I have never carried the 3", so take the remainder of the comments as you see fit. For me personally, the DAO is not a pocket carry...at least not in my pockets. IWB it is comfortable and conceals well, but I'm not sure 3/4 of an inch is going to make a noticable difference between the two, at least IWB. What dont you like about carrying the 3"? That might help with comparable feedback on the shorter.

 

I think my 3" SP101 is a joy to carry. I can't imagine what is awkward about it. And I cannot lie, I like the hammer, the hammer stays.

 

YUP, what he says! Myself, you couldn't pay me enough to own a DAO revolver. The difference between DA and SA are soooo remarkable, I can't imagine giving up the option. That's my BIG complaint about most ccw autos, they're DAO or DOA in my book. That's why I'm lookin for a polymer framed, hammer fired, auto w/decocker. That's why I LOVED the P-85 a thousand years ago when they came out + I bought mine (just can't wear it + keep my pants up). Lots of guys practice DAO + get really good at it. I ain't one of em!

 

My 3” GP100 is my main EDC so yea, what’s the problem with a 3” SP101?

Front pocket carry for a Sp101? No thank you. There are much better options for that with other guns if you feel you simply need to carry in your front pocket.

 

My thinking is that the shorter barrel would be easier to pocket carry in a coat/vest during cooler months.

**Also - the shorter barrels are much easier to find, in my experience!

 

If your looking at pocket carry, the short barrel is the way to go. I have a 2 1/4" DAO SP101 that spends a lot of time in a jeans pocket in the summer around the farm. And it also works going into town with a long waisted t-shirt or sweater pulled over it. I was in town today for a haircut, and the 101 was in a front jeans pocket under a sweater. I don't notice the weight of the steel gun, but most people seem to prefer the lighter LCR. You have to make your own decision on that issue.

 

I prefer 3" in most revolvers, that being said I find the SP101 balances better in 2 1/2". If you have not fired either, try to if you are able. Both are too heavy for pocket carry and a good OWB leather holster will conceal either and wear a good belt because of their weight.

 

I have no idea how you guys can carry an SP101 in a jeans pocket??
Only pants pocket carry I do is an LCR in Wrangler Riggs cargo pocket.
No printing, comfortable, accessible, with plenty of other pockets for easy carry of extra rounds.
Just for chits and giggles, I tried stuffing my GP100 3” into a few different pockets of my Levi’s.
HA! No chance! And they are not tight jeans by any means.

 

I have a SP101 DAO and a LCR both in .357. I carry both IWB appendix in a Kydex holster. I have carried the LCR in a pocket holster in jeans with deeper pockets. The SP101 doesn't feel comfortable with pocket carry.

 

How are you carrying your gun? Both carry well for me on a belt in IWB or OWB and tried my friends chest holster and liked it. CCW jackets using MOLE holster system are awesome. Pocket carry are out for me too much weight. I prefer DAO for CCW, less to snag on.below are 2 sp 101s

 

I have a love/hate relationship with the SP101. I really like the 3" version and have owned several. I just love the look and balance of the 3" version!
BUT..........................it is a bit awkward for carry. Certainly doable, but I wonder if the shorter DAO would make sense?
Any experience, suggestions, thoughts?

IWB...3" SP101
Pocket or other carry...2.25" DAO is the way to go!
Take the time to do a MCARBO kit on the DAO and you'll be very happy with the lighter and much smoother trigger...
The process is, sometimes...a larger portion of the fun!

 

I pocket carry my 2.25 in .357 and have no issues as long as I have a belt on. Disappears and carries fine. I used to pocket carry a S&W Shield and it feels about the same. Ymmv

 

I have no idea how you guys can carry an SP101 in a jeans pocket??
Only pants pocket carry I do is an LCR in Wrangler Riggs cargo pocket.
No printing, comfortable, accessible, with plenty of other pockets for easy carry of extra rounds.
Just for chits and giggles, I tried stuffing my GP100 3” into a few different pockets of my Levi’s.
HA! No chance! And they are not tight jeans by any means.

Easy you put it in a pocket holster is easy fitting jeans that have deep enough pockets. I did it for several years and still do on occasion. The secret is a good belt but that is the secret of all CC.

