Ruger SP101 .357 for concealed carry?

Question

I am seriously considering the SP101 in .357 mag for my concealed carry revolver. I will probably have it loaded with .38s while carrying but I think it would be nice to have the option of using the more powerful .357 load if needed.
I am going with a revolver because of the simplicity and durability. Stainless steel is almost indestructible and that's what I want.
Is there anyone out there has carried this revolver that can give me their opinion on it? Is it accurate and should I go with the 2" or 3" barrel?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, I own a Ruger SP-101 and have carried it concealed.



Originally, I purchased a used SP-101 chambered for .357 Magnum.

After firing some .357 Magnums through it for target practice, I decided that .38 Specials were much more pleasant to shoot through it.

Eventually I traded it in for an SP-101 chambered for .38 Special. [I got annoyed with cleaning the 1/8" long rings of carbon fouling that formed inside the cylinder chambers. I'm picky that way. It wasn't the guns fault. ;-)]



Okay, now for the opinions of how well it shoots and how easy it is to carry.

~ The Ruger SP-101 is an accurate snub-nosed handgun. At a distance of 10 yards or so, mine will produce shot-groups measuring 2-3 inches in diameter. Beyond that, shot-group sizes open up and at 25 yards the shot-groups measure 12 to 14 inches in diameter. This is due to a combination of factors which include a short barrel, short sight radius and the ability of the shooter to keep the gun steady.

~ The SP-101 is built like a proverbial tank. It is hefty for its size, and that heft inspires confidence.

~ That extra heft makes the SP-101 more of a burden to carry when compared to the S&W Model 60 or the Taurus Model 85. But the burden is reasonable and bearable.

~ The SP-101 is reliable. The most I've fired though mine during a single range session was 200 cartridges. It was dirty and gritty, but it still functioned properly.

~ With OEM grips, the SP-101 works well with speed-loaders made by HKS or Safariland. With non-factory grips, some modification may be necessary. I had to modify my Pachmayr grips by removing some material.

~ There are more SP-101 holsters available now than were available 10 years ago. That said, you may still have to shop around to find holsters you're happy with.

~ Mine has a 2" barrel and that size is easier to carry concealed, especially when using a pocket holster or ankle holster. The 3" barrel length is less of an issue if you carry inside the waistband, but the 2" barrel offers more concealment options. Also, the longer barrel will be heavier and more of a burden to carry. Since the 2" barrel is accurate enough, why burden yourself?

~Ergonomics. The Ruger SP-101 is very "user friendly". I prefer the cylinder latch button of the SP-101 more than the Ruger LCR's method of opening the cylinder.

The trigger pull of the SP-101 is very reasonable and it gets better with use. Keep it clean & properly lubricated and you'll be a happy SP-101 owner.

Answer 2

Ruger Sp101 Concealed Carry

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Ruger SP101 .357 for concealed carry?

I am seriously considering the SP101 in .357 mag for my concealed carry revolver. I will probably have it loaded with .38s while carrying but I think it would be nice to have the option of using the more powerful .357 load if needed.

I am going with a revolver because of the simplicity and...

Answer 4

Sp101 Concealed Carry

Answer 5

They are accurate, and durable, and I would suggest the longer barrel. For the most part when concealing a revolver the difference between a really snubby barrel and the moderate length one isn't as big a deal as the bulge from the cylinder. However, from a performance standpoint for the ammo and sight radius standpoint of picking up a front sight and using it well the extra inch or so has some value.



In fact - a very good friend's sister was looking for her first pistol to have at home and after going through a number of options we settled on this same gun for her. I wouldn't have let her get it if there were any concerns at all about the firearm.



Thinkingblade

Answer 6

Stay with .38 specials until you get a whole lot of practice with the .357 loads. I would opt for the 2" barrel. For a concealed carry piece, you would be surprised how much more difficult that extra 1" of barrel can make things. With a spurless hammer, it also carries nicely in a pocket, which is a very effective carry method. I love my .357 snub, and they are extremely accurate if you will take the time to learn to shoot them well. Be prepared for HEAVY muzzle blast. Recoil will be severe in the 5 shot frame also, but like all other things, it takes practice to learn to control it.

Answer 7

Depends of how much you invest in a holster and belt. SP revolvers are like a tank. And you pay for that with weight. The 3 inch wll be a little more comfortable to shoot (wth heavy loads) but that inch makes a difference when the guns carried all day.



