The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 14, 2014, 02:03 PM   #1
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
Why Does Ruger Still Offer a .38 Special SP101?

I have too much time on my hands. Cruising Rugers websight, I see identical SP101s, chambered in .357 and .38 Special. Since you can shoot .38s from a .357, why is there still a dedicated .38? Its not a service revolver, so the idea that some official use commands .38s only doesnt make sense. The .38 model isnt a lightweight aluminum revolver, like a S&W 638, and isnt a few ounces lighter, like the difference between the .38 and .357 LCR. So what do you think the reason is that Ruger keeps it as an available model?
weblance is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 02:23 PM   #2
aarondhgraham
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 1, 2009
Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma
Posts: 8,638
Perhaps they just have some cylinders left in stock,,,

Perhaps they just have some cylinders left in stock,,,
I like Ruger guns but I gave up trying to make sense of their business decisions.

Does Ruger do any overseas/south of the border sales to law enforcement?

It's quite possible that some countries don't allow the evil "Magnum" cartridges.

Just guessing here,,,

Aarond

.
__________________
Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat.
Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once.
Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it?
Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)
aarondhgraham is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 02:43 PM   #3
redhawk45
Member
 
Join Date: July 2, 2012
Posts: 85
In 38 Special it would shoot that cartridge only, easier to clean, perhaps slightly more accurate without the small gap of a 357 chamber to jump to the forcing cone. Actually lots of small reasons.
redhawk45 is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 02:49 PM   #4
Bob Wright
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 10, 2012
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Posts: 2,986
At one time, guns for personal carry were limited by the county sheriff's office here in Tennessee. (Not so, now, I hasten to add.) And .357 Magnum revolvers were not permitted.

Old Tennessee code made no provision for carry permits. "Commissions" were given (sold) through the office of county sheriffs based on how much money the person usually carried (make that "had") or what business he was in. (Bootlegging and moonshining almost always was reward with a deputy commission.) And the commission was legal only in the county of issuance.

This long, long ago.

Bob Wright
Bob Wright is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 03:06 PM   #5
leadcounsel
Junior member
 
Join Date: September 8, 2005
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 2,119
It's a niche, admittedly, but for sensitive shooters with weaker hands/arms.

.38 is easier to clean than a .357 shooting .38s.

And the .38 revolver is slightly lighter, and generally less expensive.
leadcounsel is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 03:14 PM   #6
WESHOOT2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 20, 1999
Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country)
Posts: 14,324
logic

It remains because it sells.
__________________
.
"all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"
WESHOOT2 is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 03:23 PM   #7
g.willikers
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 28, 2008
Posts: 10,442
Some old timers don't need any of them new fangled Magnums.
What was good enough for Gramps is good enough fer us.
__________________
Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez:
“Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”
g.willikers is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 03:39 PM   #8
Waspinator
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 10, 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 517
Well, I pretty much shoot only .38 special out of my .357 SP101. I bought the .357 for the versatility of it, but it turned more into a novelty for me. I wouldn't miss it if my gun magically turned into a .38 special only.

Also, I believe I read that the French National Police carry the SP101. Perhaps they are limited to the .38 special round? I know Trausch grips, a french grip maker that make grips for the SP101, say that they are the official grips for the police forces (link: http://www.trausch.com/form/accueilA.htm )
Waspinator is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 04:26 PM   #9
Deaf Smith
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 31, 2000
Location: Texican!
Posts: 4,453
I have an oritional SP-101 .38 spl. Short cylinder and frame.

But I sure would not get the ones made today in .38. I mean why?

Maybe Ruger makes them for export. In South America they won't let .357s in.

Deaf
__________________
“To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides
Deaf Smith is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 10:17 PM   #10
Micahweeks
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2009
Location: North Mississippi
Posts: 854
The dimensions and weight are different, for one, so I suspect it is more concealable and easier to carry in the .38 variant. As others have mentioned, there were times and places where the magnum cartridges were not permitted for carry.
Micahweeks is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 11:08 PM   #11
CajunBass
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 6, 2005
Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia
Posts: 4,766
Quote:
It remains because it sells.
That pretty well sums it up.
__________________
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (NKJV)
CajunBass is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 11:37 PM   #12
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by Micahweeks
The dimensions and weight are different, for one, so I suspect it is more concealable and easier to carry in the .38 variant.
They are exactly the same size, and weight.
weblance is offline  
Old March 14, 2014, 11:58 PM   #13
Micahweeks
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 21, 2009
Location: North Mississippi
Posts: 854
Quote:
They are exactly the same size, and weight.
You are right. I was looking at the LCR in .38 and 357.
Micahweeks is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 05:39 AM   #14
Kreyzhorse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
Personally, I would't buy a .38 if a .357 was available, but I understand the thought process why someone would.
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson
Kreyzhorse is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 06:39 AM   #15
Homerboy
Junior member
 
