My Ruger SP101 ~ Grips, Holster, Trigger and Why .38 special?
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- čas přidán 19. 11. 2019
- Just answering some questions I have gotten about this particular Ruger SP101.
Here is a link to the grips THIS IS AN AFFILIATE LINK, I DO GET PAID A SMALL AMOUNT IF YOU USE MY AFFILIATE LINK- amzn.to/36l4oAL
You can see Strictly Plinking & Outdoors video here- • Video
My original review of the SP101- • Ruger SP101 - The Work...
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A few have asked for a link to the grips in the video. This would be them- amzn.to/36l4oAL
Wow! I am so impressed that there was ZERO cursing during the filming of you coming out of the creek. Not one bleep. You're one solid dude - kudos.
Thanks! LOL I was just glad to get out of that mess. It was a long cold walk home!
Been there. Feels like a million little needle poking you at the same time when hitting water that cold. Love the grips I have a set in my cart on OpticsPlanet. Can’t wait to push the buy button. Keep adding stuff to it though lol
Love the looks of that gun. The grips set it off.
I got the same grips for mine. After seeing this I had to have them.
.38 special has been my EDC for 30 years! Tried and true. I have also owned a .357 snubby and it was a heck of a pistol to master and the recoil was painful. .38 special +P is a perfect EDC round. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for the great comment!
I have read a comment of a guy who had to live with a 70% hearing loss after firing a .357 snubby in a self defence situation.
38 for the city, 357 for the forest.
Because when the fuzz/ police arrive for questioning and .357 will leave you deaf w/o clearly talking to officer vs a quieter .38 THAT STILL GETS THE JOB DONE.
Hearing protection is required with any centerfire handgun, but especially the magnums. Hearing loss is permanent, it's not a joking matter.
Carry what ever you're comfortable with. Thanks for the review, it makes me want a SP101 in 38 special now.
Thanks for the comment!
Not one audible curse when you went into that creek. Hats off.
Beautiful piece. The grips really set it off. I love them.
Thank you!
Buffalo deserves sponsors!
Awesome channel 👍 trustworthy and informative!
Hey, it's a true man that can show us footage of him falling in a creek😃👍 You alright in my book Buffalo👊👍
Bought the 4” model; Thought the wood grips were super cool looking but after a box of .357, no mas. Went with soft rubber. Ended up buying all their 101 line. Changed out the springs. Great guns, thanks for a great review.
What a beautiful piece. There is something about stainless and rosewood :) Nothing wrong with a good .38. They cost a lot less than a .357, and shoot the +p with a ton of authority
I agree with you 100%
Great review! Myself I only carry .38 Special +P, for several reasons: It IS a stopper, and a quick follow-up shot is possible; I want to keep my hearing if I ever need to fire it indoors; and I can shoot accurately because my hands have not learned to FLINCH anticipating painful recoil! That IS a very beautiful revolver...………………………..elsullo
I like that you are not sponsored for the items you review. It keeps it honest.
I'm proud of you....you didn't say one curse word falling into that creek! The discipline.
I was waiting for it.
Sir, you are a true gentleman. Upstanding composure in the face of adversity. Took a fall without complaint. Though it is a great funny story for the future.😎😎😎
Great video 👍. I'm glad you didn't get hurt in that fall just wet and cold. I have watched all of your videos on this pistol and I really like it and I would be totally fine with 38. I think 38 is underrated and I've heard lots of revolver guys say there favorite best shooting revolver was the old S&W model 10 38 special and I was thinking I wanted a S&W 10 or 19 until I watched your videos on this SP101 38 . I think this pistol is everything I need and fine for my wife to shoot also. Thanks for sharing I'm very impressed 👍
Thanks Buffalo for the "action" scenes. Love those grips.
You're welcome! LOL
Good video demonstration. I always enjoy your videos.
That SP-101 definitely had a trigger job, or at least lightened springs. The original double action pull was closer to 13+ lbs. The hammer fall is slightly slower than with the original mainspring. No problem with good hold and trigger discipline, which you've demonstrated in many videos.
