Ruger SP101 3" Barrel - Pocket Carry & Range TIme
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- A 3" Magnum is small enough to pocket carry with the right firearm (A Ruger SP101), the right holster (Desantis Nemasis Super Fly) and the right clothing (Duluth Trading Fire Hose Flex Pants).
This is a great, reliable set up that is easily concealed and great for personal defense in the city or out in the woods!
Thank you for verifying the firearm is unloaded, I would hate to get shot through the internet 8 months after the video was filmed.
Exactly. Internet princesses who scold shooters on yt for not proving their gun is safe make you wonder if they still live with an overbearing mommy.
TH-cam will whack your video if you don’t, didn’t you know? Fairly certain it’s a policy.
Having several gun choices..... and just back from the range; the wife and I both agree how much we enjoy shooting our
3 inch SP-101s.... and totally accurate. I carry mine in winter.... and carry 9mms in warmer weather. Do to seasonal clothing
practices. Thank you RUGER.....
Cranky Buzzard why doyou carry the sp101 in the winter ans auto in the summer?? Is not the sp101 easier to conceal?
DIdn't see you respon, JS... SP101 is easy to conceal in my jacket in winter time. Summer, its just easier to appendix carry a nine, for me.@@johnsmith4630
Btw when using a holster such as this, it's pretty dangerous trying to reholster with it in pocket. Just take the holster out, slip it on the gun, then put it back in your pocket. Doesn't take long at all.
As a favorite teacher of mine tends to say "You should not be in a huge rush to reholster your gun if you've just used it."
My carry piece. Wonderful weapon.
Im looking to buy this revolver to keep by my bed side, all i heard is good reviews.. thanks for the video.
I carry the SP101 3" appendix. For a bedside revolver I have a 4" GP100 for the added weight and sight radius. If you keep it at home, bigger is better.
@@skipmaloney178 I also appendix carry the 3 inch. I recommend getting the houge grip though.
@@gunslinger.3573 I have the Houge, but the shirts stick to it. I have small hands and shoot Magnums a lot, so the factory grips work for me. Live in a very rural area so heavy bullets are where it's at.
Bought the 2 1/4” barreled one, its a great little revolver
thanks for showing your grip technique for managing recoil
Andre Chandon you are most welcome.
Thanks for the tip to protect the finger.
Beautiful gun , I'm hoping to pick one up soon , I already have it's big brother the GP100 but I like the sp101 also .
5 yr old video - I'll comment anyhow - I had to sell all my firearms a few yrs ago and when I replaced my guns, I started with the 3" SP because it's the most practical if someone has only one gun.
There are guns that I shoot better , and that are more practical for specialized purposes, but the 3" SP is a great, reliable multi purpose gun.
Duluth firehose pants have the deepest pockets iv ever owned 👍. Love my 2" 357 .
so im not the only one who likes to carry 3 inch revolver.
Indeed. Thanks for the comment.
Im starting to suspect we all like carrying a 3 inch revolver.
i would carry it like i would a semi auto. i like 3 inch 357 mag because you can carry it in pocket or belt holster.
I have two different 6 shot 3" .357 I carry. My favorite carries. I have several 9mm semi's that I rotate as well, but never feel under gunned with 6 .357 rnds.
David Flores I think the 3 inch SP101 is a great shooting handgun.
Looks sweet!, my local gun shop has them for $599 i plan on getting one!.
I recently started carrying my 3" barreled SP101. I found the grips that came with it homely, so I switched over to Hogue or Uncle Mikes as I recall. I happened to find a DeSantis inside the pocket holster going through some stuff I already had, and the gun fits fine in it. This is really a handy firearm and fun to shoot because of the wide range of loads it can handle, including primer-powered wax and rubber bullet rounds. Actually I carry inside small-of-back, and even though the gun is hefty, you quickly adjust. It shoots to point-of-aim at reasonable distances. I put a lighter weight set of trigger springs in awhile back which made it even more pleasant to shoot. A steady diet of heavy .357 rounds is not pleasant to shoot, although lighter weight magnum rounds are tolerable.
From what I understand, people extract the holster, re-holster their gun, then re-insert into pocket. Might be more steps, but prevents problems.
My EDC is an SP101 with 2.25 inch in .357. Starting to wish I'd opted for the 3'. Carry load is WWB 110 grain SJHP.
IMO, this is one of the best anti-personnel rounds available. But I'm always willing to consider other's recommendations.
Golden Saber 125 gr. .357 magnum. Very moderately loaded round. Very interesting in that from either a 2" or a 4", the results are seemingly the same in gel. Great expansion and in the neighborhood of 17" in penetration. Nickel cased and primer's are lacquered.
