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.
Features and description The SP101 is currently manufactured in .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, 9 mm, .38 Special, and .22 LR. 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 MagnumThe .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 Adj. Full 3" 28 oz No longer on web site: Jan 16, 2013 KSP-32741 .327 Federal Magnum 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 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
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.
Notes
References Ruger's SP101 page Ruger SP101 -- A Sturdy Rimfire "Secret" by Clair Rees, Guns
External links