Author Topic: SP-101 (Read 2769 times)

irold · « **on:** February 26, 2012, 05:01:07 AM »

I have an opportunity to get a sp-101. This one is the fixed site , 2" , hammered version. Never had one , they look like a fine little revolver. The present owner has told me that it shoots low , left.......the low I can fix with loads or bullet weights...what about the left ? I know I can tweak the front site a little or have the barrel rotated some....those my only two options ? He says its several inches left at 10-15 yds , that sounds like a lot to me. I really don't like " bending sites" and the price of having a smith turn the barrel would probably nix the good price on the revolver....a dilemma. Any suggestions ?

regards , irold

blaze · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2012, 06:27:41 AM »

I'd ask the seller, if possible, if you could fire the SP101. Because of different hand grip styles a handgun that shoots left/right for one person will shoot conciderably different for another person. Even a different set of grips can make a difference on the point of impact. Try it, you may be pleasently surprised.

irold · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2012, 07:34:57 AM »

Blaze , ironic you should bring this to my attention. I was just giving my .357s a quick cleaning......realized my rear sights ( a 686 and 66 ) are all off set to the right on the frame......they shoot dead on for me at 15 to 20 yds. Gotta be the way I shoot..........Thats a good idea...I'll see if I can shoot it before I make a decision.

As an after thought....looked at my Redhawk , its rear is dead center. Or at least it appears to be as you look at it from the rear.

regards , irold

demented · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2012, 09:22:31 PM »

Ruger has been known to take care of problems like this. You might try giving them a call, one never knows.

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:10:59 PM »

Low and left reminds of the days when everyone could out shoot me with my own handguns.

Yep, was a shooter problem and I doubt I am the only one to see it. See what it does off a rest, then if it is still low and left you have taken the shooter fastor out of the picture.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

irold · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2012, 01:21:53 PM »

Well , I ended up with the 101 , and yes it does shoot low , left. Though the low can be corrected. I've put about 150 rounds through it , everythings left. I have several different loads on hand , all handloads , no factory stuff. My 125 gr Oregon trail over Bullseye was probably the best grouping...but about 3 inches left at 15 yds....wrists supported over bags. I also tried 148 WCs , 158 gr SWCs and lastly some 125 Hornady XTPs over 2400....that load was a bit heavy...and it printed really low left. Sent Ruger a msg on March 3 , just heard back from them....they said ...send it to them. So off its gonna go. Thanks for all the thoughts....I'll update when I get it back

regards , irold

DDZ · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2012, 01:05:46 AM »

My101 shot to the left 2-3 inches at 10 yards. Sent it back to Ruger, they returned it in a surprising short time with the problem corrected. They did not indicated what the problem was they corrected, but I suspected the barrel was not turned into the frame quite far enough.

irold · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2012, 01:34:56 AM »

DDZ , I'm hoping its that simple. I really do like the gun , its got Badger grips .... looks real nice. Great for carry. Also , on this 101 , the trigger is actually not bad ..for a Ruger.

regards ,

irold

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2012, 07:39:51 AM »

I have only tried a couple of loads in mine (all SWC 158 grain), both 357 and 38's. All hand-loads as well. I will try the resting on bags next and have some bullets on order of different weights to play with. Glad I found this thread. Mine may go back to Ruger as well if it does not improve over the bags. I shot it left handed and it was still high left.

I was considering the badger grips as well. What did you go with?

Also looking at XS big dot night sight.

But will have to do all that after deciding if I need to send to Ruger or not. Let us know how it works out.

Thanks,

irold · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2012, 07:58:58 AM »

Matt , My 101 had the Badger grips with it when I purchased it. So , I'm not 100% sure , but think they're the "finger groove , boot" grip...They're a grey-black color , good looking. I was visiting another forum ,I told of my 101 problems....another posted that he had the same problem with it shooting left. Said he sent his back to Ruger , they did not tell him what they did , but did repair it. Says he thinks they turned the barrel in some. Maybe this is a problem with some of the 101s

I'll up-date when I get it back.

regards , irold

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2012, 12:18:37 PM »

Would have bought another SP101 stubby if I found one at the G.S. yesterday.

No luck.

Frankly this is for up close and personal situations, have the Security and the Redhawk and the Mark II for stuff out a bit. The 45acp and the 101 are for living room or smaller distances and low & left will not be an issue!!!!!!