Remington 125 grain SJHP
It'll hurt when you pull the trigger, but it is cheap for defensive ammo and I have yet to find anything significantly better, especially at the price point. The 110s are good, but I think that they underpenetrate in gel testing. (I'll have to double-check that though.)
@@elblancobasura yup my father always brought two guns camping a 44 with his choice of bear loads (cant remember which round) but golden sabres in the 357 for the two legged wild idiots.
What holster do you use?
That's the same load I carried in my Ruger SP101 3" for many years. Another great round I sometimes carried was the Remington UMC 125 grain.
Thank you for the informative video. Quality firearms like these Ruger revolvers aren't cheap..cost the same as my full sized stainless 6" GP100..We want to get the right gun for "us" if we can help it the first time...I also carry this same revolver with the 3" barrel..For "me" I did find a grip I liked better and it still worked for carry,,,But the biggest sell for me with the SP101 was the extra weight,,not the opposite that most like to advertise..I am easily able to handle standard 125 or 158gr jhp rounds with it. I have fired some J frames made out of other materials and extremely light..they were tougher to handle shooting just .38's let alone .357 ammo..So for me the extra weight of this revolver was a big selling point as well..I only own one auto loader..My Beretta 92FS inox 15rd capacity....I love this handgun for the range and for home defense, or in my truck,,etc. I came to only own all metal handguns over time,,just what I like,,and went through a few before I settled on my 3 handguns that I have for different uses...like them all very much.
Yep, the days of me getting an SP-101 for $369.00 in 1999 are long gone.
dear sir: I've been carrying a Ruger 3 inch sp101.357 in my right front pocket since my retirement from the sheriff's department in 1996. what I've found is that many of the quality pocket holsters designed for a 2" version of this revolver cause the weapon to sit high both in the holster and the pocket, leading to both instability in the placement of the gun in the holster and the need for way oversized pockets. both problems are solved by using a holster which allows the extra inch or so of barrel to hang out below the bottom of the holster and cutting a small hole in the interior of the pants pocket at the point the barrel touches it. This allows the pistol to be seated as designed in the holster and the holster to be seated as intended in the bottom of the pocket. almost any cargo pants or shorts can then easily conceal the pistol/holster combo. you should consider cutting the hammer of the sp101 you show in your video as it may catch on the front of your pants pocket while the weapon is being drawn, particularly in stressful situations. thank you for your informative video, very enjoyable.
Thanks for the comments my friend. So cool that you have been pocket carrying this model for that long! Good idea with cutting a hole in the pocket to accommodate the barrel. I have been considering getting rid of the hammer for the reason you mention and will probably do that. Thanks again for the nice comments!
You don't need to bob the hammer. Just place your thumb over the hammer when drawing and you won't snag. Massad Ayoob recommends this type of draw for front pocket carry of revolvers with an exposed hammer.
hi tyler. think things out and use your own common sense and good judgment before following what you read either in print or on this infernal machine. (1). K.I.S.S. principle (Keep it simple stupid). Pulling a sawed off revolver out of a pocket is a last ditch means of keeping yourself alive and in those situations the adrenaline has already screwed up your fine motor control, making exact positioning of your thumb wish full thinking. also you may have already taken a round for your opponents weapon or a heavy blow to the head to further mess up your draw. (2). consider the proximity of the muzzle of the weapon to your crotch while the weapon is being drawn. what ever hangs that draw up may be the deciding factor in whether you qualify for a darwin award. also consider the possibility that the hammer could be inadvertently cocked while the gun is being placed in your pocket. that happened to an academy classmate of mine who luckily ended up with only a grazing wound, embarrassment and a ruined pair of levis. ( dockers or cargo pants/shorts only guys!!!). (3). numerous "experts" will tell you that double action triggers, safeties, or any type of carrying system designed to minimise the possibility of accidental discharges are unnecessary if you only train properly. avoid these idiots, they can get you or an innocent bystander killed. best of luck with that hammer.
Mike Maltby placing a gun in a pocket isn't stressful and even if it was, nobody is going to accidentally cock the hammer of a gun that size without knowing it. Now cutting a hole in a pocket sounds like bad advice from whoever said that. i can easily see the front sight getting hung up.
Steve F,
I shy away from the holsters that don't cover the barrel too.
Even though it may not be the case, I feel like there is always the potential of the front sight getting snagged.
As for cutting a hole in your pocket for a 3 inch Sp101:
I feel like an open hole would readily snag the Ruger's front sight. Maybe if you were to sew an extension onto that hole thus creating a tunnel for the barrel to rest in it would alleviate this problem?
