Talk me In/Out of the SP101 as my new CCW

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J

Jotobo

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I have an LCP now and want to upgrade. Been experiencing some failures with the LCP and I would not mind getting a bit more power out of my CCW gun.

Here is what Im looking at:

Ruger SP101 in .357
Kahr CW45
Rock Island 1911

The Kahr is obviously the easiest to carry, but with the proper holster I can get this done with the SP or the 1911.

Im leaning HEAVILY towards the SP101. Im looking at them almost all the time and really, really like it.

Talk me in or out of it.
 
Would you consider a Ruger LCR? I think they carry them in .357. That meets the best of both worlds for you. If you can manage the recoil.
 
Nope, I dont want a super light revolver.

I like the heft of the 101.
 
I think the 3" SP101 is one of the best belt-carry guns available.
It will not be much, if any tougher to conceal than the Kahr, and I say that as someone who carried the SP101 for about 2 years, and has now been carrying a Kahr K40 for about two years.

The 3" Sp101 gives you an edge in velocity, sight radius, and forward weight over the shorter bbl. It can handle any .357mag load that you can handle.
if could only have one gun, it would be that SP101. I think it's the most versatile handgun around. target .38s are a pleasure to shoot at the range, and good solid .357s are great for the trails/hiking/camping.
 
I have a 3" SP101, which I bought about 3 months ago and the more I shoot it, the better I like it. Initial double action trigger pull was kind of hard, but it has smoothed out and it is much better after dry firing it and putting in a Wolff 10# trigger spring. It fires without any FTF's. I carry an LCR (very light) some days when walking on local park trails, but when I am out in areas with more animals (or weird people) in the area, I like the SP101. I am getting used to the weight of this sturdy revolver and with a good belt holster, it is comfortable. The gun shoots 38's very comfortably and 357's are a little snappier, but not a problem for me. My SP101 3" is more accurate than I am and I can't find much to fault on it. As an old revolver cop, I recommend it.
 
i put my faith behind m&p9 or for your preff. 40 or 45. i prefer an auto to a revolver. personal preference. when i go shoot /train i will load some dummy rounds (spent brass and primer with no gunpowder and a new bullet) in with the good ammo. this way i get to practice my malfunction drills. snap caps will work too but it is more of a surprise when you don't know if you have load in a blank or not because they look the same.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
 
The SP101 is an excellent choice. I've owned 2 but sold them both due to the nature I carry a snub. My snubs are for the extreme rarity that I carry on the ankle or more commonly in a 5.11 holster shirt when I'm riding my bike on the trails. The SP101 just sagged too much in both areas so I bought an LCR in .38spl +P. I never pocket carried either SP101 but they where also a bit bulky and heavy for that as well when I tried it just to see how it would be.

If your mode of carry is IWB, the SP101 is hard to beat.
 
There is something "just right" about a 3.06" SP101 revolver, in my opinion. I have been regularly toting 2.25" SP101 snubbies since about 1997, and added the longer one a couple of years ago. I had bought a pre-owned take-out factory spurless hammer through an on-line auction some time ago, and it dropped right into the 3.06" SP101, making for a wonderful trigger stroke. The slighter longer barrel provides a notably improved bit of sight radius, and a bit of heft right where I want it. Life is good!

Actually, the SP101 hammer spur is so small, anyway, I am not sure it would be likely to hinder a clean draw, but this particular spurless hammer actually resulted in a cleaner DA trigger stroke, so it was a good swap.
 
I carry the SP101. I find it is best carried on or in the belt. For pocket carry I prefer my LCR 357. If need to go a little smaller I go with a 442.
 
I have the hammerless SP101 snubby and really like it. I also have the LCR in .357 I carry the 101 iwb and the lcr in my pocket along with an 8 round speed strip. I like the consistency between the two. If i had some more money i would have the SP101 in a three inch.
 
For holster carry the SP101 is a dandy. It is a little to heavy for pocket carry.
Barrel length. I can manage anything from 2 thru 4 inches.
The 4" guns are a little long to conceal easily.
The 3" guns are easier to conceal, and still have a fairly good sight radius.
The 2" is by far the easiest to conceal, but harder to shoot well.

I would probably lean towards the 3". More shootable package, still conceals well, and the additional inch of barrel will help with velocity some.

I would probably pack it in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake.


Bob
 
I have had a three inch for a few months now. I'm just waiting for a holster to appear in the mailbox. I think it's a solid choice. Even if you decide you'd rather carry something lighter you'll still have a dandy little .357, and that's not a bad thing at all.
 
judging by the title and the section this is in, i think your preferance is obvious.
 
I am not going to be much help in talking you *out* of an SP101.

FWIW, I picked one up myself after slowly coming to the realization that the SIG P238–which was a great little .380–was not quite there in terms of ultimate power and reliability. So I guess I get where you are coming from. It is pretty apparent that you already know the strengths/weaknesses/limitations with regard to carry of the little tank and are just looking for some user feedback, yes?

In that case: the SP is a great little snubby. I can't imagine you being disappointed, given your comments.

As an aside, I really like Elmer's holsters from the leather arsenal in Idaho. While his site does not list revolvers, he will gladly do one, just call and ask:

attachment.php
 
I love the SP101. I bought one for my wife several years ago and she has been very happy with it. Ruger had talked once about making one in a 41 Mag. I would love to have one if they ever decide to make one.
 
I have a 2 1/4" DAO SP101 that I carry IWB sometimes, when I'm not carrying my SR9c. It's a nice little revolver, I have no complaints.
 
I have the 3" Sp101 and the LCR, and from my experience I would take the SP101 over five LCRs. There's just night and day when practice time comes. It's comfortable pleasant shooting vs unpleasant painful shooting. Get the 3" Sp101 and don't look back.
 
16 years and counting. The 357 sp101 is fine weapon. IMO the sp101 is the smallest/lightest you should get for a 357. I've shot the hottest loads, not the most pleasant, but manageable.
 
Can't beat it they are rugged and accurate. I have both 2.25 and 3inch.
I like the DAO, and they both be around after I'm gone.
 
SP101's are top notch guns. Why would anybody want to talk you out of carrying it? I like hi capacity guns, so my wheel gun days are long gone, but I like the SP101 and would carry it in a minute if I still carried revolvers.

WT
 
I have a 2.25" SP101 that I carry IWB and occasionally in a pocket of a heavy Carhartt coat. I think the .357 is a very accurate and powerful round. I can load it with bird shot to .38spl to 180gr hard cast .357mag, or anything in between, or any combination thereof. I reload and keep ammo on hand for my other .357's, so...the SP101 is a nice fit for me.
I hope I'm not talking you out of one, 'cause I was trying to talk you into one.
 
i had one, sold it due to the weight and trigger, bought a smith 3" model 60 in .357, like so much better for carry.
 
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