Ruger SP101 9mm Questions

[Dr. J]

Ran across a Ruger SP101 in 9mm this weekend, which brought up 2 questions:

(1) Why are there so few 9mm revolvers when it is such a popular round for semi-autos?

(2)Does anyone have any experience with the Ruger?

[Woodman]

The SP101 9mm has been my favorite carry piece for the last 5 years. Using In the Waist Band carry, it is more comfortable for me than even compact autos like my KelTec P11. I have never had a failure to fire, no jams, etc. I have found the moon clips to be faster to reload than a semi auto magazine. The recoil of the 9mm is more moderate than the .357, and from the short barrel, a good 9mm barely trails behind the velocity of the .357. Of course, most shooters I know think it is strange to use an auto round in a revolver. I occassionally chink away at their perspective when I bring my 625 (45ACP 6 shot revolver) to the range; demonstrating its accuracy and rapid reloads with full moon clips (I think of them as mini speedloaders). My wife found my 9mm SP101 so easy to use that she picked a "cousin" for her own concealed carry. She went for a S&W 940 Centennial; primarily because of its enclosed hammer which made it snag free when presented from her handbag's hidden holster.

[Rainbow Six]

I am not really a 9MM fan but I would buy an SP101 in 9MM if I ran across a used one at a good price. Contrary to what some poeple think, I wouldn't feel poorly armed with one.

In reference to your first question, all I have to offer is my opinion. I believe that a lot of the pre-Klinton 9MM semi-auto pistol popularity can be attributed to their very high capacity capabilities. I think that the "highest on the market" magazine capacity of the Glock 17 is one of the biggest reasons that this particular pistol hit the market as hard as it did. How many people would buy a 9mm semi-auto that held only 6 rounds? Not many!

To put it bluntly, the high capacity crowd just wouldn't feel cool sayin', "Yeah, I'm packin' six rounds o' 9mm!". Unfortunately, most of this crowd would feel inadequately armed with six rounds of .357MAG. Heaven forbid they only be armed with six rounds of 9MM!!! That would mean that they would have to place their shots correctly and train themselves how to reload the stupid thing! They couldn't "spray and pray" as "effectively" with only six rounds!! http://204.235.96.21/NonCGI/redface.gif

To be fair, there are *true* 9MM fans that prefer them for the right reasons, like their accuracy, low recoil, and their lighter hit on the wallet for ammo. To these people, the high cap is just an added convenience. I have a feeling that a true 9 fan that also liked revolvers would LOVE the SP101 or a similar piece.

With that said, I'd be willing to bet that a big portion of the 9 crowd falls into the high cap category. Thus, it wouldn't be worth the R&D and production costs to manufacture a six round 9MM. I just don't believe it would be a big money maker.

In reference to your second question, I have an SP101 in .357 magnum with the 3 1/16" barrel and I absolutely love it. It's one of the sweetest revolvers I have ever owned. The SP101 is built like a dang tank! They should withstand any hot load you can stand to shoot in them. I hope I never have to part with my SP101. I highly recommend them to anyone that wants a good revolver.

Buy it if it's priced right, or let me know where it is. http://204.235.96.21/NonCGI/biggrin.gif





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R6...aka...Chris

[Rainbow Six]

I think Woodman falls into the "true" 9mm fan club. http://204.235.96.21/NonCGI/smile.gif



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R6...aka...Chris

[Woodman]

Rainbow Six, Thank You. I guess I do favor the 9mm, but my first love was the 45ACP. I must also admit that although my only Hi Cap 9mm handgun is a Kel Tec P11, if that qualifies as Hi Cap, I do enjoy the 100 round capacity of my Calicos, the 12 round mags I use in my Camp 9 and the 30 rounders of the Tec 9 (one of the most-fun squirrel guns I have ever had). I found the Ruger GP100 the smallest platform from which I enjoy launching 357.cartridges.

[9x19]

Setting aside the, disturbingly cooperish, musings of Rainbow Six, the 9mm SP101 is a good little revolver.

If it came with a decent adjustable rear sight, I'd already own one in the 3 1/16" barrel length. http://204.235.96.21/NonCGI/smile.gif There are so many different loads and bullet weights available in 9mm that the longer barreled gun just NEEDS an adjustable rear sight.

