Ruger gp100 for concealed carry

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newguy07

New member
Still deciding on my first handgun. Went to the shop and looked and handled some this weekend and think I am almost settled on the gp100 356 magum from ruger 4 inch barrel not sure about blued or stainless yet. Once I get the gun and get pleanty of practice with it I plan to probably get my permit to carry it. Is the gp100 to large for concealed carry. For those of you who have it what are you using to carry it/how are you carrying it? Also on a semi unrelated topic. If I buy this gun with the 4 inch barrel is it still good enough to hunt deer with or do I need a 6 inch. Thanks again.
 
I concur with the Penguin. The GP is a big gun to try to CC. It can be done, but from a realistic standpoint, you'll want some thing smaller, thinner and lighter.

Look at the SPs or Smith and Wesson Airweights.
 
As for carry, I concur with the above posters. It can be done but it ain't easy. For hunting your first step should be to check your local game laws and see what they say the minimum caliber and barrel length are. .357 is an appropriate caliber but some states mandate a minimum barrel length in the 5-6" range (depending on state).
 
If I was going to go conceal - I would go with the SP101 with the 2 1/4 barrel. I own both and the Gp100 is a wonderful gun - I just answered because of what you said in your post about concealed carry
 
I had a GP100 4". It was an awesome firearm. Its also pretty big, depending on your body type and dress code you may or may not be able to sucessfully conceal it. Even if you do I imgaine it wont be very comfortable. Find something of similar weight and size and put it in your back pocket for a few hours when you are working around the house, youll see what I mean.
 
Like others said , the SP101 woul;d be a better choice for concealed carry . My ccw is a SP101 2.25" . I also have a 4" GP and sometimes I do use it for a ccw when I go hiking in the woods during colder weather . Although I'm sure it can be done , the 4" or even 6" 357 revolver is a very poor choice for deer hunting and probably illegal in most states .
 
Ok back to my 2 main questions. A) does the 3 inch GP100 have more recoil then the 4 inch, and B) is the 4 inch adjustable going to be much more accurate then then 3 inch fixed. If the answer is no to both I think I would be better off getting the 3 inch. If it is yes to both I better get the 4. Essentially I am saying that the 3 inch is obviously going to be somewhat easier to carry so is there any other big advantage to the 4inch over the 3. My big concerns would be #1 recoil and #2 accuracy
 
To answer your questions:

The 3" does not give up any accuracy to the 4". They have different sights, but that's about preference. The 3" is lighter, and therefore more percieved recoil is to be expected, but the grips are so well designed that I have found it to be LESS severe than a 4" 686+. This is true for a lot of shooters, including everyone I've ever handed my GP-100 to. The GP-100 is almost exactly the same size as a 3" L-framed Smith, and is MUCH easier to maintain, and very easy to shoot well. The great thing about a 3" GP is that the front sight is pinned in, and the tritium sights available for the SP-101 fit right in the front sight cut, and make this a really great carry pistol. I HIGHLY recommend the 3", Fixed sight GP-100 for carry, and love mine very much. I have two 3" Smith K-frames, a 3" 686+, and a 3" Gp-100, and the GP gets the most range time BY FAR, because of its supremely comfortable grips, and it gets carried A LOT, whenever I'm out and about and feel the need for .357 MAG. Get this gun, and do it now. It may be the most well-built, user-friendly 3" revolver in the world, and it doesn't cost a hell of a lot, either.
Remember, get a Holster for an L-frame smith and wesson with a 3" barrel, only because it will be much easier to find, and will fit perfectly.
Also, whether it's stainless or blued, your GP-100 will have stainless internals.
Look here for Dhart's pics of the 3" GP.
Steve
 
I love the GP100. It is my favorite handgun bar none.
But, for over 6 years now I have been carrying a .357 SP101 with a 2 1/4" brl. The GP100 is just too big for a city kid like me.

I know many rural folk that CCW the GP100.

I live in the city though and can't afford to have it seen by the gestapo, er....I mean....the police. They get nervous.
 
i think anything can be concealed if you really want it to. i live in a city and have conceal carried my (pre taurus owned) rossi 3" .357, my ruger blackhawk 4 5/8" .357 flat top and even my 6" trooper. it's winter time tho and i wear a leather jacket so that makes it way easier, i dont know what im gonna do come summer but i'm selling my 3" and my next purchase will be either be a ruger gp100 in 4", 6", or a stainless black 4 5/8" for my main carry gun. i will most likely be carrying it iwb.
 
I often CCW a 3" GP100 but I am 6'2" 300lbs. and it still isn't comfortable if I am sitting. I carry it in an Uncle Mikes size 2 IWB. Does not print with an untucked shirt, but isn't very comfortable on my side.
 
My 3" GP100 conceals nicely under an untucked Polo or T-shirt in a Fist Basic.

ruger01.jpg
 
[Is the gp100 to large for concealed carry. For those of you who have it what are you using to carry it/how are you carrying it? Also on a semi unrelated topic. If I buy this gun with the 4 inch barrel is it still good enough to hunt deer with or do I need a 6 inch. Thanks again./QUOTE]

Within obvious limits you can pretty much carry concealed whatever you want to carry - with the caveat that you must be willing to make whatever changes/concessions/preparations that are necessary to carry it off in a safe, comfortable, secure manner. I agree with Playboypenguin when he recommends a 3" GP for concealed carry. I have carried a 4" GP concealed and, should you opt to do that, a very, very good gun belt is IMHO an absolute necessary. A 4" GP is nearly a 40 oz gun and the good gun belt will help to distribute the weight more equitably and, therefore, more confortably. I used a well made, leather pancake holster (forget the maker) and that worked quite well too.

I have been a handgun hunter for over 30 years and the major, practical advantage of a 6" over a 4" is sight radius. If you are a good enough shot a 4" will work well enough. I must hasten to add that, although I have taken deer with a 4" 357 revo I have come to feel that the 357 is really marginal as a deer hunting round. I have come to much favor a 44 magnum (or larger) for deer as the larger, more powerful round, IMHO, result in much cleaner and more humane kills in the field. FWIW.
Click to expand...
 
newguy... my 3" GP100 shoots and feels better than my 6". If the 6" wouldn't have been my 1st anniversary gift from my wife, I would get rid of it now that I have the 3". The 3" isn't too hard to conceal either.
 
I've always been fond of the 3" S&W M60. It is light and easy to carry yet is very accurate and has adjustable sights. I've never liked fixed sights on revolvers in that they can be hard to adjust if the firearm doesn't shoot accurately as is. If I can get a CC firearm with adjustable sights I will always go that route. You might be able to change out the grips on the GP100 to a smaller size that should help conceal it better. I sometimes carry my S&W 686 which has the thin Hogue rubber grips and it doesn't print. I find it similar to a 1911 in concealability.
 
Too big

My GP100 has the rubber grips and it is just way too big to CC. I have tried several holster options, my favorite being the Bianche Black Widow Hip holster. It looks great, but certainly doesn't conceal. Luckily, PA is an open carry state, so I do.

When I want to CC I take my Beretta Nano 9mm in an IWB holster or my Sneaky Pete phone style holster. I have a few other CC options, but that is my favorite.
 
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