SP-101 questions

[JRG]

I am getting very interested in returning to the revolver world. My previous experience was a S&W 642. It was an okay experience, but left a lot to be desired. I am currently considering a Ruger SP-101.

My questions are: What is the difference in the 327 and 357 bullets? I haven't seen many 357 on the gun shelves but have not seen ANY of the 327 variety. Which is the more powerful round? I'm leaning towards the 357 simply because I would also be able to shoot .38's.

What is the advantage of 2 inch barrel over a 3 incher? or vice versa?

Bobbed hammer or not?

I realize that either model I choose would require IWB carry as these guns are simply too big and heavy to pocket carry. Any suggestions for IWB holsters for the SP-101?

Thanks a bunch,
Joe

[bnc]

What is the difference in the 327 and 357 bullets?

The obvious stuff - the .357 is larger and most loads are quite a bit heavier than what is being used for .327 (say 158gr vs 100gr for example).

Which is the more powerful round?

.357, although if you are looking at energy the .327 can be pretty close since they can run pretty fast.

I'm leaning towards the 357 simply because I would also be able to shoot .38's.

I would too since you can find ammo everywhere for it. The real advantage to the .327 is that the SP101 comes in 6-shot rather than 5-shot; that's really the only plus I can see.

What is the advantage of 2 inch barrel over a 3 incher? or vice versa?

Bullets coming out of the 3inch will be slightly faster, but I think the real advantage there is the longer sight radius. The 2inch will carry better,of course.

Bobbed hammer or not?

Bobbed hammer won't catch on your clothes if you draw from a concealed holster, but you give up single action shooting. For a self defense gun I would go with the bobbed since single action isn't useful in defensive situations anyways.

I realize that either model I choose would require IWB carry as these guns are simply too big and heavy to pocket carry. Any suggestions for IWB holsters for the SP-101?

Simply Rugged Pancake or Silver Dollar Pancake can be made IWB with the extra straps they sell. FIST makes some seriously thin kydex holsters, too. There are may more but those are what I have experience with.

[AEA]

What is the difference in the 327 and 357 bullets?

I'm leaning towards the 357 simply because I would also be able to shoot .38's.

I would too since you can find ammo everywhere for it. The real advantage to the .327 is that the SP101 comes in 6-shot rather than 5-shot; that's really the only plus I can see.

Incorrect. The SP101 .327 Mag is seven shot.

[Crossfire]

The great thing about the .327 revolver is that you can also shoot any of the .32 rounds in it.

Just like a .357 revolver will work with .38 Special, the .327 will shoot .32 S&W, .32 Long, and even .32 H&R.

[SQLGeek]

Some interesting info on the .327 Mag here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.327_Federal_Magnum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eye opening. Thanks!

[seeker_two]

What is the difference in the 327 and 357 bullets?

I'm leaning towards the 357 simply because I would also be able to shoot .38's.

I would too since you can find ammo everywhere for it. The real advantage to the .327 is that the SP101 comes in 6-shot rather than 5-shot; that's really the only plus I can see.

Incorrect. The SP101 .327 Mag is seven shot.

No....the SP101 in .327Fed is a six-shot....the GP-100 in .327Fed is a seven-shot....

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html

[J.R.@A&M]

2" versus 3" barrel has implications for holster choices, i.e., the 3" is more limited choices.

[CC Italian]

I have shot a .327 magnum in SP-101 (6shot) and a GP-100 7 shot. I have also shot a 2.25 .357 and a 3 1/6 .357. I also own a 3 1/6 .32 H&R. Like you I own S&W revolvers and I also prefer Rugers over Smiths in most revolvers. The Sp-101 is awesome in any caliber.

Ok here are the pluses of the .327 SP-101 over the .357 . 6 shot instead of 5 shot, can load .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 H&R also. The .357 will only load .38 special only, other then .357. Recoil of the .327 is stout in full loads, so when people say it has less recoil I think that they should shoot it back to back with the .357 and you will see that the recoil is only a little less then a .357 and much more then a .38 special +P. I would run a good hot loaded .32 H&R like Reeds, Georgia Arms or the new Buffalo Bore stuff for self defense and use the .327 for woods in hot loads.

Ok pluses for .357, cheaper, can find at any Wal-Mart, in full power loads it easily trumps the .327,it is a much more viable woods and hunting gun, a ton more jhp,fmj, and cast loads to choose from, bigger bore and bullets can be had with far greater sectional density. The largest grain .327 is 115grain while 200 grain .357 hunting loads are sold by several companies. If the .357 is too much recoil in the hottest loads for you then just load some of the lower velocity .357s, like Remington golden sabers or some of the Winchester loads which are still in the .327 mag energy levels.

