Rare ruger sp101?

[PerryArmsLLC]

A gentlemen came to my shop today to do a transfer. Upon completion he asked if I buy or trade. Of course I do! He offered up verbally, a ruger SP101 in .357 mag with a two inch barrel. Now I have one of these firearms myself so I'm familiar. He claims that this particular gun is rare as it has a slightly wider cylinder and claimed it was a prototype.

My question is has anyone heard of this gun or anything like it? Does anyone have an approximate value?

I would normally pay around $300 a 350 for a gun like this and sell it for $400-450 but if this is something special I want to be fair.

Thanks for the info.

Jeff aka Perry Arms LLC

[Orlov556]

Is he sure it isn't 2.25in? Ruger has a regular stock item number 5718. It is an sp101 with a 2.25 inch barrel. Cost new from my LGS is around 525 so it's in the ballpark of the numbers you have

[PerryArmsLLC]

He seems sure of it. Hopefully he brings it in for me to get a better look at.

[R L Suehr]

Try pm'ing xringshooter on here. He collects ruger revolvers and might know if that one is legit or not.

[22 Rimfire]

It may be one of the early .357 models stamped "125 grain bullets only". The SP was originally a .38 Special gun. Ruger made a few .357's that the cylinder was only slightly increased in length.

[Xringshooter]

Did he say the width of the cylinder or the length of the cylinder? Or did he say width, but meant length? Get the gun and examine it and take some measurements and photos if you can. Especially note the serial number. The .357 Mag SP101 is rare as most were made for .22LR, .32 H&R Mag, .327 Federal Mag, 9mm, and .38 spl. the .357's were basically made for 125 grain and came in 2 barrel lengths, 2 1/4" and 3 1/16". Both had full shrouds. About 3000 were made. There were some special runs of the .357 mag that were made for specific distributors and they would be pretty rare as not many were made. PM me and I can help you out if you need it.

[jerryg]

Why not call Ruger, if you can get someone on the phone that wouldn't mind doing a little research. Maybe they could tell you what serial number range to look for. It could also be a frankengun.

[ScotsGuards]

I have a 2.25 inch barrel Ruger SP101, .357 Magnum being shipped in tomorrow from one of my distributors. Its a regularly stocked item. I also got in today an SP101 2.25 inch, .357 Magnum, TALO Special. This has really nice contrast black outline rear/gold bead front sights.

[PerryArmsLLC]

That's awesome info. Thank you. I'll check for the 125gr only when I get to see it. Do you know if it makes it more valuable? I'm assuming it does

[PerryArmsLLC]

Did he say the width of the cylinder or the length of the cylinder? Or did he say width, but meant length? Get the gun and examine it and take some measurements and photos if you can. Especially note the serial number. The .357 Mag SP101 is rare as most were made for .22LR, .32 H&R Mag, .327 Federal Mag, 9mm, and .38 spl. the .357's were basically made for 125 grain and came in 2 barrel lengths, 2 1/4" and 3 1/16". Both had full shrouds. About 3000 were made. There were some special runs of the .357 mag that were made for specific distributors and they would be pretty rare as not many were made. PM me and I can help you out if you need it.

Thanks xring. I will check it and let you know. I never knew the SP101 in 357 were rare. I see them all the time. I even have one loaded with 38 birdshot for my wife.