should I?: Ruger SP101 - The Firearms Forum

kevinleif37 · 08-28-2008, 09:24 AM

have this buddy who's a dealer and is willing to sell me a like-new Ruger SP101 stainless...for $350...it looks nice and I think I've already made up my mind, but maybe someone else out there has some experience with one.

thanks

oscarmayer · 08-28-2008, 09:29 AM

what caliber ? not much less than a new one but they are solid well built like a tank and good shooters.

pawn · 08-28-2008, 10:07 AM

If its in good shape $350 is probably a good price... a new SP101 will run around $425 at Buds.

I have one and like oscarmayer says they are solid and good shooters.

oscarmayer · 08-28-2008, 10:37 AM

i'm lucky to be near a gun shop in a bidding war with another store less than 3 blocks away. they have lowered prices a bunch and sp-101 goes for 385 to 395. with a 10 % discount to police or former police officers

pawn · 08-28-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarmayer

i'm lucky to be near a gun shop in a bidding war with another store less than 3 blocks away. they have lowered prices a bunch and sp-101 goes for 385 to 395. with a 10 % discount to police or former police officers

you're not gonna do any better than that!!!

oscarmayer · 08-28-2008, 11:03 AM

now the bad news everyone is so auto crazy they do not discount the price on anything other than bersa's or some kel-tec etc... the colt, springfield, sigs and berettas get top price.wheels guns not selling as well as the automatic get a good discount. same holds true for used guns good prices on wheel guns top prices on most auto's

kevinleif37 · 08-29-2008, 03:34 AM

thanks for the insights-it's chambered for both the 38 and 357...my buddy owned this himself, and hardly used it (barrel shows very little usage and the gun itself looks new)...he was an armorer for a PD and really takes care of what he has...but because he's my bud, the low price...that and it seems like he could use the easy cash.

thanks again...another firearm added to the collection, my first revolver! (have a glock 19, modified my spring 1911, stag AR, romainian AK, and mossberg 500)

Big Bore · 08-29-2008, 12:51 PM

The 101 has a great rep. I also think they are great looking guns. You can see the "overbuild" in them. Go 4 it and enjoy!

Terry_P · 08-29-2008, 03:49 PM

I own one and it is an excellent revolver. It is my primary CCW and is a shooter. You won't shoot it loose and it will be around for your grandkids to enjoy.

Bindernut · 08-30-2008, 04:57 PM

$350 for a like-new SP101 is not a bad deal. I'd go for it.
I've owned several SP101s. In .357 its a bit of a handful, but with .38+P it's very controllable. It's pretty much a bulletproof carry gun...a little bit heavier than a steel J-frame Smith, but not enough that I ever noticed at the end of the day.

Still have my .22LR SP101 four incher and a .357 three-incher. I need to find another four inch .32H&R Mag to get back the one that I should have never sold...or hope that Ruger brings back the 4" tube in the .327 version!

Excellent little wheelgun!

user · 08-31-2008, 07:04 AM

Ruger seems to have had problems with barrel installations in the past couple of years, it would appear - with the result that the barrel may not be aligned properly. So the front sight will be off, and it'll shoot either to the right or to the left. Best thing is to check the height of the shoulders of the barrel where it meets the frame with a micrometer. The two sides should be equal. Some of 'em are really good, some of 'em are really bad, and most of 'em are average. And, in my opinion, "average" for the Ruger double action revolvers made in the past couple of years apparently means "slightly misaligned", presumably on the (probably valid) theory that most shooters are bad enough that they wouldn't notice.

Dirtypacman · 09-02-2008, 03:11 PM

I have only heard a few things about the SP101 - if you do get it let us all know. I was considering one myself.

carver · 09-03-2008, 01:35 PM

I own one and love it! The recoil is a little intense, but is managable with a little practice.

user · 09-04-2008, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carver

I own one and love it! The recoil is a little intense, but is managable with a little practice.

I suggest you try it with .38 special +P instead of .357, especially for target practice.

chrislind2 · 09-22-2008, 09:18 AM

The SP101 shoots the .38 Special really well, but I had a hard time with the .357. The recoil pushes the gun straight back smacking my trigger finger so I had to wrap the finger around the trigger which is uncomfortable and does not lend itself to accuracy. I guess it is nice to know you can fire the .357 in this gun but it is not fun to do on a regular basis.
I bought an S&W M&P360 which is a lot more money to buy, but it shoots the same ammo and is 16oz. loaded. It does not seem to recoil any more than my SP101 with .38 special 158gr. rounds. I will not even try the .357 rounds in this little gun, I like my hand.
I believe the SP101 to be one of the best guns I own and I have 8, and have owned 27 over the years. The only exception was the Colt Gold Cup which I should never have sold.

kevinleif37 · 09-22-2008, 01:19 PM

should be approved for my "permit to aquire" today (hawaii is a mandatory 14 day wait on background, follwed by a 10 day period for you to use the permit and then 5 days from purchase to regisration), and i'll get my new toy sometime this week.

thanks for the comments and opinnions.

i miss virginia.

22dave · 09-22-2008, 03:54 PM

I have the SP101 and it's a great gun. Keep the .357 rounds handy but I usually just shoot .38. It was $399 in NJ. Nothing wrong with a heavy frame. Excellent value.

08-28-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
kevinleif37 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 77	should I?: Ruger SP101 have this buddy who's a dealer and is willing to sell me a like-new Ruger SP101 stainless...for $350...it looks nice and I think I've already made up my mind, but maybe someone else out there has some experience with one. thanks -->

08-28-2008, 09:29 AM	#2
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 what caliber ? not much less than a new one but they are solid well built like a tank and good shooters.

