tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post4570054260726192992..comments2024-03-07T16:18:06.946-06:00Comments on Average Joe's Handgun Reviews: This Is It! The Ruger SP101Average Joe's Handgun Reviewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173747731064233358noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-67062471247035679392017-03-01T11:41:56.518-06:002017-03-01T11:41:56.518-06:00I love my SP101 2.5" but it is so heavy, big ...I love my SP101 2.5" but it is so heavy, big and bulky I carry it in a computer bag I leave open on top for instant access. I feel totally confident with .357 125 gr HP that I can stop anyone with it. <br /><br />I also carry a little LCP .380 and though it is light and small enough to pocket carry - I know I must really do my part to stop anyone and I never feel the confidence a .357 provides.<br /><br />So, to me, here it is: too heavy to carry .357 - but great stopper <br />vs LCP easy-carry but a mousegun. I say even a .380 beats no gun at all Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-81665640122406753662017-02-17T17:57:02.000-06:002017-02-17T17:57:02.000-06:00I recently handled the 101 3 inch for the first ti...I recently handled the 101 3 inch for the first time. Loved the feel and the almost no trigger pull in the single action. It's now on my list, with a price under 600 and s 90 day layaway, I can't wait to pick it upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-14660987413048504982016-10-31T19:28:36.917-05:002016-10-31T19:28:36.917-05:00I own both the sp101 model 5771 in 357 and a S&...I own both the sp101 model 5771 in 357 and a S&W M&P Shield Performance Center in .40SW. Both are fine weapons and I routinely carry both. I love both of them but if I had to choose one to carry it would be the S&W Shield, simply because of the inherent advantages to a semi-auto, mainly the larger capacity and quick reloading of a spare magazine. With a .40 ammo is your biggest concern, as bad ammo like Fiocchetti will jam constantly. That being said, whenever firing Remington or Speer I never get a jam. I've also had very good luck with bulk ammo from Freedom Munitions.<br /><br />While porting can be detrimental if you have the gun pressed to your body, I'm not sure it will be such an issue at night compared to the SP101 in .357, as that beast has a tendency to have quite a bright muzzle flash anyway, especially when firing 158 grain ammo.<br /><br />I definitely wouldn't pick one over the other to own, I would choose both. And I would definitely pick a Performance Center over a regular shield, for the $100 or so more that you pay the difference is totally worth it. You'll be paying at least $200-$250 just for the trigger job and fiber optic sights, and the porting does make a difference in recoil control. Maybe not a big deal with a 9mm but helps with the 40.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00438910163801744312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-8072290514540669212016-08-21T21:10:04.943-05:002016-08-21T21:10:04.943-05:00I'd go with the SP101. The performance center...I'd go with the SP101. The performance center shield is ported which will be an issue shooting in the dark and it can be detrimental to you if you are shooting at close range with the pistol close to your body.Average Joe's Handgun Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03173747731064233358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-74446112284594591412016-08-19T01:39:17.708-05:002016-08-19T01:39:17.708-05:00I have the Wiley Clapp talo Edition and I am bein...I have the Wiley Clapp talo Edition and I am being offered a Smith & Wesson performance center shield with a Viridian Laser I am tempted but the SP101 is so solid I don't know if the shield is a good trade even in the performance center modelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-60726464185013671332016-05-22T21:15:23.947-05:002016-05-22T21:15:23.947-05:00I smoothed and polished my SP 101 and changed the ...I smoothed and polished my SP 101 and changed the mainspring and trigger return spring now it's my favorite carry gun. I live half way between the country and the city. In the country it's loaded with snake shot. Hiking in hog or cougar country it's loaded with hollow points or JSPs. In the city .38 snubby ammo from Hornady. I have other options but I usually end up carrying the SP. I shoot 158 grain magnum ammo mostly for practice. 38 practice ammo feels like .22lr. So far a versa carry holster is all I have been using till I bought a Mini Trumpcard concealment holster. Dehorning the edges has made the biggest difference! dsal45noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-31485037861828461502015-11-10T11:02:52.467-06:002015-11-10T11:02:52.467-06:00The very first target you said 21 yards. I think y...The very first target you said 21 yards. I think you meant 21 feet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-82038194993587392212015-01-01T00:03:35.899-06:002015-01-01T00:03:35.899-06:00Anonymous it is a model 58BHLAnonymous it is a model 58BHLAverage Joe's Handgun Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03173747731064233358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-14239189812374109292014-12-28T22:52:47.799-06:002014-12-28T22:52:47.799-06:00Fine review. Which model Bianchi holster is that?...Fine review. Which model Bianchi holster is that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-51015096019688942152014-06-19T22:32:48.181-05:002014-06-19T22:32:48.181-05:00Notorious,
