SP101 vs GP100

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Blue Brick, very nice. I like that one.

EMS_92 said:

Thanks for the replies. Im leaning towards the GP100, kinda reminds me of the S&W L frame. I have a weakness for stainless 4" barreled revolvers. would have been nice if it had a half-underlug.

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Kinda like this?

Im leaning towards the GP100, kinda reminds me of the S&W L frame. I have a weakness for stainless 4" barreled revolvers. would have been nice if it had a half-underlug.

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If you like 4" stainless half lug revolvers, you are describing the Ruger Six Series in Stainless and the S&W Model 66 to a T. I don't have pictures of either, but skidder's picture above (top revolver) is a very nice 4" Security Six. I do own examples of both, and greatly enjoy both platforms, though I have a slight preference for the S&W K Frames.

The Ruger Security Six (square butt, adj sights), Police Service Six (square butt, fixed sights), Speed Six (round butt, fixed sights) and the S&W Model 66 K frame are all out of production, but they can be found fairly easily on the used market if you are patient. These 6 shot revolvers neatly split the difference in size between the GP100 and SP101. The Ruger Sixes are more robust, while the K Frame Smiths are generally more refined.

Your choice, just be sure it passes the revolver checkout. Interestingly, even though Rugers are more robust, on the used market I've found most are shot to total crap. That "built like a tank" mantra regarding Rugers seems to encourage people to abuse the mess out of them with atomic loads. They are well built, but they are certainly not indestructible. Consequently, I find it much easer to find a well cared for, mechanically solid S&W than a Ruger. Go figure.

The S&W K Frame will hold up fine, just stick to shooting .38s or 158 grain .357s (no 125 grain .357 loudenboomers).

I agree with jad0110.
I too love the Smith K-frame (wish they still made the 19/66). They are the perfect size IMO and that's why I have 3 Security Six models. Like a knot head I sold my 15 and 66 :banghead: when I was younger. These older guns take me back to a time when "bulk" was a major issue. LEOs where packing all day and they didn't want a "tank" glued to their hip. One of my dad's friends was a cop and he had a model 19. Since the auto replaced the revolver as the primary carry weapon the k-frame size was slowly fazed out. The market shifted to "compact" and "tank".
Since this size once ruled the world there are plenty of options on the used market.
If you're needing a gun for packing I would go with the Six/k-frame. For a range gun... the GP/L-frame would be fine.

Got to give a nod to the GP-100.

I went a different way though. The GP-100 I have is a .327 Federal magnum model. It holds 7 shots. Speedloaders are made for it.

For CCW carry I do have the SP-101 in .327 Federal magnum.
This one holds 6 rounds instead of 5 shots.

I just like the versatility of the .327 Federal magnum/.32 H&R magnum/.32 S&W Long ammo combos.

There is a lot to say for the .357 magnum/.38 Special ammo versatility as well. Have a few of those, but a different brand of .357 magnum revolvers. Just a personal choice.

Plenty of others have addressed the differences. I will just say I am glad, and blessed, to own several of each. Life is good!

Both are a joy to shoot. If you want to eventually conceal, get the SP101. If not, or if you have bigger hands, get the GP100.

Just a thought, I'd get the 357 so you have the option of shooting 38s....they're so easy to shoot through either of those guns.

So jealous RevDerb! That's the exact model I wanted but can't find them anywhere! I got a S&W 686 instead....but I do wish it had the fiber optic front sight.

We got this 4(.2) SP101 for my wife's bedside gun after struggling for years to get her to like my bottom feeders. She finally has something she enjoys to shoot (with 158gr 38s) and it fits her hands. I could not be happier because she has something when I am not around.

Occasionally I just have to run some 158gr .357s in it just because.. well... I gotta.

All the new GPs and SPs come with solid black grips but there is no shortage of after market grips to replace the factory installed ones. I have a GP100 and SP101, both fantastic guns. Ive replaced the factory grips on the GP with Hogue Hardwood seen below and just ordered some panel inserts from this guy.
http://chigsgrips.com/?page_id=153

The Sp101 was my second hand gun. It's like that truck that you keep because you know when every thing else breaks it'll Start every time you turn the key. Except it looks a whole lot better than my old truck.
If your after different sights and easier loading you should check out ,"the perfected sp101". Just be cautioned, It's like buying the gun again. Bowens Classic Arms has a package that adds J style sights to the sp101 and champers the cylinder for easy holster. Also included is a trigger tune. Some other goodies I can't remember. I figured for the price I'd rather have two but to each his own.

EMS_92 said:

So...I have been swooning over revolvers for a good minute now, and when I turn 21 im considering buying one. I have heard nothing but good things about Rugers and there at the top of my list. So, question for all you more experienced revolver guys, whats the difference between the SP101 and GP100? Thanks.

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One is a 'aways gun' (the SP101) and the other is when needed gun (GP-100.)

One is the carry gun, the other the house gun.

One is the main gun and the other the backup gun/

You can guess which is which!



Deaf

I had an SP101 but traded it. . It has the 5 round capacity, channel sights, thinner body, stiffer trigger and it is lighter.

The GP100 I still have. 6 rounds, adjustable sights, thicker and heavier, smoother trigger and at 6", not a CCW.

If you're just starting out, get the GP100. Much easier to manage and you'll enjoy it.

+1 for the sp101..... if you want to carry it, if its just for range and home the gp100 maybe a better choice. It all depends what you want it for as others have said.

76shuvlinoff said:

...4(.2) SP101...

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^^^This. Big enough for woodsbumming, small enough for C/C. One of my favorites.

I'm kinda partial to GP100s.

Especially the 3" models.

EMS_92 said:

I fear I have been bit by the S&W bug....the 686 SSR is all I dream about now

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Did somebody say S&W bug? That's not a bad one to have. Let me help...



Left to right: M-18, K-frame .22LR, M-19, K-frame .357 Magnum, M-586, L-frame .357 Magnum and a 629, N-frame .44 Magnum (no longer owned). Of the bunch the 18 gets shot the most, the 586 is the most fun for mowing down a rack of steel plates (load it with .38s it barely moves off target) and the 19 is the most likely to get carried out and about. I passed on a nice M-28 (N-frame .357) in favor of getting a new bicycle this fall, but the big frame is still on my want list.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Rugers and the GP-100 is one nice shooting revolver. But when it comes time to drop money, I normally find something in a used S&W.

Timely thread, I was just debating my first revolver purchase. Your wishlist looks a lot like mine OP. I was really impressed with how smooth the trigger was on both the GP100 and the Smith 686 I dry fired.

I've got one of each. If you plan to carry at all, I'd go with the SP101. The 3" is a good all-around gun to me. The barrel is long enough that I can enjoy it at the range or use it as a woods gun without getting frustrated, and it is still long enough to convert a good bit of the magnum's blast-n-flash to velocity.

The GP100 is the better duty/hunting/range/HD gun, but it is too big (or more so heavy) to conceal carry in my mind.

Get the GP 100 now and the SP101 later or shop around and get a S&W