Glock 26 or Ruger Sp101

[minirunner]

I am looking for opinions on which handgun would be easier to conceal all day long. Im looking into a Glock 26. Or the Ruger SP101 in 2.25". I want to conceal it IWB with an untucked t-shirt. My t-shirts are one size bigger and that's what I wear in the summer. In the winter OWB is not an issue. Just looking for opinions on which one would be easier. Thanks.

 

[m2steven]

I have both and it's actually easier to carry the sp101 and it is not as easily recognizable ON ME as a handgun imprint through my clothes. The varying shape of the sp101 seems to be more comfortable than the G26. Your mileage may vary. The Glock is lighter obviously and with a shoulder holster it's a great carry pistol. I'm on the short side and that I think makes a difference in the way my waist perceives the shape and feel of the gun.

 

[Rexster]

I tried to replace my SP101 with a G27, after I started carrying a G22 on duty. Pocket, ankle, or at the hip, the G27 was far more difficult to conceal. A G27, of course, is the same size as a G26. The rear of the Glock's slide pokes out at the place where the SP101 has nothing but a hammer spur, if that.

It was easier to carry two SP101s than one G27. That is what I did. I sold the G27.

 

[minirunner]

That is my thought. I do not own either one but am in the market. I have held both a lot in the store. And intend to fire each before purchasing. But I feel the SP will be easier because of the grip being smaller sticking out of the waistband. Where the 26 is "blocky" and thicker. I am looking for a pistol that will cover my ccw/ camping gun/ and house gun when the shotgun is not accessible. The Glock holds more rounds, but the Ruger could be stoked with 180gr flat nose for the woods. Thanks for the opinions and keep em coming. Thanks.

 

[jigglyjames29]

I'd go with the G26.
It's advantages include:
capacity, easier to reload, easier to work on yourself, availability of aftermarket and stock parts, easier to shoot accurately, lighter weight.

 

[ChCx2744]

Go with the G26. It was the first pistol I bought 3 years ago and It's my favorite. Light, fits to your hand (especially well if you have Talon grips), holds 10+1 (which is amazing 9mm capacity for a pistol that size...) and comes with loads of customizable aftermarket options. Remember, though, if you are going to carry it as a CCW, you may want to leave it as "factory stock" as possible...A used or new out-of-the-box G26 still gets my vote as an amazing little pistol and definitely a great carry option!

 

[Stelth]

I own both and I have never even considered carrying the Ruger. I LOVE my G26. I am far more accurate with it than my Ruger Sp101 or even my full sized Sig and it is so easy to carry.

 

[Surefire]

5 rounds of .38 spl +p vs. 10 rounds of 9mm

I also have both, but prefer the glock for the capacity and extra energy (9mm +P vs. .38 spl +p). I can shoot both about as well as each other, but it is hard to discount the big capacity advantage, and quick reload advantage of the Glock.

Yes, I know one can use .357 magnum, but in a revolver the size of an SP 101 I find magnums to be a little hard on follow up shots compared to 9mm.

This said, I love the SP and certainly would NOT feel undergunned if that is what I had on me.

 

[mnhntr]

sp 101

 

[stangfan93]

How about 2 sp101's?

I just took my CHL class and plan on sending it out Friday. So I need to get a ccw and have been thinking about the sp101.

 

[Stelth]

If I could do it over I would get a S&W model 60 instead of the Ruger.

 

[jad0110]

Im looking into a Glock 26. Or the Ruger SP101 in 2.25". I want to conceal it IWB with an untucked t-shirt.

Just FYI, the 3 1/16" SP101 would be worth considering too. You won't really notice the increase in barrel length carrying IWB, but you will get a longer sight radius, full length ejector rod, and a bit more muzzle velocity.

What do you typically shoot better, revolvers or autos?

For comfort, some will find the G26 with it's flat side more comfortable. Others will find the rounded contours of the SP more preferrable. For concealment, I'd say for most the SP would have the edge since it is easier for most to conceal a gun the shape of a bananna, vs one the shape of a brick. But YMMV.

 

[Doug S]

I owned both, and liked both, but I got rid of the SP101 because it was just sitting in the safe. I prefer carrying my G26.

 

[Girodin]

I have a considerable experience with both guns. I will echo that it is probably easier to conceal the SP101 with just a T-shirt covering it. That said I prefer the Glock. Much of the reason is simply that I am more proficient with the Glock.

As among SP101 models, I prefer the longer barrel on the SP101. I have used both lengths and as mentioned the slightly shorter barrel offers no real advantage for IWB carry IMO.

Either one is a good carry gun. I plan to tune up my SP101 and I may start shooting it more. For now I carry the G26.

If I were are not going to shoot .357 mag loads out of it then I would carry a different revolver. The 13 oz. LCR is both easier to conceal and much more comfortable to carry. It is +p rated and the trigger pull puts the Sp101 to shame. That said shooting +p loads out of it will produce some felt recoil so if one is looking to avoid the recoil of 357 loads that might not be the way to go. .38 special loads in the SP101 make it a cream puff, it is a heavy gun. If I didn't want to shoot .357 loads I would either get a smaller lighter steel framed 38 special or get an LCR and shoot standard loads. I do not find the .357 loads to be objectionable in the SP101 unless they are my hot hand loads. Follow up shots are faster and easier with the glock, even if the SP101 has light loads in it.