She's a beaut!Notorious,<br /><br />She's a beaut!Average Joe's Handgun Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03173747731064233358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-18284099628941950062014-06-18T23:11:32.372-05:002014-06-18T23:11:32.372-05:00Great choice on the SP101! Glad you finally found...Great choice on the SP101! Glad you finally found your carry piece. I've always wanted one and finally picked up one last year. It's a DAO 2.25" SP101 that was shipped directly to Gemini Customs. I didn't receive it for another 11 months which happened to be the week before you published this review. Man, was I impressed with the work of Gemini Customs. I had him do the action job (minus porting), hard chrome and custom Bolivian Rosewood grips...she was beautiful. She shoots like a gem too, even with the XS big dot. I had the same experience with the big dot, I was shooting low until I got used to the sight, now it's dead on and the groups are good enough for defensive use distances.<br /><br />I don't have any complaints about carrying it, it's roughly the same weight as my glock 19 but is more comfortable to carry, I believe mostly due to the smooth wood grips. <br /><br />Here's my new baby: <br /><br />[URL=http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/NotoriousAPP/media/NotoriousAPPGeminiCustomSP101-edited_zpsbc368dfc.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag291/NotoriousAPP/NotoriousAPPGeminiCustomSP101-edited_zpsbc368dfc.jpg[/IMG][/URL]NotoriousAPPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-15164830007638137642014-06-17T07:25:40.691-05:002014-06-17T07:25:40.691-05:00I decided years ago that the SP101 was the perfect...<br />I decided years ago that the SP101 was the perfect small .357 magnum revolver. Mine is carried for woodswalking, and concealed carry because it carries so perfectly, and unobtrusively in both concealed and open belt carry. <br /><br />I spent a few more dollars but not that many, I drove my 3" model to Mag-Na-Port and had them do some action work and invert the crown to protect accuracy over the years. I went with the same sight you did, and Eagle secret service grips. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-14555812006094948242014-06-16T20:45:21.880-05:002014-06-16T20:45:21.880-05:00Got them off of ebay. They come from Thailand. J...Got them off of ebay. They come from Thailand. Just do a search for Ruger SP101 grips and they will turn up.Average Joe's Handgun Reviewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03173747731064233358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-62694861451095819932014-06-14T18:27:32.922-05:002014-06-14T18:27:32.922-05:00What brand are the wood grips on the 3in?What brand are the wood grips on the 3in?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-58777746936312318462014-06-14T17:44:05.658-05:002014-06-14T17:44:05.658-05:00I don't own an SP-101 but I've spent time ...I don't own an SP-101 but I've spent time at the range with a 2.25 inch 357. Even with full power 180s my buddy's SP101 was more pleasant to shoot than my long-suffering S&W M49 Bodyguard is with 158 gr +P. Don't get me wrong, there's no doubt the Ruger has gone off, it just doesn't hurt. As much as the stainless job is fun to shoot, a bobbed 2.25 inch SP-101 38 special - made of Ruger titanium castings - would have made for a really neat pocket gun, but now the LCR has come along there's no chance of that. Eclectic Breakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09767654149969639962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-81741488351066737412014-06-11T23:20:01.702-05:002014-06-11T23:20:01.702-05:00Been carrying my SP101 2.25 for several months now...Been carrying my SP101 2.25 for several months now. After reading Grant's Defensive Revolver book I was even more convinced that a revolver was the way to go for me. Great review Joe as always.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05737801522760019048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-77589399970615770612014-06-11T10:32:36.440-05:002014-06-11T10:32:36.440-05:00I like the SP101 but mine has been infuriating to ...I like the SP101 but mine has been infuriating to say the least. Mine is prone to malfunction--the mainspring went dead early on and it has jammed up due to firing residue accumulation. I'm not comfortable carrying it due to this history. I'm not fond of the factory grip nor the Pachmayr option but the Hogue Monogrip is perfect for me. Unfortunately, the Hogue makes the pistol a bit on the large side for pocket carry even though the weight doesn't bother me at all. I'm glad it's working for you because that's what's important.<br /><br />Also want to say I like the new(?) design for the site. I haven't been visiting much in the last few months because I truly hated the design changes you had made to the site so long ago. Dogmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13171148127686400656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31185777.post-87585584682662761492014-06-11T07:55:59.062-05:002014-06-11T07:55:59.062-05:00An SP-101 has been on my list for a while. Thanks...An SP-101 has been on my list for a while. Thanks for the writeup.That Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134214171521657699noreply@blogger.com