Anyways, one shot more is the only advantage I see. Full power .327 has pretty heavy recoil and if you can handle that then you might as well just get the .357. Don't get me wrong If my .32h&R actually wears out one day I will go out the next day and buy a .327 so I can shoot the hot loads but the only reason I bought the gun in the first place is because it fits my girlfriends hands which are very small and see can handle all the hot loads in .32 H&R, she would never shoot the .327 loads. The .32 H&R is still better then a .380 for personal protection IMO because of its ability to penetrate 12-16 inches with hollow point ammo almost every time in ballistic media.

If you are wanting the .327 for less recoil just remember that you can load .38 special with non +P and get similar recoil to the hot loaded .32 H&R. Sorry for the rant but I also researched the same option 2 years ago so I have a little to much to say about it. As for the barrel length in any of the SP-101 calibers I would go with the 3in. Reasons: You can't pocket carry or ankle carry (I guess you could but I don't think you could easily hide it on your ankle) the 2.25 barrel anyways, it is to heavy. The 3/4 inch increase in barrel size makes no difference in concealing on a hip holster. Both have the same smaller grips that conceal well with the right holster and clothing.
P.S I also own the Simply Rugged pancake holster for the .32 H&R which will be the same for the .327 and it is great!

[JRG]

Some interesting info on the .327 Mag here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.327_Federal_Magnum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Great info, Andy. I appreciate you sharing it.

Joe

[JRG]

Good stuff guys. thanks for sharing. After reading the link from Andy, I admit I am now going back to considering the .327.

Nothing final yet.

Joe

[JRG]

I have shot a .327 magnum in SP-101 (6shot) and a GP-100 7 shot. I have also shot a 2.25 .357 and a 3 1/6 .357. I also own a 3 1/6 .32 H&R. Like you I own S&W revolvers and I also prefer Rugers over Smiths in most revolvers. The Sp-101 is awesome in any caliber.

Ok here are the pluses of the .327 SP-101 over the .357 . 6 shot instead of 5 shot, can load .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 H&R also. The .357 will only load .38 special only, other then .357. Recoil of the .327 is stout in full loads, so when people say it has less recoil I think that they should shoot it back to back with the .357 and you will see that the recoil is only a little less then a .357 and much more then a .38 special +P. I would run a good hot loaded .32 H&R like Reeds, Georgia Arms or the new Buffalo Bore stuff for self defense and use the .327 for woods in hot loads.

Ok pluses for .357, cheaper, can find at any Wal-Mart, in full power loads it easily trumps the .327,it is a much more viable woods and hunting gun, a ton more jhp,fmj, and cast loads to choose from, bigger bore and bullets can be had with far greater sectional density. The largest grain .327 is 115grain while 200 grain .357 hunting loads are sold by several companies. If the .357 is too much recoil in the hottest loads for you then just load some of the lower velocity .357s, like Remington golden sabers or some of the Winchester loads which are still in the .327 mag energy levels.

Anyways, one shot more is the only advantage I see. Full power .327 has pretty heavy recoil and if you can handle that then you might as well just get the .357. Don't get me wrong If my .32h&R actually wears out one day I will go out the next day and buy a .327 so I can shoot the hot loads but the only reason I bought the gun in the first place is because it fits my girlfriends hands which are very small and see can handle all the hot loads in .32 H&R, she would never shoot the .327 loads. The .32 H&R is still better then a .380 for personal protection IMO because of its ability to penetrate 12-16 inches with hollow point ammo almost every time in ballistic media.

If you are wanting the .327 for less recoil just remember that you can load .38 special with non +P and get similar recoil to the hot loaded .32 H&R. Sorry for the rant but I also researched the same option 2 years ago so I have a little to much to say about it. As for the barrel length in any of the SP-101 calibers I would go with the 3in. Reasons: You can't pocket carry or ankle carry (I guess you could but I don't think you could easily hide it on your ankle) the 2.25 barrel anyways, it is to heavy. The 3/4 inch increase in barrel size makes no difference in concealing on a hip holster. Both have the same smaller grips that conceal well with the right holster and clothing.
P.S I also own the Simply Rugged pancake holster for the .32 H&R which will be the same for the .327 and it is great!

