New Ruger SP101 .357 Mag with 4.2″ Barrel
Ruger has a new Ruger SP101 .357 Mag that features a longer 4.2" Barrel, full shroud barrel, fiber optics front sight and an adjustable rear sight.
"The SP101 has been an extremely popular small frame revolver since its inception in 1988, but it has always featured a short barrel and minimal sights," said Chris Killoy, Ruger Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "This new version is a quality .357 Magnum small frame revolver with a longer, full shroud barrel and improved sights that offers the shooter a better sight picture, longer sight radius, and additional weight to better control recoil. I am confident enthusiasts will find that this 4.2" .357 Magnum is a great all around centerfire revolver that remains true to classic SP101 styling," he concluded.
The newest Ruger SP101 is constructed of weather-resistant stainless steel with a satin finish, and wears checkered and engraved walnut grip panels inset in the one-piece rubber grip. The 29.5-ounce double/single-action revolver features a fully adjustable square notch blade rear sight and green HiViz® front sight. The 4.2" barrel features a full shroud covering the ejector rod.
The catalog number is KSP-341X. The MSRP is $689.
I just bought the new sp 101 357 sweet will out last all of us,alot more balanced what can I say just perfect!
Yesterday I traded in my 3″ SP101 for the new 4″ variation. Woohoo! It is what I always wanted in a hiking/camping gun. A long enough barrel to milk more velocity out of the 357 cartridge, sights that are 100 times better than the 3″ fixed setup, and significantly slimmer and lighter than the GP100. I like the GP but the size and weight are not hiking friendly. As always, I prefer Ruger over S&W for an outdoors gun because the tank-like build makes me feel more comfortable pumping heavy duty Buffalo Bore through it.
Great article. Awesome.
Saw one in my local (farm &ranch), what a nifty little 357!!!
Just purchased this gun today! It’s a looker and feels great in the hand. Can’t wait to get to the range!
Let me know how it shoots. I will check it out at the shot show next month.
Ok ladies and gents. I had been looking for a 4″ revolver for a few months. I didn’t want a 4″ gp100, a little too bulky but definitely a nice gun. I saw this sp101 at my local gun store and it was a dream come true! I picked it up dry fired it,trigger felt fine to me. It’s the size and brand I had been wanting. I felt I had to have it. I have a cc license but I rarely carry so. I Plan on using it when I go fishing. You never know what you’ll meet out there. I have a 6″ Taurus tracker that’s scoped, but that’s my hunting rig. Anyway this sp101 should fill the gap I need it to. Go Ruger!
I am in the same boat in that I was just looking for a 4 inch .357 magnum. I own the SP101 in 3 inch and GP100 in 6 inch. I was looking hard at the GP100 in 4 inch when this came out. I am going to the Shot Show in Vegas next month and will check out the SP101. I would like to know how it shoots for you.
This year I bought the Ruger SP101 357 with the 3″ barrel. I emailed Ruger, to seel if they would sell me a 4″ barrel. They promply emailed, back and said, Sorry we don’t make the 4″ barrel for the SP101 357. Now, several months later they come out with the 4″ barrel. Washington state, like some others, require a minimum .25 cal center fire cartrige, with a mimimum 4″ barrel to hunt wild game. I use a pistol for hiking/scouting, and a backup to my rifle while hunting. If my rifle is over my shoulder, and a bear, cougar, or deer jumps right out in front of me, I can legally kill game if my pistol meets the state requirements. Of course self defense is a different story. I’m glad Ruger came out with the 4″ barrel, and I plan to buy one, when they hit the stores.
4.2″ barrel = they’re seeking canadian sales.
I own several Ruger revolvers and my two favorites are the KGPF-840 (old GP-100, half shroud, 4″ bbl, .357/.38 spl) and the SP101 in .327 Federal. I shoot 32 shorts, 32 longs, 32 H&R Mags, and 327 Federal in-lieu-of 357 magnums. I shoot 38 special with the older GP piece. I have a KSP-141/GP-100 but it’s heavy and feels fat in my hand. Looks like the new KSP-341X .357 Mag will be a nice replacement for the obsolete half shroud model. I’m buying one when they hit the stores. Spend a lot of money and buy S&W and it will last a long time. Buy a Ruger revolver and it likely will last even longer and cost a lot less money. More bangs for your bucks………..
wow you can shoot all those .32 loads out of a .327?
.32 S&W short was the original, .32 long was a lengthened up-pressured version of that, .32 H&R was a lengthened up-pressured version of that, and now .327 Federal is a lengthened up-pressured version of that. It’s similar to shooting .38 in a .357 or .45 Schofield in a .45 LC in a .454 Cassul in a .460 S&W magnum.
