Ruger Sp101 and LCR?

I had a LCP and traded it for an LCR. Best moved I've made in a long time. LCR much better shooter with a great trigger pull. But it is a ccw and that's it. For a walk in the woods I carry one of my Ruger 41 mags.

I got rid of my "pay for the name" S&W airweight 3" J for a LCR. Yea, I know BUT it's what I wanted in a CC wheel gun. Lighter smaller shoots +Ps and easier for me to conceal.

I practice with it a couple of times a wk. with different scenarios. I figure if something happens I'm going to hit what I'm shooting at.

I carry it everyday and can't think of a bad thing about it like my GP100s in 2" and 6". Rugers are good guns; plain and simple.

That which does not kill me makes me stronger. - Friedrich Nietzsche

Depends on the holster.

I made a big mistake yesterday and asked to see an SP-101 at a local Gun Store. I'm now the proud owner of a new 2.25" barrel SP-101.

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Me too, went in for a PF9...came out with a SP101.

The only bad thing about the LCRs, is the fact that Ruger probably won't ever offer the rumored aluminum framed SP-101.

The only bad thing about the LCRs, is the fact that Ruger probably won't ever offer the rumored aluminum framed SP-101.

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Because an aluminum framed SP101 would be stupid. The whole reason for the SP101's existence, in my mind, is to be the smallest "real" 357 (e.g. not a 38spl that can take a cylinder of 357 from time to time, but a gun that's made to eat a steady diet of 357, and is shootable with 357). Give it an aluminum frame and you degrade its strength and probably shootability down to that of the LCR and j-frames in 357, yet you'd still have a larger gun. Seems like the worst of all worlds there.

The 357 LCR is not aluminum. Ruger designed it to handle 357 and it does.

The 357 LCR is not aluminum. Ruger designed it to handle 357 and it does.

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Who said it was aluminum?

When I talk about 357, I'm thinking of full house loads, like the Buffalo Bore stuff. I'd like to see someone shoot that out of a LCR

In the .357 LCR, it is steel and so is cylinder and barrel. It is an alloy type steel to take care of the pressures coming from the LCR in .357 magnum. I have one myself and mine shoots right on where I am pointing at plus,I have shot all the .357s even the small scanduim revolvers that S&W put out. See,Ruger listens to the consumer-customers to see what they need and want. Prices are alot lower to. So,consider the Ruger makes of handguns before you decide.

The comment that the LCR 357 was not a "real" 357 in context with the post implies that the LCR was inferior in some way. It is not a 38 spec built to handle a few cylinders of 357, it is a 357 magnum and just happens to be small enough to pocket carry. You won't do that with an SP101. I have no qualms shooting 124 or 158 gr 357 from mine, and have done so many times. Perhaps some who are recoil sensitive do not like to shoot 357, but many of us have no problem with it.

There are plenty of guys wed to the Sp-101 design that would welcome a slightly lighter gun to carry.

Not everyone shoots Magnums all the time or buys/wants buffalo bore.

Think of those that ankle carry the SP and only shoot it once a month at most?

weight is subjective and to be honest is not that large of difference to make it a deal breaker when we consider belt and holsters. Proper belt regardless if you carry owb, iwb and pocket, will make a difference in comfort level and the ability to carry all day long.

The Ruger LCR weighs in at 13.5 oz (38+p) and 17.10 oz (357)
The SP101 weighs 26 oz (38+p) and 25 oz (357) (yes that seems odd to me too but it came from Rugers website.

I am not a monster of man but less than 1lbs of difference is mute. I had the opportunity to get a 357 or 38+p lcr and went with the 38+p lcr because for my intended use as BUG not as a hunting weapon or trail gun.

Good luck and let us know what you went with.

I have both. I've had the SP101, .357 magnum, for about 10 years. The last 8 years it has been my every day carry, in a Galco high-ride open-top pancake holster, under a vest, untucked flannel shirt or a jacket.
Last Summer I bought a .38 special LCR. I carry it sometimes when I dress up, or just hanging out around the house. But....... The SP101 is still my favorite carry, loaded with 110 gr or 125 gr. HJLHP's. I'm soon going to buy an LCR .357 magnum.

Ditto, ol-john I happened across a "Talo" edition engraved SP101 a couple years back and it hasnt left my side since !! a bit heavy so i secure it with a Galco-'fletch" belt holster when i can wear cover-shirt,, but for dress-up ocassions i will drop my LCR into a "pocket" holster ,,

Photo226.jpg
Here she is with CT over-molded grips,, it's a monster to shoot full-load magnums with, but managable still,,, and most important she PURRRRDY !!,, sorry jpg didnt transfer, google -it oh Yea, and with Hornady 140-gr FTX in it,its makes big mess ! I think i could knock-down a white-tail at close range !

I have a 3" SP101 that I carry - 140 gr. XTP (.357) is my load of choice. When the LCR first came out I just shook my head in disgust, then one day I went to pick-up a gun at my FFL and he had one of each - .357 and .38. The trigger was great and I developed a crush on the .357 model on the spot. I don't own one (yet), but I can see their appeal.

But I would always choose the 3" SP101 over the LCR if I could only have one............

Today I carry my sp101 in 3 inch.

Because I can shoot it well and doubles as a hiking gun here in NM with the hottest buffalo bore rounds I could find.

And the girl can shoot 38 specials from it without discomfort.

I don't see why everyone says the LCR is brutal, I own a 2.25 sp and the .357 LCR and the wife would rather shoot the LCR. The grips on the Lcr make it much more managable to shoot IMO.

I think "everyone" describes those who do not own nor have fired an LCR357. Ilike mine and find that it shoots well with 357 standard rounds. If the gun had a small wood grip on it then I guess it would be painful, and perhaps it is this misunderstanding which is creating these false impressions. Yes, the recoil is there, but the grip does a good job, and it is not painful to shoot controllably.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BmpQqtBAVc


the above video at the 6:30ish mark shows what appears to me to be effective pocket carry with an lcr.

Based on your use, a full size GP100 or a S&W 686+ would be my suggestion if you intend to open carry it. If CC, then the SP-101 with a 3" bbl is a better option for your uses.

If pocket carry is what you desire, then the LCR will work better.