Ruger SP101 357

I had one. The trigger needed some work, but then what do you expect from a tank. And it is a tank! It weighs as much as one too! With the 10,000lb trigger and it's weight, I never really gave it a chance on my hip as an edc. I dress up for work and it would have been a bit of an issue. It was to be a woods gun. And it would have been a great woods gun at that. Alas, my buddy demanded I sell it to him and I did.

That weight though! Made shooting .357 ok out of the thing. At least I thought it was ok. It's not like you are going to be super fast on the second shot, but it was manageable.

As for the ammo I intended to feed it were it on my hip, it was all .38. The reasoning harkens back to that second shot. I like em fast. That and the notion that .357 really doesn't gain enough out of a 2" to make it worth all that flash and bang.

It was easy for me to give the gun up as a carry when my buddy insisted he needed it more than I did. But to this day, I wish I still had it. It would have been a great weekend, hunting gun for me. If I was a jeans and untucked shirt kind of guy, it would have been a great edc with a good gun belt and trigger job. In spite of everything I've said, note that I'm jealous.

When I can untuck my shirt my DAO SP101 snub is my favorite carry gun. I don't understand the complaints about weight, as it weighs the same as a G26 and no one ever complains about them.

To me, the shape both conceals better and is more comfortable than any semi auto. I carry it OWB in a Theis holster. Grips are Lasergrips.

I use Hornady 125 gr .357 Mag Critical Defense. The pointy tips help with reloading.

Yes it weighs an ounce or two more than a similar S&W but that helps when you use full house magnums.

Some day I might get a 3" to go with it.

Will never part with this one.

I dont carry mine as much as I use too , but do occasionally .Mine is the 3 inch but I have thought of getting a 2 inch to pair with it. Compared to polymer guns yes its heavy but it is an all metal gun. But I'm use to carryingheavier guns as my normal edc is a Sig 229 and sometimes even a 226.

Mine is carried in a Simply Rugged pancake holster.

Usually loaded with Fed 125 gr .357 mag sjhp.

Reloads are Black Hill ammo 158 gr .357mag JHP which is loaded with a Hornady XTP bullet.

Its been awhile since I've done a lot of ammo comparison since I don't carry it as often but in the past the Hornady Flex Tip 140 gr gave me the best accuracy. But I haven't shot any ammo that didn't give me decent accuracy.

If you want lighter loads but don't want to drop all the way down to 38 +P Buffalo Bore has "light tactical loads" and Rem Gold Sabers are also lower powered ones but still a lot more than .38spcl.

I enjoy carrying my 3" SP101 in a Winthorp IWB leather holster into town when I want to stop and fill the truck up or buy beer. Its not my ideal choice for all day in the city carry. Where it shines for me is packing it in an OWB holster for woods walks. Heavy enough to tame hot .357's, but light enough that I'm not complaining about my back all day. I would not feel undergunned with five .357 158gr XTP's as my only carry gun. I just have better options for urban carry.

Can't go wrong with an SP101. I do enjoy the 3" over my father's 2.25" model, as it feels like a fuller gun and that .75" extra barrel helps with sight radius. The 2.25" however has way more in-stock holster options. It took me a while to find a leather IWB for my 3" that wasn't over $70 or had a waiting period of over two weeks.