CDOC

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2012, 03:10:44 PM »

Ballistics prove that a 2" .357 Magnum is the same as a 6" .38 Special +P.
Two ways to look at that: Would you rather have the advantage of shot placement from a 6" inch gun, or the portability of a 2" gun?
The 101 is a hefty firearm that delivers only 5 shots at a much reduced velocity and energy than a 6-shot 4" of the same caliber. It is my worthless opinion that if you want or carry a .357 Magnum, get one that produces the results expected from such a magnificent round. To fire it out of a 2" gun borders on ridiculous.
That said, I like little guns. At the same time, I keep in mind that no snub nose revolver (or auto) is all that it could be out of a longer tube. It's bad enough that we can't carry a rifle, but to lessen the impact of those guns we can legally and reasonably carry is just stupid by some measurements.
I'm a victim of that idoicy. I often carry a much less potent handgun than a .357. I'm not preaching, and even though I don't do it, it's just my stance that we ought to tote the most powerful destructive firearm that we can stuff in our britches. When the moment comes, if it ever does, you will be so glad you have more gun than your opponent.

irold · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2012, 12:41:43 PM »

Mike

Thats what's so great about this country , everyone has a right to their opinion ! And mine certainly differs from yours.

regards , irold

gdog · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2012, 08:24:37 AM »

I have an SP101, 2.25" in .38 special. I feel like if I put the shot where it needs to be, the receiver won't be able to say if he was hit with a .38 or a .357. Of course a .357 from a snub nosed revolver makes a nice light show in the dark. Now, opinioins are like noses- we all have one and some folks think mine is big and ugly. But it is mine. See ya' at the range.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #14 on:** March 17, 2012, 01:15:35 PM »

Irold,

Have you got her back yet? If so, how does she shoot.

I emailed ruger on mine after doing some more range testing with it. Several loads, other shooters, left handed, right handed, off a rest...all shoot left.

Ruger just replied saying they needed the serial number so they could answer correctly...makes me think they a bad lot of them or something.

irold · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2012, 03:06:44 PM »

Matt ,
To be honest , I'm a little ashamed....its still in the backseat of my truck , all packed up. I stopped at the UPS center to check on the shipping price....$ 61.00 . Went to my local FFL dealer , she said she thought Ruger would supply me with a shipping lable....thats where I'm at now , waiting for a reply from Ruger about a shipping lable. If they won't , think I'll give it to her to ship. Believe she can save me money even tho I have to pay for her fees.

You may have something about the run of bad 101s. I had supplied my ser. # in their on-line contact form. I'll up-date when I hear from them....I can pm you also about the shipping lable....may save you some money depending on where your located. I'm sending from western Pa to New Hampshire , really not that far.

regards , irold

gs50401 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2012, 02:36:25 AM »

My three inch SP101 chronos 1250 fps. with a 158 gr. jacketed HP or SP factory load.. This is far better than a 6 inch 38 special +p.

It is very accurate .

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** March 28, 2012, 02:39:10 AM »

Quote from: blaze on February 26, 2012, 06:27:41 AM

I'd ask the seller, if possible, if you could fire the SP101. Because of different hand grip styles a handgun that shoots left/right for one person will shoot conciderably different for another person. Even a different set of grips can make a difference on the point of impact. Try it, you may be pleasently surprised.

great advice , the owner might flinch

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2012, 05:00:44 PM »

Finally got a reply back from Ruger on mine. They said they would send me a shipping label in their email. Irold I am curious how yours is shooting when you get it back.

I am thinking of hitting the range this weekend and sending it in with a target and a note stating that if it is determined to be within Ruger's tolerances to go ahead and adjust it to my target and I will pay the cost. I don't want to do the back and forth to Ruger game and then end up selling the gun in the end.

I have Wolf springs waiting to be installed a night sight will be here any day and have been shopping for some nice wood grips. So in a month or so I should have my gun back from Ruger and can set it up the way I want it then.

irold · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2012, 08:53:21 AM »

Got an e-mail from Ruger yesterday......ready for this...they're replacing the gun with a new one. I never expected that. They're gonna pay for everything exept the actual transfer fees. ( background chk , etc ) I'm very satisfied. I may have felt differently had I purchased this weapon new, but being the second owner.....no complaints here. Thanks Ruger

regards , irold

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** April 25, 2012, 09:15:56 AM »

That's great , back when the govt. odel 22 MK-2 came out they did the same for me because the sights were off to the side of the bbl. They called back then and ask what I did with it . I shot IMHSA with it so the guy said he would send a good one and I would need a wood mallet to take it apart . I did , it shot great and they are a good company.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #21 on:** April 25, 2012, 05:21:50 PM »

