Ruger Sp101 as a concealed carry piece?

[Mr. Tettnanger]

I am wondering how many of you carry a Ruger SP101 as your concealed carry piece. I love the design and have had a few. I bought a 327 federal Magnum, 3" version several months ago, a holster, die set, and ammo. But I haven't shot it yet, let alone carried. I'm actually thinking of selling the whole set up.

if you carry one, chime in and post pictures if you have them!

 

[Stophel]

I keep saying I want one (especially the blued one that is finally available)... but it's almost as big as a K frame. Probably would not make a good pocket gun. Might as well just use one of the M&P's that I already have.

 

[Waveski]

Deleted.

 

[Hartkopf]

If your hand or wrist situation dictates that you shoot a revolver, you can’t beat the SP101 with the Houge grip. The grip makes it big but I know a couple of people that conceal it just fine. They are great guns and soft 357 magnum ammo like Gold Dots are easy to handle.

 

[tubeshooter]

I had one (.357, 3"). Mine wore a Hogue Monogrip.
I liked it quite a bit; gifted it to a very close friend.
Carried fine. But then again, I carry most everything IWB. Even an Airweight.


I don't see it as a pocket gun, especially the 3".
Technically possible I suppose, but mighty heavy...

 

[Buckeye63]

[ This is a comparison of a
Charter Arms Bulldog 44
and a SP101
Bulldog 22oz , SP101 25oz
They use the same holster ..
basically Colt “D” frame size



Comparison of Bulldog 2.5 inch barrel v
VS a S&W Model 10 3 inch barrel
Bulldog 22oz , Model 10 32oz


The SP101 is smaller and lighter than a K frame
The SP101 can allow you to control full house
357 mag .. in the right holster ... it carries well and is concealable

Myself ... I like the LCR series, light and strong.. with well above average triggers
I have two .. one LCR 357 & LCR 327

 

[Cump]

I think the 327 sp101 is a very interesting gun, which I would happily carry. I've carried my share of steel 357, including a 3 inch sp101. It may not be the easiest, but it is easy enough with a good holster and belt.

And six rounds of 327 in a reliable 3 inch revolver is a good option.

 

[stonebuster]

My spurless SP101 DAO 2.25" 357 w/ Hogue monogrip is my daily AIWB carry. The soft suede IWB Bianchi is very comfortable and conceals well. It's 26oz.makes shooting 38+P s breeze for extended range trips. After installing a 10# main spring and hammer/hammer dog shims, the trigger's light, smooth and 100% reliable through 1000+ rounds.

 

[Buckeye63]

[ This is a comparison of a
Charter Arms Bulldog 44
and a SP101
Bulldog 22oz , SP101 25oz
They use the same holster ..
basically Colt “D” frame size

View attachment 935196

Comparison of Bulldog 2.5 inch barrel v
VS a S&W Model 10 3 inch barrel
Bulldog 22oz , Model 10 32oz
View attachment 935197

The SP101 is smaller and lighter than a K frame
The SP101 can allow you to control full house
357 mag .. in the right holster ... it carries well and is concealable

Myself ... I like the LCR series, light and strong.. with well above average triggers
I have two .. one LCR 357 & LCR 327

I forgot to mention.. I carry my
Charter Pitbull 40 S&W very often OWB
Its the same size and only 2.5 oz less than a SP101

 

[Snowdog]

I bought a 327 federal Magnum, 3" version several months ago, a holster, die set, and ammo.

Jealous. The .327magnum is so underrated... .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 Magnum and .327 Magnum all from the same cylinder.

I have carried my 3" SP101 in an OWB holster under a jacket during cooler months. Mine's in .357mag since the .327mag at the time was a scarces as hen's teeth. I would certainly have gone that route had that option been available at the time.

 

[FastOldGuy]

I carried a SP101 for a good many years. I like the gun but it is heavy. A couple years ago I found a Wiley Clapp and bought it. Wheel guns have gotten expensive.

 

[bassjam]

I had a 2" in .357 for awhile. It carried very comfortably for me AIWB, but I found in practice I was always aiming high (or was it low?) after the draw. I never could shoot it that great either, even in single action with .38 special loads I got better groups with my 442 DAO j-frame Airweight. I really wanted to like the gun but what's the point of carrying steel if I can shoot aluminum better? I ended up trading it away and eventually ended up with a 3" Kimber k6s that I adore. That Kimber comes at a price though. I bought the Ruger used, but it still cost $340 less than the Kimber did.

 

[SeanSw]

I could never shoot the sp101 well enough to feel confident carrying it. Mostly due to the trigger and I tried everything reasonable and none of it made a difference. The Kimber is on my list if I ever want a new ccw revolver but the LCR is tough to beat and shot well for me from day one. After struggling with the sp101 I was very impressed how easily I took to the LCR, but that recoil is no joke.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have the .38 Spl. 2” version, it’s pretty heavy for pocket carry IMHO.

IWB in a good holster and I think you’ll be well armed with the .327 FM SP 101.

Stay safe.

