My Ruger SP 101

[Cofisher]

I went out for some target work about 6 weeks ago. Shot poorly with a couple 9mm pistols. No practice in a long time. I got out my favorite, a 357, 4" Ruger. I've had this revolver about 10 years. My first pistol. My favorite pistol. I always shoot the best with it.

First round, I got the dreaded squib. I immediately emptied the cylinder. One case came out with no bullet. But plenty of unburnt powder. The bullet was lodged in the barrel, just past the forcing cone.

I took it home. Decided a comprehensive tear down and deep clean were in order. After a total tear down, including cylinder, the first time for that. I drove the bullet back out. I proceeded to clean everything. Reassembly was not easy. It's been a long time. But, I got it together.

I found the cylinder did not fit correctly. It locks up, but does not rotate freely. Using the trigger to advance the rotation, it bound after 3 chambers.

I took it in to my LGS. An experienced man, he could not determine what was going on. He suggested sending it in for warranty repair. DOH! I didn't even think of that.

So, will be contacting Ruger to see how that works. Wish me luck.

By the way, my Henry just keeps choogling along.

[GFK]

[Hatchdog]

Please keep us posted on the progress with Ruger’s warranty. I hear they are great like Henry. I have an SP101 and will keep a sharp eye on it for issues. Bought it used and so far it has been fine.

[Cofisher]

Will do.

[rickhem]

Take a good look at that ammo too. Was it factory or a reload?

A "no-powder" reload will usually push the bullet forward enough to jam in the forcing cone, locking up the cylinder. An undercharge may push it past that, into the barrel, but there wouldn't be any powder left, the undercharge would all burn. Having there be unburned powder left, even after the primer popped and there was enough pressure to move the bullet, makes me wonder about that powder.

If it was a reload, is there a chance there was moisture in the brass when it was reloaded?

[Cofisher]

Rick, yes it was a reload. Living in Nebraska there is always a moisture content. But, I've been shooting reloads for years. I tend think you are right.
Makes me question a lot of rounds I have. Crap.

We will see. Thanks for your input.

[Cofisher]

Well, I got my first Contact with ruger. I sent in a form requesting a reply. Hopefully they'll have a good resolution for it.

[rickhem]

Rick, yes it was a reload. Living in Nebraska there is always a moisture content. But, I've been shooting reloads for years. I tend think you are right.
Makes me question a lot of rounds I have. Crap.

We will see. Thanks for your input.

I'd still shoot those reloads for practice, but be extra observant if no hole appears on the target, or if one feels "funny".

I have personal experience with "wet" reloads. I was preparing for a big ATA trapshoot a few decades ago, and shot a couple rounds of trap the day before as practice. I reload, and use Gold Medal hulls, and there were a bunch on the ground, so I picked them up. I loaded that night for the tournament the next day, and used those nice new hulls I found. The next day, in the tournament, one of my reloads gave me the dreaded "PFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTT" when I shot, and the shot and the wad just pooped out about 3 feet in front of me. Everyone laughed. One guy asked if there was a chance I reloaded hulls that were wet, or had some water inside. Yup, more than a chance, I have no idea how long those hulls were on the ground. Since the wad left the barrel, that cost me a target too. Oh well, live and learn.

[Cofisher]

I received an email with RMA # After I print the shipping label, I'll box it up. A little nervous about sending it back.

[BrokenolMarine]

I've had really good luck with Ruger. Back in the early 90s, before Virginia became a "Shall Issue" Commonwealth, a CWP was hard to obtain. Application was $200 and most often denied. My application was denied, I filed the appeal. $50. I was working with Juvenile Drug Dealers, who threatened my family and I every week. The appeals judge approved my permit. We had to specify the gun make, model, caliber, and serial number in that county. I chose my SP101. I practiced regularly. About a year in, the gun started to lock up if it was tilted to one side.

I called Ruger Customer Service, they put me through to a tech, he knew immediately what the issue was. Since I was a former Marine, a competitive shooter, and used to breaking down the guns, and he understood it was my carry gun... He overnighted the two parts and detailed instructions for their replacement. "Call me if you have issues."

Easy Peasy, the gun was back in full service.
I later moved to a different county with more relaxed CWP policies, different job in Patrol, and upgraded to a Colt Commander 45. The SP101 became a backup until it went to one of my kids as an adult.

[Cofisher]

I've never before heard of an issue with the SP101. Glad yours was restored. I feel pretty confident about taking down and repairing my revolver. But look where that got me.

I'm happy to have Ruger make it right. I trust them.

