Ruger Sp101 Instructions Manual

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AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES) NOTICE
WE SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR AS THE RESULT OF, THE USE IN
THE SP101 REVOLVER OF FAULTY, OR NON-STANDARD, OR
“RE-MANUFACTURED”, OR HAND LOADED (RELOADED)
AMMUNITION, OR OF CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN THOSE
FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.
OPERATION OF
“DOUBLE-ACTION ONLY “ REVOLVERS
(This section applied only to “Double-Action Only” revolvers, identified by their
lack of a hammer spur)
The model you have selected is equipped with a special trigger mechanism that
permits only “double-action” firing. The hammer cannot be manually cocked,
since there is no full cock notch or hammer spur. The revolver can only be fired
by a relatively long (“double-action”) pull of the trigger which draws the hammer
rearward and then releases it to fire every shot.
It is important to note that the mechanism of the gun will not permit another
shot to be fired unless the trigger is first fully released and then pulled again.
The revolver has an internal transfer bar that will not allow the hammer to
contact the firing pin and fire the gun until the operator completely pulls the
trigger.
WARNING – DOUBLE-ACTION ONLY
Do not attempt to manually cock
the hammer! Since there is no full-
cock notch, the hammer will fall
forward when released, and if finger
pressure is applied to the trigger,
the revolver can fire. The automatic
safeties that prevent firing if the
hammer falls are deactivated if the
trigger is pulled. Do not touch the
trigger unless you intend to shoot
the revolver!
DO NOT COCK HAMMER 
						

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CAUTION:When firing the double-action only revolver,
be sure that the trigger is released completely to its fully
forward position before attempting to pull the trigger for a
subsequent shot. If the trigger finger is allowed to interfere with the
full recovery of the trigger (preventing it from moving through about
the last one-eighth inch of its forward movement), pulling the trigger
will not fire the revolver. The trigger must be fully released after each
shot is fired. This characteristic is found on all modern double-action
revolvers and “double-action only” pistols.
HANDLING
CARRYING: The SP101 revolver can be carried with all chambers loaded. When
the hammer and trigger are fully forward, the transfer-bar is lowered out of its
firing position and the hammer rests directly on the frame.
WARNING – HANDLING
DRY-FIRING
“Dry Firing” is practicing the trigger pull of the empty revolver for practice and
familiarity. The SP101 revolver can be dry-fired without damage to the firing pin
or internal components.
Be sure that the revolver is unloaded before handling.Be sure of your bullet
stop, even when dry-firing for practice. Do not dry-fire the revolver with the
plastic ‘safety disc’ on the cylinder.
If the trigger is held to the rear, the gun
can fire if the hammer strikes the
transfer bar. Note that it need not be a
deliberate effort to pull the trigger. Any
situation where the trigger attains its
rearward position and permits the
transfer bar to be interposed between the
hammer and the firing pin can cause the
cartridge under the firing pin to
discharge.
NEVER DROP OR STRIKE THE
REVOLVER – COCKED OR UNCOCKED
CARRY AND HANDLE THE REVOLVER
IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE
HAMMER AND TRIGGER WILL NOT BE
STRUCK.
NEVER CARRY ANY
REVOLVER WITH THE
HAMMER COCKED OR THE
TRIGGER HELD TO THE REAR 
						

							WARNING – CYLINDER INTERLOCK
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2. Insert cartridges and gently close cylinder, making sure it is securely latched.
Do not “flip” the cylinder open or shut.
3. The revolver is now ready to fire, either “double-action” by pulling the trigger
through its complete arc for each shot, or “single-action” by cocking the
hammer and then pulling the trigger for each shot. The trigger pull is
somewhat shorter and lighter when the revolver is fired single action, and
this is the preferred mode for precise shots or target shooting.
FIGURE 3
LOADING THE REVOLVER.
➧
When correctly operated, the cylinder
cannot be opened when the hammer is
cocked, and the hammer/trigger
mechanism  is not able to be operated
until the cylinder is locked shut.
However, this safety interlock can be
intentionally defeated if the crane latch is
depressed and the hammer is then
cocked while the cylinder is opened. If
the cylinder is then shut when the
hammer is cocked, the hammer may fall
and the gun may fire.
NEVER CLOSE OR OPEN
THE CYLINDER WHILE
THE HAMMER IS COCKED
TO LOAD AND FIRE
Be sure the revolver is pointed in a safe direction and is
never cocked while loading.
1. Press the crane latch and guide cylinder out of frame to the left to its loading
position (See Figure 3, below). 
						

