You may recall that TTAG reviewed the Ruger SP101 3” as a potential newbies’ first gun. I looked to the stainless steel Ruger revolver for four reasons: ease of operation, low-recoil (comfortable range time), .38/.357 caliber (economical practice and devastating stopping power) and more-than-merely-adequate accuracy (three-inch barrel). Three factors prevented the SP101 from earning the ultimate “start here” accolade: the lack of a bobbed hammer (for concealed carry), lousy sights (barely visible front blade and a mostly useless rear channel) and a trigger that can’t match a Smith’s smooth crispness. So I sent the SP101 to Gemini Customs . . .
Mark bobbed the hammer, installed an XS Big Dot Sight and smoothed-out the trigger. Just for fun (and money), he swapped out the Ruger’s industrial quality rubber grips for something a bit more swish and blacked the gun. Et voila! Full review to follow. Meanwhile, the Smith and Wesson competitor has arrived.
That might just be the best looking SP101 I’ve ever seen. They should take this in production.
From your lips to Ruger’s ears. But first let’s see how she performs.
Wow. That is one good looking gun Mr. F.
+1 on the great looks
But what will you carry when you’re not wearing a tux?
New category for the TTAG big bang awards, Sexiest Gun of the Year. I think this is the winner hands down. Because of the “daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn she fine” reaction it invokes.
Like! Me want. Bad.
These tasteful modifications make my stock 3″ SP101 look like a booger.
What was the cost, if it’s O.K. to ask?
That’s one mighty nice looking mohaska.
Mikeb doesn’t like it when you show us sexy women with guns, and also won’t like you showing us sexy guns because your’re promoting some sort of porn. I wish you had some hottie holding this hot gun, and you would have our day.
I just checked their site…it seems to cost about $1000…damn. Hard to spend that much on a gun I bought for $300. It would look great, however
I’m an absolute sucker for steel guns with wooden grips. RF, you owe me a new keyboard, I’ve got drool all over this one.
Wow nice. Cost for the work??
If you have to ask, I can’t afford to tell you. At least not yet.
My buddy has a custom based on a Blackhawk. Turned a ~$500 gun into a ~$2500 gun but worth every penny.
I see old $400.00 SIG Sauer P6 police trade-ins turned into absolutely beautiful four-figure guns fairly often. Money well spent in my humble opinion.
I have a P6 that I enjoyed for quite a while then made the decision to trade it off. Before I sent it packing, I decided to “clean it up” a bit. I had Wolff springs installed and new pachymar grips and had the whole frame and slide hydro dipped multicam. Its not a 4 figure gun but it’s a damn bit cooler than it was…….and I’m keeping it….
I am not a revolver guy, but that sure is purty! I think it needs to go to Oleg Volk to be matched with a fantastic model though…
+1
I’m interested to see how the Smith compares. They seem more artfully made and designed, but less robust and indestructible.
That is just gorgeous. The grips in particular are stunning. Hmm, what’s their turnaround time?
About a week.
That’s almost too beautiful to shoot….. almost.
That is beautiful. I want it. Now.
“Where does he get those wonderful toys?”
The Joker, Batman (1989)
I’ll put my Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum up against this gun, any day of the week. The wood grips do look pretty, but I’ll take the Santoprene grips on my gun.
I am not worthy to look upon the glory that is those wooden grips.
Mark Morganti does some of the best Revolver & Auto Pistol work out there..
I met him a few times while in Lexington @ The gun shows & he really helped me out on the three SP-101s I used to have..
That Finish on that Ruger looks fantastic..
Congrats!!
Gary aka Headknocker/Beretta92/Glock 17L/berettapistols
how do i get a peace of art like this, amazing please share your info, i would like one.
Marc has my 2.25 sp101 now. I went all out: XS big dot sight, hard chrome, Bolivian rosewood grips, etc. I’m going to need to wear an adult diaper when I see this thing for the first time, it’s going to be tits.
There is always one detractor. There are three things I don’t like about this gun: I don’t like the bland wood hand grips, they are too bland tan. I would rather have a stainless steel looking pistol, and I don’t like hammerless pistols. Otherwise, it is a nice pistol.
Very nice looking sp101. I bought mine, NIB, 2 1/4 inch, .357, with the hammer already “bobbed” by the factory, DAO. No exposed hammer to snag, right out of the box. Check the current Ruger catalog. Wood grips are 😊 lovely but do they sting shooting mags? Slippery when sweaty? Best thing is the black matte finish; THAT is very cool and concealing! Prices would have been nice; lack of same is irritating, not enticing. Maybe I just want the black finish?