new SP101 3" .357 mag

[trigger45]

new SP101 3" .357 mag is replacing the G30 that i thought i needed for self defense. now what holsters are you using and grips. kinda like the ammo im using the www.cccammo.com 125 gr. goldensaber .357. would the 158gr. be better? websites would be cool.

the glock was cool the ruger is more independant of stuff. i got tired of having the big mag pouch . the speedloader in my pocket is enough.

looking at fist holsters almost made my glock disappear. its the only thing that made me keep my glock all this time.

I'm now a very skinny 190 - 195 lbs. and i needed a smaller overall gun. this works better for me.

 

[critter]

My part-time carry gun is a SP 101 with the 125gr GS's you have. I think we are well protected!

 

[bad_dad_brad]

I am really fond of the Ruger SP101. I have a 3" barrel in .38+P. It is my night stand gun. Simple, controllable, deliberate trigger, I think it is the perfect home defense bedroom gun.

I just like the SP101. Many poo-poo it's five shots in a somewhat heavy frame, but I hit what I aim at, recoil is not a problem, and if you can't solve the problem with a 5 shot revolver, then you best have a shotgun regarding close quarter home defense.

Oh, I have one of those too, in my bedroom - a Winchester Defender in .20 gauge loaded with #3 shot magnums.

 

[paul105]

I ordered one of these for my SP101 3" -- El Paso Saddlery "Double Agent" Dual Position Holster

https://secure.aaa-servers.com/epsa...65&PHPSESSID=b8afbf11bbb38b6f35906808e25de7ec

Quoted delivery is 4 - 6 weeks -- if you can wait that long, I'll post my impression. I have other El Paso holsters and belts -- some I like, some I don't.

I don't care for thumb breaks, or retention straps -- the tension screw works for me.

The kidney carry (fbi carry - forward cant) is great for concealed carry.

I prefer the cross draw for non concealed carry. My son and I bow hunt in mountain lion/bear county every fall. I can get to the gun with either hand, and it is much easier to get to the gun when wearing rain gear, or other hunting clothing in the cross draw position. This is my weapon of last resort -- stick it in their ear type distances

My SP101 shots fast for such a short barrel -- almost 1,300 fps with 158gr CSWCs (actual chrono vel) and I shoot it better than the other double action revolvers I own. Haven't chronoed it yet, but the one load I'll carry in the back county from now on is 14 gr Lil Gun under the 185gr Lead FNGC http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm.

 

[Ol'Sarge2K]

Holsters and ammo for the Ruger SP101

Congratulations on your purchase. I like the Ruger SP101 in .357 a lot. Enough to trust my life to it.

I own two belt slide holsters for my SP101.
One is the Fist No. 8 Close Cropped Shortcut. - http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/product/FIST8CLOSESHORT -
It’s basically a bikini holster. Mine is hand boned, and it looks pretty good. The leather and workmanship is pretty decent. With my mode of dress (shirt untucked) it conceals well. It is amazingly fast to draw from. On the downside, at this well worn in point, retention is almost nil. As I carry concealed and don’t plan on doing handstands, the retention issue isn’t that big a deal to me. The “bikini†aspect of the holster is a two edged sword. Sure I can stick a longer barreled SP101 in there, if I ever pick one up. On the other hand you’ll be amazed at how many things your front sight will scratch (like my car) as it hangs out exposed. You might want to go with the very similar “full length†No. 9.
The other is the FIST K2 Kydex High Ride. –
http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/product/FISTK2HIGHRIDE -
It’s nothing to look at, but gets the job done. It conceals very well, in large part I believe due to its “High Ride†position. It really tucks into the taper of your waist. Speed of draw is good, though not as good as the No. 8, - in large part I believe, due to its “High Ride†position. Retention is excellent. And happily your front sight is shrouded.

I obtained both these holsters from Gunner’s Alley. –
http://gunnersalley.zoovy.com/
Good customer service, price, and speed.

I also carry my Ruger in a shoulder rig in the winter months. Easier to get to depending on layer’s, etc. (I’ve considered that muscle memory may have one reaching for your strong side gun under stress – hence, there’s always still a strong side weapon worn.) Shoulder holsters have there share of detractors, but it was always my preferred method in the service. I have a Galco shoulder rig and it’s a thing of beauty. The color, boning, smell, all beautiful. –
http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=667&GunID=171

Finally, I have an ankle holster when it is absolutely imperative that no one knows I’m carrying. Not quick into action, but a far cry better than being unarmed. Interestingly, it is very quick into action if you are driving and have already pulled your pants leg up. Far quicker than struggling with a strong side weapon. The ankle hoster I use is a Bianchi Triad. It’s well thought out, innovative, and easy to clean and maintain (all nylon.) The break in period (about a week) was painful; I wasn’t sure which would give first, my ankle or the holster. Now days I hardly notice I have it on. I got mine from GST Police Equipment. I’m very happy with the holster. And I was very happy with their service, speed, and price.
http://www.gstpoliceequipment.com/M...ct_Code=bia4750&Category_Code=Gun+Accessories

For ammo, I use Glazer Safety Slugs. They are supposed to have good stopping power. They have the advantages of reducing over penetration concerns, and having a PC sounding name. Also, due to the low weight of the actual projectile, recoil is mild in .357, similar to .38. –
http://mysite.elixirlabs.com/index.php?uid=12665&page=1977

That’s all I have to say about that.

 

[Rob96]

When I am not carrying my one of my Colt 1911's, I usually have my 2.25" SP-101 in tow. I also like the little extra weight it has, dampens recoil, and provides for better hits on target.

 

[Erich]

You had asked about 125 vs. 158-grain bullets.

Man, in the late '80s/early '90s, I was Mister 125-Grain. After having worked on a few dozen murder cases involving handguns, I'm not so sure.

What I've seen is that 1) handguns (even magnums) aren't death rays, 2) what seems to kill people is being penetrated through vital areas that cause a lot of blood loss (e.g., the liver), and 3) what seems to stop people is being shot through areas that cause a lot of blood loss, fast (e.g., the aorta), or through the brain. Naturally, a bigger hole is better than a smaller one, but deep enough is clearly more important than wide.

Personally, I worry about the tiny 125-grain pellet getting in to those hard-to-reach areas. Bear in mind, it's only one grain heavier than the 124-grain 9x19 NATO round that Kim Du Toit refers to as the "Europellet." (I will concede that a FMJ 9x19, or even a 9x18, penetrates pretty well, though.) Since the 125-grainers are pumped to high velocity and designed to expand (even out of short bbls like your 3" SP's), you get expansion at the cost of penetration. And, when you're dealing with something as peppered-through with bones as a human target is, you really want to be sure of that penetration (esp. since the good stuff is often hidden away behind cages (heart, lungs) or boxes (brain) of bones).

So, FWIW, I carry 158-grain Buffalo Bore (check their website for impressive velocity info) bullets in my 2 3/4" Security-Six. I wanted a heavy bullet, and Buffalo Bore does some impressive performance with their use of Lil Gun powder. If you're determined to stay with a "light and fast" round, you might take a look at Federal's 130-grain Personal Defense Hydra-Shok, which has impressive velocity numbers out of short barrels - better than many 125-grain loads out there (plus, you get the extra 10 grains of mass for penetration).

Just my thoughts. Congrats on your new SP-101!

 

[gggman]

I carry my SP101 daily in a Fist #12. Very comfortable for all day carry. I love the SP101, and unlike many carry guns it's a great shooter.