Ruger Sp101 Instructions Manual

							INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
FOR
RUGER®SP101®
DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER
For Product Service on This Model Please Call:
(603) 865-2442 (See p. 25)
STURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.
Southport, Connecticut 06890 U.S.A.
THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL SHOULD ALWAYS ACCOMPANY THIS FIREARM AND BE
TRANSFERRED WITH IT UPON CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP, OR WHEN THE FIREARM IS LOANED OR
PRESENTED TO ANOTHER PERSON.
KW/9-02 C
R12
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY
BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM
STAINLESS
STEELCALIBERS
.357, .38 SPECIAL
9mm, .22 & .32  
						

							3
WARNING
“Children are attracted to and
can operate firearms that can
cause severe injuries or death.
Prevent child access by always
keeping guns locked away and
unloaded when not in use. If you
keep a loaded firearm where a
child obtains and improperly uses
it, you can be fined or sent to
prison.”
ADVERTENCIA
State-By-State Warnings
Certain states require by law that their own specified warning
notices in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by
the manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold
in that state. Sturm, Ruger sells its products in compliance with
applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be
sold in these states, we include the following:
California:
“A los niños los atraen las armas
de fuego y las pueden hacer
funcionar. Ellos pueden causarses
lesions graves y la muerte. Evite
que los niños tengan accesso a las
armas de fuego guardándolas
siempre con llave y descargadas
cuando no las esté utilizando. Si
usted tiene un arma de fuego
cargada en un lugar en que un
niño tiene acceso a ella y la usa
indebidamente, le pueden dar una
multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”
Connecticut:
“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY
RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”
Florida:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY
IMPRISONMENT AND  FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO
STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN
THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18
YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION
OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF
UNSOUND MIND.” 
						

							Maine:
“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A
CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE
SUBJECT TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION  SEPARATE.  KEEP
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE
TRIGGER LOCKS.”
Maryland:
“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause
death or serious injury. It is a cr
imeto store or leave a loaded
firearm in any location where an individual knew or should
have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to
the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”
Massachusetts:
“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY
GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that
fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000
firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year
in the United States. In addition, there are more than a
thousand suicides each year by younger children and
teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from
accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children
sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on
others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is
imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place
and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft
or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventive steps may
result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances
may result in your liability for these deaths.”
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM,
RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE
UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A
TAMPER-RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED
OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”
4 
						

							New Jersey:
“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED
FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”
New York City:
“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS
ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE WEAPONS
STORAGE. ALL WEAPONS SHOULD BE STORED
UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS
BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND
INACCESSIBLE TO  CHILDREN AND ANY  OTHER
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”
North Carolina:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM
THAT CAN BE DISCHARGED IN A MANNER THAT A
REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD KNOW IS ACCESSIBLE
TO A  MINOR.”
Texas:
“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR
ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE
WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN
OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”
Wisconsin:
“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE
REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE
FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD
IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS
THE FIREARM.”
*****************  *****
Please check with your licensed retailer or state police for
additional warnings which may be required by local law or
regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local
authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal
matters.
5 
						

							This firearm was originally sold
with a key-operated locking
device. While it can help provide
secure storage for your unloaded
firearm, any locking device can
fail. All guns are designed to fire
if they are loaded and the trigger
is pulled. Therefore, never install
the locking device inside the
trigger guard or in any way that
it can possibly pull the trigger!
Do not leave the keys in the lock.
The ultimate responsibility for
secure storage of any firearm
must depend upon its owner and
his or her individual
circumstances. Guns should be
securely stored unloaded, in a
secure location, separate from
their ammunition.
See “Storage Warning”, page 23.
NEVER INSTALL
LOCKING DEVICE
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
WHY ARE WE INCLUDING A FIRED CARTRIDGE CASE
WITH EVERY RUGER PISTOL AND REVOLVER?
Certain states and jurisdictions now require that all newly manufactured pistols
and revolvers must be accompanied by a cartridge case, which has been test fired
from that gun at the factory. The case must be placed in a sealed container
bearing certain information concerning this test cartridge.
At the time of retail sale in those jurisdictions, firearms dealers must forward
such test cartridge to a designated destination such as their State Police
Laboratory. As independent Ruger Distributors have nationwide markets without
territorial restrictions, we have decided to include a fired cartridge case with all
new Ruger pistols and revolvers, to minimize the possibility of inadvertent non-
compliance with these laws.
Retail customers located in other states, where laws or regulations do not require
the dealer to so act, may be assured that the fired cartridge case they receive with
the firearm at the time of retail purchase is proof that your new Ruger firearm
has undergone our normal test firing procedures during manufacture.
6
WARNING – LOCKING DEVICES
DO NOT INSTALL
INSIDE TRIGGER GUARD
INSTALL LOCK
AS SHOWN HERE  
						

