Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver – .38 Special – 2.25

I purchased the .327 Magnum w/4.2" bbl. I was impressed w/the features, like really fantastic sights, which is why I eventually swallowed what I thought was a high price and tried it out. Ruger's reputation for absolute reliability also helped seal the deal and I had high hopes for this gun. Right out of the box, it was impossible to clear normal factory327 Magnum rounds from the cylinder after firing without having to use all one's strength holding the cylinder rod against a padded surface to get the sticky cases out. This was with a clean cylinder. After shooting 25 rounds, it was at the limit of my fairly strong hands to clear the cylinder. Even worse, the cylinder would bind in double action shooting w/factory Federal AE .327 ammo! The rim of the case would bind against the bolt face! I went home and thoroughly cleaned it looking for loose/rough parts and went back to the range for another 25 rounds and the same problems persisted. It shoots great w/.32 Magnum ammo, but is not functional w/.327 Magnum ammo. Too bad, it's a nifty little package and the .327 has just enough power but not too much. Clearly, this gun is not up to .327 Magnum pressures. I probably would have forgiven poor accuracy (it actually shoots pretty accurately) or a poor trigger (it has a HORRIBLE trigger), as I assumed a Ruger would work no matter what. If it doesn't work no matter what, why settle for bad aesthetics, bad trigger, etc. And it wasn't cheap...

This is my second review on the gun the first was prior to shooting it. I changed this from 5 stars to 4 only because after firing, the spent rounds seem to be a little stuck in the cylinder. I had to force them out. I thoroughly cleaned my gun and will go to the range in the morning. I'll let you know how it goes. Otherwise I love the gun.

I had previously rented the S&W 686 revolver at my local gun range and wanted to add a revolver to my range bag in addition to my .22 for shooting targets. Ruger makes a great solid .357 in the SP101 (long barrel, fiber-optic sight). The wheel flips out with an easy push-button release and the single-action trigger pull is light and crisp. The rear sight adjusts elevation and windage quite easily with a small flat screwdriver. The weight and balance is good--it absorbs the recoil of a .38SP or .357mag round quite well. The two factors that would have earned this a five-star review was the Ruger plastic case included--it doesn't hold the SP102 securely and appears to accommodate a .45 with a longer barrel. The other factor is the included grip--rubber with walnut inserts--the grip is about 1/2" too short and I replaced it with a Hogue monogrip that accomdates the last three fingers of my hand properly. The shorter barrel model includes such a useful grip--many other owners have left feedback on other forums to advise Ruger to make this small change in their offering and I agree. Overall, it's a fun and precise shooter that is easy to maintain and a pleasure to shoot--and a fraction of the S&W 686's pricetag.

I bought the .327 magnum version. I really like the versatility of this gun. So far, I have only shot .32 H&R magnums out of this revolver as they are much more readily available. The factory grip is attractive, but far too small for me to shoot comfortably. I don't think that my hands are all that big,and replacing the grip fixed that issue. The trigger is not nearly as light, smooth, and crisp as a Smith and Wesson revolver, but this gun is considerably less expensive. Would be an excellent gun for a shooter with smaller hands who is sensitive to recoil.

Lesson learned = always look very close at a firearm before you purchase at Cabela's. Even if it is "new". This gun looked great in the store. It was my first revolver purchase. I took it home where I started to take a closer look only to find a rusty crane and damage ejector spring. I called Cabela's and they really had nothing to say about it but "call Ruger". So I did and I have to say that Ruger has top notch customer service. They sent me a shipping slip and told me they would do what needed to be done to make it right. It took less then a week to get my firearm back from Ruger. This gun is great! I highly recommend it but just putting it out there to always take a real close look at a gun that you purchase at Cabela's. I mean brand new gun with rust on it...? Come on.

I purchased the 3 inch .357 magnum SP101 several years ago, I just sent it in for repair, this is the 3d time, they repaired it the first time, the second time they said it couldn't be repaired and sent me a new gun, now I have problems yet again. It is picky about which types of ammo it likes, some types stick in the cylinder and it is difficult to extract, it won't eject any steel cased ammo, and now parts flew off the cylinder while shooting factory Hornady ammo. None of my other Ruger guns have this problem, I don't know if the SP101 is a lemon or if I have simply gotten 3 in a row. I really hope they say I don't need a new gun, that would be the 3d CA 10 day waiting period since I've owned the gun. I have Glocks and S&W's I've been shooting for over 20 years with no problems

I have this in 4.2 inch 357.The grips and trigger were not the greatest but changing them out was so easy. Wolf trigger and hammer springs went in and the grips were replaced with Hogue mono grips. My goodness, what a difference. I am hitting an eight inch gong at 100 yards with what I call amazing regularity (my brother calls it annoying). It rides in a simply rugged silver dollar holster and I can hardly tell that it is there. I used to carry a Redhawk for my fishing pistol but that thing just about wore me out. This is a gun you will not regret having on your belt on all day hikes. It has the power and accuracy to handle pretty much everything in my neck of the woods. The barrel length makes it legal for hunting in my state and the overall size allows it to be concealable in a pinch. You will not go wrong with this pistol.