Or maybe I'm wrong and while drawing the Ruger if the sight does get snagged the pocket will turn inside out and the hole becomes convexed channeling the front sight out?
Doing my research, I've been on the fence, between S&W 640, or Ruger SP-101...
This is good info......
Thnx's
Thank You for this GREAT video! I bought the exact same holster, and the Fantastic Duluth Shorts that you recommended. I will also be "pinning the outer cover to the holster, using some fancier screws flush surface mounted. SP101 .327, 3", too. Keep up the great videos! You might mention that in the Duluth Shorts, there is a small change pocket in the right front pocket, at the pocket bottom. This pocket is perfect for a VERY SMALL Pistol, like a Seecamp 32/380. I would think a Ruger LCP380, also but I don't have one. The small pistol in that change pocket stays in perfect position for quick withdrawal.too.
OMG, I never thought of the LCP fitting in that change pocket! I have an LCP and tried it just now and the LCP fits almost perfectly with the trigger covered up nicely with a snug enough fit that it almost feels like those pants were made for that gun. Great idea!! thanks for sharing that and thanks for the great comments. I like your pinning method. I might have to redo my holster. Thanks again!
Sometime either in late 2017 or early 2018 uncle Mike’s came out with a new pocket holster it has this little piece of adjustable plastic that you can secure to help it not print so easily. Anyway I returned it because my 2 inch snub nose was held up to high like the holster was too tight in the muscle was at least three-quarter inches from being flush with the bottom of the holster which made the gun ride much higher in the pocket then I am used to, But that particular instance would have worked great with a 3 inch barrel old J frame size weapon. I don’t think that is too big to carry in most pants in fact I carry a 2 1/2 inch seven shot L frame 357 in a lot of pants with no problems
Fuck yeah! I love the Duluth pants. I currently have a Chiappa rhino 200DS in 40S&W in my front pocket. But I used to carry an SP101.
Awesome! Thanks for the comment!
the shorter barral is just as accurate
Gary Blevins thanks. U r probably correct.
There probably isn't any real negligible difference ballistically speaking between the two and three inch barrels.
However, you get a longer sight radius and maybe even a little recoil reduction with the three incher.
Plus the three inch Ruger Sp101 is much better looking than the two inch version imo.
I don't know, something about a small framed revolver with a three inch barrel just looks and feels right.
I think the best examples would be the S&W mod.13 and 65 with three inch barrels.
Something about those heavy barrels with the open underlug and fixed sights make a very sexy and practical revolver.
I wish I would have bought one when the market was saturated with them for $300-$400. Now everyone who has em doesn't want to sell them, and if they do prices are typically $700-$1000!
It seems like as soon as I get interested in a surplus firearm is the exact same time they are deemed "in fashion" or "desireable".
Nevermind the 50 or so years when they were basically being given away. (Same thing happened with Mosins and SKSs to me).
I guess I am just always late to the party. Well atleast I can get my three inch Sp101 rather easily and well priced.
(Or Ruger will discontinue them overnight driving up demand and prices knowing my luck!)
I have always been of the opinion that the proper way to reholster with pocket carry was to remove the holster from the the pocket, insert the gun into the holster, then reinsert the holstered gun into the pocket. It is a bad practice to push the naked gun into the pocket and then thrust it about trying to insert the barrel into the holster.
Another excellent video. Thanks for posting it.
My intuition tells me that those bullets should not tumble even out of a short barrel. If tumbling occurs I would expect it to happen at a greater distance.
Any factory ammo should not do that. Some ammo may be less or more accurate but tumbling no. I doubt if the gun is the problem and we can rule out user error.
Boat-tail ammo can do goofy things from a short barrel or wrong rifling twist but that is more of a rifle issue. If the actual bullets you fired are not flat on the back that could be a possible reason. Maybe.
It would be interesting to shoot some 125gr .357 rounds and see if you get the same result.
Thanks for the nice comments. I think you are correct on your assessment of the tumbling. I agree, that tumbling should not happen at that range. When I get the time, I'm gonna come out to the range with a 6" GP101, an LCR and this SP101 and do some comparisons with different bullets and loadings. I'm also going to shoot at different targets. There's a remote possibility the cardboard material could have something to do with it and the material could be tearing away. That's a complete guess and somewhat of a stretch of the imagination, but I don't recall seeing that sort of tumbling on any pistol I've ever fired, with any ammo, over the last 40 years. Thanks again!
I would suspect a burr on the crown.
I like your gun, but I love your channel name! Ruger's are hard to beat.
Thanks. I agree that Ruger's are hard to beat!
