Newbie here!! Question on SP101 holsters.

C

coloradochuck

New member
Hello Folks,

This is one of the better forum's I've seen no matter what the subject matter. Tons of knowledge seems to spew from the firing line members.
Some of you people should be writing articles for gun magazines.
Anyway.....I've owned numerous longguns and handguns over my half century of life and now want to conceal. Next weekend I'll earn my NRA firearms safety certificate and will apply for my CCW permit here in Colorado. After numerous hours of research and touch and feel, my conceal firearm of choice will be the Ruger SP101 .357 mag 2 1/4"barrel.

My attire 99% of the time is a pair of Levis with an un-tucked polo or T-shirt.
I want a holster that can hook to my belt and be covered by my shirt.
Again, I do NOT tuck in my shirts. Would a paddle holster work without advertising the Ruger too much? I don't want a fanny pack, ankle holster, shoulder holster, or anything that goes down my pants. There ain't enough room for anything down the front of my jeans if you know what I mean.
(just kidding) :)
 
Welcome to the forum, fellow Coloradan. You are right, this is a great board. Maybe the best of its kind.

No "Down your pants?" Not sure if you mean something like a Smart Carry, or if you are excluding pocket holsters or inside-the-waistbands.

In my opinion, for a snubbie, nothing beats an inside the waistband holster, especially because you don't tuck your shirts in. They are practically undetectable with a good long shirt. Or I'd go with a pocket holster.
 
Thanks Overman...I"m speaking of something like a paddle holster that I can wear on my belt that will still reasonably conceal a Ruger snub .357 2 1/4" barrel. As I mentioned, I'm new to the conceal world. I'm just starting to request input from you veterans. I just want a holster that I can hang on the outside of my belt and cover with a T-shirt.
 
Welcome to TFL, coloradochuck! Pull up a chair and set a spell, I think you'll definitely fit in here. :D
Some of you people should be writing articles for gun magazines.
Click to expand...
Many do. Without checking the membership list, I can think of about 12 members who write for several major firearms magazines including SWAT, American Rifleman, G&A, Handguns, etc. And several of those members make it their primary career. We do have a pretty astute group here.
 
Hey, Chuck, just one bit of advice. If you don't get a good answer in a day or two, I'd re-post your question with a subject line which asks your question without them having to open it. There is probably somebody on this forum who can give you the answer you want, but might not read a post just saying "Newbie"

Good luck.
 
Very good advice, Overman, not just to cc, but to everyone creating a thread title.

I helped coloradochuck out a little on it.
 
Hey hello again Overman,

What do you mean when you say not to ask questions as a newbie??
I am a newbie!! That is why I joined this forum. I need help!
Is there a forum I should be talking to for newbies? Weren't we all new to handguns/revolvers at one time or another? If someone was new to the game I'd offer all the help I could if it was requested :confused:
 
Welcome to the board, and I will go ahead and throw my two cents in on your question.

I have carried both my sig 229 and my s&w 686 2.5" concealed. Before I got my SmartCarry, I carried in a paddle holster. The holster retained the guns well, but printed pretty heavily. I dress much the same as you, I am almost always wearing jeans and a untucked t-shirt, but I couldn't carry either gun without a jacket, as the t-shirt did not cut it by itself. If you can wear a jacket, go for it, but if not the gun will show.
 
Like said above, thats sorta pushing it a little with just a T-shirt. I carry a J frame smith occasionally in a paddle and with just a T-shirt, you can tell something is under there. Nowadays, the majority of folks who see the bulge would just think it's a cell phone or something but still...why take the chance?

And I think the Ruger is bigger than the J frame...

If you still want to consider carrying this way- ditch the idea of a paddle. They all seem to poke out more than a pancake style holster. I have a few holsters from these guys:
www.shado.com

They've got plenty of options for the snubby revolver and all three holsters I've bought have been excellent quality for the price and conceal extremely well.
 
Welcome to the board. Take a look at Galco holsters or gunners alley,, both are good holsters with galco being allittle more pricey. The sp101 is a heavy little gun when toted all day. A good holster and gun belt make ccw unnoticable and comfortable.
 
coloradochuck - I'm not Overman, but I think I can answer the questions you posed to him.

I believe you completely misunderstood his meaning and intentions. He and I and almost everyone here on TFL welcome questions from newbies. Please have no doubt about that. His advice was strictly concerning the thread title. He was saying that you will probably get more people reading this thread with some specific advice on your SP101/holster question with a differently titled thread. Lot's of people don't even open some threads, no matter what the title, if they don't think they will add a post to them.

I thought my response to Overman's post was a good clue to his meaning, and you should have noticed that your thread title has indeed been changed to reflect your SP101 question.
 
I will ask again.The SP101,does it or does it not have a hammer?A holster not only has to carry the weapon,it also has to retain it.Not all holsters will retain hammerless guns.I thougth about buying a hammerless gun but the low numbers of holsters changed my mind.Plus I dislike Double action only.Also make sure you get a quality holster.And most important check how it rides on your body and the ease of the draw.
 
I just purchased a Ruger SP101. I have a holster on the way next week. From the description of what you're looking for in a holster, don't buy a Galco or other upscale brand until you check out custom.

If you're looking for cheap, :eek: excuse, inexpensive try Uncle Mike's. If you are looking for a quality leather holster for about the same price as you would pay for Galco, try Black Hills Leather.

Rudy will make it the way you want it. And it will fit. My SP101 will be riding in the comfort belt scabbord. Open top, no thumb break, you won't need one. The open top is reinforced for easy re-holstering and the interior is smooth leather lined for quicker draw, and to protect the guns finish. $74.94! Tell Rudy to put a clip on it for you.

Good luck

Oh yeah! This will be my 7th holster from Black Hills. They are fast replacing my Galco's.
 
Welocme. I'll add to the chorus.

I don't think any OWB holster will work with your wardrobe.

You're pretty muh gonna need to go with an IWB holster. There are many good companies out there.

Someobdy else asked about whether the gun is hammerless. If it has a hammer you're going to need lots of practice getting that thing into action quickly.

My preference for holsters is Alessi or Milt Sparks both are expensive to some people but considering the box of leather some people have I think you're better off going right tothe front of the line and getting what works first instead of finding out the hard way.

Hope this helped in some small way.
 
Take a look at FIST holsters at Gunners Alley . I use a K1 with inside/outside adaptors. It keeps my XD9 sub tight against my side, and is adjustable. I have mine riding very high, with the muzzle only 1/2" below the belt. Holster retension is excellent, as I can turn mine upside down my XD stays put.
 
I took a few pictures wearing my K1 to show what I mean.
 

Attachments

  • K1 holster 001.jpg
    K1 holster 001.jpg
    59.6 KB · Views: 64
  • K1 holster 002.jpg
    K1 holster 002.jpg
    70.9 KB · Views: 60
jvlip3,

Sorry for not responding sooner. Had lots of domestic duties this past weekend.

Yes... The SP101 has a hammer.

Thanks for all the replies from you folks.
 
I’ve got a SP101 .357 2.25” and I use a Smartcarry holster for it and one speedstrip of extra ammo. I wear it all day and don’t even notice it is there. Even riding my motorcycles. One thing I like about it is it doesn’t put weight on one hip (or one spot like a belt holster would).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top