I used a Wolff medium spring kit and polished some of the action to get the pull around 10 lbs. I didn't want to risk light primer strikes since mine is .357 and I always used magnum primers in my handloads.
The SP-101 was first introduced in .38 Special and clearly built strongly enough for +P. Gun reviewers immediately challenged Ruger to make it a .357, and if I'm recalling correctly some gunsmiths had already bored out the cylinder taper to accept .357 Magnum loads with 125 gr bullets as proof of concept.
And, if I'm recalling correctly, Ruger introduced a short run of the SP-101 in .357 designated for 125 gr JHP *only*. The cylinder was slightly shorter than standard Magnum and any bullet creep from heavier magnum loads might lock up the cylinder. It was stamped with that warning on the revolver.
As soon as Ruger introduced the SP-101 in standard size .357 Magnum cylinder I bought one of the spurless hammer DAO versions with 2.25" barrel. I've had it for 30+ years and carried it often. Never a problem with rust no matter how much I sweat on it. I usually load it with 180 gr .357 Black Talons left over from the 1990s. Recently I test fired a couple of rounds for the first time in 20 years. They kick a bit but it's tolerable with this heavy snubby with the original grips.
I might try a set of those Pachmyrs. They look good and I have a moto tool to carefully shape the grips to fit.
I had to modify wooden grips for my Ruger Blackhawk convertible...
The wood looks so good against the blued steel.
Thanks. Good to see you on CZcams Buffalo !
Just got my SP101 yesterday. It’s.357 and a blast to shoot. Thanks for your videos
I have had a SP101 snub nose for about 15 years. It has a bobbed hammer so it is double action only. I put in different springs to lighten the trigger pull, even before I started getting arthritis in my trigger finger. For years I had a Crimson Trace Lasergrip on it. I used to carry with .38 Special, with .357 Magnum in the speedloaders. Now my hands have developed recoil sensitivity, so I have it loaded with the very low recoiling Cowboy Choice 105 grain, with Hornady 110 Grain +P Critical Defense in the speedloaders. Now I have a Hogue grip on it to soften the recoil. These days I usually carry a Colt Python, but I often carry the SP101 when I am not planning on leaving the house. I also sometimes carry the SP101 for situations where I need deeper concealment.
Sir, thank you for the mention! Also, what great customer relations and service Pachmayr provided you! Great on them for a hassle free customer experience. 👍🏼🇺🇸
You're very welcome! I agree. They didn't have to honor that warranty but they did.
Great video and thanks for posting. I just traded an XD9 for a Ruger SP101 38 SPL 3 inch barrel. I like it quite a bit. Someone did put some lighter springs in it but I have some factory spec ones coming directly from Ruger since I like to keep mine all original. One reason I like used 38's is you know they've probably been shot with loads that didn't beat the gun to pieces short of ridiculous reloads. Plus I feel ok with standard pressure or +P 38's. They'll do just fine for anything I need. I can't imagine this revolver not lasting forever, or at least the 30+ years I probably have left.
Beautiful gun!
That fall is hilarious! I'm glad you didn't get hurt!
My dad got the same kind of grips on his 627.
:) Thanks! I was sure glad to get up out of that creek! I love the 627~
I own the 357 version of this gun but with the bobbed hammer, so double action only. I switched out the stock grip for a Hogue grip. I shoot mostly 38 spec out of it but have shot a few rounds of 357 as well. Just got a speed loader for it too. Next on the shopping list is a holster. Really fun revolver to shoot.
