S&W 642 or Ruger SP101 for pocket carry?

[Lucky Strike]

OK i thought I was all set on either a 442 or 642 for pocket carry when I don't want to (or can't due to dress) put on the IWB holster with an XD9sc.

Earlier this week I decided on a 642 and went to the gunshop yesterday to handle it some more and possibly buy one. Well they had an SP101 sitting there so I figured hell might as well handle that as well.

lo and behold I like the way it handled better as well as I thought it looked better. Now the reasons for liking it's looks and feel are due to the size increase which is detrimental to pocket carry. I also am partial to the Ruger cause of the great durability of my GP100. It may not be true but the lightweight of the 642 makes it seem somewhat flimsy.

So i'm just wondering who out there pocket carries an SP101 and if the extra bulk is worth putting up with or if it'll get old fast and make me regret not getting the smaller 642. I'm not exactly the biggest guy out there, 5'6"

For whatever I get I plan on using .38spl +p, so the 357mag capability of the SP101 isn't that big a deal with me (i have a GP100 for that).

 

[mgregg85]

SP101, its built like a tank.

And, it doesn't have that lock that has been proven to cause breakdowns.

The smith is lighter and smaller and has a better trigger, but it is also more fragile and prone to failure.

Remember you want a CCW piece that you can depend on. The smith revolvers with locks have been proven to fail occaisionally, do you want to bet your life on that?

 

[Pilot]

642 no question. It will dissapear in your pocket while the SP101 will feel like a brick. The 642 is reliable and well built.

 

[Dismantler]

I have a 442 and even that is too heavy for me for pocket carry. I carry a Kel-Tec .32 in my pocket. I would advise against the Ruger for pocket carry. Fine gun, but not really made for putting in a pocket.

 

[MICHAEL T]

642 But the ruger and you will be trading it back for the 642 . Ugly bricks do do well in pocket.
My pocket pistol is a KelTec 380 its been relieable accurate and forget its in the pocket I do have a Jframe but KT just packs better

 

[Woody174]

As much as I am a fan of the SP101, for pocket carry and a better trigger the 442/642 is the only way to go. Mine has the lock, no problems at all. And my pants aren't falling down like they did with the Sp101

 

[markallen]

Pocket carry, just like recoil, is a subjective thing. I have a SP101, Spurless hammer DAO. I took everybodys advice, and carried IWB. I was saving to get a Kel Tec. But one day out of necessity I dropped it in the front pocket of my cargo shorts, and guess what? It wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be.
I have to carry deep concealed at work ( shirt tail tucked in). I used to carry a .32acp in my pocket,but not since I discovered that the SP101 wasn't as heavy to carry in my pocket. There are plenty of holsters for pocket carry, I made my own. If you know someone that has a SP, ask if they will let you carry it around in your pocket, or if your friendly with your dealer he may let you carry it around the store to see if it will work for you.

 

[jaydubya]

For revolving pistol pocket carry, a Smith 642 is the way to go. Trying to carry a Ruger in your pocket will do two things: 1) increase your visits to a chiropractor, and 2) destroy your pockets rather quickly. And J-frame Smiths are not that tender.
Cordially, Jack

 

[boots]

sp101 is nice and compact, but it is very heavy....

 

[un_lucky]

Since you allready have a big gun i think the 642 would be the way to go.

 

[MCgunner]

I love my SP101, but it's too heavy for MY pocket. I don't have a 642, sometimes pocket a 17 ounce Taurus M85SSUL. Much more gun and it goes in an IWB. YMMV. I've seen guys post they pocket the SP101, but NOT ME! I put a Hogue grip on it, so now, it won't even fit in a pocket. With full power loads, though, I can shoot it well with that grip. That's important to me and it hides well IWB, nice round butt profile.

 

[fiVe]

I recommend the 642...

(of course my bias is well-known)

 

[Ghost Tracker]

SP101 is a great snubbie & fun shooter...but it's no "pocket gun". If you're up for a good holster and dedicated gunbelt, sure! If you want feather-weight, forget-you-have-it, disappear-into-your-Dockers advantages, it's a j-frame S&W you want.

 

[Lucky Strike]

So I went to the range this weekend to give my handguns some exercise and while there I was hoping to rent a 642/442 to see how I liked shooting one of them.

Well they didn't have those but they did have the titanium 342 which I read afterwards is 11ounces vs. the 15 ounces for the 642/442 and 25ouces for the SP101.