							FIREARMS SAFETY-YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT
CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO
HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.
This Instruction Manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care
for your RUGER®SP101®revolver properly. Please contact us if you have
any questions about it.
Only when you are certain you fully understand the Manual and can properly
carry out its instructions should you practice loading, unloading, etc. with live
ammunition. If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use a
particular type of gun safely, then you should seek supervised instruction. Such
personalized instruction is often available from gun dealers, gun clubs or police
departments. If none of these sources can help you, write to the National Rifle
Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-7400. They will put you
in touch with a source of personalized instruction.
The person possessing a gun has a full-time job. You cannot guess; you cannot
forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely.Do not use any firearm
without having a complete understanding of its particular characteristics and
safe use.Remember: There is no such thing as a foolproof gun.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
State-By-State Warnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
General Information and Mechanical Characteristics  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Operation of “Double-Action Only” Revolvers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
To Load and Fire  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
To Uncock (Decock) The Revolver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
To Unload or Eject Cartridge Cases  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Special Instructions for 9 mm Clips  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Reassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Care and Cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Storage  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Care of Stainless Steel Revolvers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Sight Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Service and Parts Policy  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Parts Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Ruger®, “SP101”®,and the Sturm, Ruger logo are registered U.S. trademarks.
7 
						

							8
FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS–
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS
MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The RUGER®SP101® revolver is a double-action firearm which embodies
many features found in the famous RUGER®GP100®and RUGER®
SUPER REDHAWK® revolvers. The unique frame extension permits the use
of full wrap-around style grips of any desired configuration. This feature reduces
overall weight and contributes to a desirable muzzle of heaviness. The crane and
cylinder assembly of the SP101 revolver lock directly into the frame, both at the
rear of the cylinder and at the front of the crane. The ejector serves only as an
ejector – it does not rotate with the cylinder. All of this mechanism is readily 
WARNING–ALTERATIONS
This product was designed to
function properly in its original
condition. Alterations can make it
unsafe. Do not alter any part or add
or substitute parts or accessories
not made by Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc.
DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN
WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE ARE
FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES:
Locking Devices 6 Cylinder Interlock 14
Alterations 8 Firing 16
Lead Exposure 10 Disassembly 19
Ammunition 11 Lubrication 22
Double-Action Only 12 Storage 23
Handling 13 Parts Purchasers 26
OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR
THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL. 
						

							removable without tools and dismantles, along with the cylinder/crane group,
into a small number of subassemblies for inspection and cleaning (See Figure 1).
The internal parts are installed either through the top or bottom of the grip-
frame; therefore, no side plate is needed. The resulting double solid frame
contributes greatly to the extraordinary strength and reliability of these
revolvers.
The RUGER
®SP101® revolver has a transfer bar which is connected directly
to the trigger. The transfer-bar safety system provides that the hammer blow can
be transmitted to the firing pin only when the trigger is pulled all the way to the
rear. This is a positive internal safety feature.
NOMENCLATURE
9
FRONT SIGHT
MUZZLE
EJECTOR ROD
CYLINDER
TRIGGER GUARD
PISTOL GRIP
INSERT GRIP SCREW CRANE LATCH
HAMMER PIVOT
ASSEMBLY HAMMER BARREL
TRIGGER
FRAME
FRONT SIGHTHAMMER STRUT, MAINSPRING,
& MAINSPRING SEAT
HAMMER ASSEMBLY
GRIP SCREW HAMMER PIVOT ASSEMBLY
PISTOL GRIP
GRIP PANEL
LOCATOR
TRIGGER GUARD
ASSEMBLY CYLINDER/CRANE
ASSEMBLY
DISASSEMBLY PIN
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Despite their many highly desirable features, Ruger revolvers–as with all
firearms–must at all times be handled with strict attention to correct safety
practices, and be inspected frequently to assure the gun is working properly. 
						

