Second thoughts about SP101

[Palu]

I was pretty set on an SP101 and set out to the gun shop today. I was looking for a companion/(and carry) gun for my GP100. Also, it would be a home defense gun for the wife.

So I handled the SP, then for kicks, asked for an LCR. Man, that LCR is sweet (to hold). So light. Then I had second thoughts about having to carry the SP101..... Would I regret getting this after a few carries due to heft? Would I kick myself for not getting the LCR.

Then of course, went through the flip side of the situation--would I regret getting such a light gun when it came time to shoot? Or not having the option to load up some hot 357 loads?

Arrrg! Oh, for those that will comment--can't swing both guns right now. (wish I could). Racking my brain trying to decide.

 

[rdf009]

The SP101 is stainless steel. The LCR is plastic. That should help make up your mind.

 

[98Redline]

If I were looking for CCW, I would pick the LCR over the SP.
I love my SP, however it is a pretty hefty gun for carry purposes. I would prefer to give up some firepower for something that I will carry more often than own a cannon and have it home in the safe most of the time.

 

[steveodtw]

The LCR barrrel and cylinder are stainless steel. The frame is high strength aircraft aluminium. The rest of the fire control housing is glass-filled nylon, a very rugged lightweight material. Not a plastic gun.

The SP101 is not fun to shoot with .357 ammo, though powerful enough for any SD job. The LCR is something you will enjoy putting 50-100 round boxes through, the trigger is the best DA out there. No contest on the weight to carry the LCR. And it's very accurate for a snubby.

To each his own, but don't rule out the LCR without trying it. Modern SD .38 +P FMJs will do the job.

Both great revolvers. Good luck on your choice.

 

[rdf009]

Call it glass filled nylon or whatever you like. It still looks and feels like plastic. Don't get me wrong....I'm not knocking on the LCR. It's a fine gun, and is certainly an excellent example of modern engineering and design. I simply prefer the old-fashioned ruggedness of an all steel revolver.

 

[rugerjunkie]

The SP101 is not fun to shoot with .357 ammo.

The SP is no fun but a revolver that is even lighter is not a problem??
Don't get it.


If for strictly carry the LCR would be ok. For any other purpose (like actually shooting it regularly) my money will be spent on the SP-101.

 

[Palu]

Thanks for the replies. I will have to do a little more thinking on this.

BTW, what do you guys think about the s&w 642 vs LCR? Local shop has the 642 for $350 vs $390 for LCR.

 

[stantheman86]

The LCR is a "niche" gun, IMO. It's good for something to use for CC that's easy to pack, and light to carry. I had considered picking one up to use as a BUG or a "grab and go" gun when I don't need something heavy, like just running out to the store. They definitely have a use, and they are selling like hotcakes so people seem to like them for their intended purpose.

I would buy an LCR before I bought a S&W Airweight.

 

[steveodtw]

The SP101 is not fun to shoot with .357 ammo.

The SP is no fun but a revolver that is even lighter is not a problem??
Don't get it.


If for strictly carry the LCR would be ok. For any other purpose (like actually shooting it regularly) my money will be spent on the SP-101.

Shoot the LCR. You'll get it. I enjoy spending the time to get and stay proficient with my LCR (as I do with my SS GP100).
If they pound the crap out of me, I'm not so interested spending the time shooting I should for serious business,

To each his own. That's why we all favor the very broad Ruger product line.

 

[hittman]

My SP goes to the range. My Model 37 Airweight Smith gets carried.

I too was going to carry the SP but especially with dress slacks, the extra weight did make a difference.

 

[WendyZXZ]

The SP101 would be my choice...it allows comfortable shooting of both the hotter .38 Special loads as well as the less powerful .357 Magnum loads, but it is more than a bit heavier.

 

[yogiboobooranger]

Get the LCR and do not look back..it is a great carry gun, and is very easy to shoot. With the recoil tamer grips on it and the fact it is polymer, the gun absorbs the recoil so much that it is a joy to shoot. My wife who is recoil sensative, will shoot the .38 LCR for as many times as we have ammo for it while at the range. She also has a .38 spl SP101 Ruger which is her gun. Although she loves the Ruger SP101, she favors shooting the LCR. And for what it is worth, you can throw the LCR in a front pocket and you hardly notice it is there. So get the LCR, then start saving some coin to get the SP101.

 

[Acesn8's]

The SP handles full house magnums extremely well with a good holster and
belt won't feel the weight.

 

[contender]

This is an age old argument. Light weight for carry that also gives more recoil, OR, heavy weight for recoil control but a bit heavier to carry.
Each person has to decide how much, when, & how they will carry. They also have to decide how much they will shoot that same gun.
MANY folks buy a light weight firearm for carry, but rarely shoot it. By the same token, many folks buy the heavier firearm to shoot a lot yet carry it very little.
I'm of the mind a person should become "muscle memory" capable when shooting. That means you should not have to think about how to get the firearm or how to use it if under stress, it should become muscle memory. I'm also a man, average in size, and have no issues carrying most anyfirearm I wish. Weight doesn't bother me, so I carry a larger firearm.
Ladies are totally different in that they wear their clothes differently, and accessories are not as easily found to make CCW as comfortable as it is for men.
It all comes down to what each one of us prefer, AND how we intend to use it.

