Ruger SP-101 .357

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Anyone use a Ruger SP-101 .357 2 1/4 barrel for CCW?
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[38-44HD45]

I have, from time to time, usually in a Renegade ankle rig as a backup. I love my little SP-101, but it is a bit heavier than my Magnum Carry, which holds one more round, so the MC gets carried more. The Ruger is a stronger gun, though, by some margin. They are great little guns, and seem to last forever.

 

[moonshine44]

I use one a lot in the summer time. I can either carry it on my belt under a light shirt, or in the pocket of my cargo shorts. Great little gun!

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I regularly carry a Smith M60, 1 7/8" round butt. I love it. However, you are always looking for "just one more gun"...right?

Well, the Ruger SP101 is one that has been crying out to me for some time.

Yes, I know it's heavier than my J frame, but .357 in that little package might sure be nice.

Please tell me I don't need one!

 

[flop-shank]

I carry a Taurus 605 2 1/4" and it's size and feel are very similar to an SP-101. It's a decent gun, but I would rather have a Ruger. The 605 shoots somewhat like a full size gun, definately more so than a J frame, perhaps because I have small hands. Occasionally a pocket isn't quite deep enough for the 605 to work, but a 1 7/8" J frame will. The 605 is a great appendix carry gun, and I'm sure the 101 is also. I like to use the 605/appendix carry while working in the yard with a BUG in each front pocket. full size revolvers don't work for that application because they're too big to appendix carry and my shirt will constantly ride up over the gun and expose it while carry ing IWB at 3:30 when bending over/picking up sticks ect. You can expect approximately full size 9mm power from a 2 1/4 .357. You can carry a full power gun without carrying a full size gun. I will warn you that full power .357s from a gun that weighs about 24 oz. is pretty sporty and most people won't be able to shoot well without a lot of practice. That was certainly the case with me.

 

[Spotteddog]

You certainly won't be able to do the thing any harm regardless of what you shoot in it? They're pretty tough!

 

[ShadyScott]

Great guns! A little heavy.

 

[Stubborn Dutchman]

I have one. It makes a great glove box and winter coat pocket back up gun. I doubt anyone could kill one of these things.

 

[bummer]

Yes I do. It rides in a Don Hume h715 at the 3 o'clock position.I purchased it because I wanted a compact wheel gun when I got my ccw and J frames are hard to find used in these parts. I think I payed $200 for it 5 years ago. It's heavy and I wish I could find a set of Uncle Mike boot grips for it.

 

[ENH]

Mine is just too heavy for pocket carry, nice with a holster, but then if I need a holster I might as well have 6,7 or 8 shots.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Don't have one, but always wanted a 3" DAO with a bobbed hammer. Thought that would make a real slick carry piece. I know they don't come that way, but it shouldn't be to difficult to swap out the hammer.

 

[wheelgun1958]

Three incher on my hip as I type.

 

[Erich]

I had one of the snubs years back. It was fine to shoot with the magnum rounds - feisty but solid. Trigger pull was abominably heavy (tho smooth) and was too much for my wife to like to shoot. The gun was too large and heavy for pocket-carry and the stocks (wonderful for shooting tho they were) were too "grabby" for pocket-carry. I have a friend who futzed with the action of his, resulting in a decent pull. Got rid of mine, though, and have never regretted it.

 

[38-44HD45]

Following up on Erich's: The 101 action is remarkably easy to slick up, and lightening the mainspring never seems to result in light strikes unles one goes WAY overboard. The factory grips are grabby, but Jim Badger can fix that. I slicked up a 101 for my petite daughter several years ago, and installed CT Lasergrips. She keeps it loaded with 110gr. magnums, for somewhat less recoil than 125s, and is quite salty with it. Erich is right, though: from the factory, they need a little help.

 

[Erich]

I carried Buffalo Bore's 158-grainers in it, and never felt the least bit concerned that the gun wasn't up to the charge.

I don't want to come across as not liking the factory stocks, though: they suit me very well. Just not for pocket-carry.