Yup, the SP-101 is tough enough to shoot a steady diet of 158-grain .357 Magnum. It is not really a pocket revolver, so the three-inch version makes a ton of sense. About the only negative to the SP-101 is the factory trigger edges tend to abrade the trigger finger. A bit of file work solves that issue.
The gun comes apart quite simply with a screwdriver to release the grip frame from the cylinder frame and a pin (provided by Ruger) to capture the mainspring as the only tools needed. The grip frame stud allows lots of different grip sizes to work with the gun. I am partial to the original rubber boot grips with panel inserts that Ruger used back when the SP-101 was introduced.
I found the trigger would rip my finger as well. I also prefer the original grips. I think my biggest concern is by the time I pay shipping and transfer and grip I’ll exceed the price of a used sp101.
From a pure financial standpoint, the used SP-101 is the better way to go. Most used revolvers were shot little, so a used one is likely to be fine. But one does not see many three-inch SP-101 revolvers. For every three-inch revolver, I probably see ten or more of the snubbie models. These are also a great basis for a custom revolver. I think these are a good deal and if I had not purchased two pistols this week, I would likely have bought one of these contract-overrun SP-101 revolvers. If there are any left next month, I will get one then.
That 's pretty much why I bought it, you don't see many 3" barreled SP101's or for that matter 3" barreled revolvers period. Since this was a contracted, non cataloged item, It's likely there weren't that many made, so, it's something you're not going to run across everyday..