LCP vs. SP101, concealability

[Travis Bickle]

I am in the market for a small pocket pistol, and have narrowed it down to the LCP or SP101. Which one would print less in a jeans pocket?

TIA for any info anyone can give me.

 

[atomd]

Night and day. There's really no comparison between the 2 as far as pocket carry goes. IMO, the sp101 is not a pocket gun. I guess you could use it as one if Omar the tent maker makes your pants and your pockets can handle it. Otherwise, it's like walking around with a brick in your pocket. A better comparison would be a S&W 442. The LCP is still smaller, lighter and more concealable in a pocket though....by a good margin. I'd rather have a sp101 in an iwb or owb holster than an lcp in my pocket. The lcp would be good if you simply couldn't have anything larger on you though.

 

[JimJD]

+1
I have a couple pairs of pants where I can carry my SP101 (DAO) in a Desantis Nemesis if I really want to. But it is a bit "hefty".
So I just use an OWB holster instead.
I haven't seen or handled an LCP yet, but looking at the specs.; it sounds like a pocket carry candidate. Then again, and I'm not Ruger bashing, I own a couple; I'm waiting to see if the pistol has all the bugs worked out. Two recent recalls of new products does not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Glockman17366]

Like the other THR guys wrote, the Ruger SP101 is not a pocket sized gun...especially in jeans. One other thing is the loaded LCP weighs about 40% of the SP101 empty. Weight is a major concern in pocket carry. I have carried my SP101 in my pocket around the house or to take the trash out or pick up the mail. I sure wouldn't want to carry it out and about like that though.
But some guys do say they pocket carry SP101's, so YMMV.

A better comparison would be a J-Frame S&W or Taurus 85. I carry an 85 which is about the same height and length as an LCP, but considerably wider (due to the cylinder).
I have ordered an LCP after seeing how well it fit my vest pocket.

You didn't write about caliber, but an LCP being a .380 is going to have a lot less punch then an SP101 (even if using .38 +P ammo). But, for a close encounter, I think .380 will be more then adequate.

 

[Phydeaux642]

If you want to carry a revolver in your pocket pick up a S&W 642 or 442. They won't drag your pants down. If you get an LCP you may have to hit the bad guy with it since .380 ammo seems near impossible to came by lately.

 

[woad_yurt]

An LCP is great for your pocket; no one will ever notice it and you'll forget it's there. An SP101 in your pocket will be a bit of a hassle. If you want to go that way, I recommend a good set of suspenders at the very least because a pound and a half is a lot for the pocket.

 

[noskilz]

Could wait for the LCR if you need a revolver. Or get the S&W 442/642 now.

 

[1KPerDay]

The LCP makes my model 37 airweight feel huge by comparison. And that's saying something.

 

[hardluk1]

Don't limit your self to just the lcr, there are good lightweight ,under 14oz guns from most makers and see what you like. You might not see a lcr for a year anyhow with demand. My local shop has a 11.5oz s&w and a airweight in stock now so look around first and see what you can find thats already in the market ,even good used.

 

[RyanM]

An SP-101 is only marginally smaller than a Glock 19/23/32/38.

You really need to just go to a good gun store and "try on" some handguns, instead of doing all your research online. If there are no good stores in your immediate area, find one further away and make a day trip out of it. See if there are any microbreweries in the same city as the gun store, and get some decent local beer. Find a nice restaurant in the area. Etc.

Photos tell you absolutely nothing about how large a gun actually is in your hand, or in your pocket or on your belt. I've tried shopping by pictures, and it's a huge mistake.

 

[chris in va]

Kahr PM9.

 

[harmon rabb]

the LCP is smaller and lighter than most cell phones. you won't even know it's in your pocket. if all you care about is conceal-ability, look no further.

 

[SAILORMIKE]

I have an LCP in a holster that fits between the belt and your pants its not an IWB either, but ITB (inside the belt ), got it from ActiveProGear.com , barely even know its there, I think a SP101 is rather large, but thats a personal preference to most. Good Luck.

 

[marcodo]

Have both the LCP and SP101.

Agree witht the night and day comments.

I love shooting the SP and hard to argue with the firepower but if your plan is to pocket carry, the SP101 was just to heavy (not big) to carry in a pants pocket. Its a great ccw and it fits great in a good IWB holster for all day carry however

The LCP is a perfect pocket carry gun. Very thin and light weight. It sits very flat in the pocket. I now carry it everywhere. Jeans, shorts and dress pants are non-issues

Some appropriately question the 380 power...7 shots of Hornady's Critical Defense seem like a good compromise for a true pocket pistol to me. I needed a very light weight gun or I found myself not carrying at all.

I would love to see this in 9 mm some day however

 

[dairycreek]

I am in the market for a small pocket pistol, and have narrowed it down to the LCP or SP101. Which one would print less in a jeans pocket?

TIA for any info anyone can give me

.

Since I own, and carry, both of the guns you ask about I conducted a bit of personal research. I put on a pair of my jeans (Lee relaxed fit) and took out both guns. Of course there was no problem with the LCP. I have mine in a Galco Pocket Protector with a Crimson Trace sight on it and, of course, it fit nicely in any of the jean's pockets. My personal preference is the right rear pocket and, for me, it works very well there.

My SP-101 is the 2.25" model with Hogue monogrips replacing the OEM Ruger grips. This particular setup certainly did not work at all in my right front pocket. Could get it in a pocket okay but getting it out presented problems. I suspect that wooden bootgrips might help some but IMHO it would still be a tight fit.

My own "solution" to the problem is to carry the SP in a Comp-Tac 2 O'clock carry which is an appendix carry. I find this combo easy to get on and easy to get off (I have a very nice gun belt and that helps) and, once on, it is a very stable and secure carry mode.

I know appendix carry is not the same as pocket carry but this combe allows me to a very covenient way to carry my Ruger. SP in the appendix holster with the LCP in my right rear pocket. FWIW I hope this helps.

 

[Rexster]

I would rather carry the SP101 any day, over an LCP, but it does indeed take bigger pockets to contain an SP101. BIG pockets. I own such pants, and have pocketed SP101s. As for printing, I would use Kramer pocket holsters for either one, so all that would print would be a rectangular shape, not the shape of a weapon.

Why my preference for the SP101? I simply have no interest in the LCP. They are the same relative size as the Kel-tec, and I briefly owned one of those. I bought it impulsively when they were still quite scarce, and could tell by dry-firing that it was not for me. Too narrow for me to hold securely during the trigger stroke when firing one-handed. I had heard they were a bit wider than the P-32, but that bit was not nearly enough. (I had fired my wife's P-32 previously.) A friend offered to buy my Kel-tec .380 for what I paid, and it is his now.

I care about concealability, but care infinitely more about shootability. The SP101 behaves more like a service pistol than a pocket pistol, in my hands, limited by the sight radius. I have three SP101 snubbies, and a couple with longer barrels. Life is good.

 

[gglass]

I rarely carry my LCP in a pocket, even though I have a pocket holster. My preferred way to carry an LCP is in a custom chest holster made from elastic and clothing grade vinyl. Since I work in a job where a dress shirt and tie are normal wear, I can simply leave one button undone for easy access.