I had my Ruger SP101 3" .357 Magnum for three months, but just today received my Ryan Grizzle IWB holster. I always take 3 mile walks in the evening. I now have it with me on the walk with the gun unloaded to get a good feel for it.
I, also, have a Ruger SP-101 w/ 3" barrel. (Actually, my wife owns it!) I really like the SP-101; it's a little heavy; but it's a VERY strong revolver that we've, both, often shot until it's too hot to hold against bare skin. The gun has never so much as hiccuped! I'm well-known on major gun boards for recommending that civilians should usually carry their semiautomatic pistols in C-3.
(Many other gun owners don't agree with me, some almost violently; but, then again, many other gun owners don't know the same gun toting civilians that I do, nor have they seen what I've seen! So, oftentimes, your perspective on things changes as you age.)
This said: I've got to tell you I think that, to say the least, you're being overly cautious. It makes no sense, whatsoever, for you to be walking around carrying an empty pistol. Why not spend a similar amount of time memorizing Cooper's Four Basic Rules of Gun Safety while you practice keeping your trigger finger ARROW STRAIGHT and immediately above the guard every time you handle your pistol?
Ultimately it's going to be DEEPLY INGRAINED PERSONAL HABITS like these that will actually keep you safe - Not walking around with an empty gun. As far as this old gunman is concerned there's seldom a good reason not to have a gun; and, unless you're doing something like practicing or cleaning, your gun should always be loaded. The 12 lb. + trigger pull on that (true) double-action Ruger revolver is sufficient to forgive a minor handling error. Enjoy your new SP-101; it's a great little pistol in a really big caliber!
NOTES: HKS makes useful, twist-top speedloaders; Bianchi offers pocket, 'speed strips'; and Matt Del Fatti makes the very best leather speedloader pouches I've ever seen for the SP-101. When I carry a revolver (not all that often) I always wear two of Matt's pouches immediately in front of the holster - Which is the correct way to carry revolver speedloader pouches.
(According to Jim Cirillo: Never attempt to load a combat revolver with your support hand. A statement with which I, wholeheartedly, agree!)
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