That is good news. They have mine right now, so I am waiting to see how it turns out.

tacklebury · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2012, 02:43:23 PM »

They stood behind my Blackhawk. Replaced the barrel, both cylinders and threw in a trigger job for the cost of shipping to them.

us920669 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 27, 2012, 03:16:14 AM »

I also prefer the 38 Spec, 2 1/2 inch, and it does the same thing, but I'm not going to worry about it. I don't intend to engage threats at long range. I only wish I had gotten the hammerless model, since I do all my shooting DA. The SA release is so heavy that if you stage the hammer in DA you get exactly the same thing. I think the experts today say that staging on DA is a mistake, because when the adrenaline is flowing you will over-stage, it will go off too soon and you will miss. Unfortunately, I spent my life shooting DA this way and I'm not going to change now.
Actually, going to a range and shooting a piece of paper is pretty pointless - fun but pointless. I go to the woods as often as I can and shoot a man sized target at about 15 feet without the sights - not from the hip, but pointed, not really aimed. With a little practice you can get pretty good. I think that's the only practice you really need with a gun of this type.
I loaded up just a few of what I call hot boys, a pretty hefty load of Unique under a 125 gr store-bought hard cast, and the 148 gr HBWC seated backwards and sticking out a bit. That would be the first one out the door. They both clocked just over 1000 fps. When I saw that I bumped up the 125 gr charge a bit, but I haven't clocked it yet and I might never. The number doesn't really matter and I hope I never shoot another one of either, because if I do, it's because it's showtime.
I have no idea how Ruger fixes the problem, but I have a hunch. I bet they bend the gun just a bit. Bend may not be the right word, but we know their philosophy - superb engineering and cheap production. I approve and I love their guns, but face it, they're a bunch of corner-cutters. Just a hunch.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2012, 01:05:29 PM »

I got mine back today. Note says they replaced barrel, pawl, crane and made adjustments. I was not expecting all that. They sent a target that was rest fired at 15 yards with American Eagle 158 gr. It shows a nice 1 hole group about 2 inches low and 1 inch left. I will have to get it out and try some of my loads through it. I am thinking it can only be better.

The target I sent to them, they returned with it. I will be able to tell how much they improve with the same loads. The trigger pull measured the same poundage as before but feels better to me...or my memory is poor one. Anyway, great customer service with a quick turnaround.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #25 on:** May 01, 2012, 05:38:12 AM »

With people at ranges and on the net why would any gun maker want to have a bad gun out of the factory ? I hope Browning/Winchester takes notice .

Darrell Davis · « **Reply #26 on:** May 01, 2012, 06:02:16 AM »

Nobody wants it to happen, but just as with cars, the junk Cuisinart coffee brewers a friend and I both ended up with, the Glocks that fired out of battery, the Winchester post 64 Model 70 I once had with a tight spot in the barrel, it happens in this less then perfect world.

What makes a good company is the customer service, "IF" such a thing happens.

For me the RUGER customer service has been over the top, and this on a situation which was 1000% and clearly MY fault.

On the other hand, I recently rec'd an "E" in reply to my contact with Cuisinart telling me how much they valued my input, and I'm still stuck with a junky and poorly designed and made coffee maker!

I guess the question is, which customer service experience would I prefer?

CDOC

irold · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2012, 02:03:36 PM »

Agree 100 % , Darrell

regards , irold

ratdog · « **Reply #28 on:** May 14, 2012, 08:49:29 PM »

i have noticed a lot of guns usually shoot left i wonder if it caused by the rifling twist direction.there are a lot of revolvers that need the barrel tweaked to the left i have had two. the 101 is a little hand cannon exspecially with with hornady ammo. a might hot.tough gun though.

3030guy · « **Reply #29 on:** May 20, 2012, 02:31:54 AM »

I had a 3" sp101 that wouldn't shoot at all. I thought it was me and got rid of the gun. A bit later I decided to try the sp101 in a hammerless 2" model, and found it's very accurate. Wish I would have kept the 3" and sent it to Ruger!
A month or so ago I sent my Mini 14 back to Ruger because it would not center the shots with iron sights. They sent it back within two weeks, problem solved. They didn't say what they did but I could see they replaced the gas block screws (they weren't staked) and it appeared they adjusted the front sight.
Can't beat Ruger customer service.