I own lots of 9mm firearms, both long and short, high capacity and single stack. I imagine Kahr Arms will, no doubt, be surprised to hear that people won't buy a 6 shot 9mm, like their, unaccountably popular, MK9.

The 9mm is a good round, having been around longer than most every other popular pistol round (the .22 LR is a notable exception), it matters not whether you fire it in a pistol or revolver.

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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

[Rainbow Six]

The MK9 is simply liked by lots of true 9 fans. http://204.235.96.21/NonCGI/smile.gif



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R6...aka...Chris

[LOCHFAL]

I had one of the Sp101's in 9mm several years ago. I liked it pretty well. my biggest hitches with it were the five round capacity and the moon clips would shed cartridges in my pocket while I was carrying them. Still I wish I'd never let it go. It was fun to shoot and pretty novel to boot.

[Woodman]

I appreciate 9x19's perspective. The short, 2 1/4' barrel SP101's lack of adjustable sights is a benefit for my IWB carry adding to it "dehorned body"; facilitating snag free presentation. I can imagine if I were to be using the longer barrel at the range with a variety of loads, a target sight would be handy. For defensive carry, the simplicity of the unobtrusive fixed sights is darn near perfect, for me. Wish I could get a short barrel 625 without target sights.

[Woodman]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Woodman:
I appreciate 9x19's perspective. The short, 2 1/4' barrel SP101's lack of adjustable sights is a benefit for my IWB carry adding to its "dehorned body"; facilitating snag free presentation. I can imagine if I were to be using the longer barrel at the range with a variety of loads, a target sight would be handy. For defensive carry, the simplicity of the unobtrusive fixed sights is darn near perfect, for me. Wish I could get a short barrel 625 without target sights.[/quote]

[Dr. J]

Thanks for the info. Being something of a 9mm fan myself, I'm leaning in the Ruger direction. One more quesion for those who have SP101's. Are you happy with the stock grips?

[Woodman]

I like the stock grips. They are not beautiful but they work.

[Rainbow Six]

Mine had a set of Hogue's on it when I bought it. I like them. The finger grooves give me a good grip and really make the recoil manageable. I have the stock grips but I haven't shot it with them so I can't comment on them.



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R6...aka...Chris

[LOCHFAL]

I liked the stock grips on mine. It had the rubber ones with the green plastic inserts. I do however like the rubber ones with the wood inserts better. My GP100 has those on it and I don't see any reason to change them.

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[Buck Conner]

Like Woodsman, the SP101 9mm has been my favorite carry piece for 6-7 years. Have used the Waist Band carry system, it's comfortable as is the pan-cake style holster (usually carried cross-draw). I too have never had a failure to fire, no jams, etc. Full moon clips are faster than speed-loaders in my SP101 .357. The recoil for 9mm is softier than the .357 from the short barrel.

My wife and daughter both carry 9mm SP101 for their own concealed carry.

For an auto I use a Colt Commander in 9mm, not a large number magazine like the Brownings or Glocks. Have had a Kel P11 and didn't care for it, went back to my Colt Mustang .380 for backup.

If you get a chance do buy the SP101 in 9, you'll like it as we do.

[johnwilliamson062]

anyone looking to offload one of these terrible unreliable pistols? I would like one for, uhhh, my terrible pistols collection.

That is my opinion of them.

[Kreyzhorse]

I've got an SP .357 and the stock grips aren't much to look at, but they do the job. I did replace the inserts in mine with a cool set of Zebra wood inserts. Really made the gun look much better.

[smee78]

If the five rounds of the sp dont float your boat and Ruger is your choice then look for a 9mm speed six. I have not shot mine yet but it feels great in the hand and has 6 rounds with moon clips.

[RUT]

>>then look for a 9mm speed six<<

I too have oine of these that I've never fired, and probably never will. :p

[rantingredneck]

I would like to add a 9mm SP101 to my SP101 collection...........just because.......

I've got two .357's now and one .22LR. While we're at it I'd like a 2" barreled .22LR as well...........

So many guns, so little money.......:(