I currently have a Ruger GP100 6 Inch. I spent months after reading likes and dislikes between barrel lengths. It seems more lean towards the 4 inch because of the size to conceal. Personally a six shot in any barrel length is not ideal for concealment, too big and heavy. For concealment I use to have a Glock 21, full size 45, sold that because of the large size, not the best to conceal. I currently have a Glock 30SF 10 shot I carry, very accurate. The size is perfect to conceal, small and packs a punch. I think a 6 inch in a large caliber revolver is the best over 4. You get so much more advantages with the longer barrel. It is my "Fun Gun" for range, home and not bad at all to carry in the woods with the right holster. 357 6 inch just seems right.
Ruger GP100 357 6 inch
- Thread starter rbjohnson
- Start date
I'd agree.
I have carried 6 and 6.5" large frame S&Ws for many years. Smaller autos carry easier and are flatter. But I too like shooting the long barreled revolver better overall. In fact, I have one on as I write this.
The longer sight radius in easier to make hits with on smaller targets, and those farther away. The revolvers also enjoy an advantage of being able to use any ammo, from super mild to max loads, with any weight and shape of bullet that will go into the case and cylinder.
In a nut shell I like to say the long revolver is a nicer field/outdoorsmans gun, and the auto is a better “city gun” Autos are also what I would carry for a military application.
I have done a lot of both in my life.
I have carried 6 and 6.5" large frame S&Ws for many years. Smaller autos carry easier and are flatter. But I too like shooting the long barreled revolver better overall. In fact, I have one on as I write this.
The longer sight radius in easier to make hits with on smaller targets, and those farther away. The revolvers also enjoy an advantage of being able to use any ammo, from super mild to max loads, with any weight and shape of bullet that will go into the case and cylinder.
In a nut shell I like to say the long revolver is a nicer field/outdoorsmans gun, and the auto is a better “city gun” Autos are also what I would carry for a military application.
I have done a lot of both in my life.
SVTCobra306
New member
I landed in between.. I got a 5" version 
I don't carry it, but it "handles" very well, I have shot a few local matches with it, shot a decent 8 pointer last year with it, and qualified for my BIT with it, I like the accuracy a lot but my hunting loads are pretty flashy with the shorter barrel LOL.
I don't carry it, but it "handles" very well, I have shot a few local matches with it, shot a decent 8 pointer last year with it, and qualified for my BIT with it, I like the accuracy a lot but my hunting loads are pretty flashy with the shorter barrel LOL.
recoil junky
New member
I've got two GP100's with six inch barrels (a GP161 and a KGP161). My late father in law had a S&W with a four inch barrel, he liked my Rugers better.
It's all a Ford vs. Chevy thing. Me personally, I like long barrels on wheel guns. What looks big in the hands of the "average" Joe looks kinda puny in my gorilla mitts. Heck, I can carry a 7 1/2 inch barreled Redhawk concealed in an Uncle Mike's shoulder rig and most people can't tell I'm packin'! See?
RJ
It's all a Ford vs. Chevy thing. Me personally, I like long barrels on wheel guns. What looks big in the hands of the "average" Joe looks kinda puny in my gorilla mitts. Heck, I can carry a 7 1/2 inch barreled Redhawk concealed in an Uncle Mike's shoulder rig and most people can't tell I'm packin'! See?
RJ
For me, 4" barreled revolvers are best balanced.
For self-defense, again I'll go with a 4" barreled revolver, that's, of course, assuming I'd be going with a revolver in the first place. Quickness to battery is essential when a bad guy(s) want to reduce you to room temperature.
Under 4", I'd go with a 158 grain lead SWCHP .38 Special +P over any .357 Mag every time. The .357 Mag loses too much velocity in barrels shorter than 4", recoil causes sight picture retention to become difficult, and muzzle blast is disorienting. BTW, even with a 4" barreled .357 Mag, for bipedal self-defense, I'd almost certainly go with a 158 grain lead SWCHP .38 Special +P.
I used to own a 4" 586. I could conceal a VW better than I could conceal it.
I've recently bought a 4" GP-100. No buyer's remorse with that one. I had given thought to actually carrying it. For some reason, last night I reflected upon years of training and knowledge. The reality is, the 1911A1 chambered in .45 ACP is still at the pinnacle of the self-defense handgun pyramid. However, I am partial to my Sig P-229 in .40 S&W with 13 rounds of 180 grain LE ammo.
As much as I like my GP-100, after careful thought, revolvers cannot compete with large caliber, good quality semiauto pistols for bipedal self-defense. There's a reason why no law enforcement agency of which I'm aware even allows revolvers for on-duty use. Now were we to limit self-defense to black bears and mountain lions, six 180 grain .357 Mag Partitions would be tough to beat.
I think I'm going back to practicing a lot more with my P-229.
For self-defense, again I'll go with a 4" barreled revolver, that's, of course, assuming I'd be going with a revolver in the first place. Quickness to battery is essential when a bad guy(s) want to reduce you to room temperature.
Under 4", I'd go with a 158 grain lead SWCHP .38 Special +P over any .357 Mag every time. The .357 Mag loses too much velocity in barrels shorter than 4", recoil causes sight picture retention to become difficult, and muzzle blast is disorienting. BTW, even with a 4" barreled .357 Mag, for bipedal self-defense, I'd almost certainly go with a 158 grain lead SWCHP .38 Special +P.
I used to own a 4" 586. I could conceal a VW better than I could conceal it.
I've recently bought a 4" GP-100. No buyer's remorse with that one. I had given thought to actually carrying it. For some reason, last night I reflected upon years of training and knowledge. The reality is, the 1911A1 chambered in .45 ACP is still at the pinnacle of the self-defense handgun pyramid. However, I am partial to my Sig P-229 in .40 S&W with 13 rounds of 180 grain LE ammo.
As much as I like my GP-100, after careful thought, revolvers cannot compete with large caliber, good quality semiauto pistols for bipedal self-defense. There's a reason why no law enforcement agency of which I'm aware even allows revolvers for on-duty use. Now were we to limit self-defense to black bears and mountain lions, six 180 grain .357 Mag Partitions would be tough to beat.
I think I'm going back to practicing a lot more with my P-229.