I put the XS Big Dot on....... Have to say the big dot is amazing. :)
Cranky Buzzard
I have one ordered on back order right now. I have the 3 in hammerless version for EDC
@@1Floridaman Ruger has a hammerless 3" 357? Good to know. If it's also available blued, that would be awesome.
Porkchop's Papi
I haven’t ever seen one in blued before but you’re right, it would be a nice option
I have noticed that the phone culture of today has changed CCW … no longer is a bulge or "holstered black thing" get unwanted attention.
Yeah in gun guy vision everytime I see a dang belt phone my mind goes "oooo what are YOU carrying?" And then it's just a phone..
I love that holster for j-frame too. The flap really helps w/concealment. Scooching it down for the 3" is brilliant! On the SP101 I like the Pachmayr Diamond Pro grip cuz I can get my pinky on it and git a hold of that little bast*rd. Tried the Hogue but to me it feels bulgy -- like you're holding a tennis ball. Nice video.
ed ha thanks!
Interesting topic.. I have and own the SP101 3.16" revolver and do carry it. I have never thought about pocket carry as it's a bit over 25 ounces which is like carrying 2 bottles of beer in your pocket (it's tough I've done it :) . Because it's been a bit heavy for pocket carry I switch to my kahr 9 during spring and summer for discretion. After viewing this vid I've found a Duluth trading company store in the area and may attempt this setup as I am truly a revolver guy and an advocate of the 3inch SP. Why 3inch over 2? I've seen better powder burn, increased exit velocity which in theory would produce more consistent JHP bullet expansion. Thanks for the thought provoking video.
Thanks for the comments. I agree on the 3" vs. 2" barrel. I think the additional barrel length should provide better powder burn and better velocities. I need to get some time and do a range video proving the 3" vs. 2" barrel performance.
This weapon is much better suited for. 38+p. I have it in 3" and am no stranger to firing handguns...and. 357 eats me alive in this revolver, even at 3".
Been wanting one of these for years! Nice video bud. I'll get one some day.
I've checked them out and the only negatives I have are the finish, the finish, and the trigger. Too flashy for me so I'd like it cerakoted tan, green, or black. Machining marks on the rear sight and a few other spots; I'd expect this from Ruger on a $200 semiauto but not from a $650 revolver. And the double action seemed heavy for no reason, they could have lightened it up a few pounds and shortened the takeup. Other than those nitpicky, personal qualms I've always liked this gun and still plan to buy one.
The trigger on mine was worked over at a Gunsmith. Polish and springs. It's as good a trigger as my Colts and Smiths.
@@harolddavis4138sent mine off to Gemini Customs. The guy there, based on web site, specializes in S&W and Ruger revolvers. He did a great job on my trigger pull and other things but it cost more than my $499 sticker price ('09)! Crazy but I'm glad I have it. I keep wood-paneled, originally sized grips (courtesy of Gemini, free) that allow me to enjoyably fire .38 and +p, though I've barely fired the revolver in the past 13 yrs.
.357 out of this piece were horrible and I don't want to go with bulkier grips (and I have avg -sized hands) just to be able to deal with .357 recoil. SIG V-Crown, .38 Spl., 125 jhp, 930 fps +p, will do just fine.
I know im commenting on an older video so hopefully you see this. I love the 3'' SP101 carry mine often. I was thinking about how you seem to have gotten 1 keyhole bullet out of each group. Do you think maybe one of the chambers in your cylinder is causing this? Like each of them keyholed bullets came from that same cylinder? Dont know if that would even cause that but im just thinking.
Keyholing could easily be caused by dents to the barrel muzzle. That's why a recessed and crowned barrel is best if you can afford it :)
I EDC this same model with bobbed hammer, crimson trace laser grips and sticky holster
Thank you for not yelling "STAHHHHHP!!!" at your cardboard target like an overtrained idiot before firing 😁
A bobbed hammer might make it easier to draw from pocket. Though you would be limited to DA only.
They make better grips for it the packmayer pro grip is awesome or houge is good also!
The revolver is awesome, I just don’t think its one “I” would want to pocket carry! Just to heavy. To me revolvers like this one (and my carry gun, S&W 640 Pro) are better suited for appendix carry! But like you have shown, with the right gear you can safely pocket carry this bad boy and shoot proficiently.
Great video, love me my revolvers too 👍🏻
Just bought the same gun, mine is definitely getting bobbed.
Great gun! Question: Should I get the 3 inch or 2 inch? Which is better for city urban inner-city carry?
Imo I like pocket guns for the surprise element, great counter ambush method.
If you're at gunpoint or knifepoint getting robbed just say, what, you want my keys?, here take it, then pull it out and mag dump them.
