Ruger Revolvers

My most frequently carried handgun.

I shot one and didn't care for it too much. It has fixed sights and shot low and to the left. Nothing you'd care about if it was your CCW. But it would bother me at the range.

Frankly it's too big to CCW. If you can carry that much weight you can probably get something else that makes more sense. The GP100 is a better gun. If you are not going to carry it then the GP100 or another bigger gun makes more sense. If you are, get something like a lighter smith.

I've got an SP101 and a GP100 and I can carry the SP a LOT easier than the GP. They don't even compare.

Most people belong to one of two camps--weight or shootability. If weight is more important to you, pick up a light S&W and keep telling yourself that tired old mantra, "If I need it, I'll never notice the recoil." If shootability in a small package matters more, tighten up your belt a little and strap on the SP101.

Right idea...get them both...one can never have too many Rugers. Having said that, my most carried revolver is the 642 which really is a pocket revolver. The SP101 is really too heavy for pocket carry. Lets face it, if you are going to carry the SP101 on a belt, whether IWB or OWB, one might as well get the 3 inch barrel GP100 which handles the .357 mag far better.

My SP101 fiveguns have 2.25" barrels, but they are my most-carried firearms, period. 24/7, always, everywhere, as "back-up" while in police uniform and frequently "primary" or "first among equals" while out of uniform. Heft and shootability are positive attributes in my mind. It's most important to hold the SP101 high on the backstrap while shooting magnums, as this minimizes the kick into something quite controllable, and not painful. I have never gotten around to buying a 3" SP101, though I have come close a few times. I have a 4" Ruger Speed Six that is quite packable, and makes a 3" SP101 less of a priority. I do have a J-frame Airweight, a Performance Center variant of the M642 labeled "M430," and I rarely carry it anymore, as the need for something that small and light is minimal, and I do appreciate the additional destructive power of 357 ammo.

For those of you who carry an SP101 regularly, what holster do you use? I have the following speed-master high rise Galco holster (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterG3.asp?ProductID=993&GunID=171) , and find it to be very difficult to conceal. I believe the problem is that I'm relatively small (5'7", 150 lbs.). Just wondering what works for others?

Vanderbilt- I'm also a relatively thin guy (6', 160lbs, 30 inch waist), and I carry the 3" SP101 every day in my www.concealco.com IWB holster. They make the best holsters for the price that I have ever come across, and it conceals beautifully even under just a t-shirt. For a belt holster, I use a Desantis Scabbard holster. It's also pretty good, but I only use it when wearing heavier stuff. Trust me, the Concealco holster is money VERY well spent.

My smallest handgun at this time. It is comfortable with most magnum loads. The 180 and 200 grain corbons however, can be quite painful. the 3" would improve velocity significantly.

I Want One Sooooo Bad.

there was a long stretch when the quality control was very good. In the last two or three years, I've heard a lot of complaints about ruger QC.

Rats. I drove to the gunshop today to buy the 2 1/8 (?) SP101 today and the only one they had locked up on one cylinder right out of the box. So, I'll wait until they get another one in

Cloudpeak

I'm not a revolver-fan personally, but an SP-101 has been something I've been meaning to buy for years.

the houge grip made .357 very fun (for me)

a nice comforting "thump".
I can't seem to find it after my move and now have crimson trace on it.
I took it off and put it a few times so it is not as zeroed in as I would like but still get it COM no problem.
I have no problem carrying it.
One of my best buys ever.
We need a sp101 club!

SP101, a Necessary Handgun.

For years I've tried to keep at least one SP101 handy. It just doesn't seem right NOT to have one. I highly recommend this revolver. The 3.06" barreled .357 mag model is my preference, but I DID let a 2.25" in 9mm get away. < In a recent article, Massad Ayoob noted that both he & most of his shooting buddies kept SP101s handy as well.

It's the Pitbull of J-frame sized revolvers. Anvil-tough, heavy enough to tame HOT .357 mag loads, accurate and dependable. I agree with previous posters that the Hogue Monogrip is a preferred grip change. If you REALLY want to see what a SP101 can become...look into Gemini Customs, Frankfort, Ky. They turn a peach into a jewel!

GT

I looked at their website
http://www.geminicustoms.com/
very interesting indeed!