[undercover500]

Looking into getting a Ruger SP101 2.25" barrel for carrying out in the woods. Was looking at 10mm, then 40 and 45, but I don't like the limited availability of 10mm, and the less than ideal power of 40 and 45 against things with 4 legs. Looking at carrying the Buffalo Bore 180gr 357mag outdoorsman. My only worry is the recoil. I know the recoil will be the last thing on my mind if I need to use it but I need to practice with the full power loads and I dont want to end up on the floor of the range crying like a baby :crying:
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=396

What's the recoil like with 357magnum? Full power loads? What about with 38 special and 38special+p?

I'm really not fond of the stock grips on the SP, I'm thinking I'll replace them with a Hogue Tamer Monogrip. I find shooting my LCP uncomfortable...well one time. I might have been gripping it wrong, hadn't shot it in a while. I shot a whole box of ammo through it, didn't feel all that great. I wouldn't say painful, just smacked the web of my hand hard. What's the recoil like of the SP compared to the LCP?

Thanks

 

[clancy]

I have a S&W Model 66 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. I have fired .357 125 gr. JHP exactly twice. It was, to say the least, not a pleasant experience. I can't imagine a 180 grain .357 would be any more pleasant .38+p's are no issue at all.

As for being concerned about .45acp, there is nothing east of the Mississippi it will not handle.

 

[XDRoX]

I own a Model 60 S&W which has to be one of their smallest 357mag's made. Not only that but I took off the original grip and put a smaller one on to make the gun even smaller so I could pocket carry it.

I've fired full power 357mag rounds though it a couple times to see if I could handle it. It's not fun but manageable and not as bad as people think it would be.

Let me see if I can find a picture of mine.

Also, I also have a 3" Ruger SP101 and it's not much difference than my tiny Smith.

Here's my Model 60. Hard to tell how small it is so I am also putting a comparison picture next to my Ruger and my Glock 19.

And yes, I like to take pictures of my guns

 

[fflincher]

I have a Ruger LCR in .357. If you start with light (wadcutter equivalent) loads and become familiar with it, you should be able to work up to whatever your natural limit is.

Once you get beyond .38 Special +P, you'll want both ear plugs and muffs for practice. I believe the shockingly loud noise and pressure wave are more distracting than the recoil. Apprehension of those combined induces flinching.

You'll get MUCH better performance: velocity, accuracy and comfort from recoil, muzzle blast and noise if you go to a K frame or equivalent for that cartridge. N or L frames help even more, the greater mass giving a more stable platform.

Yes, I shoot full power .357 125 and 158 grain loads from my snubbies: S&W and Ruger. I've read here on GATE that Mas Ayoob likes .38 Special wadcutters in snubs. Also that the increased powder load is largely wasted in short barrels. Yet, I continue to load the 125 JHPs when the wheel gun is my carry piece.

A better idea would be something in a .357 SIG, 4 inch or greater barrel and spare magazines loaded with 125 grain Gold Dots. That's in my modified Glock 17 that I don't have to carry concealed.

 

[XDRoX]

........

 

[alnicoG22]

I've owned a 3" SP-101 since the early 90s and have fired mostly magnum rounds out of it. The first production guns had .38 length cylinders and had "125 grain bullet" rollmarked on the side because that round was short enough to fit in the cylinder. To answer the OP's question, yes the 125 gr is quite a load in the SP-101 but that's why I got a 357 for CCW and woods carry. The stock grips are great and I personally can't imagine replacing them.

 

[MinervaDoe]

My only worry is the recoil.
....
What's the recoil like with 357magnum? Full power loads? What about with 38 special and 38special+p?

.357 Magnum is unpleasant and injurious. Ever since I put a couple of boxes of .357 Magnum through my SP101 (50 with the stock grips and 50 with Pachmayr grips) its been on a steady diet of .38 Special. The gun handles .38 Special very nicely.

I'm really not fond of the stock grips on the SP, I'm thinking I'll replace them with a Hogue Tamer Monogrip

I'm not a big fan of Hogue (especially in a powerful pistol where the Hogues sometimes leave the metal backstrap showing through). I put Pachmayrs on my SP101.

 

[Qman2]

I have a Ruger SP101 2.25" in the DAO model. I think you hit it right, if you have to defend yourself you won't feel the .357 mag recoil. .357 is my CCQ ammo but I prefer .38 special at the range. I still practice with the .357 but once I get 30-40 rounds down range, my hand will be hurting for sure the next day.

 

[undercover500]

Thanks all for the replies. Seems like 357magnum in the SP101 isn't anyones idea of fun. Would I be better served by stepping it up a frame size and going with the GP100 with the 3" barrel? This is for woods carry, most likely in a fanny pack, and I think the GP100 3" might be a good trade off between weight and shootability.

 

[undercover500]

I have a S&W Model 66 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. I have fired .357 125 gr. JHP exactly twice. It was, to say the least, not a pleasant experience. I can't imagine a 180 grain .357 would be any more pleasant .38+p's are no issue at all.

As for being concerned about .45acp, there is nothing east of the Mississippi it will not handle.

I was thinking of getting a Glock 30 and loading it with Buffalo Bore's 255gr Outdoorsman ammunition.

 

[alnicoG22]

I reload .357 short of max. The other day I fired some Remington Classic 357B 125 gr JHP out of my 6" GP-100. That load is uber. There is a reason it is king of the hill with 96% one shot stops. :cheerleader:

 

[papershoot]

I have owned a SP-101 snub in 38 special for 20 years. I would have preferred a .357, but I got it for a good price, used. To me, it handles the 38 round recoil well. I too have wondered if I had one in .357, would I like shooting it or shoot it well enough. I used to pocket carry it. It is a bit heavy for that. I also added the Houge grip, which helped my shooting, but made it more difficult to pocket carry. I have probably put a couple thousand of my reloads through it in the last two years.
The new grip and practice have helped my accuracy. I like the gun. I got a Milt Sparks summer special for it, which is a really nice IWB holster. I carry it more than my other guns. It is loaded with Gold Dot short barrel 125 grain +P.