Works with a wallet too.
No bad guy is going to think a gun is in your pocket.
Thanks for sharing.
good stuff
Thanks!
I own and love the gun but my only issue is that it's a little on the heavy side for pocket carry (for me). The weight is awesome because it tames full power rounds but in my pocket I feel like I'm carrying a full canteen.
I own the 3 inch. Use to own the 2 inch. Let me tell you, it's heavy. I love it, super durable, but would not like to carry this little beast in my pocket, especially it I had to run or climb over things.
This will cause a stir... Monarch 158 gr SJHP. sold at Academy sports and outdoors. its a 158 gr bullet rated at over 1600 fps.
muzzle energy over 800 foot pounds. its a monster. ( I'm pretty sure it made by Prvi Partizan, a well know manufacturer in Europe)
1600 fps out of what barrel length? Kind of matters as you can get that velocity out of many handgun caliber loadings through a 16" carbine barrel.
@@porkchopspapi5757 what I stated is what is on the box. since it is a pistol caliber i assume 6". I get 1900+ out of my .357 rifle.
@@BzerkIdeas Thank you
You look like a pretty large man. I am too. I really like that revolver but am concerned the grips might be slippy in my big hands. Have you found that to be the case at all?
When you pull the revolver out of your pocket, to holster the weapon again you are supposed to pull the holster from your pocket, reholster the revolver, and place the holstered revolver back in your pocket. Safety first.
Thank you for knowing how to shoot a DA revolver; in DA! If a reviewer shoots a DA revolver in SA all the time , I don't watch it.
helpful video! thanks
You are welcome. Glad it was of use to you!
FWIW....one should ALWAYS take a pocket holster out of their pocket to re-holster...and then place it back into the pocket.
You should NEVER try to re-holster a firearm with a pocket holster still in your pocket.
Make more videos please..!
Hi. In first place congratulations for the cool video. I own one SP101 to, my question is do you already try to shoot in double action as fast as you can? If so, do you have any issues? Like the trigger gets stuck? I'm asking this because about 2 months ago until now, my Ruger SP101 if I shoot in double action as fast as i can, sometimes the trigger gets stuck!! I need to stop shooting and remove the finger of the trigger and ear the trigger reset so I can shoot again! Sorry if I can't explain better, English isn't my natural language. But if you and anyone else understand what I said and now what's the problem please tell me. Thanks for the attention 👍
thats how double action revolver triggers work. you have to let it all the way out after each shot to reset the trigger
Pocket carry?! What kind of pockets do you have that you want to carry a two pound gun in?
Great video. I'm back and forth on a semi or this pistol. How are the fixed sights on accuracy? Do I need look into a pistol with adjustable sights?
I have four revolvers. Two with adjustable sights and two with fixed sights. All of them were well aligned right out of the box and did not need adjustment. These revolvers are very accurate as are most any revolver. Any accuracy issues I've ever experienced with revolvers involved getting used to the trigger pull or using the right ammo. (sometimes heavier or lighter ammo or cheap range ammo vs more expensive ammo or ammo from one company vs another will provide different points of impact and different levels of accuracy). So I don't believe you need a pistol with adjustable sights unless you are in a pistol completion. Germane to semi auto or pistol. I have both, love both and carry both at different times for different reasons. Hope this helps!
ThinkLike AFreeMan awesome thank you for the reply. That definitely helps in my decision.
A keyhole would be one hell of a wound.
Do you know if this will work with an lcrx 3inch barrel?
I'ts a pocket cannon.
I carry my 4.2" Redhawk 44 magnum in my front pocket when I'm wearing pants with larger pockets. Levis "Denizen" jeans have a stretch waist and the pockets are quite large. I don't think carrying a 44mag is ridiculous, at all. Every weapon has a tactic. Don't worry about how hard it is to put back. If you're reholstering, it's because the situation is secure.
You must be the largest human made to pocket carry a 4 inch redhawk
OK
Can this holster fit the Ruger LCRx .38 with a 3 inch barrel ?
Yes
Anyone else here not fully read his comment and kept looking for a cat? :(
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I wouldnt call that concealed. It so obvious you have a revolver in your pocket, i can almost read the serial number on it lol
I thought I was a bad shot
Ruger needs to fix the handle on the 101. Too painful to fire on the middle knuckle.
bud....get a 38 the 357 really aint for u no offense just maybe practice more with the 357.
To big a gun for conciled carry
Why don’t you just get rid of that 357 and quit making excuses for the poor groups.
Even the lcr can’t really be concealed well. I can only imagine the weight. Still nice gun