Newbie to carrying, would love some advice

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Rick Roll

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Hey guys, I'm new here on THR. While I am not new to shooting, I am new to concealed carrying (already have CCL for my state though). I am an avid shooter of my Ruger GP-100 4" stainless, but the dang thing is just too much to lug around and keep concealed. I am a college student (no carry on campus) so I will only be carrying when I am out around town, hiking, traveling, etc... For some reason there seems to have been a recent spike in local crime here and, suffice it to say, the local (very large) university is very good at suppressing reports of local crimes.

I am looking at several guns, but I have it narrowed down to a Glock 19 (gen 4) and a Ruger SP101 (probably 2.25" bbl). :cool: To be honest, I'm probably going to get both: The Glock b/c it's cheap to shoot and become very accurate with, and the SP101 for knockdown power + ease of concealment during warmer months (pretty warm climate here).

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what I've laid out so far, and maybe some ideas on carry options like holsters, other guns I should consider, and just general advice from the experts. I look forward to the comments and I'm glad to join you guys here on THR!
 
I would look for a gen 3 glock 19. Seems that the gen 4 might be picky about cheap ammo. From what I've read it will shoot just fine with quality ammo (which I would assume is what you would carry). My gen 3 has eaten everything I've put through it. Good luck
 
Either one is a good carry choice IMO, but since you already are proficient with your GP100 it makes sense to start with the SP101 for CC.
 
I wouldn't worry about the Gen 4 Glocks mine eats everything thrown at it and so have every other Gen 4 I've seen lately... I have both of the guns you're considering for carry. My one suggestion for the SP101 would be to get the Crimson Trace grips for it.

My SP101 2.25" DAO is my favorite carry piece. You'll hear people say it's too heavy... I always know it's there. Full blown .357 loads are kind of not fun to shoot out of it but it's nicer to shoot than any of the other .357 snubbies.

Both great options, the Sp101 conceals a little easier though.
 
For conceal carry, I like the Taurus tcp series, very smooth, like butter da, no safety, 380, and 40 I think. Stick it in your shirt pocket, anywhere, well almost. Reliability is good from my experience and they are cheap, lifetime warranty.
 
While I'm a Colt and S&W revolver guy I see no problem with your logic on the SP101. In fact if you can only get one gun right now that should be it. It operates the same as your GP-100 and can take the same ammo. Believe it or not the GP-100 is about the same size as the Colt Python and S&W 686. I carry my 4" Python concealed quite abit. Recently I have been carrying my 4" S&W 28-2 concealed with no problems. Some of the tricks are to find a good sturdy belt (1 1/2" to 1 3/4") a good high quality holster, and select proper clothing suitable for the occassion. Good luck in your search.
 
Welcome welcome welcome. I love my gen 3 glock 19. I also love my sp101 and have the laser grips for it and they work great.
 
The Glock 19 is a good choice. One word of wisdom: Start out with a thumb-break style holster. Inside or outside of the waistband doesn't matter. Just strap it in securely.

Case in point: Many years ago, when I first began to carry, I took my wife to the theater wearing my new Glock in an open-top plastic Glock holster concealed under a sportcoat. During the movie I began to slouch and my gun slipped up and out of the holster. When I realized it was out of place and sat up straight, it fell out onto my seat with a clunk. If I had not been sitting on my coat tail it would have fallen to the floor behind me and likely hit the ankles of the person sitting back there. I know I must have turned bright red cause my wife asked if I was OK. Scared the cr@p out of me. Fortunately, I was able to ease it back in very slowly behind my back (which was also very dangerous). Soon as I got home I chucked that holster in the trash.
 
Sounds like you just need a good holster that a G19 won't slip out of while you're sitting in a chair... Still plenty of open top choices that hold it plenty secure.

I carry a G19 sometimes too, in a High Noon IWB or a Galco Concealable Belt Holster. Both are very snug.
 
You cannot go wrong with either the glock 19 or sp101. Both great choices.
 
I can't speak for either of those guns, but they're both extremely popular choices.
In terms of holsters, you cannot go wrong with Comp-Tac. Their products are superb and their service is second to none. I have the Minotaur MTAC holster for my M&P and love it.
 
you already stated the ideal solution. get them both! :)

then you can do a little testing and see which you are more comfortable with and which you are more accurate with.
 
Thanks for that story rhodco. I'm glad that situation worked itself out with just a little embarrassment and no injuries or scared moviegoers.

My only reservation about carrying the SP101 is the 5 shot capacity limitation. Anyone have thoughts on that?

