SP101 or GP100 for concealed carry?

[schapman43]

I looking at picking up a GP100 or SP101 for concealed carry. I would get either in .357 with a 3" barrel. I know the SP101 has a smaller frame a weighs a bit less but is it that much easier to carry than the GP100? I am a fairly big guy at 6' 2" 230 Lbs. so I can get away with a bit. What do you think? Do you own either and carry it concealed?

 

[444]

No, I don't think there would be all that much of a difference.
I own both guns. I have carried the SP101 concealed; never tried with the GP100, but I don't think it would be much harder to conceal.

 

[Johnny Guest]

It all depends - - -

- - - upon your situation.

Do you have other handguns? Is there some reason you want the revolver to do double duty? One might want a larger piece, for field use, perhaps. Or for police or security guard holster wear - - The GP LOOKS more like a serious handgun, and looks can be important. In certain situations, too, the extra cartridge might be a factor.

But if you contemplate this piece solely for concealed carry - - -
The smaller and (somewhat) lighter piece really IS easier to carry out of sight all day, every day. Especially with your wanting a three-inch GP - - Larger frames are a LOT harder to conceal than smaller frames, if both have a short barrel.

My perspective: I'd rather see decent citizens go armed with something, even if small, than NOT go armed.

There are times when even a dedicated handgun packer is tempted to leave a large sidearm behind, but might carry a smaller one. My full-size 1911 on my belt is comforting. But I'd rather have my Airweight .38 snub in my pocket than the .45 locked in my car.

What do you think? Do you own either and carry it concealed?

I tend toward the smaller SP101 for CC. No, I don't own either, but I DO own S&Ws sort of equivalent to both. I love my N-frame .357, and I CAN conceal it, but it is a lot easier to CC either a M&P or a Chiefs Special.

Best wishes, whatever your choice.
Johnny

 

[Snowshoe]

My daily carry is a GP100 with a 4" bbl. I have not tried an SP101 but did carry a Taurus 605.

I find the GP just a tad easier to shoot under stress {more to hold onto, longer sight radius, extra round, heavier so recoil is more managable, etc}

It will all come down to your needs, wants and desires.

 

[schapman43]

My daily carry is a GP100 with a 4" bbl. I have not tried an SP101 but did carry a Taurus 605.

What holster do you use?

 

[Jim March]

The GP 3" can be carried IWB. With a *good* holster. Holsters that good aren't quite what I'd call common. Nor cheap, usually.

One thing: with a decent fanny pack, either are comfortable. If fanny packs are your thing, the GP is cool .

 

[10-Ring]

I like the SP w/ bobbed hammer, but both will serve you well.

 

[Drifting Fate]

Something to consider is how long you carry a gun for. If it's just a few hours at a time, that's one thing. But, if you put it on at 6AM and don't take it off until 9PM, weight is going to be a serious factor. A good belt is critical if you are going to carry something as heavy as a GP100. Do yourself a favor and buy one from a true holster maker like Kramer or Mitch Rosen.

I sound like a broken record - but have you considered a Smith K-frame? Smaller and lighter than a GP100, you still get 6 shots and a smooth, reliable action.

 

[ruger357]

Given the two choices, I would go with the SP101.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

For carry, the SP101 .357 DAO snubbie 2" would be my choice. One round less - no big deal. Lighter and smaller than the GP100.

 

[V-fib]

I’m 6’5†225 and carry the Sp101 3†easily in a smartcarry mostly in the summer and a paddle or shoulder holster if I have a cover shirt or jacket.

 

[Rob96]

I have and carry both. To me, carrying the KGP-141 is pretty much like carrying a loaded 1911 Gov't model. It's just a little thicker.

 

[schapman43]

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm going to go take a look at both of these handguns tomorrow. I'm thinking I will go with the GP100 for a main gun and the stubby SP101 as a backup.

 

[.45&TKD]

SP101 .357 DAO Spurless

I have the SP101 .357 DAO Spurless. It does have the 2.25 inch barrel, but for CCW the spurless hammer is a benefit.

I'm 6' 2' 225lbs and I carry it in my front pocket without any trouble in an Uncle Mike's pocket hoster (about $10).

I wouldn't put a revolver with a trigger spur in my front pocket; too easy to snag.

If I'm carrying on my waist (IWB), I go with a full size 1911 45acp.

 

[schapman43]

Alrighty, I finally made up my mind. I am going to go with a Ruger Redhawk in .44 Mag with the barrel cut down to 4". Here is my reasoning.

I put the GP100 next to the Redhawk and found there really wasnt much difference in size going on width and frame. I usually carry a Springfield Armory Loaded 1911 Operator that weighs 44oz (unloaded, but I carry 8+1). The Redhawk in .44 Mag with a 5.5" barrel weighs in at 49oz (unloaded, and I will only be carrying 6 rounds). I figure by carrying 3 less rounds and having 1.5" of a heavy stainless barrel lobbed off I should be somewhere around the same weight.

Like I said before,
--I am a big guy and can conceal allot.
--I live in Wyoming where it is cold more days than hot.
--Open cary is no big deal around here for when it is to hot.

Another thing this plan has going for it is that I can now buy a Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 mag for hunting so I have a good excuse. Then the Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 Mag will match my Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 and .480

I'll probably still pick up a SP101 2" in .357 as a backup gun carried in a boot holster (arent cowboy boots great!).



I know I dont have to go into this here because you are all revolver fans but this is the reason for switching from a auto to revolver for personal protection.

I have been shooting handguns for about 10 years. I have fired allot of high end auto's such as HK's, Springfields, Sigs, Beretta's, Kimber's, and the list goes on. I have also fired a number of revolvers most just off the shelf stuff like Ruger, Tarus, Smith & Wesson, and Colt. There has not been a single auto that I've fired that hasnt had some kind of malfunction (and no limp wristing wasnt the cause). Out of all the revolvers that I've fired I have never had a single problem. Even the Taurus with the bent frame fired fine but a bit to the left .

So after much thinking I have decided that, though bigger, I would be much better off with a revolver. I deserve the reliability and so does my wife and kids.

 

[schapman43]

OK so I'm a liar! I went and put money down on a GP100 4" Stainless in .357. I figure I'll need a gun to carry when my Redhawk is out