Not all .357 Mag. SP101s are the same, some are marked "125 GR. BULLET"

[schuetzen]

I ran across this and thought it was interesting.  Not all .357 Mag. SP101's are the same.  Some are marked "125 GR. BULLET".  Found more information on a manual...

'Special Ammunition Notice for .357 Revolvers marked “125 GR. BULLET”
only: Some revolvers have slightly shorter cylinders and frames and are
therefore limited to the use of .357 Magnum ammunition with a maximum
bullet weight of 125 grains and an overall loaded cartridge length of not
more than 1.57 inches. These revolvers are roll-marked with “125
GR.BULLET” on the right side of the barrel.'

'Ammunition containing heavier bullets or of a longer length may not permit
the cylinder to close or rotate! You may not even be able to fire the revolver if
you try to use longer or heavier bullets. Be sure the ammunition you wish to
use in the revolver will chamber freely, and will permit the cylinder to open,
close and rotate readily. Do not assume any ammunition will work without
checking it first.'

Page 10 of the manual:
http://www.ruger.com/products/_manuals/sp101.pdf

[Ken ONeill]

Yep. The very first .357 Mag. SP-101's were marked this way. Ruger lengthened the cylinder in fairly short order.
Even before that, the first SP-101's were in .38 Special only.

[crabbies3]

i had one in 9mm with the moon clips shot real good ruger only made them for a few years  i just traded it off on a pm 9 tks ken

[lakota]

I have a newer one and I still have to trim .357 brass slightly short to allow use of the Lyman 170gr Keith style bullet which has become my favorite bullet in the .357.  It also wont work with full length brass and the 125gr  round nose dropped from a Lee mold

[ratdog]

i  traded one today yep you can't shoot 170 keith bullet but it will shoot the 158 grain smwc one of my favorite bullets nice small revolver. traded it for my sr9 just could not get used to plastic.

[ratdog]

i had a similar problem with my uberti 45lc would not shoot the 200 grain smwc in it they where to long so i shoot them in my ruger blk hawk shoot the stubby 250 grainers in my uberti the 200's i also shoot in my 1911. both are real accurate.