Ruger SP101 3" DAO?!

Wheel-Gunner · June 24, 2017, 06:57 PM

I hope everyone is enjoying the sweet smells of summer.

Stopped by a local shop today to see what had been traded in. While perusing the revolver section, I noticed a 3" SP101 that was double action only, exactly like my 2" (factory). It is identicle to the spurless hammer on my 2", so it's not like somebody just removed the spur on a stock hammer. It is truly DAO as the existing spurless hammer cannot and will not cock back to single action.

Has Ruger ever produced a DAO 3" SP101? To my knowledge, no. So the gun must have been modified aftermarket?

The trigger is absolutely incredible, so it wouldn't surprise me if it also has a trigger job. The finish is also like chrome; somebody took the time to thoroughly polish every inch of this guy.

Needless to say, it followed me home and is awaiting an OWB Fist holster for carry. I would post a pic, but in all the years on these forums I have never bothered to set that up.

**JohnKSa** · June 24, 2017, 06:59 PM

Does it have an import marking on it somewhere? Sometimes unusual models were special orders placed by overseas customers. Awhile back a batch of used, DAO Ruger GP100s with 4" barrels and fixed sights came on the market. They had CAI import markings.

Wheel-Gunner · June 24, 2017, 07:17 PM

Nope, no import markings or out of the ordinary markings I can see. I changed the grips out and there wasn't anything out of the norm there either.

weblance · June 24, 2017, 11:22 PM

Ruger does some strange things at times, and doesn't catalog them. I doubt your 3" was factory DAO, but never say never with Ruger. Its a simple swap to change hammers, and there is nothing magic to making a DA/SA gun into a DAO. Its all in the hammer. I put my 2" DAO hammer into my 4" SP101 one time just to see, and it was a simple swap that functioned just fine. My guess is someone swapped your 3" spurred hammer for a DAO hammer.

lee n. field · June 25, 2017, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheel-Gunner

I hope everyone is enjoying the sweet smells of summer.

Stopped by a local shop today to see what had been traded in. While perusing the revolver section, I noticed a 3" SP101 that was double action only, exactly like my 2" (factory). It is identicle to the spurless hammer on my 2", so it's not like somebody just removed the spur on a stock hammer. It is truly DAO as the existing spurless hammer cannot and will not cock back to single action.

Has Ruger ever produced a DAO 3" SP101? To my knowledge, no. So the gun must have been modified aftermarket?

I believe fitting a spurless DAO hammer is something you can have Ruger do for you.

Quote:

Needless to say, it followed me home and is awaiting an OWB Fist holster for carry. I would post a pic, but in all the years on these forums I have never bothered to set that up.

Sounds like a very nice gun for some circumstances.

turkeestalker · July 11, 2017, 04:49 AM

My DC is my 3" 327 SP101 with the spurless hammer from my 2" 357 SP101 installed in it.
I just got to looking at them one day and tried swapping the hammers out, which worked.
I'll not say that it will work with any SP101 revolver out there, but it does with the two I own.
Could be that the previous owner was a bit of a goober like myself.

buck460XVR · July 11, 2017, 05:44 AM

Could it be a TALO or Lipsey's distributor's special run?

Laz · July 12, 2017, 08:44 AM

I've seen at least one of those that looked original some years ago at a gun show. Have no idea of the origins.

Slimjim9 · July 13, 2017, 08:42 PM

Somebody was wanting a 3" DAO SP101? Here ya go!
http://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-stainless-3

Oh wait :-D

Wheel-Gunner · July 13, 2017, 09:46 PM

Oh snap!!!!

When is that 3" Kimber going to be available?!

Heck, I didn't even know there was one available. I have looked at the original several times, but never took one home because I'd rather have a 3". Just when I get the SP 3", this sucker comes along.

Sigh, I guess I may have to get the Kimber too.

So has the 3" Kimber been released? If not when? Has anyone actually seen one??

June 24, 2017, 06:57 PM	#1
Wheel-Gunner Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Posts: 277	Ruger SP101 3" DAO?! I hope everyone is enjoying the sweet smells of summer. Stopped by a local shop today to see what had been traded in. While perusing the revolver section, I noticed a 3" SP101 that was double action only, exactly like my 2" (factory). It is identicle to the spurless hammer on my 2", so it's not like somebody just removed the spur on a stock hammer. It is truly DAO as the existing spurless hammer cannot and will not cock back to single action. Has Ruger ever produced a DAO 3" SP101? To my knowledge, no. So the gun must have been modified aftermarket? The trigger is absolutely incredible, so it wouldn't surprise me if it also has a trigger job. The finish is also like chrome; somebody took the time to thoroughly polish every inch of this guy. Needless to say, it followed me home and is awaiting an OWB Fist holster for carry. I would post a pic, but in all the years on these forums I have never bothered to set that up. __________________ "History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." Dwight Eisenhower

June 24, 2017, 06:59 PM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,994	Does it have an import marking on it somewhere? Sometimes unusual models were special orders placed by overseas customers. Awhile back a batch of used, DAO Ruger GP100s with 4" barrels and fixed sights came on the market. They had CAI import markings. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

June 24, 2017, 07:17 PM	#3
Wheel-Gunner Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Posts: 277	Nope, no import markings or out of the ordinary markings I can see. I changed the grips out and there wasn't anything out of the norm there either. __________________ "History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." Dwight Eisenhower

July 11, 2017, 04:49 AM	#6
turkeestalker Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2015 Location: Cottleville, Missouri Posts: 1,115	My DC is my 3" 327 SP101 with the spurless hammer from my 2" 357 SP101 installed in it. I just got to looking at them one day and tried swapping the hammers out, which worked. I'll not say that it will work with any SP101 revolver out there, but it does with the two I own. Could be that the previous owner was a bit of a goober like myself. __________________ Vegetarian... primitive word for lousy hunter!

July 12, 2017, 08:44 AM	#8
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	I've seen at least one of those that looked original some years ago at a gun show. Have no idea of the origins. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

June 24, 2017, 11:22 PM	#4
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	Ruger does some strange things at times, and doesn't catalog them. I doubt your 3" was factory DAO, but never say never with Ruger. Its a simple swap to change hammers, and there is nothing magic to making a DA/SA gun into a DAO. Its all in the hammer. I put my 2" DAO hammer into my 4" SP101 one time just to see, and it was a simple swap that functioned just fine. My guess is someone swapped your 3" spurred hammer for a DAO hammer.

July 11, 2017, 05:44 AM	#7
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Could it be a TALO or Lipsey's distributor's special run?

July 13, 2017, 08:42 PM	#9
Slimjim9 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2015 Posts: 783	Somebody was wanting a 3" DAO SP101? Here ya go! http://www.kimberamerica.com/k6s-stainless-3 Oh wait :-D __________________ Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.

July 13, 2017, 09:46 PM	#10
Wheel-Gunner Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Posts: 277	Oh snap!!!! When is that 3" Kimber going to be available?! Heck, I didn't even know there was one available. I have looked at the original several times, but never took one home because I'd rather have a 3". Just when I get the SP 3", this sucker comes along. Sigh, I guess I may have to get the Kimber too. So has the 3" Kimber been released? If not when? Has anyone actually seen one?? __________________ "History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." Dwight Eisenhower