08-28-2008, 10:07 AM	#3
pawn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Crossville, TN Posts: 1,469	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 If its in good shape $350 is probably a good price... a new SP101 will run around $425 at Buds. I have one and like oscarmayer says they are solid and good shooters. __________________ Take care when you get information. The truth is generally seen, rarely heard. -Balthasar Gracian

08-28-2008, 10:37 AM	#4
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 i'm lucky to be near a gun shop in a bidding war with another store less than 3 blocks away. they have lowered prices a bunch and sp-101 goes for 385 to 395. with a 10 % discount to police or former police officers

08-28-2008, 11:03 AM	#6
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 now the bad news everyone is so auto crazy they do not discount the price on anything other than bersa's or some kel-tec etc... the colt, springfield, sigs and berettas get top price.wheels guns not selling as well as the automatic get a good discount. same holds true for used guns good prices on wheel guns top prices on most auto's

08-29-2008, 03:34 AM	#7
kevinleif37 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 77	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 thanks for the insights-it's chambered for both the 38 and 357...my buddy owned this himself, and hardly used it (barrel shows very little usage and the gun itself looks new)...he was an armorer for a PD and really takes care of what he has...but because he's my bud, the low price...that and it seems like he could use the easy cash. thanks again...another firearm added to the collection, my first revolver! (have a glock 19, modified my spring 1911, stag AR, romainian AK, and mossberg 500)

08-29-2008, 12:51 PM	#8
Big Bore Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 14	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 The 101 has a great rep. I also think they are great looking guns. You can see the "overbuild" in them. Go 4 it and enjoy!

08-29-2008, 03:49 PM	#9
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 I own one and it is an excellent revolver. It is my primary CCW and is a shooter. You won't shoot it loose and it will be around for your grandkids to enjoy. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

08-30-2008, 04:57 PM	#10
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,454	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 $350 for a like-new SP101 is not a bad deal. I'd go for it. I've owned several SP101s. In .357 its a bit of a handful, but with .38+P it's very controllable. It's pretty much a bulletproof carry gun...a little bit heavier than a steel J-frame Smith, but not enough that I ever noticed at the end of the day. Still have my .22LR SP101 four incher and a .357 three-incher. I need to find another four inch .32H&R Mag to get back the one that I should have never sold...or hope that Ruger brings back the 4" tube in the .327 version! Excellent little wheelgun!

08-31-2008, 07:04 AM	#11
user Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern piedmont of Va. and Middle of Nowhere, West Virginia Posts: 1,013	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 Ruger seems to have had problems with barrel installations in the past couple of years, it would appear - with the result that the barrel may not be aligned properly. So the front sight will be off, and it'll shoot either to the right or to the left. Best thing is to check the height of the shoulders of the barrel where it meets the frame with a micrometer. The two sides should be equal. Some of 'em are really good, some of 'em are really bad, and most of 'em are average. And, in my opinion, "average" for the Ruger double action revolvers made in the past couple of years apparently means "slightly misaligned", presumably on the (probably valid) theory that most shooters are bad enough that they wouldn't notice. __________________ ===== Daniel L. Hawes - 540 347 2430 - HTTP://www.VirginiaLegalDefense.com By the way, nothing I say on this website as "user" should be taken as either advertising for attorney services or legal advice. Everyone having a question regarding the application of law to the facts of their situation should seek the advice of an attorney competent in the subject matter of the issues presented and licensed to practice in the relevant state. Last edited by user; 08-31-2008 at 07:07 AM..

09-02-2008, 03:11 PM	#12
Dirtypacman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Merrimac Valley, MA Posts: 908	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 I have only heard a few things about the SP101 - if you do get it let us all know. I was considering one myself. __________________ Member HHRG and HSC, NRA Life Member, GOAL Member LTC-A

09-03-2008, 01:35 PM	#13
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,295	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 I own one and love it! The recoil is a little intense, but is managable with a little practice.

09-22-2008, 09:18 AM	#15
chrislind2 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 23	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 The SP101 shoots the .38 Special really well, but I had a hard time with the .357. The recoil pushes the gun straight back smacking my trigger finger so I had to wrap the finger around the trigger which is uncomfortable and does not lend itself to accuracy. I guess it is nice to know you can fire the .357 in this gun but it is not fun to do on a regular basis. I bought an S&W M&P360 which is a lot more money to buy, but it shoots the same ammo and is 16oz. loaded. It does not seem to recoil any more than my SP101 with .38 special 158gr. rounds. I will not even try the .357 rounds in this little gun, I like my hand. I believe the SP101 to be one of the best guns I own and I have 8, and have owned 27 over the years. The only exception was the Colt Gold Cup which I should never have sold.

09-22-2008, 01:19 PM	#16
kevinleif37 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 77	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 should be approved for my "permit to aquire" today (hawaii is a mandatory 14 day wait on background, follwed by a 10 day period for you to use the permit and then 5 days from purchase to regisration), and i'll get my new toy sometime this week. thanks for the comments and opinnions. i miss virginia.

09-22-2008, 03:54 PM	#17
22dave V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 126	Re: should I?: Ruger SP101 I have the SP101 and it's a great gun. Keep the .357 rounds handy but I usually just shoot .38. It was $399 in NJ. Nothing wrong with a heavy frame. Excellent value.