							4.DO NOT TOUCH THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO FIRE.
5.DO NOT HOLD THE REVOLVER BY THE BARREL OR CYLINDER WHEN
FIRING.
CAUTION–DOUBLE ACTION FIRING
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When firing in the double action
mode, be sure that the trigger is
released completely to its fully
forward position before pulling the
trigger for a subsequent shot. If
the trigger finger is allowed to
interfere with the full recovery of
the trigger (preventing it from
moving thru about the last one-
eighth inch of its forward
movement), the trigger cannot be
pulled again for another discharge.
The trigger must be fullyreleased
after each shot is fired. This
characteristic is found in all
modern double-action revolvers
and “double-action only” pistols.
FULLY RELEASE
TRIGGER
BETWEEN SHOTS 
						

							When firing the SP101 revolver, be sure
all persons are a safe distance to the rear
of the shooter. When fired, all revolvers
discharge hot gas and particles of lead,
powder grains, or lubricant through the
clearance gap between the cylinder and
the rear of the barrel at high speed. This
can injure a person who is standing too
close to the revolver.
When firing the SP101 revolver (or any
revolver), always be certain that nothing
– including your hands – is in the path of
the hot gas and particles which are
discharged from the front and sides of the
cylinder.
When shooting, adequate eye protection
is essential. Shooters and bystanders
must wear shooting glasses. Hearing
protection must also be worn. Exposure
to shooting noise can damage hearing.
HOT GASES EXIT
BARREL/CYLINDER GAP
TO UNCOCK (DECOCK) THE REVOLVER
If your revolver is cocked, and you wish to let the hammer down to its forward
position (against the frame), proceed as follows: USE EXTREME CARE WHEN
ATTEMPTING TO DECOCK THE REVOLVER, AS THE THUMB SLIPPING
DURING THIS PROCESS CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE IF
THE TRIGGER IS HELD TO THE REAR.
1.Make certain that the revolver is pointed in a safe direction(See Rule 2, Page
35).
2. Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way – gloves,
bandages, cold, etc.
3. Grasp the revolver (if right handed) so that the thumb and forefinger of your
left hand are firmly holding the frame, forward of the trigger guard. Thus,
your left hand is in full control of the revolver (See Figure 4A, Page 17).
4. Place your right thumb firmly on the hammer spur and, with your thumb
securely in control of the hammer, squeeze the trigger only enough to permit
the hammer to ‘break free’ of the trigger. At that instant, IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE THE TRIGGER and then slowly permit the hammer, STILL
SECURE UNDER YOUR THUMB, to move fully forward to its resting position
against the frame. NOTE: It is imperative that finger pressure be removed
from the trigger just as soon as it is free of the hammer. Then, properly, the
trigger and hammer will move towards their fully forward rest positions
together (See Figure 4B, Page 17).
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WARNING – FIRING  
						

							Practice this important gun handling skill with an unloaded revolver until you
have developed the proper control and ‘touch’ to decock your revolver safely. The
key to safe decocking is having the weight of the revolver controlled with one
hand, while the thumb and forefinger of the ‘shooting  hand’ control the
hammer and trigger. Improperly restraining the trigger during this procedure
may result in the hammer not resting fully against the frame. If this should
occur, carefully repeat the procedure for decocking, steps 1–4 again.
UNCOCKING THE REVOLVER
FIGURE 4
A.  With the thumb controlling the hammer
as shown (1), squeeze trigger to permit
hammer to ‘break free’ (2).
TO UNLOAD OR EJECT CARTRIDGE CASES
KEEP THE REVOLVER POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION!
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UNLOAD WHEN THE HAMMER IS COCKED.
1. Uncock the revolver (See pp. 16 - 17)
2. Press crane latch. Guide cylinder out left of frame as for loading. The revolver
now cannot be fired.
3. Push head of ejector rod smartly toward rear of cylinder until it stops. This
action will extract cartridges or fired cases. Do not eject live cartridges onto
any surface where a primer might strike a solid object and discharge the
cartridge.
4.Check to be sure all chambers are empty.
1
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3
17
B.  When hammer is free, IMMEDIATELY
release trigger (3). Then lower hammer
slowly to its resting position completely
down against frame (4). 
						

							NOTE:  When ejecting fired cartridge cases, position the revolver at a
high angle so the cases will come fully out of the chambers and not slip
under the ejector. This high angle positioning is not necessary when
ejecting unfired cartridges.
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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR 9MM CLIPS
9mm revolvers require special clips to extract cartridges using the ejector rod
because this cartridge has no rim for the ejector to act against. Individual
cartridges may be fired without the clip, but will then require that each cartridge
or fired case be individually removed to unload the revolver.
TO LOAD CLIP:
Hold clip on outside diameter in one hand. With thumb and forefinger of
opposite hand, press cartridge’s extractor groove into clip until it snaps into
place. Continue until clip is fully loaded. Load cartridges, along with the clip,
into the cylinder.
3
2
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CORRECT UNLOADING SEQUENCE 
						

