1911 Officer or Ruger 3" SP101

Well, I dropped by the neighborhood gun shop today to see what they had in stock. I tried on a 2" SP101 and an Officer model, simply cramming them into my jeans (no holster, but with the salesman's consent) where they would be carried IWB. Their display counters have mirrored backs, so I was also able to check for printing while squatting and bending over. Both concealed equally well under a t-shirt while standing, but it seemed like the SP101 printed a little less while squatting. I'll have to think more about ammo selection as well.

I've also been thinking about putting these two on the back burner for now and just getting a Ruger LCP as a "go anywhere" gun first. Sure, .380 is marginal, but with the upcoming Virginia heat and humidity it might be wise to go with something I'm sure I can tote everywhere. I can upgrade to something a little more potent later on.
 
I have a Model 1911 type .45 with a 4 inch barrel and an Officer's frame. My VersaMax 2 IWB holster finally arrived yesterday.

I cannot comment on the Ruger SP101, but I can tell you that I am just as happy carrying the .45 in an IWB a my Model 442, which has the longer CT grip. In fact, the .45 grip seems to conceal better because is protrudes less from my body. That is probably due to my physique--I'm a lot less fit than I was yeas ago.

Of course, the 442 will fit in a pocket holster.

Right now the .45 is my choice. We'll see about alternatives when the weather warms up. Last year I was carrying in a pocket holster. I also have the option of a Smith & Wesson M&P9c.

For me, the choice of the .45 over the LCP is not just one of power. The LCP has a long trigger pull, which, combined with the smallness of the grip, opens up short range group size quite a lot--based on dry fire and on watching people practice with them. For me, that's not so much an issue of whether I can defend myself, it's a matter of reducing the risk of misses that may endanger others.
 
That's what I'd like to have a 5" on an Officers frame. It'd be even more concealable and full ballistic output :)

Sigh. I guess I haveta stick with my GM for now.
 
For me, the choice of the .45 over the LCP is not just one of power. The LCP has a long trigger pull, which, combined with the smallness of the grip, opens up short range group size quite a lot--based on dry fire and on watching people practice with them. For me, that's not so much an issue of whether I can defend myself, it's a matter of reducing the risk of misses that may endanger others.
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This is definitely a concern for me as well shot placement. After all, a hit with a .45 is much better than misses with a .380 :p. My first CC purchase was a Seecamp LWS32. I may have smallish-medium hands for a guy, but that little pistol was way too small for me to control, and I just couldn't get any kind of accuracy with the trigger and lack of sights. In comparison, the LCP and Kel Tec P3AT's trigger, larger frame, and minimal sights should offer much better accuracy. Various posts that I've read suggest that decent accuracy out to 15 yds. is attainable with practice. My experience with those two little .380's is limited to dry fire, but I found the triggers to be way better than I expected, and a nice compromise between the 1911's crisp SA pull vs. a J-frame's longer and heavier DA. If I can't easily attain minute-of-paper-plate at 7 yds. after a few range sessions, I'll have to move on to something else.
 
I'm pretty much a revolver man when it comes to CCW. I like the way a small framed revolver conceals and the way it handles. Especially like the part where you pull the trigger and it goes "BANG". Every time. No safeties, slide releases, mag releases etc to mess with/worry about in a high stress situation.
FWIW, I usually carry a S&W J frame but do own and sometimes carry my SP 101 9mm. The SP 101 is a fine gun and comfortable to shoot. I have owned a couple of compact 1911's in the past and was never impressed with their reliability and "carry friendliness."
That said, I have recently been smitten by the new S&W M&P line (after a long lived self imposed prejudice against "plastic guns"). Their compacts weigh 21 oz, carry small, fit the hand and fire flawlessly and have a minimum of external controls to fumble with. The fact that I get 11-13 rounds in this small and comfortable package is not unnoticed either. I'm not giving up my J frames but do find my M&P 9C taking more trips with me.
 
I just like the reliability of a revolver. My wife has carried the 3" SP101 for about 15 years now. It always goes BANG and never jams. I like the original grips (I have the SP101 in .22 as a plinker), but she now has the Crimson Trace laser grips on hers. Very accurate gun. I've "downloaded" her to the 110-gr Winchester .357 loads. Less recoil. I like them, too, and carry them in my S&W K-frame snubbies.

1911's are really cool, but for a life or death gun, I'd go with the Ruger.
 
I have both (Ruger 3" 357 and Kimber Compact 1911). I carry both. The Ruger is more of my woods gun. The officer sized 1911 is thinner and mine is lighter. There are many more holster options with a 1911.

Also, I can shoot the 1911 much faster with more accuracy than the DA revolver.

I did recently buy a Simply Rugged hoslter for my SP101 with the IWB straps and it works well.

To tell you the truth though, I mostly carry a Beretta Jetfire 25acp in a pocket holster or IWB. I need to adjust my wardrobe to accommodate the larger guns.
 
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