 

[LUCKYDAWG13]

I could never shoot the sp101 well enough to feel confident carrying it. Mostly due to the trigger andI tried everything reasonable and none of it made a difference. The Kimber is on my list if I ever want a new ccw revolver but the LCR is tough to beat and shot well for me from day one. After struggling with the sp101 I was very impressed how easily I took to the LCR, but that recoil is no joke.

I put a set of wolf springs in mine that made a world of difference also put a new front sight in shoot's great

 

[PapaG]

Love my SP 3". Great trigger (we have a great gunsmith), accurate with 38, 38+P, and nasty with 357. If I can wear suspenders, I carry it. If not, a Smith 638. Rather shoot the SP

 

[pairof44sp]

I had a 2" in .357 for awhile. It carried very comfortably for me AIWB, but I found in practice I was always aiming high (or was it low?) after the draw. I never could shoot it that great either, even in single action with .38 special loads I got better groups with my 442 DAO j-frame Airweight. I really wanted to like the gun but what's the point of carrying steel if I can shoot aluminum better? I ended up trading it away and eventually ended up with a 3" Kimber k6s that I adore. That Kimber comes at a price though. I bought the Ruger used, but it still cost $340 less than the Kimber did.

View attachment 935287

View attachment 935288

I’ve never shot one, but a three inch DAO K6 just seems like the ultimate revolver to me.

 

[Tallinar]

Had a 2.25” inch .357 with fixed sights. Carried super comfortably OWB in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster.

Ultimately, I was not comfortable carrying it. Was not able to shoot it well enough to be confident, and always seemed to hit high. Shooting lead handloads, it also suffered some of the worst barrel leading I’ve ever experienced. Never bothered to get to the bottom of it. Decided to sell it.

While it was very comfortable in that OWB holster, I came to decide that I was more confident — and more likely to be armed — if I just carried my Glock 43 in a pocket holster.

 

[TTv2]

I have the 4 inch with adj sights and IMO there is little reason to own the 3" SP101. The sights are terrible and I don't see what you gain with it over the .327 LCR. One inch more of barrel isn't going to affect the velocity enough to be the difference between life and death. Also, whatever extra heft the SP has, most people are not running full power .327 thru their LCR's and SP's so that extra weight is basically useless weight.

It's a sellers market right now and if you don't want to keep it or don't like it, sell it or trade it for a .327 LCR or wait for Ruger to come out w/ a 3" LCRx in .327, it's bound to happen eventually.

 

[mavracer]

I've had a couple 2" SPs and still have a 3" used to carry the snubs but found myself pocket carrying a LCR the majority of the time. Haven't carried or even shot my 3" for a while.

 

[Armored farmer]

My sp101 was my original ccw.
I really like it in this Desantis SofTuck iwb holster. It carries easier than a double stack compact 9mm, imho.
I always like the factory grips just fine, but I see nearly everyone has aftermarket grips on theirs. I may have to get a set and see what the fuss is about.

 

[pairof44sp]

My sp101 was my original ccw.
I really like it in this Desantis SofTuck iwb holster. It carries easier than a double stack compact 9mm, imho.
I always like the factory grips just fine, but I see nearly everyone has aftermarket grips on theirs. I may have to get a set and see what the fuss is about.
View attachment 935464 View attachment 935465 View attachment 935466 View attachment 935467

So those fraternal grips are factory grips? How do I get some?

 

[SeanSw]

I put a set of wolf springs in mine that made a world of difference also put a new front sight in shoot's great

It was a tough decision not to simply throw in a set of lighter Wolf springs and call it a day but I wanted them to remain at full power for ccw. The 3" Gp100 I recently traded off had been polished and shimmed throughout and results weren't completely satisfactory. Springs probably wouldn't have changed my mind, they were serviceable but both needed work that couldn't be accomplished by swapping parts. My Smiths all have factory springs and great triggers, as does the LCR, my 6" gp100, and security six. We do still have an SP101 but shooting it side by side with the LCR feels like practicing on hard mode. I'm not trying to be picky, I just think Ruger sets a low bar and some come out worse than others. If I was new to Rugers revolvers I would consider them a starting point and budget for a gunsmith or go through a crate of them to find the one that starts off best. Or maybe find a nice old security six, the trigger on that gun rivals any S&W I've used!

 

[bassjam]

I’ve never shot one, but a three inch DAO K6 just seems like the ultimate revolver to me.

I think you're right, at least for a carry revolver. It's heavy enough to make .357mag loads tolerable, the 3" barrel gives it good a sight radius and helps bump up the velocity over a snubby, and I find I don't notice the 3" barrel when AIWB carrying any more than I noticed a 2" barrel.

 

[Armored farmer]

So those fraternal grips are factory grips? How do I get some?

Those are factory grips with custom inserts.
A local shop here in my home town did the laser work on the inserts for me.
He has done some other custom laser work for me.


I have some 1911 grips with fraternal emblem from Ebay. They are magpul brand. I bought them like this. Emblem is already burned on....