							DISASSEMBLY
Read instructions before disassembling a gun.
1.BE CERTAIN THE REVOLVER IS UNLOADED BEFORE DISASSEMBLY.
2. Using a properly fitting screwdriver, remove
grip screw. Remove pistol grip inserts from
grips. Grip panel locator may then be removed.
Pull grip downward off frame. Take care not to
lose the disassembly pin, which may fall free
when the grip is removed.
3. Cock the hammer. Insert disassembly pin
about one half its length into the hole at the
rear of the mainspring strut. Lacking a
disassembly pin, any similar instrument will serve (See Figure 5).
4. With thumb on hammer spur, squeeze trigger allowing hammer to go fully
forward. Lift out mainspring assembly. CAUTION: Do not remove the
disassembly pin until the mainspring assembly is reinstalled in the revolver at
the time of reassembly. Doing so will permit
the mainspring to fly off its strut with great
force and may cause injury.
5. Pull trigger and remove hammer pivot while
holding trigger in a rearward position. Lift
hammer out of the top of the frame while
trigger is held in a rearward position (See
Figure 6).
TO UNLOAD CLIP:
Eject clip and cases from cylinder. While holding clip on outside diameter, press
empty cases of clip for removal. Clip is now ready to be reloaded. Inspect clips
after each use. If broken, bent or cracked, discard and replace. Additional clips
can be purchased from out Newport, New Hampshire Service Department.
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WARNING – DISASSEMBLY
Always unload a firearm before
cleaning, lubrication, disassembly
or assembly.
Never remove or install a loaded
cylinder – it can fire if dropped or
struck.
UNLOAD BEFORE CLEANING
3
2
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Figure 5
Figure 6 
						

							NOTE: If you cannot supply sufficient force to the plunger using the mainspring
assembly as a “tool”, then use a screwdriver of appropriate size and insert
through hole in frame. It may be necessary to slightly depress the trigger while
removing the trigger guard assembly.
7. Cradle the revolver frame in your left hand and with the thumb of your right
hand press cylinder latch button, swing out cylinder assembly and remove it
forward from the frame.
8. Further disassembly is not essential for normal cleaning purposes. Any further
disassembly should only be undertaken by factory service personnel.
REASSEMBLY
AGAIN, BE CERTAIN REVOLVER IS UNLOADED!
Before starting reassembly, be certain that all components and the inside of the
frame are thoroughly clean. In particular the tongue on the front of the trigger
guard and its mating recess in the frame must be completely clean.
1. Replace cylinder and crane assembly in frame and close cylinder.
2. Hook front of trigger guard into recess in
frame (See Figure 7). Align pawl in its recess
in the frame and be sure transfer bar is in
correct position in frame then allow latch to
re-engage. If solid resistance is felt when
swinging trigger guard into frame, or if
trigger guard will not lock into position re-
check position of pawl and transfer bar (See
Figure 9).
TRANSFER
BAR
PAWL
6. Use mainspring assembly to depress trigger guard lock plunger located inside
frame at rear of trigger guard. Simultaneously pull down and remove trigger
guard assembly (See Figure 7 & 8).
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Figure 7 Figure 8
Figure 9 
						

							NOTE: At this point in reassembly trigger should function to rotate and lock the
cylinder. Pull the trigger a few times, to check proper functioning, as always with
the revolver pointed in a safe direction.
3. Hold trigger in its rearward position and insert hammer into frame. Install
hammer pivot. Release trigger and permit hammer to go fully forward.
4. With hammer forward, insert mainspring assembly into frame. Position the
two ends of notch in the mainspring seat onto the matching projections of the
grip frame. (Note: The large notch in the mainspring seat should be forward to
allow clearance for the grip screw.) Hold mainspring assembly in position and
cock hammer. It may be necessary to move the mainspring assembly a little to
properly position the upper end of the mainspring strut to rest in recess in the
hammer. When the hammer is cocked, disassembly pin can be removed (It will
fall free).
5. Squeeze trigger and ease hammer down. Put the disassembly pin in its “nest.”
Push grip upward onto the frame, install grip panel locator and place pistol
inserts into position. Install and tighten grip panel screw.
6. Open and close cylinder. Function the trigger and hammer single action and
double action to be certain that all parts are working properly.
CARE AND CLEANING
ALWAYS BE CERTAIN THE REVOLVER IS UNLOADED BEFORE CLEANING.
The internal mechanism of the SP101 revolver can be lubricated without
disassembly. A few drops of light oil recommended as suitable for firearms,
applied periodically about the various frame openings, will work its way into the
mechanism parts. The exterior of the revolver and the bore and chambers should
be thoroughly cleaned and then wiped with an oily cloth if the gun is to be
stored. Do not apply excess lubrication.
To clean the revolver after firing, swing the cylinder out and clean the barrel
from the muzzle by running a cleaning rod with a solvent coated patch through
the bore several times. A bronze wire brush (of correct size for gun caliber)
attached to the cleaning rod should then be pushed the full length of the bore
several times. Again swab the bore with a solvent coated patch. Then wipe the
rod clean and, using a dry patch, swab the bore until it is clean. Examine the
bore to be sure that no fouling remains. Repeat the above procedure for each of
the five chambers.
Chambers must be thoroughly scrubbed to remove build-up of bullet metal and
firing residue. A dirty chamber can prevent full seating of a cartridge, which in
turn causes the cylinder to bind. DO NOT APPLY EXCESSIVE OIL TO
UNDERSIDE OF EJECTOR – AREA SHOULD BE WIPED DRY WITH OILY
CLOTH. Also, the underside of the ejector (‘star’) and the area of the cylinder
where the ejector seats, must be clean. Dirt can prevent the ejector from fully
seating. That condition can cause hard closing of the cylinder and interfere with
proper cylinder rotation.
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