Henry Rifle Forums

in the recent years I have owned three single action revolvers. All Rugers in 22lr, 327 Fed Mag and 45 Colt. Seems like I have never shot these singles as well as double action revolvers but who knows, maybe it’s just in my head??? My last one was the 327 Fed Mag and I just couldn’t fall in love with it even after changing the rear sight blade and doing quite a bit of load development in both 327 and 32 H&R. So I listed in on the local gun trader web site. Today a member contacted me and we met and he bought it. Ironically he is the same guy I bought it from around 2021.

When I listed it I stopped into the local pawn shop in Deer Park to see if they had a double action in 327 to replace it. No luck but they could order a new Ruger SP 101 for me at the cost of $775. So that was my plan when I sold the Single Seven. Today I met the buyer at a shop in Spokane (same store just a different location) to do the transfer. While there I discovered they had a used SP101 in 327 that looked great. Priced at $650 which was very attractive. So after we completed the transfer I bought the SP101. So today starts my 10 business day wait to comply with the horrible Washington State gun laws and I can start my new love affair on February 8th.

This is the 4.2” barrel with the adjustable rear sight and fiber optic front. I’m going to really like these sights.


Range report to follow next month.


The old.


The new. (To me)

Seems like a nice exchange to me!! Happy shooting!

There is a design reason that puts single action revolvers at a disadvantage for accurate shooting compared to double action revolvers and that is the significantly slower lock time for the single actions compared to the double actions because of the longer hammer fall on single actions.

For example, when shooting my DA revolvers such as my Colt Officers or my 617 Smith in single action mode, the hammers need to fall only about 60% of the distance the hammers need to fall on my single action revolvers like my Ruger Single Six or Blackhawk. My TC Contenders have hammers that travel only about 50% of the distance needed for those single actions.

This doesn't mean that single actions are less accurate than double actions, of course. It just means that good technique is more critical when shooting single actions because of the slower lock time. Makes one really appreciate what a great shooter RR is when he shoots those old flintlocks with a much slower lock time than even single action revolvers.

Love those SP-101s. Enjoy.

Think you made a good deal. Nice revolver.

Nice Hatch, so I assume over there you can't just do a face to face sale?
If so, Sad.

RP

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 24, 2025 6:07 pm

Nice Hatch, so I assume over there you can't just do a face to face sale?
If so, Sad.

RP

That went away several years ago. Here's some new bills proposed this year.

https://www.chronline.com/stories/washi ... ion,373028

and then there's this newer one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXDZBYYIoss

North Country Gal wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:20 pm

There is a design reason that puts single action revolvers at a disadvantage for accurate shooting compared to double action revolvers and that is the significantly slower lock time for the single actions compared to the double actions because of the longer hammer fall on single actions.

For example, when shooting my DA revolvers such as my Colt Officers or my 617 Smith in single action mode, the hammers need to fall only about 60% of the distance the hammers need to fall on my single action revolvers like my Ruger Single Six or Blackhawk. My TC Contenders have hammers that travel only about 50% of the distance needed for those single actions.

This doesn't mean that single actions are less accurate than double actions, of course. It just means that good technique is more critical when shooting single actions because of the slower lock time. Makes one really appreciate what a great shooter RR is when he shoots those old flintlocks with a much slower lock time than even single action revolvers.

Love those SP-101s. Enjoy.

Thanks for this info, I did not know this. Makes sense for sure. I think I will enjoy the SP101, it’s a small frame revolver but built like a tank like most Rugers. Should be real pleasant to shoot especially with 32 H&R’s.

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 24, 2025 6:07 pm

Nice Hatch, so I assume over there you can't just do a face to face sale?
If so, Sad.

RP

Not anymore. As dave77 mentioned we now have to do an FFL transfer for all private sales. And it’s not cheap, the guy who bought my revolver paid the dealer $40 for doing the transfer and another $18 to the state to process it. Since the gun I bought was from the dealers inventory I only had to pay the $18 to the state.

The SP101 does look to be in great shape. Congratulations.

North Country Gal wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 24, 2025 5:20 pm

There is a design reason that puts single action revolvers at a disadvantage for accurate shooting compared to double action revolvers and that is the significantly slower lock time for the single actions compared to the double actions because of the longer hammer fall on single actions.