 

[chris_]

I had my SP first and pocket carried it for months. I was looking at the 357 LCR which is only seven ounces lighter than the SP. I didn't think it would make much difference when carrying but it does. That said, I was just about equally as comfortable with the SP in my pocket. I can shoot super hit 357 all day long out of my SP with no real issues. More than about 30-40 out of the LCR gets a bit tough on the hands. I shoot enough hot stuff to remain proficient and the rest goes through the SP.



I probably haven't helped your decision at all.

 

[captainjack]

I read the SP101 will still be going strong after 10,000 rounds and the LCR would need work or replacement after 3,000 rounds. If you're going to shoot it alot you might want to consider an all steel revolver. I carry an SP but it is heavy.

 

[steveodtw]

Uh oh. I guess my LCR's going to break pretty soon then. Cause I shoot the daylights out of it (2000 plus-lost count).

 

[Palu]

So some for, some against---you guys are no help!!

I understand everyone has their preference on weight/carry. I do, too. Just don't know what that is yet and don't want to find out the expensive way. But I'm not sure if that's possible.

I may go with an SP101 for now, then I can justify the LCR purchase easier later on. "honey, my back hurts from carrying this anvil around all day. I need a lighter gun...."

 

[kel ruger man]

personaly, i have the sp...great gun, and accurate as hell. its not a summer carry gun. if you want a gun to carry, get the lcr...they both suck at the range for shooting alot anyway...choice is yours

 

[sheepdawg]

An Sp just isn't that heavy, a 1911 is heavy. I have an SP and carry it everyday. I too prefer steel and at 26 ozs. it's not that noticeable, just enough for the comfort of knowing it's there.

 

[BenR]

I carry an SP101 DAO in a DeSantis Nemesis in my front pants pocket on my strong side. It conceals beautifully, and I really don't notice the weight.

I keep it loaded with either Federal LE Tactical Hydra-Shok 158 gr. JHP (1240 fps, 539 ft lbs energy) or Speer LE Gold Dot 158 gr. JHP (1235 fps, 535 ft lbs energy).

I've put plenty of both downrange with the SP101. The gun is sturdy, as you'd expect, and is balanced. Recoil with these toasty rounds is very manageable with the stock grips. As with any gun or load, practice will help you get back on target quickly for accurate follow-up shots. I don't think you can go wrong with the SP101, but you have to factor in your wardrobe, your size, etc. in the decision.

 

[rmcnelly]

I'm a new LCR .38+P owner and am very happy with it. I got the standard version with the ramped front sight (painted it flourescent red) and the Hogue Tamer grips. It has a very nice trigger that you can stage at the end for more accuracy. I have no concerns about the durability of the .38+P model. I think you would be very happy with the LCR, but be advised the boot grip or the Crimson Trace grips have more recoil.

--Rick

 

[RugerRay]

I have owned and shot both. By the way the 357-LCR is an all steel frame, cyclinder and barrel. Only the trigger housing and grip are so called plastic. The 357-LCR is one of the best shooting revolvers I have ever owned and I have owned many high grade revolvers. Ruger has a real winner in the new 357 version of the LCR. I would love to have a 4" .22 magnum made just like the newer steel frame 357-LCR.

 

[WendyZXZ]

Doesn't pocket carry, but I do carry in the 4 o'clock IWB with the 3" SP101. I like the idea of having a solid firearm if I have to shoot. Something with some weight for the recoil, but is still easily carried.

 

[sigp220.45]

Get the 642!

 

[41manor44]

I went with the SP simply because it's all steel. The only problem I've run into is a pocket holster. I haven't run across one so far that will hide the profile and stay upright in my pocket. I'll keep looking and in the mean time I have a pancake and an IWB that both work pretty well.

 

[rdf009]

+1

I love my SP101s, but they're just a little too darn big to put in a pocket.

 

[SargeMO]

Get bigger pockets. Pleated dockers work well in a biz setting. It'll be worth the effort.

http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2008/01/meprolites-front-sight-on-ruger-sp101.html [/img]

 

[RugerRay]

After owning and shooting booth the SP101 and LCR-357 it is no doubt both are fine revolvers. To be honest I like the 3" GP 100 better than the SP101. What I am saying is that bigger ,heaver and stronger is not always better. The 357-LCR is very accurate for it's weight and point shooting is awesome at 7 yards or so. I have no problem shooting full house 357 loads in the LCR. AT 17 oz's empty the LCR- 357 is a strong, dependaple, lighter, (not air weight) fast handling straight shooter that you can carry all day every day. The new design of the LCR-357 is a real winner for those who choose to carry a revolver for cc.

 

[yogiboobooranger]

I do not know where captainjack gets his info but when the LCR was first introduced, Concealed carry Handguns magazine did a 5000 round torture test on the LCR. They took all possible measurements prior to shooting it. They used defense rounds which were +p and after shooting the gun over 5000 times, they took more measurements. Not much changed..the cylinder/forcing cone gap grew just a little, but everything else was still very tight, other than the trigger pull which improved from all the firing. And since most persons will probably never fire 5000 rounds of ammo all at one time, or quite possibly ever during the ownership of said LCR, I do not believe you have to worry about wearing it out.