sp101 or gp100

B

barri35

Inactive
I'm undecided on the two. I don't really need to conceal the weapon so should i go with the gp100? I want a 3" barrel, something powerful but not too much to handle. I like to hike or ride my atv and don't want to be under powered. I've read so many good things about both....what do i do????
 
No worries - just pick one; you won't be disappointed. I prefer adjustable sights, so my Ruger GP-100's are 4" versions.
 
I have both and they are both great firearms. If you're not going to conceal, I would go with the GP 100 with a 4" barrel. I have the GP with the 6" and I can't say enough good things about it. Ruger revolvers are built like tanks and are great shooters. You won't be sorry with either gun.
 
I just bought the 3 inch sp101. It's a great gun that is very sturdy, but I wish I would have gotten the GP100. Since it's not for concealed carry go with the GP100. The sp101 is pretty unforgiving on the hands with .357 and still no pussycat with .38, which would be fine in a pinch, but if you don't need to conceal it, go with the bigger one. Also I didn't like the hogue monogrip on the GP, but Ruger has a different style grip that you can buy on ebay or even from the ruger website that look much nicer.
 
He doesn't need to conceal it, but he does want to able to hike and ride an ATV with it. 40 oz. is a lot to carry on your hip for any length of time. I sure wouldn't be hiking anywhere with a GP100. An SP101 with a 3" or 4" would be perfect. In fact, the 4" SP101 is designed exactly for the intended purpose.
 
Since you don't need to conceal, go with the GP 3-inch. You can shoot more powerful loads without pain. With a good belt or other holster you'll be able to carry it fine also.
 
Thank you for all your input.
I do like the longer barrels but being that i'm so short, i wasn't sure if i should go with the 4". I like shooting the 6" as well but just too much to carry.
 
One thing not mentioned so far is grips. A new GP100 will come with Hogue rubber grips. They are not bad at all. However you can change them out at low cost for the Hogue "Tamer" version made for the Super RedHawk Alaskan. The GP100 and Super RedHawk take the same grips. The Tamers really soak up recoil making the GP100 a lot more pleasant to shoot with Magnum Loads.

Next the 3" GP100 is a Fixed Sight revolver, unless you get the Willy Clapp Edition, which has Novak sights dovetailed in, you have no sight adjustment. This might or might not be an issue for you.

The 4" GP100 with adjustable sights comes with a quick change front sight system. A very good thing. You can order a Gold Bead or Tritium Night front sight, and in a couple minutes change the front sight yourself. No trip to the gunsmith required.

The SP101 is a pretty fair (near K Frame size) 5 shooter. Normally the trigger is not as good as the GP100 trigger. It is lighter, this however means it recoils harder in the hand with heavy loads.

Since this is a trail and range gun, I would recommend the GP100. It will be a lot more shootable handgun than the SP101.

Get a Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster for it with Inner Hammer Shield, and it will carry just fine with a Good Heavy 1-1/2" belt.
http://lobogunleather.com/

The GP100 takes the same speedloaders as the S&W 586/686 revolvers. The Safariland ones are on sale at Midway till I believe the 28th, as are the Midway Pistol Cases. Considering you will probably not be speed loading it, the Safariland Comp II speedloaders should work fine for you. It is also fairly compact.

Safariland Comp II Speedloader: Product # 742807 $9.99
Midway Tactical Pistol Case: Product # 160870 $9.99
Hogue Tamer Grip: Product # 231159 $18.99
http://midwayusa.com/


Bob
 
Last edited:
ok, does this change anyones opinion?
I'm a female
5'0
112 lbs.

i was at calibers and shot a s&w 686 4"; felt great!!

I'm leaning towards the gp100, barrel ????? :confused:
 
GP100

For your purposes a GP100 3" like mine should do the trick.
It can handle the stoutest 357 loads without unpleasant recoil;holds 6 rounds vs. 5 for the 101;and is accurate.
 
You don't say were you live, hike and ride. If you're worried about bears, you'd be better served with pepper spray or a much bigger gun. If you're worried about "bad guys," you'll get more shots on target quicker with .38+P, and 38+P is plenty powerful. All this said, I still think you'd do well with the SP101. I can't imagine someone of your size hauling around a GP100. The GP100 is a great gun and I've recommended them to others—for home defense. For carry, go with something lighter.
 
If you really liked the 4" 686 then I think you have answered your own question. The 686 and the GP are the same size. If concealment isn't an issue, I would definitely go with the GP and no shorter than 4". Imo, people make way too big a deal about carrying around a few extra ounces.
 
My girlfriend liked this 4 inch revolver so much she thinks I should get one for myself.

4 inch S&W Mod 67-1. It is close in size to the GP-100 and a couple of ounces lighter. With .38 Spcl.+P it shoots fine and will not wear the shooter out.

006.jpg


Note both she and I prefer the Houge Monogrip to the Pachmeyer Declerator grip. It made the trigger reach in Double Action uncomfortable.
 
For hiking, lighter is better as you are less likely to decide you really don't want to carry that hunk of weight ever again. (as typically happens to folks who buy a .44 Magnum for dealing with errant theoretical bears)

My current hiking gun is a 7 shot titanium Taurus revolver. (I've carried it 182 miles in the last 2 years and many, many more before. -- I just happened to have totalled up my hiking in a particular area recently--)

Between the SP101 and GP100 I'd pick the SP.

But for carry purposes, you should consider the LCR in .38 spl. It's even lighter than the SP (but less fun to shoot).
 
Probably nothing new here, but I own a 4” GP100. I am madly, insanely in love with that weapon. She’s a beaut, and she shoots well. She is, on the other hand obnoxiously heavy to carry and practice with.
I only clock in at 5’6” and 140lbs and putting a hundred rounds through it tires my arms out, ditto dry fire exercises. Now she doesn’t tire me out because of recoil, the weight helps soak up almost all of the with 38 spcl rounds, but from just holding the weapon up.
So lately I’ve been lusting after an sp101 just to practice with. One of the new 22lr ones.
As a defensive weapon I’d go with the GP for the extra round, and the knowledge that should I need to I could probably beat some one into submission with it, should I run out of ammo.
But if you’re gonna pack it to hike, and you pack like I do when I hike, then the sp101 and its lower weight may be just the ticket for you. Just my $.02
 
My preference is the Six series, but that's not one of the choices. If you do more shooting, I'd would go with the GP. If you do more hiking, I'd go with the SP.
You could get both and be twice as happy :D.
 
For concealed carry, I prefer the SP. Overall I prefer the GP but it's thickness makes it bit tougher for carry. Both are great guns though.
 
I would consider what you plan to use for ammo. If you are shooting 38 specials each gun may be acceptable. If you plan to use 357 ammo , the sp101 is a real handful with magnum loads regardless of who shoots it (not just girls or smaller people.) I would not care to spend an afternoon shooting hot 357's out of the sp-101. The only advantage of the sp101 is it's smaller size.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top