Ruger SP101

SP101
SP101 with Corbon Load Data
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Produced	1988 - Present
Variants	See Models
Specifications
Weight	25–30 oz (710–850 g)[1]
Length	7.2 in (18 cm) 8 in (20 cm) 9.12 in (23.2 cm)[1]
Barrel length	2.25 in (5.7 cm) 3.06 in (7.8 cm) 4.2 in (11 cm)[1]
Cartridge	.22 LR .38 Special .357 Magnum .327 Federal Magnum 9×19mm (discontinued) .32 H&R Magnum (discontinued)
Action	Double-Action Revolver
Effective firing range	33 to 55 yards (30 to 50 meters)
Maximum firing range	550 yards (500 meters) +/-
Feed system	5/6/8-Round Cylinder[1]

The Ruger SP101 is a series of double-action revolvers produced by the American company Sturm, Ruger. The SP101 is a small frame and all-steel construction carry revolver, with a 5-shot (.38 Special, .357 Magnum, and 9×19mm Parabellum), 6-shot (.327 Federal Magnum and .32 H&R Magnum), or 8-shot (.22 LR) cylinder.

History

The Ruger SP101 was introduced in 1989 as the smaller frame counterpart to the GP100. Both of these revolvers, together, replaced Sturm, Ruger & Co's long-standing staple in the American firearms market, the Ruger Security-Six series revolvers. While no longer manufactured, a 9mm version was available until around 1998. A basic .22 LR version was also available until 2003 while a redesigned version was introduced in 2011.^[2]

Features and description

• The SP101 is currently manufactured in .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, and .22 LR.^[3]
• Barrel lengths 2¹⁄₄" (57.15mm), 3¹⁄₁₆" (77.79mm), and 4¹⁄₅" (91.2mm) with full underlugs. 4" (101.6 mm) and 4¹⁄₅" (91.2mm) with half underlug.
• Stainless steel construction
• Transfer bar safety mechanism
  • Firing pin mounted in frame
  • The Transfer bar in the SP101 is connected directly to the trigger.
• Fixed (all calibers) or adjustable (.327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum and .22 LR) sights
• Spurred or spurless (Double Action Only, D.A.O.) hammer

Specifications

• Weight:
  • 2¹⁄₄", 25¹⁄₂ oz. (708g);
  • 3¹⁄₁₆", 27 oz.(765g).
  • 4¹⁄₅", 22 LR: 30 oz.(850g), .327 Federal Magnum: 29.5oz (836g), and .357 Magnum: 29.5oz.(836g)
• Barrel lengths: 2¹⁄₄" (57.15mm), 3¹⁄₁₆" (77.79mm), 4" (101.6 mm).
• Double-Action/Single-Action
  • Double Action Only (D.A.O.), on select models
• 5-shot (.38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9×19mm Parabellum), 6-shot (.327 Federal Magnum, .32 H&R Magnum), 8-shot (.22 LR)
• Maximum effective range: 33 to 55 yards (30 to 50 meters) depending on barrel length and cartridge load.

Models

Catalog Number	Caliber	Capacity	Sights	Shroud	Barrel Length	Weight	Notes
KSP-221	.22 LR	6	Adj.	Full	2^1⁄4"	32 oz	Discontinued
KSP-240	.22 LR	6	Adj.	Short	4"	33 oz	Discontinued
KSP-241	.22 LR	6	Adj.	Full	4"	34 oz	Discontinued
KSP-242-8	.22 LR	8	Adj.	Short	4^1⁄5"	30 oz	Adjustable fiberoptic sights
KSP-3231	.32 H&R Magnum[4]	6	Adj.	Full	3^1⁄16"	30 oz	Discontinued
KSP-3241	.32 H&R Magnum[4]	6	Adj.	Full	4"	33 oz	Discontinued
KSP-32731X	.327 Federal Magnum[4]	6	Adj.	Full	3^1⁄16"	28 oz	No longer on web site: Jan 16, 2013
KSP-32741	.327 Federal Magnum[5]	6	Adj.	Full	4^1⁄1/5"	29.5 oz
KSP-821	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	25 oz
KSP-821DOS	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	25 oz	Bobbed hammer made for the U.S. State Department
KSP-831	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	3^1⁄16"	27 oz	Discontinued
KSP-321X	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	26 oz
KSP-341X	.357 Magnum[6]	5	Adj.	Full	4^1⁄5"	29.5 oz	Adjustable fiberoptic sights
KSP-321X-CT	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	25 oz	Crimson Trace Lasergrips
KSP-321XL-LG	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	25 oz	Crimson Trace Lasergrips, D.A.O.
KSP-331X	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	3^1⁄16"	27 oz
KSP-321XL	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	25 oz	D.A.O
KSP-921	9×19mm Parabellum	5	Fixed	Full	2^1⁄4"	26 oz	Discontinued, Uses Moon clips, Not on CA DOJ List
KSP-931	9×19mm Parabellum	5	Fixed	Full	3^1⁄16"	27 oz	Discontinued, Uses Moon clips[7]

• All models are made of stainless steel.
• Caliber: .357 Magnum SP101s handle all .357 Magnum factory loads and accept factory .38 Special cartridges.
• Spurless-hammer models (Double-Action only) are designated by an "L" in the Catalog Number.

Notes

1. "Ruger SP101". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
2. James, Frank (15 December 2004). Effective Handgun Defense: A Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 207. ISBN 0-87349-899-2.
3. http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
4. The .327 Federal Magnum SP101 will chamber .32 H&R Magnum as well as .32 S&W Long cartridges; the discontinued SP101 in .32 H&R Magnum likewise chambered .32 S&W Long cartridges.
5. "SP101 Model 5773". Ruger.com. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
6. "SP101 Models". Ruger.com. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
7. Ayoob, Massad (26 June 2012). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 50–51. ISBN 1-4402-2869-8.

References

• Ruger's SP101 page
• Ruger SP101 -- A Sturdy Rimfire "Secret" by Clair Rees, Guns