Ruger SP101 explained

SP101
Origin:	United States
Type:	Revolver
Is Ranged:	yes
Manufacturer:	Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Production Date:	1989–present^[1]
Variants:	See Models
Weight:	25oz30oz^[2]
Length:	7.2inches 8inches 9.12inches
Part Length:	2.25inches 3.06inches 4.2inches
Cartridge:	.22 LR .38 Special .357 Magnum .327 Federal Magnum 9×19mm .32 H&R Magnum (discontinued)
Action:	Double-action revolver
Range:	33 to 55 yards (30 to 50 meters)
Max Range:	550 yards (500 meters) +/−
Feed:	5/6/8-round cylinder

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

History

The Ruger SP101 was introduced in 1989 as the smaller-frame counterpart to the GP100. Together, these revolvers replaced Sturm, Ruger & Co's long-standing staple in the American firearms market, the Ruger Security-Six series revolvers. A 9 mm version was available until its discontinuation around 1998 but was later re-released in early 2018. A basic .22 LR version was also available until 2003 while a redesigned version was introduced in 2011.^[3]

Features and description

• The SP101 is currently manufactured in .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, 9 mm, .38 Special, and .22 LR.^[4]
• Barrel lengths 2" (57.15mm), 3" (77.79mm), and 4" (106.7mm) with full underlugs. 4" (101.6mm) and 4" (106.7mm) 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) hammer

Specifications

• Weight:
  • 2", 25 oz. (708 g)
  • 3", 27 oz. (765 g)
  • 4", 22 LR: 30 oz. (850 g), .327 Federal Magnum: 29.5 oz (836 g), and .357 Magnum: 29.5 oz.(836 g)
• Barrel lengths: 2" (57.15 mm), 3" (77.79 mm), 4" (101.6mm)
• Double-action/single-action
  • Double-action-only on select models
• Five-shot (.38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9×19mm Parabellum), six-shot (.327 Federal Magnum, .32 H&R Magnum), eight-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"	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"	30 oz	Adjustable fiberoptic
KSP-3231	.32 H&R Magnum	6	Adj.	Full	3"	30 oz	Discontinued
KSP-3241	.32 H&R Magnum	6	Adj.	Full	4"	33 oz	Discontinued
KSP-32731X	.327 Federal Magnum^[5]	6	Adj.	Full	3"	28 oz	No longer on web site: Jan 16, 2013
KSP-32741	.327 Federal Magnum^[6]	6	Adj.	Full	4"	29.5 oz
KSP-821	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	2"	25 oz
KSP-821DOS	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	2"	25 oz	Bobbed hammer made for the U.S. State Department
KSP-831	.38 Special +P	5	Fixed	Full	3"	27 oz	Discontinued
KSP-321X	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2"	26 oz
KSP-341X	.357 Magnum^[7]	5	Adj.	Full	4"	29.5 oz	Adjustable fiberoptic
KSP-321X-CT	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2"	25 oz	Crimson Trace lasergrips
KSP-321XL-LG	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2"	25 oz	Crimson Trace lasergrips
KSP-331X	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	3"	27 oz
KSP-321XL	.357 Magnum	5	Fixed	Full	2"	25 oz	D.A.O
KSP-921	9×19mm Parabellum	5	Fixed	Full	2"	26 oz	Discontinued, uses moon clips; re-introduced November 2017
KSP-931	9×19mm Parabellum	5	Fixed	Full	3"	27 oz	Discontinued, uses moon clips^[8]

• 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 their catalog numbers

Users

• • • New York Police Department SPNY Double Action Only (DAO) .38 Special made specifically for the NYPD as a backup gun, off-duty, or Detective use. ^{[9] [10]}

References

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ruger SP101 Serial Number History . ruger.com . September 26, 2020.
2. Web site: Ruger SP101. Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.. 7 December 2012.
3. Book: James, Frank. Effective Handgun Defense: A Comprehensive Guide to Concealed Carry. 15 December 2004. Krause Publications. Iola, Wisconsin. 0-87349-899-2. 207.
4. Web site: Ruger® SP101® Standard Double-Action Revolver Models.
5. 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
6. Web site: SP101 Model 5773. Ruger.com. 31 March 2015.
7. Web site: SP101 Models. Ruger.com. 2 May 2012.
8. Book: Ayoob, Massad. Massad Ayoob. Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. 26 June 2012. Gun Digest Books. Iola, Wisconsin. 978-1-4402-2869-8. 50–51.
9. Web site: Ruger NYPD SPNY. Marr. Bill. 31 May 2021. Rifle Shooter. 26 January 2024.
10. Web site: THE REDOUBTABLE RUGER SP101. Ayoob. Massad. Rifle Shooter. 26 January 2024.