SP101 2 inch or 3 inch barrel

S

Stavrou0

Joined
Mar 6, 2008
Messages
136
Hows it going all, Hope everyone has a good holiday weekend.

I am getting a Ruger SP101 .357 DAO to add to my collection. I will be adding this to my CCw rotation. Actually I am thinking about retiring my tupperwares for some time and just carry and practice with the SP101.

Anyways, Wondering if anyone has an SP101 in either barrel and what they think of it. Just dont know which barrel I should set my heart on.

Would deploying/drawing be any better with a shorter barrel?
more performance with that extra inch?
etc......
Any pros or cons to either barrel length would help my decision.

Thanks all

take Care

Stav
 
I would get the 3in. Better sight radius, and more velocity. The snubs are hard to hit with for many people so that extra inch is a real help.

Plus, it's not that much extra weight or size really when it comes to carrying it. The part you're needing to hide is the grip, not the barrel.

I would even consider a 4in.
 
Personally I don't think + or - 1 inch makes any real difference.

As far as the sight radius, I don't personally don't worry about it. I think a lot of that was stirred up by writers who convinced people that you can't shoot a short barreled gun accurately.
I had a range master tell me one time I couldn't hit the target at 100 yards with my 2 1/2 inch barrel 357 because the sight radius was to short.
4 out of 5 rounds hit inside the target :D None were close enough to be considered a group, but they were on target none the less.

If its going to be a defensive pistol don't over complicate it to much.
As far as the size for carrying, I think the type of holster and how you wear it is more critical than 1 inch of extra barrel length.

The sp101 is a great pistol. Whatever you buy, practice with it as much as you can. That includes holster presentations. You don't have to be the fastest, just get your motor skills honed.
 
In a carry gun, I would go with the shorter barrel. IMO, the bad guy is not going to know whether he was shot out of a 2" or 3" barrel, you know? The velocity difference is what, 50 fps or something? Having carried for many years now, I have migrated to the smallest gun that reasonably does the job (for me thats a j-frame airweight in my pocket). So if I were buying the Ruger (and that is a sweet gun), I'd factor in ease of carry and get the short barrel. JMO.

:thumbup:
 
Cool. I am leaning towards the 2inch barrel. I didnt think that extra inch offered anymore performance to warrant an extra inch of steel. It will be purely for defensive purposes. So if I ever had to use it to defend my life , I will probably not be shooting across the length of a football field.

Any more opinions , feel free to chime in ..........
 
I've had a custom Weigand Combat 2" SP101 for many years now.. Its great little gun..
I believe 90% of the velocity is developed in the first inch of the bbl so I doubt your target is going to notice the difference in an inch.. Thats an extra inch you dont have to conceal also;)
 
Count me in as a 3"-barrel guy. I've carried (and shot) both. The longer barrel is not noticeably harder to conceal or slower to draw. The gain in added sight radius (I don't know about anybody else, but it sure makes a big difference to me) and velocity (it's noticeably more than the 50 fps figure being thrown around) are more than worth it to me.

They're both sweet guns; neither choice could exactly be called a bad one.
 
I personally really like 3" revolvers. While the extra inch won't make any difference in sight picture, it can make a difference in muzzle flash.

Andy
 
I have the 3 inch and I prefer it to the 2 inch. I CCW mine with no problems. Like others, I like the longer sight radius. To my old eyes, that inch helps.:D It just seems to point more easily for me.
 
I had a 3" S&W Chief's Special; nice little gun. Some think that extra inch of barrel makes the weapon carry a bit better; keeps the butt up against your body better....

I had a 2" .357, a Colt Lawman if anyone remembers those. Again, a fairly nice piece, but somewhat bulky... The muzzle flash from this little number was indeed impressive; if you missed the BG you stood a fair chance of incinerating him....

The .357 was developed around a very long barrel, and the powders used way back then (1930s) were slow-burning to take advantage of that long tube.
The modern reloader can tailor his loads for a shorter barrel and a bit less flash.
 
