Current Ruger SP101s?

[CountryGent]

So, I'm tempted to acquire a 3" Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum. I realized most of my experience with that model is mid-1990s to maybe early-2000s vintage. Any reason why the new ones are a no go? Or they as solid (as in an anvil) as they were, say, in the era of Woodstock '94?

Thanks!

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[roseburger]

I've got one in 357 mag. It seems fine.

 

[Cerberus Group]

I've got one if want to try before you buy...I'll provide the ammo...as I know a guy that makes 327 Fed Mag

 

[CountryGent]

@roseburger roger that. Thank you.

@Cerberus Group thank you for the kind and generous offer. Alas, I'm not near Goldendale any more. (Many moons ago, I lived in the middle of nowhere in Gilliam County on the other side of the Columbia, so was up there at times. Beautiful country on both sides of the river. )

Thanks fellows.

 

[Knobgoblin]

I'd personally inspect any firearm ( mass produced), from any manufacturer.
It's just the current state of things.

 

[orygun]

I'd not be concerned buying a Ruger. The SP101 is a stout little gun. I think it's a near perfect host for the 327.

 

[Ben B.]

I really enjoy my 4" SP101 in .327. Here is my no BS review.

I bought it a few years ago used, and it was a few years old at that time. Probably 2010-2018 mfg. The trigger pull was stiff and slightly gritty.

I do the Ruger trigger buffing laid out by Iowegan for my GP100s and SP101. It is the same procedure for SP101. https://gunner777.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/ruger-gp100sp101book-of-knowledge/

I went down 1 lb on trigger return spring, and 3 lbs in hammer spring, to an 11 lb hammer spring. Flawless with Federal primers, 5% fail with Fiocchi primers. The 12lb hammer spring is flawless with Fiocchi. But the 11 lb hammer spring is just much nicer. So, now I only load Federal primers in my .32 ammo.

The original owner couldn't get enough rear sight elevation to sufficiently raise the POI, so he put a Vortex red dot on it. I couldn't stand the dot sight. I took it off and put the rear sight back on. And….I couldn't get enough rear sight elevation to raise the POI, so I called Ruger and had a new sight spring for the elevation screw sent free. That fixed the POI= POA.

It's now a peach of a wheel gun.

 

[CO136]

I do the Ruger trigger buffing laid out by Iowegan for my GP100s and SP101. It is the same procedure for SP101. https://gunner777.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/ruger-gp100sp101book-of-knowledge/

Really want to thank you for posting this GP100 Book of Knowledge link. Ain't never run across that. I have GP100's & SP101's (newer guns). Gonna learn some stuff...

And, on topic ... I have a 3" SP101 in .327 Federal. Don't like shooting .327 out of that wheel gun. Trigger guard creams my finger. 32 H&R Mag just fine. YMMV

 

[Cerberus Group]

As for 327 Federal Magnum ammo, its way over pressured. It approaches 30-30 rifle ammo pressure.. which is why, to most its not much fun to shoot.

I've brought the velocity down to 1,200fps from 1,400-1,600fps

Both penetration of 18-22" and expansion at almost 40 cal are consistent...its easy shooting with less blast and recoil, as I use a cleaner slower burning powder.







There's a range round and a defensive round that are matched so they both hit to the sights.

 

[Knobgoblin]

As for 327 Federal Magnum ammo, its way over pressured. It approaches 30-30 rifle ammo pressure.. which is why, to most its not much fun to shoot.

I've brought the velocity down to 1,200fps from 1,400-1,600fps

Both penetration of 18-22" and expansion at almost 40 cal are consistent...its easy shooting with less blast and recoil, as I use a cleaner slower burning powder.

View attachment 2186470

View attachment 2186471

View attachment 2186472

There's a range round and a defensive round that are matched so they both hit to the sights.

Did 2 of those projectiles do a complete about-face?

If so , that's impressive.

 

[Cerberus Group]

Did 2 of those projectiles do a complete about-face?

If so , that's impressive.

Yes. HPs are known to do odd things. If one part of the HP starts to expand, and the other plays catch up...they will yaw, and most times end up flipping.

 

[Knobgoblin]

Yes. HPs are known to do odd things. If one part of the HP starts to expand, and the other plays catch up...they will yaw, and most times end up flipping.

That's a great result when parking your rounds inside the recipient is the goal.

 

[Cerberus Group]

That's a great result when parking your rounds inside the recipient is the goal.

I refer to J frames and the like as ENTs

They are Ear, Nose and Throat appliances. When you're able to insert one into any of the above areas...accuracy takes on a new dimension and channels are changed forever.

 

[aasbra]

I like the 3" SP101 in 327. Actually have 2, first a blue one, then a stainless one came along. Mostly shoot 32 mag, or less than full house 327 handloads in my Ruger 327s.

It's a nice, compact gun. Both mine are recent production. Front sight was a bit loose in the dovetail upon delivery on the stainless one. I'm sure Ruger would have taken care of it, but I fixed it myself.

 

[gmerkt]

Small thing, but the earlier ones had roll marks stamped into the metal. The later ones I've owned the markings were electro etched or lasered into the metal, more of a surface application rather than a stamping. It looked cheap.

I prefer the black rubber w/ grooved black plastic insert grips on the earlier ones vice the brown wood (?) inserts of the later ones.

My favorite SP-101 was in .32 H&R Mag. One of the later ones I had was .327 Fed Mag, a cartridge which I learned not to care for. But surely you can shoot the H&R Mag in a .327 chamber.

The .38 Special (not +P) and the 9mm models were good enough. I wouldn't think of buying one in .357 Mag, too much gun for me.

 

[nammac]

I've got one in 357 mag. It seems fine.

Ditto. It truly is like an anvil, very solid.

 

[Stomper]

My .357 3" SP and 4.25" GP.... you feel it shooting .357 through the SP!

 

[orygun]

Shooting 357 out of my 3" Model 60 is less uncomfortable than 44 mags out of the 329PD. The grip on @Stomper 's SP101 is a great style (shape) in my mind.

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Me after reading every thread like this one . . .

 

[CountryGent]

Thanks all. I just ordered a six-shot version with a 3" barrel, satin blue finish, and with the half-lug.