I'll take that 38 Special anytime. I love Ruger revolvers and yes, there is a spring kit in there. I've done it to all 3 of mine and they are all in the same range. As for the grips, I like the Hogue Monogrips myself but the compact stock grips are great. I have large hands and I can wrap my fingers completely around the stock grips really locking them into my hands preventing any movement. I put them on my 327 Federal to soak up some of the recoil from that 3" SP which brings me to the point on the 357. My GP100 357 with a 3" barrel is a handful with full power loads, there is no such thing as a quick follow up, I can't imagine what that's like in an SP101. I have a Smith 642 and the 38+P's are snappy but manageable, in the all steel SP they must be a dream to shoot, I love my 9mm having given my 642 to the wife and CCW with it all the time. IMHO the 38+P and 9mm is the way to go in a small revolver besides, out of a 2" barrel the 9mm beats the 357 in velocity no problem, out of a 3" tube it makes all the difference to the 357 picking up at least 250 fps in that extra inch but you still have to deal with the recoil and blast. Hang on to that 38, you won't be sorry and don't discount the stock grips. They might not be pretty but you can't beat them for CCW.
SP-101's are awesome revolvers. Mine is a DAO 357 with some grips from some guy in Thailand that I'm real happy with
I recent got my FOID car. Im really liking the Ruger as my first firearm to own. My grandpa and my dad really like guns as well. Im thinking im going to have some real great time with them learning how to maintain and shoot a gun.
I have the same grips on my SP101. I loved them initially, and the still feel good, but they've proven to be less durable than I'd hoped. It's probably the same with all wood grips, but mine have shrunk over the years, and now don't meet along the back anymore. My guns do live in a dry, desert climate, and I'm not careful about temperature variations, so that's probably the reason. Even so, I'm shopping for G10 grips to replace them.
i like the honesty.. you kept it real and showed that footage
I put those grips on my sp101 357 last week. They fit almost perfect. On the upper back strap there is the tiniest little gap the width of a hair maybe. Good enough no complaints. Sharp looking setup.
I have a used .38, and my Pachmyr grips have a sliver of a gap on the back...primarily near the top.
Nice review! I have this in a 3". I switched out the stock grip to a rubber Hogue grip, as the stock grip was too small (and squarish) for my liking... And while .357 Magnum is stout, I've found some .38 Special +P from Underwood Ammo (item #127) that are very powerful - that fly out of it like rockets! A loud "POP!!" when firing them. They're about $10.00 more for a box of 50 than for a box of 50 .357 Magnum, even!... Well above standard pressure for a +P; I'm saving them (I don't want to waste any more of them at the range).
I remember that fall!
Thanks for following up on the video. I was one of the folks asking about the trigger. I appreciate the answer!
That was a bad day! LOL No problem. There were several people asking about that and I tried to answer but I do miss some of the comments.
Your fall into the creek is reminiscent of my deer hunting fall last month. Glad you weren't injured! Another reason why I bought a stainless steel revolver; outdoor accidents happen, and we need our firearms to be able to take these things without damage. Stainless won't rust out if you fall into the water. Nice trigger, it's close to my 4.2#/7.8# trigger in my GP100
Living life is hazardous. That's all there is to it. I am glad to be able to laugh about these things. I agree with you about the stainless steel. Love the GP100 as well, great revolvers.
I like your thinking, nothing like being practical, have a good day, keep up the good videos...
Thank you! I appreciate your comment.
I have the same but in .357. That grip is right up my alley!
I bought that same gun in .357 mag DAO and it already had these same grips on it and I was excited as the gun looks great with them , however when I got to shoot it , the grips pinched my hand every time I fired it so I took them off and put the hogue rubber full size grip on it . It’s not as pretty now but feels great when shooting 🇺🇸
Nice little pistol. 100% Agree with you about the stainless and those grips 👍🏻
Thank you Mike!
Good looking revolver. Very handy. I have had similar experiences falling, trout fishing etc. The vast majority of the time, I shoot 38’s out of my 357 revolvers.
Looked a little chilly for a dip! Glad you were OK. Really nice looking revolver. Agree that most carry snubbies probably perform best with .38 special +P especially light .357s as well like LCR, etc. Thanks Buffalo!
It was chilly for sure! LOL Thank you.
I had a Ruger SP 101 .38 Special with a 3-inch barrel and it was the easiest revolver to get a flash sight picture on I ever have had.
I think the 3" barrel would be my choice as well. I like this 2.25" but the 3" just feels balanced.
