A new carry piece as a reward

[Syndrome]

I like guns. Unfortunately in that regard, I’m currently employed as a teacher in a foreign country where I can’t have any. When I went home for vacation this past summer I bought myself a new Ruger SP101 with 3” barrel as a reward for toiling away here in China. I had wanted an SP101 for a while and I finally had the funds available to buy it.

My meager collection of firearms lives with my folks while I’m out of the country, but I’m going to be back in the USA full time come next summer. I’ll be carrying concealed again, but I’m not sure what I want to carry. As far as carry guns go, I have a Kel-Tec p3at and the SP101. The KT is a tiny pocket pistol, while the SP101 is a rather hefty snubby with an overall length of 8” and a weight of 27 oz. I used to carry my KT constantly in my pocket, but I didn’t get around to getting a proper CCW setup for my Ruger.

Enough back story, here’s where y’all come in. I need suggestions. I’m considering focusing on my SP101, maybe customizing it a little bit and getting a good gun belt & IWB holster for it. Any suggestions in that regard would be helpful, as would stories about experiences carrying one.

On the other hand, I’m also open to suggestions about other handguns that’d be slightly easier to carry than the SP101 but packing more of a punch and offering better accuracy than the p3at. .380 is the least powerful round I feel comfortable carrying, though round count doesn’t matter that much to me so revolvers and single stacks are fair game. Also, though it is nowhere near my main concern (so don’t crucify me), I’d like something aesthetically pleasing. I’ve got plenty of “ugly but functional” in my p3at and the Hi Point 9mm I bought years ago when it was all I could afford.

So what say you, fellow board members? Focus my loving affection on my SP101 or get something new?

 

[Brian Williams]

Check out the 642 club and look at the keltec PF-9. But the Ruger will make for a real nice Belt gun. I think they are heavy.

 

[CZ223]

Well I like Semi autos

for carry especially in an IWB holster. The main reason is that they are flat. I carry a Glock 23 at the moment and am becoming increasingly confident in carrying it. I have never been one to carry regularly but, after nearly walking in on a hold-up in progress three weeks ago, I now carry all the time. That was my second close call by the way and it was all it took to realize that you can need your gun anytime, anywhere. I was looking at a Kahr 9 yesterday and for what you have described it might be perfect for you. It was pretty much the same size as the sub compact Glocks but thinner because it is a single stack. By the way, your Ruger is a fine gun and I think you are well armed with it but, I have always found if I could carry my J Frame smith I could also carry my Glock, other than in my pocket.

 

[symr00]

I had a 2.5" barreled SP101 some a little while. It was a great gun. I carried it IWB with a Clipdraw but I switched to a wheelgun because i wanted something easier to carry off duty. The weight was still there so I traded it for a S&W 642 and could not be happier. The 642 while not a .357, goes unnoticed in my pocket or shoved IWB with the Clipdraw. If I'm going to carry a gun IWB or OWB in a holster, I'll carry a semi-auto.

 

[ChefJeff1]

I have the same gun and have been carrying and shooting it for a year now. I have an akjconcealco holster. It is an inteesting design and after a break in period it is great. I also bought an iwb pancake from simplyrugged.com for like $25. Fits great and rides high. The guy at simply rugged doesn't sell them as concealment holsters but the work great. I have a milt sparks PMK that has had the gun in it for about 10 minutes. It just doesn't work for me and I'll probably sell it here before long. I also got some badger grips from ebay or hee I can't remember.

 

[Chuck123]

For Holster and belt suggestion

The single best holster I found that I can carry my handgun 10 hours or more a day is the Milt Spark Vera Max II, check out rigrate.com. For a costume made belt at the best price if found anywere, for $35.00 to $55.00 is at A.E Nelson Leather company in Scio Oregon. I had a costume belt made with a piece of spring steel put inside it of approximately $55.00. You can pay lot more for a belt, but I have never seen any belts from $25.00 to $125.00 that are as good. I talking about a costume made belt people.

Chuck

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer pocket carry and the SP101 is not the gun for that. But, it's a very easy little revolver to carry IWB if that's your preferred method and a 3" model in .357 is very effective. I would go with the 3" since it is no harder to carry IWB than the shorter length.

I have my pocket carry needs covered and have been thinking of getting an SP101, myself. They're strong, very shootable little guns with full power magnums. I wouldn't go lighter in a small .357 to be used with full power loads, myself.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

My Kel-Tec PF-9 is skinny and light (12.7 oz.). Fortunately, I my wardrobe permit me to carry a P-11 which hold 13 round since the AWB ended and Kel-Tec offers the LEO magazine to the public.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

How about the the good ol' 007 Walther PPK? It is still a .380, but they are well made guns. They are also slim and easy to conceal.

If you want a little bigger you could try the Beretta Mini-Cougar in 9mm or .40S&W.

 

[Syndrome]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I'll be sure to check out the holsters when I get the chance.

My dad has a S&W 642 which is always in his front pocket. He loves it, but he's an old wheel gun guy (not that I have anything against wheel guns, hence the SP101). I've seen that there is another gun with a black/blue finish that is otherwise the same, the 442 I think. Are there any other major differences between the 642 and the black/blue model?

In regards to the Kel-tec PF9 and P11, I've had a good experience with my P3AT so I'll check them out. Would you say that they are more or less punishing to shoot than the P3AT?

And last, but not least, the PPK has always intrigued me. I've heard that the ppk and its descendants are extremely accurate, considering their size and caliber. Has that been your experience? Not to start a big argument, but is there a reason to go with the PPK over some of its descendants like the Bersa Thunder 380 or Sig 232?

Once again, thanks for all the replies

 

[hacksaw]

sweeeeeet ruger set-up..

This could be the answer to your "dilemma"...These guys make some of the sweetest custom rugers I have ever seen. After my upcoming 1911 purchase one of their Red Dragon packages is on my list..I have NO affilliation with them at all...give 'em a look!


http://www.geminicustoms.com/