 

[C-grunt]

I own both, well actually the Glock 27. The SP101 probably does conceal a little better IWB but I carry my G27 more. The SP101 is fairly heavy is a bit bigger than the small Smiths.

Really either choice would be a good one. I love both my SP101 and my G27. I cant give you a definite answer.

 

[herkyguy]

I don't have a G26, but have carried a G23. I also just got a SP101. The grip is just much easier to conceal on the SP101 (especially the stock grip) than the Glock. The Glock is obviously going to win on capacity, but from a concealment point of view, the SP101 shape fits more naturally under a shirt. very interesting.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer a true DA trigger. SP101 for sure. Also, it shoots my cast bullets just fine. I don't do Glocks for those two reasons. I won't own a gun that won't shoot cast bullets. I'm cheap, yeah, but I got this lead pot and all these molds, free lead source...........

 

[Ben86]

I CC a glock 26. I can tell you that I am growing tired of it's "fatness" and am in the market for a single stack slim 9mm. I have also carried a few snubbies. They are far more easy to conceal and somehow more comfortable to wear. That being said it is my decision to suffer a little more for the benefits of an automatic.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Either one is a wonderful handgun, in its own right. However, if you haven't had tons of practice with immediate action drill with a semi, then I would recommend the revolver.

With a semi, if you don't go bang when you pull the trigger, or you stove-pipe a round for whatever reason, you are screwed for at least a second while you do the IAD. With the revolver, if it doesn't go bang when you pull the trigger, pull the trigger again!

If you are wounded in one arm or have only one good arm (the shooting arm) to start with, it is very difficult to properly execute an IAD. Revolvers are easily operated with one arm/hand.

Also, I read somewhere sometime ago that the "average TOTAL number of rounds fired in a gunfight" in America is 3.4 Don't know if that number is stll valid, but, a five-shooter with a speedloader should certainly cover most situations!!

 

[c919]

I either CC a SP101 or a Walther PPS (very similar in size to the G26) and I think they conceal about the same. If I had to give one the upper hand, it'd be the SP101 (but only by a hair).

I'm a pretty skinny guy and both conceal really well. I have no real preference between the two.

I will say that you should look into the PPS if you like the G26. Most people I know who have shot or owned both prefer the Walther.

 

[SG1]

I recently switched to the SP101 for CCW. I had read how it's "too heavy" for concealed carry, but I don't share that opinion. For me, it's very easy to conceal strong side in an IWB holster.

OldCavSoldier brought up a couple of good points that steered me more towards a revolver as opposed to a semi, but I'll also add that pressing the muzzle of a semi-auto pistol up against someone's body may take it out of battery. This will not happen with a revolver. Just my .02.

 

[jad0110]

Also, I read somewhere sometime ago that the "average TOTAL number of rounds fired in a gunfight" in America is 3.4 Don't know if that number is stll valid, but, a five-shooter with a speedloader should certainly cover most situations!!

Actually, it is less then 3 (around 2.2 - 2.4) when shots are fired, with most ending in zero.

In any event, I prefer to carry a gun that I can draw and get a first shot off accurately and quickly. That first shot is the most crucial.

Of the OP two choices, I'd personally go SP101 as I shoot them better all around the Glocks. But as always, to each his own.

To the OP: sorry, can't really answer this one for you. You have to do that yourself, but have fun doing it!

 

[minirunner]

Thanks all for your input. I spent 5 yrs. in the Marine Corps, so I understand all the training involved with a semi. I like the capacity of the Glock, but there is something about that all stainless revolver. They both point naturally for me and feel good in my hand. Im gonna have to shoot them and make a decision. Perhaps both will end up in my possession. But with the money situation only one handgun can cover it all for now. My biggest concern is going to be in the summer time. I plan to wear it under a t-shirt, IWB with shorts. I always wear a belt and my shirts are bigger on me. I have even thought about an LCR. Again I really appreciate your opinions and suggestions, Thanks.

 

[Rexster]

Frankly, in summer weather, and we have long, hot summers in coastal Texas, I would rather hide a full-sized 1911 than a Glock of any size, due to the Glocks' chunkiness and rearward-protruding slides, assuming OWB or IWB carry at the hip. I did carry 1911s 24/7/365 for several years, so this is not idle speculation. I found my G27 just too darned chunky; the outside rear corner of the slide printed against my cover garments unless I wore something really thick and full-cut. A sturdy T-shirt is enough to hide a 1911, on my body at least.

stangfan93 wrote: "How about 2 sp101's?"

That is what I did, after I found the G27 too chunky. I had one SP101 snubby already, and added another. (I added yet a third one a short while later, and just recently acquired a fourth one with the longer barrel.) Ten shots, spread among multiple weapons in case something went wrong with one weapon. Moreover, my hands fit the SP101, so I shoot them better than I shot the G27 and even my G22, which was my duty pistol at the time. One could be worn at the hip, in my customary, default, 24/7 carry location, and the other could be in a pocket rig, for the "walk with hands in pockets" mode when passing through an area perceived as unsafe.

 

[Enachos]

I own a G27 and I love the living hell out of it! But I'm in the same dillema right now! I'm trying to decide on whether I should get me a SP-101 or just get a 9mm barrel conversion kit for my Glock.... it's a tough one...