I've had GP100 for many years and I like it better than my Python that I got back in the 80's. I'm on the fence with the SP101, love the look of the wood grips, beautiful revolver. Sooner or later I'll probably pull the trigger on it.
Very interesting and glad you’re a tough farm boy and survived the fall.
Glad you didn’t mash your trigger finger. I’d like you to do a video on your unique grip, the right thumb on top of the left hand. Your results speak for themselves!
Now if I could only find a similiar shade of rosewood grips for my stainless 6 inch GP100! Beautiful revolver you have there.
I have one in 357 with 3 inch barrel. Added the same grips, and it took some fitting to get the grips correct.
Why did I buy a SP-101 in .22LR? Because it was a rental gun at our local indoor range, that sat on the shelf while everyone rented .22 semiautos. When it appeared in the used-gun counter with a $169.99 price tag, I knew I couldn't leave it there. That was in 1997 and it's still one of my favorite guns. Seriously, you are seldom under-gunned with the .38, unless you spend a lot of time in bear country. I've been looking at SP-101s in .357 only because we rarely see the .38-only guns here in southern California. Great video.
Buffalo, I think it is a beautiful Gun and .38 caliber has done the job in many a person if you are forced into a defensive shooting. I have a GP 100 4 inch .357 and Ruger builds a tank of a gun.
Looks very nice! And gives you a better purchase on the firearm as well. Color is awesome, Echo.
Thank you!
Love the Pachmayr Renegade grips, I put them on both of my Mod. 66s anf my M85 and M856. More comfort, better accuracy.
I agree!
You are exactly right on your video I own one now in 357 just like yours but I'm wanting to buy a 3 inch and I'm honestly thinking about 38 special because that's mostly what I shoot out of it it's easier on the forcing cone in my opinion and it would fit the chamber perfect and you can load as pretty hot as you want because it can handle 357 pressure before it would blow
Wow, what a beautiful gun. Those grips are nice!
Good video, great firearm, one hell of a splash down! .38 Special is a great round.
Thank you!
That’s a real nice wheel gun sir. Just did a nice SP-101 discussion on my channel. I’m a huge fan of the SP-101 revolvers. Nice video!!
Nice gun....i have a sp101 in 38 that was made in 2004...it has the large cylinder window but has the older shorter cylinder with the longer forcing cone like some smiths and colts....also have a 2005 357...both great guns.also a 2010 gp 100 357 3 inch which is awesome too.i put the pachmayr diamond pro rubber grips on the sp101 357....helps a ton with the magnum recoil....love those renegade grips.
Thanks for providing some insight on some of the changes that have been made to the SP101. I appreciate your comment.
Nice revolver! You've got a great channel, thanks for the video!
Thank you!
Nice gun! I also wondered why Ruger makes a .38 special only version. According to their website, the barrel twist is different, 16 for .357, 18.75 for .38. So the slower flying .38 bullet would spin a bit faster out of the .38 only revolver. More flight stability for long range shots out of a snubby?
I also imagine that the cylinder holes are a bit shorter (to prevent .357 cases to fit), which would reduce the buildup of powder residue and make it easier to clean? Hickok45 mentioned that if you shoot a lot of .38 and then .357, the .357 might not fit well because of the burned powder residue.
Most user will probably shot .38 anyway, especially if the live in a jurisdiction which prohibits expanding bullets. So a gun optimized for .38 makes sense, though the difference is probably minor.
Great video buffalo!! In ct were I live the state troopers carry these as backups in .357 Mag!!!
Thank you and I didn't know that!
OMG! It's a good thing you didn't break a leg, arm or neck even hands. Glad you're safe.
Love it!! I have a Taurus mod. 85 ..... packs some punch fir a 38 Special!!
Awesome thumbnail picture and gorgeous revolver. I bet that was a cold walk back to the house.....
Man it was terrible! LOL I was just glad to be alive!
My gosh, man! Glad that fall wasn’t too bad. Awesome gun and accessories + info!
