Ruger Forum

Headknocker · October 22nd, 2012, 07:17 PM

The 2 1/4" carries better than the 3 1/16" IMO..
I've had them in 38spl, 9mm & 357mag & prefer the 9mm BUT for everyday use the 357mag would be hard to beat..

41RED · October 22nd, 2012, 08:10 PM

I voted for the 2.25. I own both barrel lengths and the shorter one concels the best and is the most comfortable. If it is mainly for CC I would also recommend the hammerless model. It comes out from under the shirt or jacket much easier. I carry OWB simply because I can't fit it comfortably IWB.

This is the best picture I have for comparison.

novalty · October 23rd, 2012, 02:10 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, and the pics. Still a tough decision, would really love to see hold the 3" model before I make the purchase. Not a huge fan of the hammerless design/look, but it would make it much easier for drawing from conceal IWB, and one less thing to jab into me.

41Red, you wouldn't happen to have pictures of the 2.25 and 3.06 models facing the same direction like the 2 in the bottom of your picture, would you?

Headknocker · October 23rd, 2012, 10:19 AM

As 41RED said the DAO hammer is the best for concealed carry as it gives a cleaner carry & it doesn't dig into your kidney if carried IWB..
I got a DAO hammer for the 2 1/4" 9mm but liked the Hogue grip the best even though it's size made the gun bigger it was the best for my hands..
Later I went with Airweight & Airlite S&Ws for concealed carry as the size & weight made carry much easier but recoil was much worse with them..

Clayton · October 23rd, 2012, 04:45 PM

I really like the 3" for carry and range use. It's a bit more versatile, but yes, longer.

McD · October 23rd, 2012, 04:58 PM

I vote for the 3.06"! A pinch more length might help with sight and velocity...
None of these shorties appeal to me for fun shooting.

41RED · October 23rd, 2012, 07:17 PM

Novalty hope this helps. Hope you don't rule out the hammerless because it is smooth to draw with no snagging. Plus the trigger is smooth and if it's for CC you're not going to want to shoot single action any way.

exlogger · October 23rd, 2012, 09:54 PM

My revolvers fill three main environments/catagories.

Compact 2.25": CC/SD
General Purbose 4" barrel: SD/HD/Hiking
Accuracy/Velocity 6" barrel: Hunting/Range

I voted 2.25 on account of the OP stating CCW. I believe the 3" is kinda one of those in-betweens, like the 41 or .327 Mag. Sure it's a lot of fun and it will suffice, but not the most practical.

abwh · October 23rd, 2012, 11:30 PM

I like the 2-1/4" primarily for conceal-ability and slightly lighter weight. The other nice thing is that you can use .38 Special and .38 Special+P ammo (a bit less kick). Holsters are much easier to find as well. I just bought a Safariland 568 "Custom Fit" paddle holster (includes belt-loop optional parts) and a Bianchi "Minimalist" slide-type holster. I love 'em both but the 568 seems to have a better grip on the weapon. The Bianchi would work great with the 3.06" barrel. JMHO.

novalty · October 24th, 2012, 07:54 AM

Want to thank everyone for the posts. Still get flip-flopped back and forth on which barrel length to go with reading from one post to the next. With my arthritis, I realistically won't be shooting hot 357 loads through it. Where I do a lot of sitting at my job, I expect that I would be carrying at the 4 o'clock position, and from scouring as much of the web as I could on holsters for the SP101, the Crossbreed Supertuck looks like a viable candidate. Not as concerned with the weight as mentioned before, as I have tried carrying my S&W 5906 & S&W 1911 both of which weigh in around 40 ozs. so either the 26 or 27--will be much more comfortable.

41Red & Headknocker--thanks for posting the additional pictures!

bearcatter · October 24th, 2012, 09:29 AM

I don't have a SP, but it is designed as compact and lighter weight for easier carry. So might as well go all the way on that idea with the shorter barrel.

DEKerr · October 24th, 2012, 01:16 PM

I own the SP101 .357 Mag 3.06", & can't say enough good things about it. While it's definitely not a "pocket" gun, the 3.06" version is still relatively easy to conceal. The extra 0.81" of barrel also makes a world of difference so far as accuracy & recoil dampening are concerned. I could shoot hot Magnum loads out of it all day w/out getting any more tired than I would have been firing .38+Ps. It's a fantastic weapon.

BusMaster007X · October 24th, 2012, 06:45 PM

I vote for the 3".
HOGUE & TRIJICON.

Rock67 · October 25th, 2012, 03:25 PM

I have had an SP101 with 2.25-inch barrel (KSP-321XL) with CT laser grips for several years. After reading Grant Cunningham's excellent book, Revolver, I decided to buy an SP101 with a 3.06-inch barrel so that I can follow with each lesson exactly.

novalty · October 26th, 2012, 11:30 AM

Well I have looked around and looks like my selection is extremely limited locally. So far I have only found 3 different shops that only have 1 of the 2.25" version with hammer. Called almost a dozen local shops-none have the 3.06" version--most didn't have any SP101's. One had 2 used ones in stock priced at NIB prices. One shop told me they have 1 customer on a wait list for a 3.06" version, and he has been on the list for 4 months now--with no signs of it being delivered anytime soon. I currently have a 2.25" model with hammer on hold at Cabelas to check out in the morning. After rationalizing it, when I started searching for a carry revolver, I started with S&W as I have had really good luck with them. The model 60 was the one I found appealing (priced somewhere in the $600+ range), and it has a 2 1/8" barrel, so with the Ruger the barrel is still longer--and about $100 less. So just maybe tomorrow, I will be owner of yet another Ruger.