Join Date: June 16, 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,320
Probably because many people have no intention of ever shooting .357 out of the gun, and the .38 is cheaper then the .357.
Homerboy is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 11:14 AM   #16
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homerboy
Probably because many people have no intention of ever shooting .357 out of the gun, and the .38 is cheaper then the .357.
The .38 revolver is the same price as the .357 revolver.
weblance is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 12:43 PM   #17
Homerboy
Junior member
 
Join Date: June 16, 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,320
really? S&W are always more expensive in .357. The 10 is cheaper then the 13. The 64 is cheaper than the 65. The 60 is cheaper in .38 then .357. Maybe the LCR is the same price in either caliber.

But if they were the same pirce in the SP101, I would get the .357, as well. Always good to have options.
Homerboy is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 02:25 PM   #18
Waspinator
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 10, 2013
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 517
Quote:
The .38 revolver is the same price as the .357 revolver.
IN my area, the .38 specail 2.25" sells for approx $509 and the .357 2.25" sells for approx $549. So, I do see a slight price difference in the shops I frequent.
Waspinator is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 04:10 PM   #19
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
MSRP is $659 for either. Im sure actual street price could differ between the 2 models
weblance is offline  
Old March 15, 2014, 08:12 PM   #20
Webleymkv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 20, 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 10,435
I would venture to guess that the main reason is to keep it as an option for a plainclothes/backup/off-duty weapon for LE agencies that allow .38 Special revolvers but not .357 Magnums. Also, as has been mentioned, some countries, many of them in Central and South America, permit private ownership of .38 Special handguns but not .357 Magnum models. Remember, Ruger's customer base is not limited just to the U.S. For example, the reason that the SP101 and GP100 are offered with 4.2" barrels instead of the more standard 4" is because 4.2" is the minimum length that is legal for private ownership in Canada.
Webleymkv is offline  
Old March 16, 2014, 05:33 AM   #21
darkgael
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2006
Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania.
Posts: 5,473
uh

Quote:
I have too much time on my hands.
Yep. +1 about that.
Pete
__________________
“Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ...
NRA Life Member
darkgael is offline  
Old March 16, 2014, 12:30 PM   #22
bedbugbilly
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 19, 2009
Posts: 3,283
This post is an interesting read. I certainly don't have the answer but I do know that I am a 38 spl. shooter / reloader. I have both 38s and 357s but I have no problem in shooting 38s out of a 357.

However . . . in the past, I have read a number of posts by those who are dedicated 357 shooters who are aghast at the thought of anyone shooting a 38 out of a 357 . . . OMG!

I just think it's interesting that some responses on this one bring up the point of you can shoot the 38s int he 357 so why two different models.

I'm a "plinker" not a serious shooter so perhaps the more serious shooter would prefer the shorter cylinder of the 38 if that's all they are shooting? Or it may be the market that Ruger has - restrictions in some of their markets? I think a lot of shores would probably opt for the 357 model just so they had the "option" of both cartridges but obviously there is a niche for the 38 spl. model for whatever reason.
__________________
If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63
bedbugbilly is offline  
Old March 16, 2014, 12:36 PM   #23
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by bedbugbilly
I'm a "plinker" not a serious shooter so perhaps the more serious shooter would prefer the shorter cylinder of the 38 if that's all they are shooting?
The cylinders are the same length.
weblance is offline  
Old March 16, 2014, 12:47 PM   #24
Leejack
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: The Alamo!
Posts: 2,056
Why wouldn't they make it?

I prefer small framed guns chambered in .38 special.
Leejack is offline  
Old March 16, 2014, 03:46 PM   #25
weblance
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 3, 2012
Posts: 1,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leejack
Why wouldn't they make it?
Because they have an identical 357 that costs the same, weighs the same, and is the same physical dimensions as the .38 model. You can shoot the .38s out of the .357. Other than the export comments, and maybe the crud ring, there is no reason to continue offering both models.
weblance is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.12828 seconds with 8 queries