Thanks! THe fall hurt my pride more than anything else! LOL
That is a sharp revolver. And those Pachmayr grips are nice really set it off. Seems like I remember that video in the cold drink. Glad nothing hurt he he
I was just glad to get up out of that creek! Talk about a long cold walk home! ;)
A very nicely done review! Kudos
Gosh, I'm glad you're alright after that fall!
38 special in an SP101 is no handicap to a hand loader. If more power is desired, 38/44 loads would fit the bill. Just got to make sure they don't find their way into a lesser 38. I'd like to see if it is more accurate shooting 38s. than a 357 model. You'd probably need a ransom rest to see the difference though.
Some hate it, but I'm very pleased with the bamboo I planted near my creek (and range) to prevent erosion. Gives you something nice to hold on to as well!
I love my 357 sp101, I put a hugoe grip on it for a better hold, and the 4 and a half in barrel
Another nice video. That is a most beautiful revolver. Sorry about your fall. Yikes 😬
Yikes! That looked like a complete Dunking in the creek. I am Glad you are OK.
Nobody ever said that Adventure was Always Fun.
Best Wishes from Montana M.H.
Those grips look incredible
I thought of getting wooden grips for my sp101.
After some more looking I decided to go with rubber grips from Houge.
Nothing against any choice anyone makes I just feel better control if using 357 magnum.
Thanks for the grip info. Boy, that was a bad fall. Glad your ok.
It was a long cold walk home! Thanks!
I love the fact you are willing to answer the loads of questions viewers are asking. Questions that loads of us would wonder about but never ask and the really easy to gloss over questions of "why". Kinda like hanging out with family and shooting the breeze about guns. Great video Buffalo... Thank You.
Thanks Larry. I really enjoy the back and forth. My viewers inspire me .
I see somebody's got the inside scoop.
@@PatRMG Patreon... :-) ... we get the goods early!
Those are some seriously sexy grips. That fall gave me duck hunting flashbacks.
Thanks man. I like em.
Buffalo's Outdoors still watching.
My SP101 .357 3" was sporting these Pachmayr Renegade grips. Coolest looking ever! Great feel at the range. However they cracked right behind the triggerr guard after a box of 158g JSP .357 mag. Called Pachmayr and the grips were out of stock (discontinued?). They sent me the Diamond Pro Series as a replacemrnt. No questions asked. And we lived happily ever after...
I have fail in the creak before ice flowing in it , that was cold. Nice pistol plus being a Ruger hot loads aren’t a problem except for hard recoil.
Really nice grips. Wish they made those same grips for the GP100.
Those grips look real good on that gun. I carry a S&W model 49 Bodyguard that belonged to my Dad. I put a set of Eagle FBI style grips on it because let's face it J frame stock grips are tiny. I like .38 Spl. and the cemeteries are full of people that fell from the wounds inflicted by a .38 Spl. Plus I am confidant I can put the rounds where I want them in a self defense situation. If I came across a good deal on a SP101 like you have I would pull the trigger on the purchase.(pun intended) BTW I like your no nonsense videos.
I like the Pachmayr grips too, but I generally prefer the grippy feel of the rubber grips. But the wood is beautiful. I felt your pain on that fall. You looked just like me! LOL!
Beautiful gun, great video. Thanks.
You're welcome and thank you for the comment.
DUDE!!! I've been looking fort wood grips for my SP101 and could never find any until now...I stumbled onto this while rootin' arouns on CZcams, did a Google and found 'em on Amazon...thank you very much!!! Wolff sells a great set of springs for this revolver 9via Brownells)...I've changed my factory springs on both my SP101s (lost my first one post '02 stroke)...good .38 +P ammo is almost the equal of .357 Mag and since most defensive shootings are at less than 10 feet, that extra 1/8th in of case capacity won't make much of a difference to the perp...unless to kill him deader n' dead...;-)))
Awesome! Glad you like the grips and thanks for the info!
Good looking piece and I'd say the holster has passed the rough handling test.
Yes indeed! Thanks you.