As for holsters, I have a Galco vertical carry shoulder rig that i carry my GP-100 in for short hikes and occasional outings and I have been pleased with the quality of their product. So, as for Galco, I'm right there with Wh!plash on thinking that their concealable belt holster may be a good starting place for me. I have also heard many good things about the Crossbreed Supertuck.
 
Find what works for you! If you cant carry it everyday its of no use to you. Mine is a LCP .380 cause I can even carry it wearing scrubs.
 
doc2rn, I'm actually a med student so I'm almost always in scrubs. I actually looked at the Ruger LCP, it seems like an awesome little gun. Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one who actually considered pocket carrying in scrubs! :D
 
My 3" SP101 carries very well in a Simply Rugged holster, IWB, with a good belt (The Beltman).

I used to worry about the 5 round capacity as well. If you read the stats, the vast majority of SD incidents fire just a few shots. I figure if I need more than that, I'm some place I ought not have been.
 
Like said above, a semi-auto or revolver will be fine but since you are already used to shooting a GP100 I also suggest buying a smaller revolver for concealed carry. Why learn a new skill and start carrying for the first time? There are all kinds of drills you need to practice when carrying a semi-auto which are not needed with a revolver.

One thing though, are you sure you want a revolver as heavy as the SP101 for carry? There are lighter revolvers out there which are just as good including the S&W J frames and Charter Arms revolvers. Just a thought....

Welcome to the forum.
 
you might also consider a Smith and Wesson j-frame Airweight. load with .38 special +p in a very lightweight concealable package. i have the sp101 2.25 and a j-frame. both are excellent but the Smith is about 10oz lighter and a bit smaller. it will fit in your pocket as a carry option. the Ruger is a bit big for me to do that, but works well in the waistband appendix position. my j frame gets carried this way alot and is very comfortable, secure and easy to get to. it is my everywhere gun. they are worth checking out.
 
I would get whatever you can conceal year round under your present wardrobe. Buying clothes to fit the gun can get expensive.

My daughter has an SP 101 stainless with a 2" barrel. She also has a Ruger LCP and a Ruger LCR in .357 magnum. Right now she is carrying my S&W 360 PD with aftermarket Hogue grips. She says the S&W is much easier for her to conceal comfortably using an Uncle Mikes IWB holster. I miss my Smith, but it's worth it. She shoots it well and carries it all the time.
 
You could flip a coin, and it would be a good choice for carry. If you feel like variety, get the Glock. If you want something that you'll be used to already, get the Ruger.
 
I've found that revolvers print less when carried IWB.

Also, I prefer lighter any day of the week. I carried an SP101 for a while, but eventually migrated to a S&W 442 and recently bought a M&P 340.
 
Rick Roll said:
Hey guys, I'm new here on THR. While I am not new to shooting, I am new to concealed carrying (already have CCL for my state though). I am an avid shooter of my Ruger GP-100 4" stainless, but the dang thing is just too much to lug around and keep concealed. I am a college student (no carry on campus) so I will only be carrying when I am out around town, hiking, traveling, etc... For some reason there seems to have been a recent spike in local crime here and, suffice it to say, the local (very large) university is very good at suppressing reports of local crimes.

I am looking at several guns, but I have it narrowed down to a Glock 19 (gen 4) and a Ruger SP101 (probably 2.25" bbl). :cool: To be honest, I'm probably going to get both: The Glock b/c it's cheap to shoot and become very accurate with, and the SP101 for knockdown power + ease of concealment during warmer months (pretty warm climate here).

I'd love to hear your thoughts on what I've laid out so far, and maybe some ideas on carry options like holsters, other guns I should consider, and just general advice from the experts. I look forward to the comments and I'm glad to join you guys here on THR!
Click to expand...
Depends on your size. I carry a 4" GP-100 almost all year with an IWB uncle mikes holster. I almost forget it is there. I am 6' 200#.

LNK
 
the sp 101 is the better choice for carry and shooting. though the glock may have cheaper ammo the sp 101 will outlast it, you can shoot it forever and it will not wear down. as for carry with a revolver you don't have to worry about misfires and failure to ejects endangering your life. if you are carrying for personal safety you want something 100% reliable. even if there is only a .5% chance of the gun not functioning, i would consider that too much, that's why i don't carry an automatic. they're fun to shoot but i've had too many fte's and misfires with all kinds of ammo to trust one with my life.

as for the power issue, your not going to get any better man stopping power than with the .357, at least in a handgun. i would personally go with the 3 inch barrel instead of the 2.25, the .75 inch really makes a difference in muzzle velocity and accuracy.
 
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