I have the 3″ 357 and to me it is the perfect balance of size a weight for CC as a belt gun or as a nicely “packable” woods gun. The sights are fine for CC but for a “knocking around” woods gun I prefer good adjustable sights. I think the perfect SP101 would be a 3″ 357 magnum using the same frame and adjustable sights as the 4″ gun. While they are at it, they should upgrade the 3″ 327 Fed. Mag to use the same adjustable sights as well.
Damnit! Now I’ve got to go spend more money. That thing is ultra sweet!
Did you know??
You Asked, We Listened… Free Shipping On All Firearms!
From Ruger Website:
SP101 5 shot weighs 29.5 oz
GP100 6 shot weighs 40 oz
SP101 Overall Length 9.12 inch
GP100 Overall Length 9.5 inch
SP101 Front Sight is Fiber Optic
GP100 Front Sight is Ramp
SP101 Grip type is Black Rubber engraved wood
GP100 Grip type is Black Hogue monogrip
Both have 4.2 inch barrel with 1:18.75 RH twist and with 5 grooves.
Both have adjustable Rear Sight.
Shorter SP101 is more than 1/2 lb lighter than GP100, but gives up one round capacity. Hmmm… SP101 for winter conceal carry and GP100 for Woodland carry possibly…?
This gun looks great, but I want the same set-up in the GP-100, except without the full underlug. The posts Ruger put on Facebook marketed it as being something of a trail gun…I’d rather have a trail gun that cuts as much weight as possible than reducing a negligible amount of recoil and muzzle flip.
Hell, I’ll take a five-shot cylinder if you give me a four-inch LCR in .357 with some sights on it. That will cut weight drastically while adding the great LCR grip and a polymer frame that will combine to soak up recoil nicely.
I want this in .327.
Further proof that all it took for Ruger to become innovative and responsive to market demand was for Bill Ruger to stop breathing.
Indeed.
May he roll in his gra… eh, that’s probably not needed.
This gun is a winner. As a 3″ owner, I’m glad to see them expand the offerings on this platform. It’s one of those guns that just doesn’t get the credit it deserves. No lock to remove, either.
The grips are ugly but they work. I went with the CT’s. I’d like to try some custom wood though.
I like the grips, rubber for function, wood for form. I’d buy this as is and use the hell out of it.
Interesting. I don’t like the grips though.
Looks good. An altogether useful revolver. I’m not sure this version of the SP 101 will be a big hit. The longer barrel takes away from the small size, and it’s only a five shooter as a belt gun. As a trail gun, it would work well. I guess the gun buyers will settle the question.
Lance, the Ruger triggers can be cleaned up by shooting or a competent revolver smith. Not only that, but the pull lasts longer than any of the Colt DA revolvers, including the Python. The Ruger double action pull is superior to the Colt and can be cleaned up as well as a Smith revolver.
My only question is “When is Ruger going to reintroduce the Security – Service Six line of revolvers?” I carried one as a humble but lovable Border Patrol Agent (several winters ago) and find them a better dollar value than the S&W revolvers of the era.
Regarding your reference to the Security Six: This certainly looks like a Security Five. It’s as big and probably the same weight as my Security Six, and it holds one less round. I don’t get it.
Few will want this 5-shot 4″ revolver. It’s a snubby without any of the advantages of a snubbie.
Really? Just because you might not want it, doesn’t mean your correct in “few” will want this.
In all honesty, how many trail problems are there that 5 rounds of 357 won’t fix but a sixth will?
This is a great looking gun, small size, a long enough barrel coupled with decent sights to actually hit something, sure looks like a winner to me.
My wife daily carries her SP-101 Snubbie with CT LaserGrips, and plenty of speed loaders. I was going to get a 4″ GP-100, but didn’t quite like the slightly larger/heavier frame (it wouldn’t be as comfortable to conceal), and if I’m buying another revolver, I don’t want to have to mess with buying another dozen speed loaders to match. I can just carry some of my wife’s speed loaders.
This way I’m getting the attributes I like from the 4″ GP-100 (slightly longer barrel, better sights), with the attributes I like from my wife’s SP-101 (smaller frame, narrower cylinder, speed loader compatibility, concealability), and I’m darn-sure going to get a good trigger job, and matching Crimson Trace LaserGrips.
Sometimes I feel like a 45, sometimes I feel like a 357. Caliber compatibility & Speed Loader compatibility with our other SP-101 is a strong motivator!
This has definitely been added to my “Must Buy” list.
want…
Actually, I think this would be an outstanding beginners revolver for folks with small hands. The J-frame size grip area is a good bit smaller than one on an L-frame like the GP, where my wife has a bit of trouble handling because of the long DA trigger. Then the extra weight will cut down the recoil a bit, which usually is a fear factor for new shooters. Target .38 special loads would be quite pleasant out of this. Also, SP’s ability to take full house magnum loads has long made it a solid woods gun. Now it has a longer barrel and improved sights! Add that to being over half a pound lighter than a 4inch GP, and you have excellent woods gun. I bet this would do nicely for pig hunting and other small game. Or just being nice to finish off wounded animals or even serve as a black bear defense.
now this is a revolver id like to have!