Those are nice grips got them on my taurus 605 both of them
38 spc is perfectly capable of being a good self defense round
I am confident with it. Thanks buddy!
gunnwild1,
38 spc is ( DELETE: perfectly capable of being ) a good self defense round ...
I put Hogue monogrips on mine. Made everything better.
I had some serious trigger work done. Best money ever spent. Also, some of the cylinders needed to be honed. Also had all the sharp spots ground down. This gun is perfect now.
I never did all that to a Smith, but I like Rugers, all the revolvers.
I use a DeSantis belt holster with thumb break snap. Personal preference.
Mine is 357 but I carry 38spl+p handloads going 1100fps. That is just below the mag range. Mags are just too much.
I have a stainless steel Ruger GP100 4" that I bought new around 2011 for $595. The only thing I've swapped out is the Hogue grip for a set of Altamont grips. It's a handful with full-power 125 grain loads....I can't imagine what it's like to shoot those loads in a smaller revolver!
I would only ever sell this gun to buy another Ruger....preferably the 3" .44 Special model. I love Ruger revolvers!
Looking awesome....very clean.
I wish I had people asking me more questions about my stuff lol.
Stainless and rosewood or at least a good laminate stock is one of my favorite combinations. I put the same pachmyr grips on my Beretta 92FS and it made all the difference. I think I put wood "US" rosewood grips on my 1911 as well... two of my Marlin rifles and my Rossi model 92 are stainless/laminate stock, and they look so nice.
I get a lot of questions through my videos. Most I can simply reply too but now and then I start getting the same ones over and over that tells me I should just do a quick video and cover it. If nothing else it gives me a link to provide the next time someone asks on one of those other videos. I like the stainless steel against the wood grain too. The contrasting looks just go together...IMO. Thanks for watching and keep doing what you're doing man.
Buffalo's Outdoors thanks! I just sold my AR15 and picked up a brandy new Mini 14 in 5.56 so I’ll have a video of that soon.
I like those grips Buffalo.
Thanks!
Man that is a beautiful revolver. The grips really set it off and look comfortable. Hate you cracked those beautiful babies but it speaks well of that company for treating you right.
Thanks buddy. It does. They didn't have to replace them but they did.
I know the challenges of whittling down grips to make em fit right 🤣. Got some of those wood grips that come from Thailand for my SP101, pretty rosewood ones like yours. They're always very nice looking, but sometimes have flaws in the "fit". Those Pachmayrs look super nice on yours.
Thanks for the info! After the video I got curious and tried the other grips on and they didn't need any fitting whatsoever....go figure! Shoulda done that BEFORE the video....lol
Nice gun. Love the grips. I was torn between the Colt Cobra 🐍 38 special and the Ruger as my shop had both. Out of the box the Colt fit my hands better than the SP as it has finger groved rubber grips that are made by Pacmyr for Colt. For about the same money the Cobra is a 6 shooter and a sweet trigger with absolutely no stacking and polished stainless!!
Thanks for the geography video. Nice gun, too.
I like those wood grips!👍
I carry a 22 magnum, a 38 special, and very rarely a 9mm for self defense. 38 is my primary and I am fully confident in it. I just wish more companies loaded to to proper pressures rather than the weak sauce loads that most ammo is loaded to.
Good looking gun Buffalo! Been looking for one but in today’s state of affairs is impossible. Good video and stay safe.
Beautiful gun....38 or not....I'd be proud to have it in my collection
You are a better man then I good Sir! I am constantly tripping and I’m sure if a Creek was there, I’d have been in it too LOL Great looking grips, and Ruger really knows how to make their revolvers into tanks. Thanks for sharing 😁👍🏽
Thanks buddy! I was just glad to get up out of that creek!
Well I’m glad you were able to safely!!
That's a great looking grip.
Thank you!
Justbirdereda set of O
Pachmayr grips for the S
P1901 from that big river in Brazil.. should be here on Thursday
After changing the grip, I think it’s the most beautiful small revolver in the world
U need to look at some different revolvers
Going to have to look at those grips up see if they have one to fit on my GP 100