Thanks CC, Great response. I'm going to keep all these responses and read 'em over and over. I am learning something new all the time.

Joe

[JRG]

I have shot a .327 magnum in SP-101 (6shot) and a GP-100 7 shot. I have also shot a 2.25 .357 and a 3 1/6 .357. I also own a 3 1/6 .32 H&R. Like you I own S&W revolvers and I also prefer Rugers over Smiths in most revolvers. The Sp-101 is awesome in any caliber.

Ok here are the pluses of the .327 SP-101 over the .357 . 6 shot instead of 5 shot, can load .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 H&R also. The .357 will only load .38 special only, other then .357. Recoil of the .327 is stout in full loads, so when people say it has less recoil I think that they should shoot it back to back with the .357 and you will see that the recoil is only a little less then a .357 and much more then a .38 special +P. I would run a good hot loaded .32 H&R like Reeds, Georgia Arms or the new Buffalo Bore stuff for self defense and use the .327 for woods in hot loads.

Ok pluses for .357, cheaper, can find at any Wal-Mart, in full power loads it easily trumps the .327,it is a much more viable woods and hunting gun, a ton more jhp,fmj, and cast loads to choose from, bigger bore and bullets can be had with far greater sectional density. The largest grain .327 is 115grain while 200 grain .357 hunting loads are sold by several companies. If the .357 is too much recoil in the hottest loads for you then just load some of the lower velocity .357s, like Remington golden sabers or some of the Winchester loads which are still in the .327 mag energy levels.

Anyways, one shot more is the only advantage I see. Full power .327 has pretty heavy recoil and if you can handle that then you might as well just get the .357. Don't get me wrong If my .32h&R actually wears out one day I will go out the next day and buy a .327 so I can shoot the hot loads but the only reason I bought the gun in the first place is because it fits my girlfriends hands which are very small and see can handle all the hot loads in .32 H&R, she would never shoot the .327 loads. The .32 H&R is still better then a .380 for personal protection IMO because of its ability to penetrate 12-16 inches with hollow point ammo almost every time in ballistic media.

If you are wanting the .327 for less recoil just remember that you can load .38 special with non +P and get similar recoil to the hot loaded .32 H&R. Sorry for the rant but I also researched the same option 2 years ago so I have a little to much to say about it. As for the barrel length in any of the SP-101 calibers I would go with the 3in. Reasons: You can't pocket carry or ankle carry (I guess you could but I don't think you could easily hide it on your ankle) the 2.25 barrel anyways, it is to heavy. The 3/4 inch increase in barrel size makes no difference in concealing on a hip holster. Both have the same smaller grips that conceal well with the right holster and clothing.
P.S I also own the Simply Rugged pancake holster for the .32 H&R which will be the same for the .327 and it is great!

Thanks CC, Great response. I'm going to keep all these responses and read 'em over and over. I am learning something new all the time.

Joe

[QB]

I love my SP101 9mm so much that I picked up a second one (not pictured). Both are the 2 1/4" barrel models.

[mr surveyor]

I carry a 3" SP 101 .357 mag (full hammer) every day "in the field", with an OWB high ride pancake holster from LoboLeather. I have carried numerous .38 spl and .357 revos over the years, and either had to fight rust on the blued models or just couldn't seem to shoot the S&W Airweights (637 being the last to try). For .357 mag, the 3 inch is my minimum barrel length, and even with that there is considerable loss of efficiency of the round. I prefer the longer sight radius as well. In my case, the revolver under my sloppy cover shirt is a "tool" to be used when needed on those nasty no legged creatures that are in "my" work space. We also are at the mercy of other critters and varmints in the back woods, both four legged as well as 2 legged "pot growers". Fortunately, in my 30+ years as a surveyor, I have yet to draw on anything other than snakes....although I have had several scares (off topic). My point is that the 3" with a hammer is absolutely no problem to carry OWB ... no more than a standard "compact" semi-auto.

I toyed with the idea of the .327 mag, but due to inavailability of ammunition (and cost), and fretting over whether or not the chambering would end up like so many other "wildcat" cartridges, I opted for the best bang for the buck. Also, I got lucky in running across a "never fired safe queen" of a 1996 model for $425 last year . My SP101 has been almost neglected compared to the daily attention all the others required over the years. These things are tough, durable, and a downright pleasure to mantain. Complete disassemble is a breeze when necessary...or just for the fun of it. Full house .357 mags are actually less punishing than 38+P out of a lightweight j frame.

I am a 100% fan of the SP.

surv