What am I doing wrong with the Ruger SP101

NOTPARS

This weekend I picked up my new Ruger SP-101 (.357 with 2 inch barrel, maybe 2 and a quarter). I took it to the range to fire it. It shot low and to the left. Not only that, the shots seemed to be "walking" from center to right! I tried to compensate by shooting high. It did. High and to the right, and it seemed to "walk" again from center to right. This was at 10 meters (I guess that is around 13 yards, give or take) and I didn't expect a tack driver from a snubbie but this was not what I expected. I noticed that the hammer has to be pulled all the way back, almost touching the trigger guard, before it fires. What if I was "pulling" to compensate? Sooooooooooooo, I tried firing it on single action (mine has a hammer). Guess what? It fired straight down the middle! Not too high, not too far right or left, but right in the 10 X ring and some in the 9!!! I suspect the type of trigger and my lack of skills cause the poor double action results. My question is, what can be done with the gun to compensate for the double action behavior of the revolver? Yeah, right, only fire single action, I know, I know, but I want it to shoot straight on double as well. As far as trigger pull, I can adapt. But the length of the trigger pull seems a bit much. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

competentone

Double-action pulls mess with my accuracy too (I've got the SP101 in 9mm).The SP101, like most revolvers, can be dry fired without any risk of damage to the gun/firing pin.I practiced double-action trigger pulls with the gun unloaded enough that it's helped, but firing single-action is still more accurate.

Robin

I had a low and left problem with my P-90 in DA. Someone on this board suggested I put more of my finger on the trigger. The suggestion really made a great improvement at 20 yds. LOL

Smokewagon

You need to do lots and lots of dry firing. Sit in front of your tv, with an unloaded gun, and dry fire double action. Concentrate on the front sight and make sure you are not moving it when you pull through.

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Stf.Sgt.J.Kysela/Oklahoma City Police Dept. F/A Instructor.

rsnyder55

I will sometime not load one or two of the chambers and close the cylinder so that I do not know which ones are empty.When shooting, when you get to the empty chamber, what the first sight does then tells you what you are doing.

badboybob

Great idea rsnyder. This old dog can still learn new tricks

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PC=BS

NOTPARS

Ladies, and Gentlemen, thanks for the advice. It all makes sense now. I am going to do as you all suggested. That is one reason why I love this forum so much. I get practical advice, I try it, and it works!! I love this little SP-101 and was disappointed with it at first. But, after comparing what you all said with my experiences shooting single action, I believe you all have me on the right track!Thanks!

RugerNiner

I'm a little suprised nobody said anything about squeezing the trigger and and get a good grip with your other hand. By what you are saying it sounds as if you are left handed. I have a SP101 3 1/16" barrel.

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schutzenuts

90% of your problem is mechanics. As you fire each round, the revolver torques in your hand, and you loosen and then grip the pistol butt again, causing the pistol to turn ever so slightly with each round fired. When you are dry firing, be sure to only squeeze with your index finger ( most people squeeze with their whole hand.) Watch your forearm, it should not move at all. If you are squeezing with your whole hand, you will notice your tendons and muscles flexing.