Great gun. I bought the 4.2 inch barrel with a great discount at BPS. I bought it mainly for it's lighter weight for backpacking. It's great for personal defense with .38's and well able to handle 180 grain .357's for the woods. The only problem I've had is that the rear sight cotter pin will shift after multiple rounds fired at the range. Overall, it's a great little revolver.

My wife bought me one of these for my 50th birthday I chose the 357 38 caliber and I love it my wife likes to use the 38 because she did really don't like the 357 she prefers revolvers over semi-autos because she doesn't like the idea half shells being ejected to her face so far so good I live in New Hampshire where I can carry this legally and freely and I don't need a permit the only downside is the grips I think they're a little small so I replaced mine with hoag after that no problems I recommend replacing the grips and I have small hands

*357MAG- 2.25" Barrel. This gun is very nice to shoot, can handle magnums and plus-p. Hornady lite 90g for fun at the range. It is a little tank but could be a carry option. Speed loaders available as well as customizable grips/grip inserts. A good home defense option with some plus-p's or hot magnums. Very high quality feeling revolver.

It is a heavy, high quality litter, with 357 they have a strong recoil, the grip is very small, but I recommend replacing the grips (Hog correction is very good) Looks great, good finish, it is not my best gun ......but I like

My first “wheel gun” purchase and I’m extremely happy with it. As others have said, it’s built like a tank so no problem with the 357 mag rounds. It’s beautiful to look at too!

I love this gun. Fits easily in my hand. Smooth trigger. I shoot .38s so very little recoil. Looks good & makes a nice loud boom so a warning shot may be all I need for these knuckleheads out here. Thanks!

Basically the size of a 6 round Colt Detective Special. Noticeably heavier. The factory trigger is exceedingly heavy in double action compared to the excellent smoothness of other Ruger revolvers. A lighter hammer spring makes a difference but might later ignition reliability. With the heavy trigger and recoil of .357 double action accuracy questionable except for extremely short range. Not necessarily a problem depending on intended purpose. It is a solid Ruger in all other ways. Overbuilt. Short barrel version about as heavy as a 4 inch barrel Security Six

My new ruger SP101 came in brand new coated with grease from the factory. The finish was terrible, the barrel was crooked and my brass would get jammed between the cylinder and the frame. I sent it back to ruger and they replaced the barrel a few parts and did some grinding on it, the revolver is now functional but it still looks rough and every time I open the cylinder and look at it my stomach turns a little. The cylinder lock up is also not great, it wiggles back and forth more than i think it should. It is really unfortunate, the gun fits my hand feels good and looks good from a distance. I should have bought a Taurus or a S&W, Ruger has lost my future business.

My favorite gun in the cabinet. Easy to shoot. Accurate as you are. Lots of punch. Great gun for carry or home protection.

I purchased a Ruger SP101, 4.2 inch barrel revolver from Bass Pro Shop in Round Rock, TX for Christmas 2022. Unfortunately, the Bass Pro Shop sales people stated company policy did not allow the TRIGGER LOCK to be removed before the revolver was purchased and was taken from the store. I made a VERY BIG MISTAKE! I have a Ruger SP101, 3 inch barrel revolver purchased in 1991. It is an excellent revolver and has never misfired. Believing Ruger quality would be good, I purchased the 4.2 inch revolver and took it home. After removing the trigger lock, the trigger was very difficult to pull. It was nearly impossible to pull the hammer back to the cocked position. When the cylinder was pulled out as it would for loading, the cylinder did not turn freely. Had I been able to remove the trigger lock and cycle the revolver, I would NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE REVOLVER from Bass Pro Shop. This is the last revolver I will ever buy without knowing it would cycle properly.

I'm glad I got this revolver. It's a midsize frame so still concealable yet with the power of a .357 magnum. It has a clean, basic look with a low profile rear sight. I was surprised that the rear sight is worthwhile for range shooting. With .38 special ammo the recoil is not bad and with .357 you feel the difference but it's not excessive. I've heard that Rugers are designed for less recoil. I took it to the range once firing 55 rounds. It was very accurate at 25 feet and even firing a few at 50 feet. I replaced the grip with a hogue even before firing and it was a good idea. The grip feels perfect now with room for my pinky finger. I wish it held six rounds but I suppose it's a little slimmer and lighter this way. I compared it to a Taurus 65 which was heavier and not as balanced with more weight in the barrel than the Ruger.

Whether you are new to shooting or a pistolero of many years, you can't go wrong with this excellent revolver. I bought one and liked it so much, I bought a second one. Ruger makes great products. The only caveat is I would advise against shooting full-bore .357 rounds through the gun as the recoil will rattle your molars. I use .38 Special + Ps, which allow for a quick follow-up shot, if necessary.

Bas pro withheld the weapon from me because a black woman can not own a big 357 . I was treated with absolutely no respect. I was screamed at and told I was going to jail. The salesman scream so loud other customers heard him. I just wanted a weapon for home protection and I love revolvers. I have a 38 special but I wanted something with more power. If you are black and your husband and you want a weapon, DON'T go to bassss pro in the myrtle beach area. I don't know about other bas pro stores, but this one was very unfriendly to me and that is how I feel about bas pro. As far as the 357, I will never know and I wish they followed all the gun laws.