 

I've only seen the 2.25 SP-101 with a factory DAO hammer. Have never seen a factory DAO 3".

A few years ago, had a 2.25 SP-101 and had a gunsmith bob the hammer because Ruger would not sell me a DAO hammer. Nor will they convert an SP-101 for you. So you'd have to modify/bob your 3" SP-101 hammer or find a used hammer.

 

Pocket carry with a SP101? They go through pockets faster than a teenage daughter without a pocket holster. They are easier to access if you run the pocket through a sewing machine to make them more available if you need to get one out quickly

 

I have a spurless hammer 2” SP101, and a regular hammer 3” SP101. I only carry them for self-defense, and DAO is fine with me.
With the SP101’s locking up well before the hammer drops, slow DAO is as accurate as thumbcocking for me at the shorter ranges I practice at anymore, <15 yards, and making it much less prone to a nervous me accidentally setting off a shot when I didn’t intend to.
Wish Ruger would sell me a DAO hammer, and I’d have them both DAO, but they won’t/don’t. Over the years I have swapped the hammers between the two SP101s several times, and both function fine with either hammer.
I have on a rare occasion carried the 2” fitted with the DAO hammer in a front pocket, but it is heavy, and I don’t do it much. Heck, I even find the .357 LCR a little heavy for pocket carry, and much prefer the .38 LCR with the boot grip for that when I feel like carrying a revolver in the pocket, as opposed to a 9mm or .380 semi auto.

 

Full disclosure: My carry guns are semi-autos.

With that being said, I have two revolvers (Redhawk and GP100), and I only shoot them double-action. I have probably only thumbed back the hammers of either one a single-digit number of times at the range.

As long as you are comfortable shooting double-action, there's no reason not to get that DAO. Personally, I like the looks of a visible hammer spur, but when it comes to defensive carry, you sometimes have to go with function over form.

 

I have both 2.25 and 3.06. Love them both. They are both DA/SA (I don't particularly care for DAO). The 2.25 rides in my front pocket just fine (either Lee jeans or Haggar dress pants). It may print a little when sitting, but I really don't care about printing. The 3.06 is just a tad too long to be completely covered while in the front pocket. So, when I carry the 3.06, I carry it IWB.

 

I have an LCR in .327 Fed Mag (1.875") and a SP101 in .38 Spcl (2.25"). In double action, they shoot with the same accuracy out to 7 yards. The 0.375" in barrel length doesn't seem to make a difference. I had a gunsmith modify both to have lighter triggers. .327 at 8 lbs. 6 oz. and .38 at 8lbs. 1 oz. with Wolff springs (main and rebound). I also have an LCR .22 LR which I use as a trainer with a 14 lbs. 12 oz. trigger that has really taught me trigger control because it is very difficult to shoot accurately with that ridiculous trigger pull.

The snub-nose revolver is limited by poor sights and short, thin grips. The only thing you can easily change is trigger weight and it makes a HUGE difference in accuracy. In my experience, Rugers respond to spring changes much more favorably than Smiths.

I carry the LCR in a pocket holster. The SP101 (engraved) is my "BBQ" gun - functional jewelry. If I have to carry on my belt (inside or outside), I go with a DA/SA single-stack semi-auto (IWB) or a DA/SA double-stack semi-auto (OWB).

I practice DA because a civilian self-defense situation is going to be where the criminal chooses the time and place of the attack. I will probably not have time to pull back the hammer. The distance is likely to be extremely close.

A snub-nose revolver is fairly easy to conceal safely in a pocket. A 3" revolver will likely have to be carried on a belt. Once the gun gets that large, I prefer a semi-auto. Better sights, better grips, better triggers and more ammunition capacity and reloadable quickly.

For pocket carry, I do not want an exposed hammer which can get caught inside the pocket. I wear Duluth cargo pants to get a large enough pocket. My carry semi-autos have bobbed or rounded hammers.

I probably pocket carry the LCR 1/3 of the time and belt carry a semi-auto 2/3 of the time. The semi-autos are more capable guns, but the LCR allows me to be prepared without having to wear a covering 2nd shirt or jacket.