OK, as normal, you have received about as many opinions as the number of folks who have answered your problem, so let me add mine.
I own both 2 and 3 inch snubbys, and both of these barrel lengths have their pros and cons. In spite of your current intentions, I'd almost bet money that in time, you will desire to pocket carry. I was told this many years ago, did not believe it, but today, that is my preffered method of concealment, as well as having my pistol there if and when I need it. In spite of my personal prefference of the longer barrel, that extra one inch of barrel does raise most weapons enough to make it difficult to conceal in a front jean pocket, or similar. Since this type of weapon is not designed for target work, and from the most often "under 7 yards" of being used, the longer barrel for its increased sighting radius to me is useless, 95% of the time. The better ballance, less muzzel flip, is of more interest to me, and now with the newer short barrel loadings from the major manufactures of ammunition, the flash has been decreased, but again, the slower velocity between the two barrel lengths can be decisive also. I have not read of or had an opportunity to fire this new short barrel loads across my cronograph screens with both barrel lengths to determine how much difference there will be, but I'm sure someone has and can advise. Many hollow point bullets fail to open up when too slow.
Ankle holster, inside waist band holster, or shoulder holster carry, I'd certianly go for the three inch, but if you do end up with pocket carry, you'll wish you had a 2 inch.
 
It's a small gun to begin with. You might as well go with as short a barrel as possible to fully maximize its compact size and concealability. My friend bought the 2" DAO version recently. He loves it, although he hasn't fired it yet. Lol.
 
The pocket carry issue raises an interesting point. Honestly, I think the gun (in either barrel length) is too heavy to carry in a pocket, and opt for either an IWB or paddle holster depending on my mood and clothing. I've got a little Kahr in .380 that's perfect for pocket carry; if I'm going to do that, the Kahr is my choice. Having multiple guns may not be an option for you, though.

Once again, as I said before, they're both great guns and you can't go wrong with either of them, so don't lose too much sleep over it.
 
i would kinda prefer the 3" myself, though it doesnt make a lotta difference, not really, i have a 2" detective special and a 3" and while i prefer the 3" bbl (mostly i think it looks better, more "balanced" maybe, and i guess it might be a tad easier to shoot and it would have to get the muzzle velocity up some too) its no big deal imho.

but, given a choice, make mine 3"
 
I have the 2" SP101, which is actually 2 1/4". Go with the shorter barrel and you wont ever be sorry. Its not a target gun and you will never miss the extra 3/4". I have always wondered why Ruger did the 38/357's in a 3" barrel. One big thing I have found is holsters for the SP101 are not the easiest to find and I dont think I have ever seen one for a 3" SP101 at major retailer like Cabellas or Sportsmans Warehouse or at a gun show. Also, I have also found you can substitute a Safariland or Bianchi holster for a S&W 36 2" as long as the holster is'nt to detail formed. IMO the SP101 its a little out dated now and you can find better small frame revolvers available from other manufacturers.
 
I bought mine new and ordered it in 3", because i've read the .357 needs a longer barrel to make it perform. I have a 2" S&W .38 and a GP-100 Ruger in 4" so my SP-101 is right in the middle. As for a holster a Bianchi *5BHL is a tight but perfect fit.
14tycs3.jpg
 
The 2" fits in your pocket, the 3" doesn't. I want to be able to carry a snubby in a variety of ways and the shorter barrel is just more versatile. A snubby is pretty much and up close and personal weapon, a little shorter barrel won't hurt it's practical accuracy at all. If I were to be limited to belt carry, I would pick different gun, most likely a 1911. Just what works for me, your mileage may vary.
Bob
 
Where do you intend to carry?

I would carry a 2 inch revolver inside the waistband in the appendix position or in a pocket.

I would carry a 3 inch revolver at the 4:00 o'clock position.

That said, these crazy days I carry a high capacity 9mm in public.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top