Going to carry a Ruger-which one?

[gunstock]

I was looking for some advise on a conceal/carry revolver. I have done a lot of research and sort have narrowed down to a sp-101 or lcr in .357. A lot of practice with .38 special ammo.

Is the sp-101 too heavy? Going to use belt holster so probably not?

Also, I would be using for target practice and like to have some nice groups when the day is done.

[rossman40]

The SP-101 is a lot of weight compared to the LCR or say a Charter Arms or a super light J frame that you can slip in your pocket. A 38 +P will do you well up close. Of course once you start carrying holsters are to guys what purses are to women, one for every occasion.

Snubbies are not known for good groups also.

What I recommend a lot for carry is a SIG 225 in a IWB holster. Of course you ether have to loose weight or buy pants 2" bigger in the waist. What I carry,, my favorite is a Sig 220 in a pancake holster with a good belt.

[wilmsmeyer]

My wife just got an LCR. You could carry this thing in a big pants pocket if you want. We've both shot a box or two of 158 gr lead round nose std vel thru it. It is a very nice little gun and I can keep all my shots on a 8" paper plate at 7-10 yds easily.

Low on power...short barrel...but will do up close.

I've been carrying my new Ruger SR9 the past month everyday in a $15 Uncle Mikes inside the waitband holster I've had for my 357 GP100 for over 20 years. Fits perfect and I really don't know that I am wearing it. I actually wore it into the office at work and forgot it was on me until I logged on my computer. Then I realized it and quickly went and secured it in my truck.

This gun is pretty nice and offers twice the firepower of the LCR and you feel like your holding a "real" gun. Adj sights too. The LCR is nice but it is tiny tiny.

[Savage Shooter]

I realize you said "revolver" but you did say Ruger as well.

Having gone thru "many" in the pocket guns over the years there are a couple of key points to keep in mind when selecting.

The best carry weapon is the one that you have "WITH" you, they are all equal if left at home or in the vehicle.

I view carry weapon as basically "disposable"!! Keep in mind that if you ever encounter a situation that requires you to draw or God forbid "use" it, recognize that you will probably never get it back from the "evidence room".......... I don't carry expensive, 'hate to loose it' weapons for this reason.

And remember that bullet selection is of more importance in most every caliber than the caliber itself.......certainly don't want to start a bullet performance debate as all that information has been tested to great lengths other than just liking a bullet cause it looks mean.

With these points in mind and after going thru the .45's .40's & .38's in brands from Desert Eagle, Glock, Kahr, Kimbers, Sig's and Rugers; we have over the years moved away from these high end guns and now both carry mouse guns.

Cheap, easy to conceal and enough fire power with the right bullet.

We have found the LCP .380 from Ruger to meet most of our goals well; then we keep loaded with the Barnes 80gr Tac-Xp.

Good accuracy to 10yds or so is attainable and face it, if you use it much farther than this you have a new set of problems anyway.

Just an opinion, and worth exactly what it cost.

[gunstock]

Thanks guys for the replies. I have also thought about the LCP .380 as a carry gun, but I thought maybe the revolver route might be more full-proof if it was carried and not have to worry about dust and dirt as much.

I plan on going to the gun shop tomorrow to handle each of these and see what "feel's" best in my own hand.

[zubin]

I would recommend a P-9 Kel Tec for pocket pistol. They are very reliable and will not hurt you on the cost. They are 12 OZs unloaded. I use this for back up most of the time. But my real one is of course 1911.
Yes, P220 is also a very good choice, that one is stored inside my laptop bag.

[zubin]

I wanted to mention about the Ruger LCR in 38 +P with Crimson trace. I got one of them for wife. She likes it. But after she shot the P-9, I had to get one of them for her too.
But the LCR is not only very light, but also feels real good. So, you can not go wrong with one of them either.

[pposey]

I usta carry a small 38 revolver alot but was always leaving it in the truck to go mountain biking or hiking/ swiming when just wearing light shorts and perhaps a Tshirt,,,, I bought a LCP last year and now take it everywhere,,, fits great in an inside shorts pocket on my baggy river shorts that I wear all summer and you cant tell it's there. Jumped in swimming last summer and forgot it was there until underwater,,swam for a good 45 mins with it underwater, all 7 fired just fine when I got home. If I carry it in a jeans pocket though it prints pretty bad, I need a better pocket holster that looks more like a wallet.

[petev]

Sig .380 You hardly know it's there in your pocket, and the accuracy is amazing.

[BOBinIN]

My vote is for the Ruger LCP 380. Drop it into a front pocket and you can forget that it is even there, it's so small and lightweight. The only modification that I found necessary was to add an extension onto the bottom of the clip. The extension allows me to grip the gun with my little finger too. It's a lot more comfortable to shoot with my "full" hand engaged in the grip. Good luck with your decision. BOB

[mk111]

I've starting wearing the smartholster. It hangs in the front under your pants in front of what you can call your man parts. Comfortable to wear all day. To use just hook your off hand thumb under your belt and reach in with your strong hand and drawn your pistol. A Colt 1911 is OK.
I carry either a PPK of CZ83 with a spare magazine in comfort. Plus the model I have has a money pouch on the back side.

[sw]

Feb 22, 2013 12:12:37 GMT -5 Savage Shooter said:

The best carry weapon is the one that you have "WITH" you, they are all equal if left at home or in the vehicle.



And remember that bullet selection is of more importance in most every caliber than the caliber itself.......certainly don't want to start a bullet performance debate as all that information has been tested to great lengths other than just liking a bullet cause it looks mean.



Cheap, easy to conceal and enough fire power with the right bullet.

We have found the LCP .380 from Ruger to meet most of our goals well; then we keep loaded with the Barnes 80gr Tac-Xp.

Good accuracy to 10yds or so is attainable .

My thoughts exactly. I keep my LCP with me virtually continuously : even my home and dental office.

[Rifleman]

Good idea Doc, never know when one of your patients are gonna want their teeth back! LOL