[BrokenolMarine]

I've never before heard of an issue with the SP101. Glad yours was restored. I feel pretty confident about taking down and repairing my revolver. But look where that got me.

I'm happy to have Ruger make it right. I trust them.

This was years ago, in the early 90s. The problem was with a spring and the transfer bar. The issue was rare, and corrected by the replacement of the transfer bar and the spring in question. Took me just a few minutes following the directions the Ruger tech sent. He had sent a postage paid envelope to return to parts they replaced. I think it was a quality control issue that only cropped up with guns used by more "Active/professional" shooters who shot from what might be considered "Tactical" positions. We had to shoot with the guns tilted left and right around barricades, behind cover, on the side when shooting from the low positions, etc over the snubby / backup gun course. I had my own range at home and practiced with the gun I carried. The new part corrected the issue. No problem. I think the transfer bar was slightly undersize and was hanging up in it's slot when the gun was on the sides.

MOST shooters shot their firearms in the vertical position only, never tilting the gun off vertical as they were taught. No reason to. They weren't shooting from any positions other than the Isosceles or Modified Weaver, from a Bench, or plinking.

[Hatchdog]

Interesting BOM, next time I shoot my SP101 I’ll give it a tilt to see if it hangs up. As you said, I only have shot it in the “normal” position.

[BrokenolMarine]

Give it a try, but I'm sure that flaw was fixed a LONG time ago. Ruger is real good about that. I have a really old Ruger single action I bought used from a friend... 50s era, they were offering a fix on THAT. Lol.

[Cofisher]

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Update on the Ruger revolver. Customer service contacted me. Insisted that the barrel would have to be replaced. While shaking my head, I agreed. A couple weeks later, I was informed that they no longer supported warranty on the SP101. It is no longer in production. The GP also.

So, they offered a replacement pistol for the cost of the repair. My 357 was a gift from my daughter. It means a lot to me. But, if it is compromised, it is a liability.

I have chosen a NMB convertible as the replacement. The 357/9mm in stainless with 5.5"barrel. I'll post a pic as soon as I get it.

Ruger customer service is quite good.

[CT_Shooter]

...they offered a replacement pistol for the cost of the repair. My 357 was a gift from my daughter. It means a lot to me. But, if it is compromised, it is a liability.

I have chosen a NMB convertible as the replacement. The 357/9mm in stainless with 5.5"barrel. I'll post a pic as soon as I get it.

Ruger customer service is quite good.

Thanks for the update and the good news. I hope you enjoy this now newly extended gift from your daughter thanks to Ruger CS. I look forward to the pix and the reports.

[HenryFan]

I had problems with my SP 101 in .22 LR earlier this year. It was a 2012 manufactured handgun, 8 shots and a 4.2" barrel. I bought it new in April of 2012 and when I took it to the range in April or May, the accuracy was terrible. It would not shoot groups, not really a pattern even. 5" to 6" spread at 15 yards with 4 or 5 different brands of rimfire ammunition. I honestly can't remember having this problem when it was new but I don't think I had shot it in years. I can't explain why I didn't notice the lack of accuracy years ago.

It wasn't me because the same day I had the accuracy problems with the SP 101, I was also shooting two Ruger MK II pistols at the same 15 yard target and getting 1" or so groups. I am no Army Ranger sniper or Force Recon sniper but I can shoot better than 5" to 6" spreads at 15 yards.

I called Ruger and spoke to a Customer Service lady who advised that since the SP 101 was more than two years old, Ruger would not send a free shipping label but I could buy one for slightly less than $64. I told her that was fine and when I received the shipping label, I boxed the revolver with a complaint form and shipped it via FedEx. A bit more than two weeks later, I received notification that my revolver was to be retuned via FedEx and the email notification advised "BARREL REPAIRED". No further explanation that that.

When I received the revolver I went to the range a day or two later and there was absolutely no improvement in accuracy. I got a bit PO'd and called Ruger the following day and spoke to a very pleasant man and when I explained the situation, he said Ruger would send another shipping label, this time at no cost to me.

Again, after about two weeks or so, I received an email from Ruger which advised that although the revolver met their criteria, they would refund my purchase cost if I could provide a copy of the bill of sale. Luckily, the bill of sale was still in the Ruger box. Although I would have preferred a new barrel (1st choice) or a new SP 101 (2nd choice), I accepted the purchase offer. This was late last week and I hope the check will arrive soon.

Frustrating but to their credit, I feel that Ruger went out of their way to accommodate me. Excellent customer service.