 

[arkdweller22]

I can and do fire a few cylinders of full power 357 out of a S&W 640 2.125" and LCR 1.875". Usually end my range sessions that way. It's tolerable for me, definitely not the hand wrecker some state it to be. That said; it's fun, but wears on you by about the third or fourth cylinder.
For woods carry, if you're not versed in sub 25 oz snubbies, you're better served by the 3" GP100.

 

[Squib308]

all of the SP101 barrel lengths are easy to shoot even with full power 357 rounds. this is due to their weight. however i would go with a 3" model mostly for velocity. the shorter barrels yield less velocity and more blast with 357 mag.

many are mentioning the S&W 640. having owned these i much prefer the SP101. it shoots softer and the grip tang design results in much more comfortable experience. YMMV here of course. it's personal preference.

i'm waiting for ruger to release the LCR-x 3" barrel model in 357mag for this exact application. currently they only offer this 3" LCR in 38sp.

 

[MinervaDoe]

I was thinking of getting a Glock 30 and loading it with Buffalo Bore's 255gr Outdoorsman ammunition.

Love the Glock 30....

Would I be better served by stepping it up a frame size and going with the GP100 with the 3" barrel? This is for woods carry, most likely in a fanny pack, and I think the GP100 3" might be a good trade off between weight and shootability.

My GP100 Match Champion is my all time favorite revolver. It handles recoil well and it is a virtual tack driver. If the extra size is not a deal breaker and you want to shoot .357 Magnum, I say go for it.

 

[Doc McGlock]

I've got a 3" GP100 in.38spe/.357mag but rarely shoot .357mag! For me it's too much at the range for a lot of shooting. I couldn't imagine shooting .357mag in the 101 snubby!

Are you planning on open carry? If so, I personally would go with a GP100 if you want .357mag. Go handle both.

 

[9jeeps]

My SP 101 2" has been a safe queen since I discovered the G 29 Glock... I've carried the G29 all over the Cascade/Olympic Mountains from the Canadian Border to the California border and beyond. About 20 years of adventure.
Why.
The 29 has twice as many shots,,, Stock.... Can shoot up to thirty shots with other Mags. it's just as easy to conceal and I ALWAYS CONCEAL ALL HANDGUNS IN THE WOODS AND IN THE CITY.

I load mild to wild 10 mm. I can carry it IWB and have a Side Clip
on it for years or in a paddle Kydex OWB... I've a couple of boxes of ammo from Double Tap from when we used to spend most every weekend in the Deep woods.

I pack it to our ranch which borders BLM.
We have lynx, Coyote. Brown Bear, Grizzly(SSSHHHH) that's not what we are spose to have,,, But!!! We have BH Sheep, Moose, Some wild A** Range bulls, Wolves that I've been quiet about because of the controversies in NE WA State. Among other critters big and small. I use my shorty 12 Ga with slugs to back up my 29!

Save yourself a spit load of trouble and put that knuckle busting 101 into your golf bag and find an empty pasture to launch some balls. That is a lot of fun.

 

[barth]

Thanks all for the replies. Seems like 357magnum in the SP101 isn't anyones idea of fun. Would I be better served by stepping it up a frame size and going with the GP100 with the 3" barrel? This is for woods carry, most likely in a fanny pack, and I think the GP100 3" might be a good trade off between weight and shootability.

I think your on the right track.
And that Buffalo Bore load Is for hand cannons.

 

[papershoot]

I have a 6" Ruger GP-100 in .357. I bought it for a range gun. The recoil with 38 special is very light. The recoil from full load .357 magnum is more, but but not even close to being painful. The big, heavy gun is accurate and a pleasure to fire. If I were buying a woods gun in .357, I would consider a 3 or 4 inch GP-100. I have a leather OWB holster for it, which goes on a double hide gun belt. You need the support for a heavy pistol. I'm not sure I would want the thing bouncing against my body in a fanny pack.

You might want to consider renting a gun or two before making your purchase. One of my local gun stores has a range and rental guns. For a $10 fee, plus buying a box of their ammo, you can shoot a gun. Mine has a Ruger 4" GP-100, 2" SP-101, and 4" SP-101 available in .357.

 

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Thanks all for the replies. Seems like 357magnum in the SP101 isn't anyones idea of fun. Would I be better served by stepping it up a frame size and going with the GP100 with the 3" barrel? This is for woods carry, most likely in a fanny pack, and I think the GP100 3" might be a good trade off between weight and shootability.

I have an LCP, S&W 686 2.5", and GP100 6". Among others.

The 686 and GP100 are same frame size, just that my 686 is short barrel like you are asking about.

The LCP gives more felt recoil than the 686 snubbie. If you got either a 686 or a GP100, you would be fine as far as recoil goes. They are both L frame size (even though the Ruger doesn't use Smith frame designations).

The 686 can be found as either a 6 shot or a 7 shot, in the same frame and cylinder size as the GP100 that can only be found as a 6 shot. Anything 8 shot is the larger N frame size developed for .44mag (but in .357mag they can drill more holes in that size).

My 686 snubbie is good for woods carry. The GP100 6" is a beast, only used for range and hunting. It is the difference in the barrel length that creates that difference. A 3" would be more like my 2.5" in feel.

In the smaller j frame size, I have both 2" and 3". I prefer the 2" for carry, because of how it feels. If you go smaller than L frame size in .357mag, I don't think you are going to like shooting it. There are always tradeoffs