Ruger .357 SP101 or LCR as boot gun? - Page 2

22-rimfire · October 18, 2019, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATN082268

I appreciate this and other advice in this thread. I have never carried in ankle holster but was considering placement of a secondary gun.

I think that we all have to learn for ourselves. Buying a gun and an ankle holster is not the end of the world. At worst, the holster doesn't work for you and you carry the gun another way. I am personally looking at the either the NAA Sidewinder or Trooper II (22 Mag) as a secondary gun for more than likely pocket carry. The reality is that it will be primary in most cases as I just don't like to carry more than one gun unless there is cause. I often carry two knives for different cutting scenarios (technically a third if you count the little Leatherman Squirt a knife on my key chain), but they aren't for self defense.

dgludwig · October 18, 2019, 03:51 PM

Carrying a handgun in an ankle holster can be a useful option when "confined" to a sitting position (say, behind a desk) and can be especially practical if a gun is needed while you're sitting in a car. Cross-draw hoisters are another way of effectively drawing a handgun while seated.

Dan-O · October 18, 2019, 10:06 PM

Ankle holstered firearm should be a last ditch effort to save your life....not your go to personal defense tool.

TruthTellers · October 19, 2019, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATN082268

I appreciate this and other advice in this thread. I have never carried in ankle holster but was considering placement of a secondary gun.

If the concept is it'll be a backup gun, you don't need it to be a .357 Magnum. My rule of thumb with carrying a backup gun is the caliber has to be either the same chambering (to share ammo) or a smaller caliber as smaller caliber generally means it's a smaller, lighter gun.

If you want to get a sense of what ankle carrying a 20oz gun is like, grab a lead weight, tape it to your leg, and walk around all day; people will think you're a pimp with an old school limp.

That's why I said .38 LCR, but if possible go lighter like an LCP or better yet, the Kel Tec .32 that weighs 8oz loaded.

Cosmodragoon · October 21, 2019, 10:32 PM

I can tell you this from experience. The LCR carries like a dream versus the SP101. The SP101 has more weight to balance magnum loads. The LCR has much more comfortable grips and a better factory trigger. Either way, I don't love .357 magnum in these guns. I'm much happier with .38 +p or .327 Federal in either gun.

Rob228 · October 22, 2019, 09:18 PM

When I was going through college (enlisted commissioning program) we had to wear USMC Service C uniforms every Thursday, so carrying my Glock 19 on my right hip was out of the question. I tried ankle carry with a Bianchi holster and a S&W 642 once and was done with it. From then on I either skipped class or put the Glock in a briefcase.

When I did carry a backup (regular clothes) it was the same 642 in my right front pocket (later changed to a really sharp looking S&W 42).

Jack19 · October 23, 2019, 05:49 PM

SP101. Even empty it's a nice heavy weapon.

zoo · October 23, 2019, 08:57 PM

Over the years during various periods I've carried small derringer type firearms in ankle holsters or clip-holstered in my boot. In all honesty, I consider it a sucky way to carry a firearm. Rather slow to get to and somewhat annoying as it relates to comfort.

claydoctor · October 23, 2019, 09:33 PM

I have the LCR in 38 spl and regret buying it. Your experience may vary but I find the recoil punishing. It would probably be better had I bought the steel framed 357 version and shot only 38's in it but then you have a heavier carry gun not unlike an SP 101. Take your pick.

Cosmodragoon · October 26, 2019, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claydoctor

I have the LCR in 38 spl and regret buying it. Your experience may vary but I find the recoil punishing. It would probably be better had I bought the steel framed 357 version and shot only 38's in it but then you have a heavier carry gun not unlike an SP 101. Take your pick.

I find that the LCR mitigates recoil wonderfully for its size and weight. That's the issue though. This is a very small and very light handgun. There is no getting around that. Comparing apples to apples though, those grips do help a lot. The rubber is cushy. They hook in and fill the hand about as well as possible for their small size. There is a padded section for the web of your hand. That goes a long way.

The SP101 has more weight to soak up recoil but I haven't found compact grips anywhere near as comfortable. That shrinks the gap in felt recoil a bit. The stock trigger on the LCR is a lot nicer in my opinion too. So unless that SP101 comes with a trigger job and some nice aftermarket grips, it's hard for me to justify the extra carry weight.

If the LCR 38 has too much recoil, here are two idea. First, try running .38 special in an LCR 357. The LCR 357 is slightly heavier and just a hair bigger. Some people claim that it makes a difference for them. Another idea is to get an LCR 327 and load it with .32 H&R Magnum. It's a six-shooter on the same frame and really, not a bad comparison with .380 acp as a defensive cartridge.

zoo · October 28, 2019, 08:29 PM

LCRx in .38+P isn't meant for cranking out hundreds of rounds at paper targets or otherwise unless of course you have some kind of friggen iron hands or vise grips strapped to your forearms.

Want to shoot .38 hot loads including .357 move on up to K, L or above sized frames.

View Poll Results: Which gun as a .357 magnum boot gun: the Ruger SP101 or LCR?
Ruger SP101	7	14.89%
Ruger LCR	40	85.11%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll

October 18, 2019, 03:51 PM	#27
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	Carrying a handgun in an ankle holster can be a useful option when "confined" to a sitting position (say, behind a desk) and can be especially practical if a gun is needed while you're sitting in a car. Cross-draw hoisters are another way of effectively drawing a handgun while seated. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

October 22, 2019, 09:18 PM	#31
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	When I was going through college (enlisted commissioning program) we had to wear USMC Service C uniforms every Thursday, so carrying my Glock 19 on my right hip was out of the question. I tried ankle carry with a Bianchi holster and a S&W 642 once and was done with it. From then on I either skipped class or put the Glock in a briefcase. When I did carry a backup (regular clothes) it was the same 642 in my right front pocket (later changed to a really sharp looking S&W 42). Last edited by Rob228; October 22, 2019 at 09:31 PM.

October 23, 2019, 05:49 PM	#32
Jack19 Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2001 Location: Somewhere in the Ford Galaxy Posts: 713	SP101. Even empty it's a nice heavy weapon. __________________ Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals. Samuel Adams

October 18, 2019, 10:06 PM	#28
Dan-O Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 969	Ankle holstered firearm should be a last ditch effort to save your life....not your go to personal defense tool.

October 21, 2019, 10:32 PM	#30
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	I can tell you this from experience. The LCR carries like a dream versus the SP101. The SP101 has more weight to balance magnum loads. The LCR has much more comfortable grips and a better factory trigger. Either way, I don't love .357 magnum in these guns. I'm much happier with .38 +p or .327 Federal in either gun.

October 23, 2019, 08:57 PM	#33
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	Over the years during various periods I've carried small derringer type firearms in ankle holsters or clip-holstered in my boot. In all honesty, I consider it a sucky way to carry a firearm. Rather slow to get to and somewhat annoying as it relates to comfort.

October 23, 2019, 09:33 PM	#34
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	I have the LCR in 38 spl and regret buying it. Your experience may vary but I find the recoil punishing. It would probably be better had I bought the steel framed 357 version and shot only 38's in it but then you have a heavier carry gun not unlike an SP 101. Take your pick.

October 28, 2019, 08:29 PM	#36
zoo member Join Date: October 2, 2019 Posts: 414	LCRx in .38+P isn't meant for cranking out hundreds of rounds at paper targets or otherwise unless of course you have some kind of friggen iron hands or vise grips strapped to your forearms. Want to shoot .38 hot loads including .357 move on up to K, L or above sized frames.