Ruger SP101

[stash]

Anyone here carry a 2.5 inch sp101 on a more or less regular basis. I have had one for a while but never carried or fired it. If you do carry one I would appreciate what you think of it, how you carry it and what kind of holster you use. It is a little bit heavy but I do not think that would be a problem for me. By the way mine is the .38 only. I carry on occasion the 642 but would like something a little heavier for the +p stuff. Thanks for any info.

[JALLEN]

I suggest firing it some.

I have a GP100 4" which I enjoy enormously, but would never imagine carrying it, concealed anyway.

I have had access to a SP101, and the Airweight, I think they are called, line of light small revolvers. I hated them. I would rather throw one at a threat than shoot at the threat. With .357 rounds, you're more likely to hurt yourself than the threat. After one load of 5 rounds, you want to do something else, anything else than keep on shooting with it.

The SP101 is somewhat better in this regard than the Airweights.

[VMI77]

I think you should do some shooting with it before you decide if you want to carry it.

[dhoobler]

Anyone here carry a 2.5 inch sp101 on a more or less regular basis. I have had one for a while but never carried or fired it. If you do carry one I would appreciate what you think of it, how you carry it and what kind of holster you use. It is a little bit heavy but I do not think that would be a problem for me. By the way mine is the .38 only. I carry on occasion the 642 but would like something a little heavier for the +p stuff. Thanks for any info.

I have the DAO version of the SP101. It is not my current EDC, but it was in the past (and may be so in the future).

I carry it one of two ways, in a Desantis Tuck This holser or in a Bianchi S3 Pistol Pocket IWB holster. The Desantis is a tuck-able holster. The Bianchi requires an outer garment or an untucked shirt. Weight is not an issue with either.

Recoil is a real problem with this piece. With full power .357 ammo, recoil is uncontrollable. The recoil arc ends next to my left ear. I have found that the Remington Golden Saber round in .357, loaded to moderate velocities, makes this gun more pleasant to shoot. Velocity from my SP101 measured over a Chrony Beta model is about 1,100 FPS. That should be enough for the bullet to expand.

[stash]

Thanks for the info gents. I am not worried about shooting .357 out of this gun because like my post indicated my sp101 is the .38 model only. I would imagine it would be a bit better over shooting .38 out of the 642 because of the additional weight (11 0zs.) Heck, probably shoot +p stuff with no problem. I know some people may say the .38 is not good enough but it has been around a while.

[karder]

I have been carrying an SP101 3 inch fairly regularly. More days than not it seems. I like everything about it. It is a little bit heavy, but as I am used to carrying service size guns, the weight does not bother me personally. Honestly, I would not want to shoot .357 out of anything much lighter as that would be too much punishment for my taste. I am using an owb holster from Black Hills Leather and have been carrying Federal Vital-Shok .357. The recoil is stout, but not bad. I am not crazy about the factory rubber grips and may replace with wood at some point.
There is not too much to say about it. The sp101 is rock solid. It is accurate enough and hits hard. The sights are pretty minimal but for what it is, they should suffice. Good carry option in my opinion.

[mr surveyor]

I've been carrying a 3" SP101 (with hammer) in a LoboLeather OWB holster for 5 years, at least 6 days per week (more comfortable/concealable IWB's carried on Sunday). I'm not "weight sensitive" concerning my carry gun, but I am sensitive to carrying the caliber and type of ammunition that may be required for the day. Considering my profession, I often end up in places where snake shot may be the most likely need, or hot hardball may be necessary, and the SP is perfect for either. It was certainly not my first .357, but it was the .357 that inspired me to finally take up reloading the week after I traded for it.... and that was several thousand .357 mag reloads ago :)


jd

[J.R.@A&M]

I mostly pocket carry a 2.25" DAO in an uncle mikes. If driving a lot I like a deep conceal brand shoulder holster under my dress shirt.

Assuming a good outcome with SB11, I will probably do the latter mostly.