CCW choice narrowed. Sig P290RS vs Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp

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twoblink

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These are my two choices:

Sig P290RS

Sig is easier to get more capacity, but all my other semi autos are in .40SW, so I'd be introducing another caliber to my lineup, not a big deal though. Sorry long trigger pull, can't get my pinky on the gun, extra pinky grip makes it comfortable but defeats concealability. Lint might be a long term issue.

SP101 Wiley Clapp

Chunky, but solid shooter, Houston summers might make me think about a lighter gun. Probably will carry rubber stripper for extra rounds. Built like a tank, when you run out of bullets, you can use it as a club. Utterly reliable, no long term worries about spring fatigue, pocket lint etc. Wish the hammer was bobbed.

First, I don't think there's a bad choice in here, unless someone disagrees. I'm generally not worried about capacity, but it's simmering for me to keep in mind..
 
I thought about the SP101 but weight was an issue. So I went with the LCR and glad I did. Great shooting pistol, light weight and easy to conceal and you forget you even have it in your pants. I shoot full house 357 loads, 145 gr silvertip a and its not bad. You might want to look at one.
 
What; you want me to burden myself with looking at more guns??:neener: The weight of the SP101 is its advantage and disadvantage. hot house rounds are ok from it; because of the heft, but the heft wears on you. I had a SP101 sold it to a friend who really wanted it.
 
You won't be sorry, and if you order a IWB holster from kusiak holsters get the canted one, unbelievable fit for the LCR, you can thank me later lol.
 
I was thinking about the .357Mag version of the LCR; but it's 4oz heavier; and I seriously doubt I'd ever shoot 357's out of them.. So the 38Spl seems to be the smarter buy if I went with that option. Will be heading to the range tomorrow; see if they have one available for rent.

I'm left-handed; AKA the redheaded stepchild of the shooting world when it comes to finding a holster...
 
The sp101 is a heavy gun for a 5 shot and I'm not convinced a ful blown 357 is what you need for CC. I had the 4" for a woods gun but iwb it was a bit much.

I think you'll like the LCR better and be more likely to carry it.

HB
 
Twoblink - weren't you living in Taiwan a few years back? Sorry for being nosy but I'm sure I remember the name from postings.
 
Kind of an apple and an orange there, 'eh?

The Sig is a real carry weapon in every sense of the term. If you can find one with a nice trigger out of the box, jump on it and don't look back. And by nice trigger, I don't mean short. I mean smooth and breaks easy without pulling the muzzle off target. If it's light enough from the start to do that, it's a keeper.
 
Also, I used to be pinky particular, too, but now I carry my Beretta Nano with the flat bottom and shoot it comfortably with my two middle fingers doing all the gripwork without so much as a thought. I wouldn't go back to a pinky extension ever again.
 
The extra weight of the .357 LCR versus the .38 makes a world of difference in recoil even when shooting .38 loads but isn't enough to matter when carried. And it's a much more efficient carry gun than the SP101. I do carry and shoot magnums in my LCR, but not hot ones - I have a GP100 for that. The .357 rounds I use in the LCR might be described as .38+P+, if there was such a thing.
 
Doesn't an LCR have a heavy trigger pull? Could someone please advise us on what it's like?

Thanks!
 
I carry an SP101, and it's pretty heavy. If I didn't work an office job I might reconsider it, but I do love carrying Speer .357 it's a round that inspires a lot of confidence.
 
twoblink

The SP101 is just too heavy for me to consider using it for concealed carry. My two choices are the Kahr CM9 and a S&W Model 638.
 
I'm left-handed; AKA the redheaded stepchild of the shooting world when it comes to finding a holster...
Click to expand...

Yep. Can't try any out before you buy, as selection in stores is weak. I have two or more for each carry gun because I end up with some that don't work for one reason or another.

Even being left-handed, it's amazing what you can get used to, though. I've shot wheelguns for nearly thirty years, carried them on the job, and still enjoy them. But, I handled a Charter Arms Southpaw once at a gun show. That thing would really screw me up.
 
NeveraVictimAgain said:
Doesn't an LCR have a heavy trigger pull? Could someone please advise us on what it's like?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The LCR trigger pull measures nine or ten pounds, but that doesn't tell the whole story. It's a very smooth and easy pull - something about the internal geometry of the mechanism does it. I have several guns, both revolvers and automatics, with double-action triggers, some of which measure less on a trigger gauge, but none have a better trigger than the LCR.
 
4 oz is nothing, don't limit yourself with the 38. You will be surprised how manageable the 357 load is. The LCR was designed to reduce felt recoil and it does. Also, if you ever want to sell it having the option is better. I shoot 38 for a lot of range time but for carry it has 357 silver tips. Being left handed is not a problem, if you need it for SD it's going to be 2/3 shots and your done.
 
I have an LCR in 38 Special, and a Wiley Clapp SP101. The sights on the SP are light years ahead of the LCR, and the weight helps with 357s...BUT the SP101 trigger is horrible...the LCR trigger, while a bit heavy, is very smooth. I had an LCR in 357...but cannot recommend shooting full bore rounds in it...the recoil was pretty harsh.
To make my WC SP101 a decent carry weapon, will require a trigger/action job. From research (after the fact), I'm led to understand that the SP101s often have rough triggers.
Overall, I prefer the feel and ergonomics of the SP101...it shuts like a steel vault, fits and points better, and allows for decent follow ups with full bore loads...and the WC sights are great. I just hate having to shell out even more money for a trigger/action job.
For pocket carry, carry while PTing, and in light loose shorts, go with the LCR if you are ok with 38s. For belt carry with 357s, the WC SP101 is great...once the trigger is fixed....YMMV
 
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