The Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp is a double/single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, with a 3.06-inch barrel and 5-round capacity. At 1.8 lbs (27 oz) in stainless steel, it's on the heavier side for a snub-nose, which works in its favor when shooting full-power .357 loads. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: SP101 Wiley Clapp 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special 
• Action Type: Double/Single Action Revolver 
• Capacity: 5 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 3.06 inches 
• Weight: 1.8 lbs (27 oz) 
• Finish: Stainless Steel 
   

Detailed Features 

• Cushioned Grip: Black rubber with checkered wood inserts; no exposed metal on the backstrap, which reduces felt recoil noticeably compared to a hard grip frame. 
• Novak LoMount Carry Rear Sight with Gold Bead Front: The Novak rear is a low-snag profile for carry use; the gold bead front picks up quickly under varied lighting. This sighting package is a meaningful upgrade over standard SP101 sights. 
• Triple-Locking Cylinder: Locks at the front, rear, and bottom for consistent cylinder alignment shot to shot. 
• Transfer Bar Safety: Prevents firing unless the trigger is fully depressed, which is standard Ruger revolver practice. 
• Tool-Free Disassembly: Integrated subassemblies break down without special tools. 
   

Usage 

The .357 Magnum/.38 Special compatibility gives it a practical range — .38 Special +P for lighter training and daily carry, full-power .357 when the situation calls for more. The 3.06-inch barrel is long enough to extract usable velocity from the .357 case while still clearing most IWB holsters. Wiley Clapp's specific contributions here are the enhanced sights and grip, both of which address the two most common SP101 criticisms.

The SP101 Wiley Clapp gets strong marks from revolver shooters who know what they're buying into.

The stainless steel construction is consistently praised for durability and corrosion resistance, and the compact size carries well without being bulky. Trigger feel — both the double-action pull and single-action reset — draws positive comments, particularly when shooting .357 Magnum. The dual-caliber capability is a frequent talking point; the ability to run .38 Special for practice and .357 for carry is practically useful and keeps ammunition costs manageable.

The Wiley Clapp-specific features get specific attention. The enhanced sights and ergonomic grips are noted as genuine improvements over the standard model, not just cosmetic differences.

On the critical side: full-power .357 Magnum recoil is snappy in the compact frame, which is manageable for experienced shooters but can be a barrier for new magnum shooters. Weight is also mentioned — at 27 oz in stainless, it's toward the upper end for a 5-shot snub-nose, and some carry-focused buyers would prefer lighter. Pricing is occasionally flagged as higher than comparable revolvers, though most buyers feel the quality justifies it.