Ruger SP101-22 compared to Ruger GP100

wayupnorth

wayupnorth

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so i have had my Ruger GP100 for a couple years now and love it.
last year when the Ruger SP101 came out i told my gun guy that i would like one and for him to keep his eyes open for one for me from his distributor.
well, received a call from him a little while ago and he was able to secure me one.
just received it today in the mail and got it home and i was surprised by its size!

for some reason i just assumed that the SP101-22 was the same size as the GP100.
i went out and did some reading online and now i understand the errors of my way.
the SP101 line are the 'compact carry' guns for Ruger.
half the weight and smaller cylinder and such.

i suppose had i been thinking i would have looked into that BEFORE buying one, haha.
but, the gun is here and its very nice.
fit and finish is perfect and the gun is super tight!

im still a little shocked by the grip being half the size of my GP100 but after sitting here playing with it for a hour im starting to get use to it.
for a 22 i think it will be perfectly fine.
but i dont think i would want to shoot the SP101 in 357 mag with the smaller grip size!

anyways, heres some pics comparing the size.
if your looking for a nice revolver but dont like the big meaty size of the GP100 then have a look at the SP101 line i guess.

89BB66C0-5DCA-43B3-95EA-0ECDFA798FB5_zpsdbp4ie49.jpg


18288537-C49F-4603-B3A6-ACDA3871B726_zpsoxt3ykgo.jpg


you can really see the grip size difference on this one

DD72C0D2-1EE5-4743-8FC1-314DF56D6F5B_zpse1bi2pfe.jpg
 
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That's a pretty big grip you have on the GP. The original GP grips were a scaled up version of what you have on the SP.

As you've discovered the SP 101 is a 5 shot smaller cylinder and frame .357.

You can get a hogue grip for the 101 and in .357 it's a nice fit, but for the .22lr you will be fine as you say with the smaller grip.
 
thats the original grip that came with my GP.
im not sure when they transitioned over to the houge ones from the wood/rubber ones.

ya, your pics really show the size difference.
like i said i for some reason just assumed they where the gonna be the same size so i was very surprised when i opened the box.
it kind of reminds me of the size difference between the ruger single 6 and the ruger bearcat.
 
it would be interesting to see the difference between this SP101-22 and the new ruger GP100 with the half lug.
they look pretty near identical!
except for the grip size.

1754.jpg

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The match champion is not much lighter then your GP and size wise identical for all intents and purposes.... nice looking gun though.

I think they changed the grips on the GP's about 4 years ago.... probably cheaper.
 
my plan was to pick up the SP101 in 357 after i got the 22 one, but now that i have the 22 one i dont think ill be picking up the 357 one and just sticking with my GP100.
its all about the pinky.
have it hang out on the bottom is ok for a 22 but for a 357 that would bother me i think.
 
The 3" version is popular in the US.

It can get uncomfortable when the trigger guard comes back and smashes the knuckle on my middle finger. It's quite loud with the 4.2" barrel. :D

I've thought about getting the 22 version because I like mine so much, but I've promised myself my next purchase is going to be a 44 mag. The 22 will have to wait for now.
 
Thanks for providing a visual comparison guys. I'm in the market for a "full-sized" 8-10 shot 22lr revolver and now seeing the sp101 22lr I could probably rule it out (visually at least).
Mechanical functionality aside….I'm left with an Alpha project 22lr 4.5" (steel frame), Taurus 94 5", or a S&W 617 6"(at almost 2x the cost). Search goes one.

wayupnorth, the difference between your gp100 & sp101 isn't that huge. The smaller sized revolver suites the 22lr round IMO. I switch from a Bearcat to a 460v.
 
wayupnorth said:
my plan was to pick up the SP101 in 357 after i got the 22 one, but now that i have the 22 one i dont think ill be picking up the 357 one and just sticking with my GP100.
its all about the pinky.
have it hang out on the bottom is ok for a 22 but for a 357 that would bother me i think.
Click to expand...

For a pure range gun the GP is probably better due to weight, but there is something oh so sweet about the SP 101 and with hougue grips the pinky is not an issue.
IMG_0014.jpg

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plinker 777 said:
I've heard the smiths have timing issues with their .22 10 shot cylinders...
Click to expand...

Haven't had any issues with mine. About on par accuracy wise with my 17. 10 shots between reloads is so much more fun than 6.

I wish you guys hadn't posted this!!!!! I have a weak spot for 22 revolvers.

Grrrrr, I want one now, as well as a 22LR Webley (anyone know where to get one of those?).

M
 
you know what im wondering.

since the SP101-22 and the GP100 bodies are the same size (not counting the thickness) i wonder if they make a full sized Hogue grip for the SP101-22 that is the same size as the one on my GP100?

that would cure the only thing im not 100% happy about.

ill have to search that a bit.
 
wayupnorth said:
you know what im wondering.

since the SP101-22 and the GP100 bodies are the same size (not counting the thickness) i wonder if they make a full sized Hogue grip for the SP101-22 that is the same size as the one on my GP100?

that would cure the only thing im not 100% happy about.

ill have to search that a bit.
Click to expand...

How big are your hands?
I'm 6'2" and use large sized gloves at work med thick fingers and the sp 101 hougues fit like a glove.
I bought the gun used and was expecting the wood panel grips but it came with the hougues.
 
wayupnorth said:
my plan was to pick up the SP101 in 357 after i got the 22 one, but now that i have the 22 one i dont think ill be picking up the 357 one and just sticking with my GP100.
its all about the pinky.
have it hang out on the bottom is ok for a 22 but for a 357 that would bother me i think.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, but for the few dollars it costs to get the Hogue grip for your SP-101 from Brownells, I'd order one. I've got one and it definitely gives you a spot for your pinky finger. While you're at it, I'd also get the spring kit and put a lighter spring in your 101. I tried a .22 SP-101 at my gun shop the other day and shooting it stock in double action would be a bear!
 
Ya that spring is tuff, out of the box I almost had to use both thumbs to pull the hammer back.
I've since G96'd it and have been cycling it and it's better but still a tight one!
 
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