Accuracy at typical self defense ranges? Out to 25 feet if your training and practicing... probably about equal for most practiced shooters.



Ive shot several SP's over the years (students guns mostly) ...never bought one myself... but I have a similar M65 SW and have owned a couple of snubby K frames over the years... and still tote a J frame 60 as a back up gun.



Those GP and SP Rugers are great guns. Just remember... A GOOD BELT is key to comfort with any CCW handgun... a good holster is a must also.

Answer 8

I conceal carried a SP101 for many years.



I carried the .357, 3" barrel, stoked full of .357 ammo.



The gun is durable, reliable and accurate.



My only advice to you is to invest in a high quality belt holster.



Either IWB or OWB. The weight of the gun means it doesn't do well in a pocket carry role.



That weight however is a very welcome thing when you're shooting full power .357's.



I absolutely love that little revolver.



The only reason I stopped carrying it is because I want more than 5 rounds in my CCW firearm.

Answer 9

I carried that exact gun for years. Had the 2 1/4" barrel. Easy to carry/conceal but feels good and solid in the hand. It is very accurate (for a snubby). I loaded it with Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shocks for social work. Had to finish off a big 10 pt buck that was wounded by a friend. That round punched through the chest and all the way through the opposite shoulder and stopped just below the hide. Great bullet but kicks. 38's good for plinking cheap and can ammo abundant. 38 + P great for defense too. Shot a squirrel in Alaska (for food) at 15 yds with the .38....and those squirrels are small so it's very accurate. Plus, a revolver is fool-proof in a defense situation....even if you're in a hurry and adrenaline pumping and you're flustered it's just a matter of pulling the trigger....simple is good. Unlike a glock or a plastic gun, you can hit someone with it (as an alternative to shooting them), if you need to, and they will be knocked silly. You can't go wrong with this for CC.

Answer 10

I own one, I carry one it is an amazing gun mine has had the factory springs replaced with Wilson Combat springs which drastically reduce the trigger pull and the trigger set has been polished so the trigger pull is silky smooth and very consistent the gun rides in a IWB Crossbreed holster for deep concealment or in a Fobus belt holster for open carry, I keep the gun loaded with Hornady .357 Mag Critical Defense rounds,the gun shoots like a dream and even with the hottest .357 loads is more than controllable even with my custom wood grips the gun has never ever malfunctioned and still looks brand new and with the upgrades shoots better than any other snubby I have ever shot

Answer 11

I badly sprained my ankle about 3 weeks ago. I was in a hurry going down the stairs, lost my balance and landed on a bad side of my left foot, causing my left ankle to be stretched going on the inside. The first 48 hours were excruciating and the pain was un-believable. I've never had a serious ankle injury before.



So I immediately treated it using the RICE method. The following day, the bruising and swelling were so horrible. I found out that I got a second degree sprain and immediately panicked after that. I had a football game on that week and it been looking forward to it because I've been training for rt. I had teammates that had similar injuries and it took them months to fully recover, some of them stopped playing altogether. So I kinda had a short-term depression because I can't imagine myself not being able to run and play sports anymore.



Because I was so desperate to recover again, I contacted a lot of people that I know who do sports and asked them if they had similar injuries. One friend of mine, from the boy's football team in my university, told me about H.E.M. Ankle Rehab. I got a copy 4 days after I got injured. I immediately read and followed what was instructed and felt improvement on the first day. I was able to walk a bit, but I was in pain.



A couple of days after that, the swelling and bruising were subsid-ing significantly and on the fourth day, I was walking comfortably again. Although I've had felt a bit of stiffness, I continued doing what was instructed. My sister was surprised that I have recovered this fast. I told her about this book and was shocked on how effective the procedures were. I'm just so happy that this book was shared to me and how effective it is.



Heal your ankle fully & fast?

Answer 12

That's what I have carried for years and love the way it carries and handles when shooting. I also have Crimson Trace grips. The laser grips make up for the lack of adjustable sights. Mine is 2" barrel. The GP100 is about the same but has a little bigger frame that gives a bigger grip. If you go to the 4.20 barrel you have adjustable sights in both models. I also carry speed clips for ease of loading.

Answer 13

it is accurate enough



I say go with the 3" barrel, the ballistics get a real nice boost, as does aim-ability (a better gauge of how easy it is to hit a target than the raw mechanical accuracy of a gun)



3" has pretty much zero impact on how easy it is to conceal, and doesn't slow down the draw any