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sp101 or gp100
- Thread starter barri35
- Start date
Walklightly
Moderator
To me that's a no brainer, the GP100.
TBS, I only own a SP101.
TBS, I only own a SP101.
I have two SP101's, both with the 2-1/2" barrels. One gets carried a lot around the farm, lightweight enough to be comfortable to carry but lightweight enough to be uncomfortable to shoot. Don't carry my only GP100 6" much due to it's barrel length and weight, wish I had bought the 4". The SP is handy as it can fit in your back pocket, coat pocket, etc. or on the belt. The GP can only effectively be carried in a holster or with a 4" barrel stuffed in waistband/belt. The SP kicks like a mule with .357's and the GP is a jewel to shoot. These are not my only guns, but for me and my lifestyle if I were down to choosing one, I would pick the SP of any barrel length over the GP. With the info provided, "I like to hike or ride my atv and don't want to be under powered.", I think the 4" GP would serve you the best. One last thing, have you considered a Glock 10MM?
Barri35, your statistics do change one thing for me: I'm even happier when a woman starts to shoot than a man, as it seems there are significantly more men than women who are at the range on any given day. My mother and grandmother taught me to shoot, so I always encourage women to participate.
Ruger GP100 are sometimes seen in a 3" barrel configuration. It is not as easy to find as a 4".
I'd recommend the 4" as the best 'blend' of lengths. I have a 3" .38 [rossi], a 4" GP100 and a 6" GP100. Firing the same .38special ammo in all three, the recoil is most noticeable in the 3" and least in the 6". A 4" will be short enough to do what you want it to, but long enough to dampen the recoil enough to keep it fun for a long time [as you said after shooting the S&W 686 4"]. Plus you get cool jets of flame with full-power .357mag ammo out of 4"!
A 3" will pack easier on the ATV, it will swing easier. It will jump more quickly in the hand also. So, do you want the extra portability of 1" less barrel length or do you want the extra control you will get with 1" more on the barrel length [plus higher velocities/more power from the same ammo]?
The age-old question: extra light for carry-often, shoot-seldom or a balance of weight for a lifetime of pleasure while shooting, while being light 'enough' to carry often [with the right holster/belt combo]? Only you can decide what is in your best interest.
I personally don't like the monogrips on the GP100, as the finger grooves don't line up 'just right' for me: whether it be the standard Hogue monogrip or the Hogue Tamer for the Alaskan. I have the 'old school' rubber/wood grips for the GP100 on both of mine. I found out [the hard way] that you can order either the full-sized GP100 rubber grip OR the compact-GP100 rubber grip [also fits the SP101, I believe].
For smaller hands and for carry, you may want the 4" GP100 but with the small rubber/wood grips installed, so the butt of the pistol isn't so big. The hand grip area of a SP101 with the strength and capacity of the GP100 = the best of both worlds?
I got my grips at MidwayUSA. I bought the wooden inserts for my full sized GP 100 from Altamont Grips. I like their GP100 inserts.
Ruger GP100 are sometimes seen in a 3" barrel configuration. It is not as easy to find as a 4".
I'd recommend the 4" as the best 'blend' of lengths. I have a 3" .38 [rossi], a 4" GP100 and a 6" GP100. Firing the same .38special ammo in all three, the recoil is most noticeable in the 3" and least in the 6". A 4" will be short enough to do what you want it to, but long enough to dampen the recoil enough to keep it fun for a long time [as you said after shooting the S&W 686 4"]. Plus you get cool jets of flame with full-power .357mag ammo out of 4"!
A 3" will pack easier on the ATV, it will swing easier. It will jump more quickly in the hand also. So, do you want the extra portability of 1" less barrel length or do you want the extra control you will get with 1" more on the barrel length [plus higher velocities/more power from the same ammo]?
The age-old question: extra light for carry-often, shoot-seldom or a balance of weight for a lifetime of pleasure while shooting, while being light 'enough' to carry often [with the right holster/belt combo]? Only you can decide what is in your best interest.
I personally don't like the monogrips on the GP100, as the finger grooves don't line up 'just right' for me: whether it be the standard Hogue monogrip or the Hogue Tamer for the Alaskan. I have the 'old school' rubber/wood grips for the GP100 on both of mine. I found out [the hard way] that you can order either the full-sized GP100 rubber grip OR the compact-GP100 rubber grip [also fits the SP101, I believe].
For smaller hands and for carry, you may want the 4" GP100 but with the small rubber/wood grips installed, so the butt of the pistol isn't so big. The hand grip area of a SP101 with the strength and capacity of the GP100 = the best of both worlds?
I got my grips at MidwayUSA. I bought the wooden inserts for my full sized GP 100 from Altamont Grips. I like their GP100 inserts.
I just went through the same process of choosing a Ruger revolver for a variety of purposes. I settled on the SP101 with 3in barrel, because it seemed to bridge the difference between a full size revolver like the GP, and the smaller concealed carry snubs. The SP would make a fine range gun, home defense, or hiking/range gun. Having shot 357 from much lighter guns, the 357 out of the SP doesn't seem too bad. My mother recently decided that shed like a house defense gun because she is often alone at night, picked the GP with 4in barrel. It is very nice. Its also a big gun. The SP is not exactly dainty.
Duke City Six
New member
barri35,
Welcome to the forum.
You shot at "Calibers?" As in Albuquerque? They used to have a GP100 for rent. I haven't been there for awhile. PM me if you like, maybe we could go shooting sometime. By the way, I just ordered a 4-inch GP 100 myself. Can't wait.
Welcome to the forum.
You shot at "Calibers?" As in Albuquerque? They used to have a GP100 for rent. I haven't been there for awhile. PM me if you like, maybe we could go shooting sometime. By the way, I just ordered a 4-inch GP 100 myself. Can't wait.
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ok, I'm leaning towards the 4" barrel.
i mostly ride the atv more than i do the hike, i enjoy both but it's just easier to get out and ride because i live on the mesa, lots of open land.
Yes, calibers in Albuquerque, they didn't have any sp models for me to try. i tried a 9mm and the .357. i didn't care too much for the 9mm. I've had people recommending that gun to me, i'm glad i tried it out first. I can't get a good aim with that one. i tend to shoot too low. I think it's because i'm waiting for the recoil. ????
thanks again for all your inputs.
i mostly ride the atv more than i do the hike, i enjoy both but it's just easier to get out and ride because i live on the mesa, lots of open land.
Yes, calibers in Albuquerque, they didn't have any sp models for me to try. i tried a 9mm and the .357. i didn't care too much for the 9mm. I've had people recommending that gun to me, i'm glad i tried it out first. I can't get a good aim with that one. i tend to shoot too low. I think it's because i'm waiting for the recoil. ????
thanks again for all your inputs.