I bought a 3 inch stainless ruger gp100 and have only shot 38's through it. What am I waiting for? I got it for my wife she likes it but don't know if she would like the magnum round. What would be a mag round for her that she wouldn't mind shooting in that? The only mag I shot had a 6 inch barrel I am also curious how it would feel.
How is the kick in 3 inch GP 100?
- Thread starter tommyd78
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Whirlwind06
New member
I have the exact same model. Recoil is a relative thing, as I'm sure you know.
My experience is, with the stock grips the 158 grain JSP has some thump to them. The softest shooting ones I have tried so far were the Winchester 110 grain personal protection. None of the factory loads I have put through I found uncomfortable though.
My experience is, with the stock grips the 158 grain JSP has some thump to them. The softest shooting ones I have tried so far were the Winchester 110 grain personal protection. None of the factory loads I have put through I found uncomfortable though.
Stressfire
New member
Just got the same a few months ago, hopefully yours has the big, squishy full rubber grips (came stock on mine)
With .38 Spl's, the weight of the frame helps quite a bit, even if the barrel is a bit short. The .357s will definitely give you a good jolt if you're not used to them, they definitely did me.
While I can shoot it 1 handed with 38s all day long, a good, tight 2 handed grip really helps a lot with the full house loads. But you will feel it alot more than the .38s. Not as much muzzle flip as you might expect - I notice most of the recoil going straight back.
I love hearing mine roar with the magnums
With .38 Spl's, the weight of the frame helps quite a bit, even if the barrel is a bit short. The .357s will definitely give you a good jolt if you're not used to them, they definitely did me.
While I can shoot it 1 handed with 38s all day long, a good, tight 2 handed grip really helps a lot with the full house loads. But you will feel it alot more than the .38s. Not as much muzzle flip as you might expect - I notice most of the recoil going straight back.
I love hearing mine roar with the magnums
I have one with the older smaller grips with wood insert. These grips were smaller then the standard GP100 grips with wood insert.
That being said recoil is more or less a non-issue with everything I have run. Loud yes but recoil IMO is negligible. Rubber grips and a pretty substantial firearm so you will be fine IMO unless you are recoil sensitive. That being said this is subjective and I am not very recoil sensitive.
That being said recoil is more or less a non-issue with everything I have run. Loud yes but recoil IMO is negligible. Rubber grips and a pretty substantial firearm so you will be fine IMO unless you are recoil sensitive. That being said this is subjective and I am not very recoil sensitive.
Lighter magnum loads include the Speer 135 grain "short barrel" load (defense only, you won't plink in that price range) and the Blazer 158 grain hollowpoint (which could be both practice and defense). Buffalo Bore also has a 158 grain "short barrel" .357 load that's pretty light (or at least on par with their romper stomper .38 load).
Stick with whatever the wife is comfortable with until she builds up enough confidence to shoot the magnum rounds. First time i went to shoot my GP100 with the GF she enjoyed the .38, but got freaked out when i shot the magnum rounds. I personally didnt think it was that big of a jump.
I find the grips as pictures above MUCH better than the Hogue grips for the GP -100. Recoil is a little more but you're shooting a much more powerful cartridge. "Low recoil" loadings the .357 makes it little more than a .38spcl +p. Honestly, out of the 3" barrel you might be better off using somekind of .38spcl due to having less muzzle flash and noise.
Stressfire
New member
True, but not nearly as much fun
TheWanderingRed
New member
Not bad at all
I've gotten to shoot maybe 20 rounds of .357 Mag through my four inch GP 100 and it was actually kind of pleasent. Noisey as heck, more muzzle flip, but the recoil wasn't to bad.
It just felt like landing a really good right cross on focus mitts. Straight, powerful, the shock going through all the right parts of my body: My arm straight to my shoulder, through my core, and out the back leg, just like a right cross!
Of course I had a teacher with me that day drilling me on stance, and that helped a ton! Also the weapon has such a NICE heft to it! It just soaks up the recoil.
Let her try a round or two in single action with no added stress from you on her. Let her know it hits harder and is a little louder, but just keep her grip and her stance nice and tight.
For the record I'm pretty small. 5'6" and 140-150lbs, also I'm a n00b so take this with a grain of salt. I'm just happy to be able to answer a question instead of asking one!
I've gotten to shoot maybe 20 rounds of .357 Mag through my four inch GP 100 and it was actually kind of pleasent. Noisey as heck, more muzzle flip, but the recoil wasn't to bad.
It just felt like landing a really good right cross on focus mitts. Straight, powerful, the shock going through all the right parts of my body: My arm straight to my shoulder, through my core, and out the back leg, just like a right cross!
Of course I had a teacher with me that day drilling me on stance, and that helped a ton! Also the weapon has such a NICE heft to it! It just soaks up the recoil.
Let her try a round or two in single action with no added stress from you on her. Let her know it hits harder and is a little louder, but just keep her grip and her stance nice and tight.
For the record I'm pretty small. 5'6" and 140-150lbs, also I'm a n00b so take this with a grain of salt. I'm just happy to be able to answer a question instead of asking one!
Forgot to mention that the reloads I mentioned in my previous post were .357 mag loads.
If I didn't roll my own, I'd probably buy these by the case:
http://www.jgsales.com/357-magnum-wolf-gold-158gr-sjhp.-50rd-box-p-3064.html
If I didn't roll my own, I'd probably buy these by the case:
http://www.jgsales.com/357-magnum-wolf-gold-158gr-sjhp.-50rd-box-p-3064.html
3 inch gp 100
Thanks for the input, I have not shot mags out of there either I guess I'm gonna have to just to see. I bought it for the versatility and it is a beautiful piece. It does have the rubber grips if she is happy shooting 38s that's fine with me. I just bought a glock 23 will let her try that then maybe the gp with mags definitely will tell her to hold on.
Thanks for the input, I have not shot mags out of there either I guess I'm gonna have to just to see. I bought it for the versatility and it is a beautiful piece. It does have the rubber grips if she is happy shooting 38s that's fine with me. I just bought a glock 23 will let her try that then maybe the gp with mags definitely will tell her to hold on.
I just shot my 3" GP last night for the first time. 30 rounds of 158gr .357 mag, then 70 rounds of .38 spl. I have the rubber grips with the wood inserts (didn't like the hogues)
The magnums didn't kick too bad, but there's a ton of noise and muzzle flash. The .38s felt like nothing after those .357s.
The magnums didn't kick too bad, but there's a ton of noise and muzzle flash. The .38s felt like nothing after those .357s.
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