:** November 25, 2010, 11:24:39 PM »

The 3" is one of the best firearms ever made. You'll never be sorry you got it.

zoner · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2010, 01:34:41 AM »

a 3" sp101 is a gun i'd buy for sure if Ruger would put adjustable sights on em

jimster · « **Reply #14 on:** November 26, 2010, 08:54:20 AM »

Quote from: zoner on November 26, 2010, 01:34:41 AM

a 3" sp101 is a gun i'd buy for sure if Ruger would put adjustable sights on em

Yep....that's the only reason I'm holding back on the sp101, adjustable sights on the 3" is what I'd want. The price of sending it somewhere for those plus the price of the gun is just too much. If Ruger put adjustables on the sp101, I'd get one right away.

Old Griz · « **Reply #15 on:** November 26, 2010, 10:47:57 AM »

Not needed.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2010, 04:57:52 AM »

Well if you want an SP101 with adj sights get the 327 its got um !

photobear · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2010, 01:46:32 PM »

I went with the 3". In single-action it's amazingly accurate, and pretty good in double-action with the 11# wolff spring I put in. A very mild shooter with nice balance! I'm going back and forth between the stock grips and the hogue until I decide which I prefer.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2010, 04:28:21 PM »

Good choice on the 3". I've had mine for about a month and it is just as easy to conceal in my IWB holster as my model 36 2" barrel.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** December 01, 2010, 02:24:26 AM »

Quote from: cbourbeau32 on November 30, 2010, 04:28:21 PM

Good choice on the 3". I've had mine for about a month and it is just as easy to conceal in my IWB holster as my model 36 2" barrel.

but not a pocket ! but at the weight of the SP nither bbl length make a good pocket gun.