Sp-101 & Ccw

J

jdhermit

New member
Hi all. Hoping you revolver folks can help me with a question. I'm new to CCW, although not to shooting.
My main CCW is a HK USP9 compact, but during summer months is difficult to carry at work. (Won't go into the details, except that I don't wear untucked shirts or second shirts during summer).

So my question is: I also have SP-101 in .357. It seems heavy for CCW, but not sure. If I can find a good Tuckable IWB for this, is it a viable option? I don't really like any of the semi-auto's for a "small" carry weapon (Kahr/Glock :barf:/Kelteck, etc), so thought of this.
Should I trade SP-101 for *&* airlite? Or some variant of Taurus? or is the SP ok?

Sorry for spewing out questions! Thanks.

jdhermit
 
I have an SP 101 .357 and an AirLite.

The only reason I carry the AirLite rather than the SP 101 is the weight factor.

Were it not for health problems (abdominal problems preclude use of a belt, and spinal arthritis precludes use of a shoulder holster), the weight of the Ruger would be an advantage rather than a disadvantage, making it preferable to the AirLite in every regard.

Tyro
 
Tyro: Makes sense to me...I'm not particularly concerned with the weight, as its pretty close to my HK & not bad for me.

General question: Revolvers are not as slim as semi-auto's, right? So are they harder to use for CCW, especially in my instance of wanting a tuckable IWB?

jdhermit
 
The SP101 .....

..... is a great CCW piece. I carry mine in a High Noon Mr. Softy, and have no problems with it being a "heavy" gun. I'm medium sized (5' 9" / 185#), and would recommend this fine revolver for your CCW.

Good Luck !
 
I carry a SP101 in an Alessi Talon. I wear the clip under my belt and tuck my shirt around the pistol then reach or stretch over my head so my shirt pulls loose and little bit hangs/blouses naturally.
 
Have you ever thought of a pocket holster? I carry my 101 in the front pocket of my pants in a Galco holster. I works with jeans, and works fantastic with the docker type pants. Use speed strips for reloads. I also have a IWB for it, but usually find myself just using the pocket holser. Weight no problem.
Bob
 
I have an SP and a 60, both at CCW's. I carry the 60 as a pocket gun and the SP IWB, both tuckable and a high riding design.
The SP is just a hair too big for me as a pocket gun ...the 60 is cutting it close enough. Im 5'10" and 165...so I dont hide guns well. Id go for the tuckable IWB...Galco or Bladetech for Kydex are the best Ive had...for regular IWB, Don Hume is my favorite for the money. The 60 I carry is stainless and is within a couple of OZ's of the SP. Weight isnt really the issue...Pocket carry is the most comfy Ive found yet...even great IWB isnt quite there for comfort. If you can hide it with your size try it.
Shoot well
 
Just like I've not figured out how some others here at TLF can stand to carry the bigger semi-autos in an ankle holster all day, I personally (as well as several CHL students) have found the SP-101 a bit too bulky - and HEAVY for routine carry in anything except maybe a fanny pack.

Don't get me wrong, ' still got my 101 and love it - just not for on-bod carry. With my normal 12-ounce j-frame currently loaned out last night, I went back today to an 11-ounce 342 fitted with Hogue grip. For me anyway, a 340 or 342 IWB is a dream come true. Recoil (with aftermarket grips) and accuracy are acceptable with +Ps. Comparatively, the SP-101 just feels like an anchor!
 
In the summer, I usually carry a old 642 in a leather pocket holster. Rides great in loose jeans, BDU's, shorts etc. My SP-101 is just a little too heavy for me to carry that way. I carry it in a really deep riding old suede IWB holster. May be Galco. I'll just carry that until the leather falls apart. Kydex IWB are cool, but, they got too many pointy corners for me..and, that plastic is HARD.....the SP-101 may be the greatest compromise between weight and horsepower yet made. and, I feel like I am carrying a REAL gun...
 
Thanks for the comments! I don't think my jeans would hold the SP in front pocket. Don't know if I wear 'em tighter than most, or what, but just not enough room.
I think I'm going to go get a tuckable IWB and try it. Perhaps Galco or BladeTech. I've heard so many conflicting opinions on leather vs. Kydex, I guess I'll just have to try one and see if I like it.

Its actually good, cause I've only shot about 100 rounds through the SP-101 since I bought new (3 years ago) and I was thinking about selling it, but something kept telling me not to.

Fate?

jdhermit
 
I believe Greg Garrett @ Comp-Tac (in Houston, Texas) can help you out with a very nice kydex holster. I don't have the tuckable, but Mrs Aggie use one of his locking paddles and I use an IWB. Excellent stuff.

Good luck and God bless ya'll.................
 
Ok, that brings up a new question. My friend who is "anti" revolvers for CCW, says the SP101 will be too thick in the cylinder for comfortable carry.
Thus he recommends I go to a semi-auto, especially for IWB. (Kahr, KelTec, etc.)

Thoughts?
Thanks,
jdhermit
 
I personally find that J frames and SP101's are much easier to conceal in an IWB holster carried in the front. I use an Uncle Mike's fabric IWB with my S&W 37 and find that the cylinder fits right below the belt line while the thin part of the frame is right under the beltline, making for very comfortable carry. I have found that most pistols, other than ones like the Sig 230, tend to feel very "blocky" in that carry mode, too much material under the belt.
 
Hows this for a comment for your friend. The SP and J frame have the same diameter cylinder and I carry them both all of the time.
In a thread I put up last week "What is the best CCW PERIOD!"
The J frame got the most votes. By a fair margin I may add. With the experience on this board, I would beg to differ "ALOT" with your friend. Shoot well
 
Ah-ha! I've tended to agree with him on most points regarding semi's, but have always wondered about his negative comments on revolvers for carry. Everytime I carried mexican for short periods, it really seemed like it would fit well.
I think that solves it...I'll change to the boot grips, get a IWB and try it for the rest of summer!

Now to work on my winter gun...probably get rid of the HK USP9c after all the discussion on another thread.

thanks!

jdhermit
 
I read between the lines on your first post and believe that I'm in exactly the same situation you are. During most of the year, my 2 1/4" sp101 is in an uncle mikes ankle rig strapped to my off leg. When I go somewhere that it needs to be in immediate reach(and I know it) it shifts into a side pants pocket . some people like semi- autos and others, like me, like revolvers - a lot.

The sp101 has shooting qualities that take it out of the snub category. I would say don't sell it or you will probably just end up buying another one later.
 
mec: How is the SP strapped to your leg? I thought about that option, and again my friend (who I speak with at length about firearms b/c of his experience) hates leg carry. I think I'll try it myself, however, b/c everyone's built different and has different tolerances.
 
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