							10
Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated
areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to
lead and other substances known to the
state of California to cause birth defects,
reproductive harm, and other serious
physical injury. Have adequate ventilation
at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after
exposure.
SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS
MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD
WARNING – LEAD EXPOSURE
AMMUNITION
RUGER®SP101® revolvers are designed for use with cartridges of the
correct caliber which are manufactured in accordance with the U.S. Industry
Standards. Be certain to use proper cartridges of the correct caliber. See page 21
(“Care and Cleaning”) for important information on chamber cleaning.
Please refer to the Notes below regarding proper ammunition for the available
SP101 calibers.
Notes on Caliber .38 Special:.38 Special caliber revolvers are designed
specifically for modern higher-powered factory loaded cartridges, including .38
Special and .38 Special + P ammunition.
Notes on .357 Magnum caliber:This revolver is designed to fire factory loaded
.357 Magnum, .38 Special and .38 Special + P ammunition.
Special Ammunition Notice for .357 Revolvers marked “125 GR. BULLET”
only:Some revolvers have slightly shorter cylinders and frames and are
therefore limited to the use of .357 Magnum ammunition with a maximum
bullet weight of 125 grains and an overall loaded cartridge length of not
more than 1.57 inches. These revolvers are roll-marked with “125
GR.BULLET” on the right side of the barrel.
Ammunition containing heavier bullets or of a longer length may not permit
the cylinder to close or rotate! You may not even be able to fire the revolver if
you try to use longer or heavier bullets. Be sure the ammunition you wish to
use in the revolver will chamber freely, and will permit the cylinder to open,
close and rotate readily. Do not assume any ammunition will work without
checking it first.
All other .357 SP101 revolvers can use all standard factory .357 loads. 
						

							11
Notes on 9mm Parabellum Revolvers:This model is chambered for the 9mm
Parabellum (Luger) cartridge. A package of 9mm clips are supplied with the
revolver and are required to allow proper ejection of the 9mm rimless cases. See
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 9mm CLIPS, p. 14. Do not
use any other 9mm
cartridges (9mm Short, 9mm Bergmann, etc.).
Because 9mm cartridges are manufactured worldwide for use in pistols,
revolvers, and submachine guns, it is possible to encounter cartridges which,
when fired, develop pierced primers. If this occurs, discontinue the use of the
particular brand or type of ammunition. The possibility of a pierced primer is
another complete reason why a shooter should always wear pr
otective glassesto
shield his eyes. Use only metal jacketed bullets in 9mm revolvers. When a lead
bullet is fired, its base expands and a ring of lead is shaved off and deposited in
the shoulder area of the chamber. A build-up of lead rings can prevent proper
chambering of cartridges because 9mm cartridge mouths seat on the chamber
shoulders.
Notes on .22 Caliber Long Rifle:The .22 cal. model is a six-shot double action
revolver chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. The .22 Short, .22 Long and
.22 shot cartridges can also be fired from this model. It should be noted that
extensive use of the .22 Short cartridge can cause a “ring” to be cut in each
cylinder chamber which may interfere with the extraction of Long and Long Rifle
Cartridges.
Notes on Caliber .32 H & R Magnum:This six-shot SP101 chambered for the
Caliber .32 H & R Magnum cartridge will also chamber the .32 S & W cartridge
and the .32 S & W Long cartridge. The use of other than .32 H & R Magnum
cartridges, may, in some loadings, result in unsatisfactory accuracy.
For reasons noted above, revolver chambers should be cleaned regularly and
chamber cleaning should be the first corrective action when cartridges of the
correct caliber and type do not chamber properly.
WARNING – AMMUNITION
Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
cartridge components. Always
wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS