I got a Ruger SP-101 at the end of 2022 - 3” barrel, .357 Magnum, conventional DA/SA setup- that had been manufactured earlier that year. It has been awesome. I like it so much that it has become my favorite carry. So, is the Ruger SP-101 relevant today? For my personal taste/perceived needs I consider it a practically ideal carry gun. Being limited to five shots is not a big deal for me, as it is five shots of .357. I don’t expect to need that many to resolve a situation, especially if I do my part as a marksman. I go to the range regularly and I consider myself competently accurate with this weapon. It is just small enough for pocket carry, which is my preferred method. The weight is significant but after a while it doesn’t bother me at all, and the weight is a benefit for shootability with .357 Magnum. Just as size wise, if it were ANY bigger, I really couldn’t pocket carry it, also, if it were ANY lighter, I’d be reluctant to train with it. To me, with the Ruger SP-101, the folks at Ruger struck a near perfect balance between power, concealability, and shootability. With the defensive ammo I use, I’m getting around 450 foot pounds of energy; there is no pocket sized automatic on the market that can hit that hard. I’m not a fan of the “spray and pray” mentality. Every bullet you send has a court date attached. I’d rather keep the quantity of lead in the air to a minimum while landing a telling blow all the same. And I want the platform in question to be 100% reliable and as accurate as I can be. The SP-101 checks all of those boxes quite well. As far as I’m concerned, you bet it’s still relevant. It’s not for everyone, but it’s for me all day every day.
A glock 33 can hit harder than 450 ft/lbs..is smaller...lighter and holds TWICE as many rounds! Just FYI Springfield XDS 45 is also smaller and lights and in 45acp and can approach 450 ft/lbs with a few defense loads...I have all 3...sp101 3 inch...Glock 33..and Springfield XDS 45! The XDS 45 with a spare 7 round magazine is very hard to beat
Relevancy is a personal question. My Great Grandfather survived five gunfights as County Sheriff between 1918 - 1934 with an S&W .32 Hand Ejector. When I drop that little 3" revolver loaded with Magtech 98 gr WC in my jacket pocket for a run to the store it becomes very relevant. I have a Ruger Speed Six that's also still relevant.
Rugers! Tough as a tank, but a tad heavy. And the hammer spur tends to get caught on things. I still occasionally pack my S&W Mod.37 Chiefs Airweight .38. I swapped the hammer for one from a Mod.38 'Humpback' Bodyguard.
Enjoying your content, sir. A week ago, bought a GP100.22 on impulse as it just felt so good in hand. Had to send back to Ruger as it had binding cylinder and damage to crown. Hope when it returns, it will shoot as sweet as my vintage 617. Those Ruger cases are so bad. I wish they shipped in cardboard. Best wishes
One of the best midsize DA revolvers out there. Of course it is relevant.
Just picked up a used sp101 in 357mag.
I had the 101 for years and now I have the Gp 100 in 4 inch blued and I love it awesome Revolvers
Wow that's a beautiful gun
I got a Ruger SP-101 at the end of 2022 - 3” barrel, .357 Magnum, conventional DA/SA setup- that had been manufactured earlier that year. It has been awesome. I like it so much that it has become my favorite carry.
So, is the Ruger SP-101 relevant today? For my personal taste/perceived needs I consider it a practically ideal carry gun.
Being limited to five shots is not a big deal for me, as it is five shots of .357. I don’t expect to need that many to resolve a situation, especially if I do my part as a marksman. I go to the range regularly and I consider myself competently accurate with this weapon.
It is just small enough for pocket carry, which is my preferred method. The weight is significant but after a while it doesn’t bother me at all, and the weight is a benefit for shootability with .357 Magnum. Just as size wise, if it were ANY bigger, I really couldn’t pocket carry it, also, if it were ANY lighter, I’d be reluctant to train with it. To me, with the Ruger SP-101, the folks at Ruger struck a near perfect balance between power, concealability, and shootability. With the defensive ammo I use, I’m getting around 450 foot pounds of energy; there is no pocket sized automatic on the market that can hit that hard.
I’m not a fan of the “spray and pray” mentality. Every bullet you send has a court date attached. I’d rather keep the quantity of lead in the air to a minimum while landing a telling blow all the same. And I want the platform in question to be 100% reliable and as accurate as I can be. The SP-101 checks all of those boxes quite well. As far as I’m concerned, you bet it’s still relevant. It’s not for everyone, but it’s for me all day every day.
A glock 33 can hit harder than 450 ft/lbs..is smaller...lighter and holds TWICE as many rounds! Just FYI Springfield XDS 45 is also smaller and lights and in 45acp and can approach 450 ft/lbs with a few defense loads...I have all 3...sp101 3 inch...Glock 33..and Springfield XDS 45! The XDS 45 with a spare 7 round magazine is very hard to beat
Relevancy is a personal question.
My Great Grandfather survived five gunfights as County Sheriff between 1918 - 1934 with an S&W .32 Hand Ejector. When I drop that little 3" revolver loaded with Magtech 98 gr WC in my jacket pocket for a run to the store it becomes very relevant.
I have a Ruger Speed Six that's also still relevant.
Fair enough 👍
Those six series are second to none.
I love my sp101. To me, it doesn't really what you have. A gun is better than no gun.
Rugers! Tough as a tank, but a tad heavy. And the hammer spur tends to get caught on things. I still occasionally pack my S&W Mod.37 Chiefs Airweight .38. I swapped the hammer for one from a Mod.38 'Humpback' Bodyguard.
Good review
Enjoying your content, sir. A week ago, bought a GP100.22 on impulse as it just felt so good in hand. Had to send back to Ruger as it had binding cylinder and damage to crown. Hope when it returns, it will shoot as sweet as my vintage 617. Those Ruger cases are so bad. I wish they shipped in cardboard. Best wishes
Tyvm.
@@DaGunGuy Welcome
It IS!
And if anyone disagrees, I'll take the pistol off your hands!