For example, when shooting my DA revolvers such as my Colt Officers or my 617 Smith in single action mode, the hammers need to fall only about 60% of the distance the hammers need to fall on my single action revolvers like my Ruger Single Six or Blackhawk. My TC Contenders have hammers that travel only about 50% of the distance needed for those single actions.

This doesn't mean that single actions are less accurate than double actions, of course. It just means that good technique is more critical when shooting single actions because of the slower lock time. Makes one really appreciate what a great shooter RR is when he shoots those old flintlocks with a much slower lock time than even single action revolvers.

Love those SP-101s. Enjoy.

Thanks for the post and information.

Glad to help, guys. I still prefer single actions, maybe because I started shooting handguns with a single action and never even shot a double action revolver till more than a decade, later. Yeah, DAs made loading and unloading easier, but I can't say I shot the DAs any better. By that time I was already tuned in to shooting single actions and didn't see what all the fuss was about with DAs. Guess those single actions got into my blood. Even after all these years, I steel feel more at home with single actions.

Yesterday I was finally able to bail it out of WA (sucks) 10 business day waiting jail. Brought it home and gave it a good scrubbing. Amazing how folks will sell/trade/pawn dirty guns. Bore and cylinders were not too bad but the front of the cylinder and the top strap and forcing cone areas were filthy. A bit of solvent and some elbow grease and it’s looking much better.

Interesting find was a sticker inside the box celebrating Ruger’s anniversary (75 years ??) Anyway it had 2024 printed on it which made me think this must be a 2024 produced revolver. Ran the s/n in a Ruger date of shipment site and sure enough it shipped from the factory in 2024. Original owner didn’t have it long and this explains why that other than dirty it’s in excellent shape.

Range report this week.

After finally being able to pick up this revolver after the waiting period I got it to the range for first shots. All is great but I didn’t like the grips, too small for even my average sized hands. I had a set of Hogue rubber grips on hand from a SP101 I owned some years ago so I tried to put them on the gun. I was missing part of the assembly to mount them, specifically the stirrup pin that attaches to the revolver. I called the good folks at Hogue and they sent me at no charge the entire mounting assembly including the pin I needed. That’s great customer service. So here’s the Ruger sporting the Hogue grips and I thing mynext shooting session will be great!

Thank you Hogue

I like the hand filling hogues as well. Grips that are too small or just don't fit do make the guns much less pleasant to shoot, and harder to shoot accurately.

Hogue's CS is excellent. Good to know. Thanks. And, as you already know, Hogue grips are amazing!

I may never shoot 38s with my King Cobra now, but that's really what I expected I'd be doing when I bought it. I was wrong, though.

On my first trip to the range, I shot 50+ rounds of .357 handloads within an hour and had minimal discomfort in my hand. I was pretty amazed, actually. And I'm very glad to own this gun. I thought it would hurt too badly and too quickly to shoot an entire box of 357 ammo. But, no. It didn't. I just kept shooting. My first few dozen shots were awful; all over the place. But, I improved a lot toward the end and got more confident with it. This target was the last one of the day.

My wife has a Ruger LCR and did not like the felt recoil. So, I got a set of Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips. We have not been to the range yet. But, they seem more soild. So much so, I ordered a st for S&W 360 that should be in today.
https://www.lymanproducts.com/brands/pa ... pro-series

CT_Shooter wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 17, 2025 11:26 am

Hogue's CS is excellent. Good to know. Thanks. And, as you already know, Hogue grips are amazing!

I may never shoot 38s with my King Cobra now, but that's really what I expected I'd be doing when I bought it. I was wrong, though.

On my first trip to the range, I shot 50+ rounds of .357 handloads within an hour and had minimal discomfort in my hand. I was pretty amazed, actually. And I'm very glad to own this gun. I thought it would hurt too badly and too quickly to shoot an entire box of 357 ammo. But, no. It didn't. I just kept shooting. My first few dozen shots were awful; all over the place. But, I improved a lot toward the end and got more confident with it. This target was the last one of the day.


KC800x600.jpg


Target - First Range Trip_ Small.jpg

I have that same model, and I have not complaints! It is great the way it is!!