And I just mentioned the SP101 yesterday. Coincidence? or…
So, what’s this do that the GP100 doesn’t? Aside from carrying one less round?
Have owned a 3″ Sp101 for 15 years. It’s built like a tank. The all stainless construction makes it a pleasant shooter. Went with a lighter spring to reduce the trigger pull. Use laser grips on mine due to the minimal sights. Would be great to have those new sights.
They should have upgraded the grips as well. My SP101 improved immensely when I added a set of Hogue wood grips.
Those square rubber things are atrocious.
Wouldn’t know without feeling them, but I like the styling.
Looks like Ruger noticed that IDPA rules limit revolver barrels to no more then 4.2 inches…..
The 4.2″ barrel length is also due in part to Canadian firearm laws, which limits new handguns to barrel lengths of 105mm or more (that length was intentional in the law, as it prohibited the many guns with 4″ barrels). 4.2″ makes it available to our neighbors to the north.
A 4″ 5-round small frame revolver? That’s like extending a j frame! Blurring the line between service revolver and concealed carry snubby… and not filling either of those roles all that well.
Or, it has become a mid sized gun suitable for carry concealed or as a service revolver. Think compact but not subcompact semi-auto (Glock 19, etc). It’s small enough to be carried concealed with a bit of work and appropriate clothing, but it’s still large enough to allow a firm grip and adequate ammunition for most situations.
I hope they offer this in .327 Federal sometime. I’ve rented a .327 SP101 on a few occasions and I prefer the reduced recoil to the bigger .357 and the extra round doesn’t hurt either. The .327 would probably perform very nicely out of the longer barrel.
I’m with you. I actually rather detest the idea of a 5 shot revolver (call me a purist) and I cant really understand the need for this thing. I’d MUCH rather see a snubnose 6 shot with a concealed/shrouded hammer being offered, since that particular item is all but dead in the current market.
“That’s like extending a j frame!”
Not sure why this seems like such a ludicrous idea to you; S&W has been making a 5″ barreled J-frame for years now, and it’s a neat and unique little gun. For an outdoorsman, there’s nothing magical a 6-shooter does that can’t be done just as well with a 5-shooter, with less weight and bulk. Same cartridge, same mechanism, and, with comparable barrels, same power. This could kill a deer plenty dead with 1 round, much less 5. A GP100 was my first pistol, and believe me, I’d rather have one of these for 3/4 the weight.
Because that frame size is for concealed carry and personal defense. There’s no argument what the j-frame is for. This pistol can no longer fill that role not only because of the long service revolver length barrel, but look at those sights. That monstrosity of a front sight especially can’t wait to snag. I also can’t believe anyone saw this and thought about hunting deer with it. Maybe it is supposed to be the SP101 field model, but it doesn’t fill that role as your GP100 or similar sized revolvers. The idea behind the frame size is concealed carry, which i have never done in the field. I carry OWB as does everyone i know. I don’t think it does anything right.
And we all know you need at least a magical .500S&W with a 10″ barrel and a comp to down even the smallest of deer and it should at least be a 6 shooter. 7-15 is even better.
@Will
You’ve missed the point. It is no longer supposed to be a cc gun, at least not in its primary role. Its purpose is to offer outdoorsmen a lightweight but powerful and accurate handgun capable of dissuading animals that get a bit too interested and also capable of taking game in an emergency.
Of course a .357 out of a pistol barrel is a bit light for deer, but it isn’t for hunting deer, it’s for taking deer in an emergency.
Also, .500 S&W is way overkill for deer. A .357 from a rifle length barrel or a .41 or .44 magnum from a pistol is more than enough for deer.
The Ruger is a solid design and strong frame. BUT its trigger pull is awful and is no match for a Colt Python or S&W 19 or 686 in comparison in the .357 Mag category.
And the Ruger won’t cost nearly as much as any of those 3, either. Apples and oranges.
$40 trigger job and it will match at a couple hundred dollars less than a colt python or S&W.
They’re finally releasing the SP101 with a 4″ barrel in .357 Mag? YES! Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-YES!
Legal in Canada, eh?
I just found out about that requirement in the Great White North today…interesting…
I just bought a 3″ this summer that I have wanted forever. I’m not sure about the extra inch (but hey, who wouldn’t mind…) but the sights and wood inlay are making me wish I had the options.
Why did Ruger stop with the inlay on the GP-100, it’s one of the best parts of the gun?
I personally don’t like the wooden inlay grips. I prefer either all rubber, or all wood. The rubber Hogue grips now included may still not be the best-looking ones, but they are purposefully designed. Even then, you can always change the grips yourself, to suit your preference.
“I’m not sure about the extra inch (but hey, who wouldn’t mind…)”
That’s what SHE said!
Sorry, couldn’t help myself…
I AGREE THATS WHAT SHE SAID