SP 101 range report

[nickb]

2nd trip with this 2 1/4 " revolver. Gotta say, I'm surprised and more than happy with the way it shoots. The target below is from 15 yards. Most of was just win 38 special, but I mixed in some 38+P and 357mag.

While it is a hand full with 357, IMO it shoots a lot easier than one of those air weights with 38. The only reason I wouldn't spend a ton of time shooting this puppy is the trigger.

Great little gun.

[Ed Ely]

Ed

[DevJames]

I wouldn't mind having the trigger on mine slicked up a little. That's the worst part about the gun...it's heavy, but man, you can look at it and tell it's a tank.

[nickb]

Yep tank to be sure. But as heavy as the pull is, it breaks pretty clean! I'm hoping everything will get a little smoother with time. Right now I could not be happier.

[DevJames]

the weight of the gun really doesn't bother me. I'm glad it's there when using the magnum loads in it. For it's size, it's really a comfortable gun to shoot, I have no problems putting 150 or more rounds through it at a time.

[nickb]

Just to clarify, I like the weight of the gun but not the trigger.

Also, this is the spur less model. DAO which is why I was so impressed with the results at 15 yards.

[Smokehouse]

My advice...put a slightly weaker spring in it and then dry fire the crap out of it (safely...).

You can't hurt the thing dry firing it (straight from the mouth of Ruger) so I cycle mine 100 times a night (bought it new BTW). You'd be shocked how much it is smoothed out.

I'd say I've ran some 250 rounds of mixed .357 and .38 out of it and cycled it near 2000 or so times...it has smoothed out a ton. The single action is now nearly as smooth as my father's S&W Airweight J frame .38...

[nickb]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking/hoping that if I just dry fire a lot it will smooth out. Plus my trigger finger will get strong too! No single action option though....

[bigun]

Originally Posted by nickb

Just to clarify, I like the weight of the gun but not the trigger.

Also, this is the spur less model. DAO which is why I was so impressed with the results at 15 yards.

Wolf makes a spring pack for the gun that will drop the trigger pull and not effect reliability. The modular desighn of the GP/SP series revolvers make this spring swap a sinch you only swap out the main spring and trigger return spring 15 min max.

[Smokehouse]

Originally Posted by bigun

Wolf makes a spring pack for the gun that will drop the trigger pull and not effect reliability. The modular desighn of the GP/SP series revolvers make this spring swap a sinch you only swap out the main spring and trigger return spring 15 min max.

This is what I went with...I only replaced the hammer spring. I've read changing out the trigger return spring is not only a serious pain, it also may cause problems with the trigger properly resetting. As you know, the Sp101 needs the trigger to reset 100% before it will once again cycle...having a weak return would hinder that.

I've also read from other owners that with the springs the Wolf kit contains (9, 10, 12lb), you probably want to go with the 12. Stock is 14 and I guess some people have been having weak primer strikes with the 9 and 10 (actual milage may very). Figuring I use my Sp101 for home defense, I didn't want to risk that. It felt like butter with the 9# in but I can say...it did feel weak. I landed up going with the 12 which did make a difference and I'm happy to say there have been no weak strike issues thus far.

I suggest you simply try them out...if you want to try the 9# spring, install it and take it to the range...I'd like to hear your results...