OH MAN!!!! That thing is BRUTAL!

I was shooting at a 7yd target and I must have had like 24" groupings

I also had a bloody knuckle on my thumb from the cylinder release. And this was with regular target loads and not the +p stuff I would be planning on using for self defense.

After about 20 rounds I decided I was done shooting the thing and couldn't imagine wanting to practice much with it if I were to buy one.

Now I'm second guessing this whole lightweight snubnose thing. I know the 642 is 4 ounces heavier but I'm not sure how much that would change my experience with the thing.

Maybe i need to look at the 640...that might work for me. I still want to find an SP101 to try it out (they had one but it was a 3" .22lr version) so I didn't rent it.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

The recoil issue is two-fold & EXACTLY the reason I'm an SP101 fan. Any/all snubbies are NOT easy pistols to shoot well. They require considerable practice. If a pistol is so light that it's uncomfortable to shoot, then that (required) practice is less likely to happen regularly. I'll gladly increase my pistol weight by 10-12 ozs. if I then can be more confident in my shot placement. No question.

 

[btg3]

Opinions vary on whether the SP101 is too heavy for pocket carry. IMO it calls for a belt.

 

[Bob79]

It's pretty tough to pocket carry an SP101. I know some people post they do it, but I imagine most people couldn't deal with the weight. The gun unloaded weighs 25 ozs, then add ammo, and a holster, now you're at about 29-30 ozs.

The 642 is a solid gun, and will last you a long time, as long as you're not firing Buffalo Bore or Double Tap out of it all the time. Don't forget the dimensions of the SP101 are larger as well. If you want to pocket carry get a 642, or 638.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Yeah maybe pocket carrying just isn't for me and I'll have to suck it up and wear a casual button up shirt in the summer to accomodate my IWB holster. I'll know for sure when I track down a SP101 to try it out....or maybe those extra 4 ounces do make a difference and I need to track down a 642 to test shoot

Or maybe i need to look at a one of those small .380's although i'm not sure how the recoil is on those either

 

[Downrange]

Just my .02: get a 642. It is easily manageable with any standard loads, and, really, the +P loads I shot were fine. If I'm going to strap on a piece, it's going to be a major caliber like .45 ACP. The 642 is a back-up, or front pocket gun - anytime, all the time. Hard to place a value on that capability, imo.

 

[tuckerdog1]

Love my SP101. But for carry, I much prefer my 638 ( mutant cousin of the 642 ). I vote for the 642.

Tuckerdog1

 

[Wolfeye]

it's a bit too large & heavy

I've carried mine a few times in a pocket holster. It will only fit in the front pockets of about half of my jeans, but it fits fine in cargo pants. You really need a strong belt for it to be comfortable, but even so you never forget that it's there. I found that the SP is easily carried in a winter coat pocket, but I got paranoid that it might fall out even when holstered, so I don't do it.

It's a great range gun; it digests .357 magnums without making my hand sting, and it does it accurately. I'd say it's a great gun if you want a lot of range time but only want to carry it in a pocket once in a blue moon. It's more of a belt gun than a pocket gun.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

+1 on any S&W J Frame such as the 642, 332 and 638

 

[mag]

I have a SP101 and it is a pocket gun. I carry it in my front pocket with jeans and I use a pocket holster with dress pants.

It's not too heavy for me.

I did carry a 12 oz S&W 360 in the same manner but it shot loose. So give me a SP101 anytime over those light guns that you can't shoot full power 357's without busting your hand and the gun.

Mike G.

 

[esq_stu]

I own both.

The 642 goes with me most of the time because of its light weight.

The SP101 is more fun to shoot and sometimes goes in a belt holster or in a pocket around the house. But not all day at work and after work. It's just too uncomfortable in the pocket.

The best gun to have is the one you have with you. If you're gonna buy only 1, make sure it's not one that's gonna stay locked up at home. Buy the one you will really carry.

 

[mec]

I used to carry my sp101 in an ankle rig and sometimes shifted it to a pocket when I wanted it more available. It's the smallest gun I have now and I sometimes drop it in a side pocket for short periods. For long term carry, the pockets would need to be reinforced. An older pre-lock, pre MIM Smith J frame would be a good alternative.

On a daily basis, I find a full sized 1911 in a Milt Spark VMII to be very comfortable and accesible. I have the tuckable clip option and this works well if you want to wear your sports shirt tail-in.