It is an excellent personal defense firearm. The trigger pull is heavy, but not impossible to get used to with practice.
I had two of them with two inch barrels and bobbed hammer spurs. I recommend the bobbed hammer spur for two reasons: 1) Less chance of snagging, and 2) It makes the gun DAO, which is more lawyer resistant to pers...er prosecuting you for defending yourself.
Great shooting little .357s that will last a life time.
__________________ Criminals cheer for infringement of the Second Amendment. AR10 MBR GLOCK CCW
Wonderful gun. I have the bobbed hammer snubby. Plenty accurate for CCW and the trigger is worlds better than every S&W I've owned or fired. Plus if you run out of bullets it feels like it would make an excellent club.
I had one with a 2.75" bbl and sadly sold it off. It was a good gun but I couldn't see the sights clearly despite every type of trick involving blackening, whitening, multi-colors, etc. The good news is it didn't go far cause I sold it to my son abot 9 years ago and he loves it. I've looked at some of the newer ones and it does appear that the sights have been improved.
There good little guns. My wife carries one in 357 with the 3 inch barrel. Put some huge grips on it, and did a trigger job on it. Made all the difference.
I also put a Houge monogrip on my 2 inch version, along with a trigger job and having it Magnaported. Porting it really helps on the .357mag recoil, although the flash of shooting it in lower light contitions is somewhat blinding.
I eventually went with a lighter carry pistol though, but just couldn't part with my SP101.
I use the side swipe speedloader that you slide the round into a rubber/plastic loader, insert it then pull the loader away from the cylinder. They seem to work good for me, although I haven't tried any Safariland or SKS speedloader with the Houge grip.
I have also used a Galco IWB holster for it but didn't like it very much. I prefer IWB but revolvers just don't feel right carrying that way to me. In the winter I usually just drop it or whatever I'm carrying in my coat pocket.
What is the side swipe speedloader you mentioned? All I have are SKS speedloaders. A side-swipe sounds interesting.
I'm the same way regarding IWB holsters for revolvers. I'm looking for a concealable OWB option. I have a leather holster that works well for the S&W airweight, but the SP101 doesn't like to sit in there quite as nicely.
Oh, and does anyone know of any manufacturer that makes holsters or cases specifically for the 5-shot speedloaders? The smallest ones I've found are made for the 6-shot loaders and say "will fit 5-shot". Of course, the 5-shot fits in there, but it rattles around.
Okay, never mind the last question. speedloaders.com - Product I just found speedloader cases built specifically for the MK4 Maxfire Speedloaders. Sweeeet!
I have a SP101 with the 3 1/16" bbl. and it is a great gun! I carry it in a Don Hume IWB holster, usually appendix carry, and it is very comfortable. It is a little heavy for pocket carry to me.
