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Old February 4, 2012, 02:48 PM   #1
WheelGunRealGun
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Ruger SP101 .357 for CCW?

I posted a thread asking about the GP100 for CCW, and was quickly convinced that an SP101 would be a better choice.


So, would a Ruger SP101, loaded with .357 Magnum (such as Federal 125grn or Winchester Silvertip 145 grn) be a good ccw gun?

My concern is if the muzzle blast, flash, and noise would be disorienting enough to mess up your aim, which would be bad as it is under the circumstances.

I know I could use .38's, but that defeats the purpose for me.
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Old February 4, 2012, 03:34 PM   #2
tet4
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I love mine and currently carry 38+p in it. It seems like a big heavy snubby compared to others but when you shoot it that is where it really shines. It's just a really nice gun to go to the range with and then be able to carry.
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Old February 4, 2012, 03:43 PM   #3
Super Sneaky Steve
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Remember that a gun chambered for .357 Magnum is only giving you more options. There are many many choices of ammo that you can fire in that gun.

BB makes ammo specifically to address flash and recoil.
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php...duct_list&c=21

As a handloader I have a wide range of powders and weights to choose from. I can match the energy of a 9mm, .40 or .45, or I can go beyond them all.

Where you set the dial is up to you.

In short, you can't go wrong with that gun.
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Old February 4, 2012, 03:48 PM   #4
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Thanks for asking our advice.

The muzzle blast, flash and noise would be equal whichever gun you use, given the same barrel length. So the GP vs SP does not hinge on the gun's frame so much as the barrel length.

The 3 1/8" barrel SP would have a little more than a 4" GP, but I don't think you will notice all that much. The 2 1/4" SP a little more.

There are self-defense loads that are formulated specifically for shorter barrels.

Good luck
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Old February 4, 2012, 03:53 PM   #5
WheelGunRealGun
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the Buffalo Bore low flash/recoil 125grn .357 Magnum goes about 1350 fps. Does this still keep up with such loads like the 145 grn Winchester Silvertip going 1300 fps?
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Old February 4, 2012, 03:59 PM   #6
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I've owned one of these and there is quite a bit of recoil with the full power loads. I would recommend something like a Corbon DPX in an SP101. I shoot them out of the lighter and smaller LCR without reservation.
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Old February 4, 2012, 06:05 PM   #7
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I've had two Ruger SP101's and I just didn't like them. My primary complaints are the crane is too short for fast reloads, it's too heavy, and capacity is only five.

I do like the simple design and the ability to take the gun apart in two minutes. $25 in parts (shims from triggershims.com and Wolf springs) makes for simple trigger work. Meprolight makes a Tritium front sight and can be installed.

Too bad it's not a six shot gun with a slightly longer crane and a 3" barrel That would make a nice belt gun.
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Old February 4, 2012, 06:19 PM   #8
Super Sneaky Steve
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Quote:
the Buffalo Bore low flash/recoil 125grn .357 Magnum goes about 1350 fps. Does this still keep up with such loads like the 145 grn Winchester Silvertip going 1300 fps?
Winchester lies. BB is right on. But if you look at the BB full power loads nothing can top that in terms of energy.

I carry an SP101 3" with their LSWCHP in .38 spl+P I clocked this round with my chrono and it created more energy than Winchester White Box .357 Mag 125gr JHP.

You gotta test em out and find what you like personally. They are all very lethal. No one can tell you what the "best" is, since it's different for everyone.
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Old February 4, 2012, 07:55 PM   #9
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I carried mine all day in a kramer pocket holstdr.
2 in no problem up to and including 200 grain double tap.
Apocket yeti gun. Whats not to like?
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Old February 4, 2012, 08:41 PM   #10
WheelGunRealGun
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Well... what would be a .357 load that has as good of terminal performance as a .45 ACP? I know they operate on two different principles (fast, small bullet vs large, slow one) but there has to be some point where they're "stopping power" (hate that term) is about equal.
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Old February 4, 2012, 11:14 PM   #11
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I am a huge fan of Ruger products and while I love the GP100 and SP101 series DA revolvers, there are drawbacks to them for CCW unless one is of a larger frame.

They are heavy and more suited to open carry. I have owned up to six SPs at any given time and they are fine compact revolvers but .357 Magnum full house loads from so short a barrel and light a frame can be punishing, especially with the sharp edges of the triggers they bear (I Dremeled mine smooth and round). There are finer alternatives to them for CCW, especially S&W compact revolvers which are lighter and have far better triggers out of the box. That said, .357 Mag from a snubby is always punishing.
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Old February 4, 2012, 11:33 PM   #12
Fredo Batali
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Ruger SP 101

I just purchased a 3 inch SP 101 in .357 Magnum this afternoon. Does anyone know what bullet weight the fixed sights are regulated to? Thanks in advance.

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Old February 5, 2012, 05:51 AM   #13
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Quote:
My concern is if the muzzle blast, flash, and noise would be disorienting enough to mess up your aim, which would be bad as it is under the circumstances.
There will be muzzle blast, flash and noise. Of course if you want to carry a .357, those will come into effect with any gun chambered in .357. If you are concerned about the recoil, buy one and practice, practice, practice with it.

The SP makes a good carry gun. A bit heavy but easy to conceal and shoot. The trigger gets better with use.
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Old February 5, 2012, 07:34 AM   #14
MW surveyor
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Fredo - The SP 101 sights are regulated to using a 158 grain bullet. That said, you do however need to determine what and how your gun shoots well.
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Old February 5, 2012, 09:30 AM   #15
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I just added a SP101 357 3 inch to my CCW rotation with a M&P 45C and a CM9.

I am hoping that this pistol lives up to the positive reviews

I found a great deal at a pawn shop for a nearly new. I had to have it.


I shoot Corbon DPX in my other pistols, probably will in this as well
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Old February 5, 2012, 10:11 AM   #16
afone1
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Nothing against SP101, but there is no way I would lug a big heavy gun around. My 642 is fine. Lightweight, easy to conceal. A .38 has plenty of stopping power.
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Old February 5, 2012, 10:26 AM   #17
weldonjr2001
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I agree with MW Surveyor about the standard SP101 sights being regulated for 158 grain loads, as 125's shot quite low in my 3" version. I had to reduce the front sight height considerably to get 125 loads to point of aim. But it was worth it.


Out of my 3" SP101..................

Remington 125 grain SJHP .357 magnum 55 deg day (avg 5 shots) 1322 fps - 488 ft/lbs ME.

Remington 125 grain SJHP .357 magnum 90 deg day (avg 5 shots) 1374 fps - 527 ft/lbs ME.

NOTE that the above 2 loads are the same, just shot on days with a different ambient temperature.


Speer 125 grain GDHP .357 magnum 55 deg day (avg 5 shots) 1333 fps - 496 ft/lbs ME.

As mentioned, I suggest practicing reloading. I gave up speedloaders in favor of speed strips as they carry so much easier for me. There are some excellent YouTube videos of reloads using speed strips.
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Old February 5, 2012, 10:37 AM   #18
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I have fired or been present when someone else fired short-barreled (3" or less) .357 Magnum revolvers on at least three separate occasions in which I was not wearing hearing protection and two occasions in low light. While my ears rang and the flash was noticeable, I did not find it disorienting and I could still see just fine and hear normal conversation afterward. The loadings and guns were as follows: Winchester 110gr JHP from a Taurus M66 3" barrel, Remington 125gr JSP from a Ruger SP101 with a 2 1/4" barrel, and Cor-Bon 140gr JHP from a S&W M66 with a 2 1/2" barrel.

It has been my observation that .357 Magnum loadings with heavier bullets do not seem to have as sharp a pitch to the report and don't seem to have as pronounced muzzle flash. My personal .357 Magnum loading of choice is Remington 158gr JHP, but I wouldn't hesitate to use Winchester 145gr Silvertips or Cor-Bon 140gr JHP either.

It is worthy of mention, however, that different people perceive things differently. While I don't find the flash or blast of a .357 Magnum to be particularly offensive, many other people describe it much like being struck by the wrath of God. The only way to really know how it will affect you is to fire a short barrel .357 Magnum yourself and make up your mind based on that experience.
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Old February 5, 2012, 11:54 AM   #19
Fredo Batali
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Ruger Sp 101 .357 for CCW

MWsurveyor,

Thanks for the reply. I now have a place to start. I like to get in the ball park before I spend $$ on ammo the manufactures didn't set an acceptable accuracy standard with. I'm Irish and frugal

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Old February 5, 2012, 02:31 PM   #20
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Speer 357 Magnum 135gr GDHP "short barrel" ammo (designed for snubbies) makes the recoil manageable in my 2 1/4" SP101.
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Old February 5, 2012, 07:24 PM   #21
Dave Chuppa
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After more than Ten years of shooting 357 Snubs I am used to blast and recoil. My favorite carry and shooting Snubs are the Sp101 and LCR 357. As long as I have a rubber grip that does not sting when I shoot I'm good to go. This past summers camping trips I shot my LCR357 a lot. It became my favorite shooter. It's all what you get used to. My self defense loads use low flash powder and are not bad in the dark. From what people have told me when they were involved in self defense type shootings, the auditory canal seams to shut down and they haven't suffered any hearing loss.
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Old February 5, 2012, 08:22 PM   #22
Super Sneaky Steve
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Quote:
Well... what would be a .357 load that has as good of terminal performance as a .45 ACP? I know they operate on two different principles (fast, small bullet vs large, slow one) but there has to be some point where they're "stopping power" (hate that term) is about equal.
Convert your data into overall energy.

For examply my Hornady .45 Auto ammo claims 1000fps with a 185gr bullet (from a 5" barrel I guess?). That gives 410 ft/lbs.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp

That's about the lower range of a .357 with the same sized barrel.
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Old February 5, 2012, 09:04 PM   #23
jdub1242
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I just bought an S&W model 360 and love it. It's my secondary weapon so it's carried off duty. It is very light and not pleasant to shoot a lot of rounds thru but that's not what I intended it for. I wanted a small light weapon that has plenty of power when needed.
I shot our departments 25 round course three times. One practice and two quals. Shot a 21 out of 25 with one dropped because of the course of fire (5 rounds for a 6 round stage). My other 3 rounds were just outside of the scoring ring. I did not find follow up shots difficult.
I would not hesitate to buy a 357 snubby again.
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Old February 6, 2012, 11:57 AM   #24
Nakanokalronin
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The 357 SP101 is a very good choice for IWB/OWB carry. IMO only, I felt it a tad heavy for my use. My snub revolvers see ankle carry or go in a 5.11 holster shirt when I'm riding the trails on my Giant Revel 1. In those situations, the SP101 was a little to heavy so I sold it and bought a LCR.

Nothing wrong with an SP101 in 357, with a 2/14" barrel, just realize your buying a 30oz snub nose revolver.
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Old December 17, 2012, 02:47 AM   #25
sthomper
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So, would a Ruger SP101, loaded with .357 Magnum (such as Federal 125grn or Winchester Silvertip 145 grn) be a good ccw gun?....................


the dimensions of the firearm are posted online....along with the weight.

check your pants pockets and examine your waistline and you should be able to figure out if its good for you or not.
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