Carry - SP101 vs GP100 ?

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Waveski

Waveski

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#2 son has narrowed his carry options down to 2 revolvers : the SP 101 2.2" barrel , or the GP100 3" barrel. (He was going to carry an auto loader , but has recently had a wheel gun epiphany - a chip off the Old Block...)

There are pros and cons of my own I could state , but I do not want to lead the debate. Please chime in with any and all opinions regarding the choice between these two worthy options.

'Ski
 
The SP will get carried more. Both are great guns by the way and there is no wrong choice, but from a practical standpoint the lighter the gun the more it is carried.
 
I would hunt for an SP-101 with a 3" barrel. It's going to be lighter and more compact than the GP-100 but won't give anything up ballistically. There are several .357 magnum loads that perform very nicely out of a 3" barrel but for me it's as short as I'd want to go because shorter than that things like muzzle blast and decreased velocity make a heavier gun like the SP-101 not so attractive IMHO.

Since he had a 3" GP-100 in mind, I assume a 3" barrel wouldn't be too long for the SP-101 either but you will get much better performance from the .357 magnum, with reduced weight and size over the big GP.

So IF I were YOU, I'd tell your son to hold out for a 3" SP-101!
 
Waveski said:
There are pros and cons of my own I could state , but I do not want to lead the debate. Please chime in with any and all opinions regarding the choice between these two worthy options.
Click to expand...

I have a 3" GP100 and a 3" SP101 but I don't carry either. I carry a KLCR (sometimes two) which is better in every possible way when it comes to CC.
 
I second CoolDill.

The 3" SP101 would be the way to go.
I carry the 2.25" version.
It is a bit heavier than I would like, but I appreciate every ounce when I pull yhe trigger.
 
I'm sorry I can't "vote" because I don't feel either is a good choice although if I'm going to carry something that heavy I would go with the GP100 for the extra round.
 
I have both, and though I like my GP better, my 2.25" SP seems to get picked more going out the door.
 
I have an SP101 2.25". I used to carry it a bit, but not anymore. Too heavy compared to other alternatives. The GP100 would definitely be too heavy for me in that role.

Now I carry either a KCLR, which is terrific and is now my favorite revolver, or when I want smaller, a P3AT. Either fits in a pocket, which is what I prefer.

Now when I use the SP101, it is usually as a car gun, in my center console, where it fits perfectly and the heavier weight is not an issue at all. It is an excellent choice for that. Stainless and sturdy, no matter the environment.
 
SP101. Hands down. But do hold out for a 3". Great carry gun.
If the 6th round is that big of a deal, look for and old Security/Service/Speed-Six. Or a K frame S&W. The GP100 is just to heavy for what you get.
 
I have owned both models for many years and love them both. The only problem with carrying the GP is it will require a heavier belt and a very good holster to be comfortable for every day carry use. It can be certainly done but you'll really have to "want" to do it and spend a little money. I would not consider a 5 round revolver to be any kind of drawback at all. If you can't solve the problem with the first three then three more probably aren't going to solve it either.
 
I have a 3" GP100 and a 3" SP101 but I don't carry either. I carry a KLCR (sometimes two) which is better in every possible way when it comes to CC.
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But if, God forbid, you have to use the gun, what should you carry? Are we really talking 38 Special here? If we are talking 357 Magnum, heavier is better, and the SP101 is heavy enough with some practice, especially that second shot, careful consideration of high grip, and single action when possible.

The GP100, one of which I own, has a grip size/length that is more challenging to conceal. I doubt if it was ever seriously meant for that role.
 
I carry my 4 in. gp100 in a shoulder rig only because I don't like it on my belt. I carry my sp101 3 in. 327 iwb or Bianchi shadow. Even the sp 101 is not a light weight at 28 oz.but it goes well with either rig.
 
Another 3" SP101 vote, though the 2.25" SP101 is also a fine choice for smaller overall carry gun.
 
RealGun said:
But if, God forbid, you have to use the gun, what should you carry? Are we really talking 38 Special here? If we are talking 357 Magnum, heavier is better, and the SP101 is heavy enough with some practice, especially that second shot, careful consideration of high grip, and single action when possible.
Click to expand...

I would expect a confrontation requiring deadly force to be a close range situation so I don't consider felt recoil to be an issue since it's not a rapid fire bulls eye competition.
 
I have a 6.5" .357 Ruger Blackhawk that is a tack driver. I have a 4 5/8" .357 New Vaquero that is not only the most beautiful gun I own but is also one of my favorite to shoot.

However, my go-to is a 2.25" SP101. It packs well on my belt, handles whatever ammo I can stuff in it, and is always ready when I need it. I've looked at the GP several times, but for a longer barreled .357 I prefer a single action. I've got a couple of those. For a carry piece, the SP gets the nod most every time.

It's a handy size AND it's not uncomfortable to practice with.
 
Got a gp100 in 6" wish it was 4". Got a sp101 in 3" and love it. Great shooting with both but the sp is easy to conceal. Trying to hide a gp without a jacket might be hard. You could change like the weather. More clothes , bigger gun.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I'm sorry I can't "vote" because I don't feel either is a good choice although if I'm going to carry something that heavy I would go with the GP100 for the extra round.
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This. I never "got" the SP101 thing myself.

If I were satisfied with 5 rounds, I'd carry a S&W J-frame snubbie. If not, but didn't want the weight of the GP100, I'd carry a K-frame snubbie.
 
I vote for both, if he likes Rugers.

The short-barrelled SP101 for dedicated daily carry, and the GP100 for hiking/outdoors.

I carry two S&W revolvers - a 642 for dedicated daily carry, and a 3" 13 for hiking/hunting. When I want more rounds down on the border, I pack the 642 and a 9mm.
 
1858 said:
I would expect a confrontation requiring deadly force to be a close range situation so I don't consider felt recoil to be an issue since it's not a rapid fire bulls eye competition.
Click to expand...
No, it's a rapid-fire-self-defense-loser-dies competition.
 
The weight of GP100 is not that heavy. It is actually comparable to plastic frame self-loaders. I actually weighed it on a scale, and there is only about 50~100g difference between a 3 in barrel GP100 and an M&P40.

I am not talking about empty weight. Empty Glock or M&P will be significantly lighter. But, who carries an empty gun? Once you fill them up with 15~17 rounds of ammo, it is a different story.

My choice will be a 3 inch barrel GP100 with the old style grip or a boot grip. With a boot grip, the 3 inch barrel model does not appear to be significantly larger, and it will handle the recoil of 357 Magnum better.

I shoot full power 357 loads, and I won't use a 38 Special for security by choice unless it is a snub nose. Juding from my experience shooting 357 Magnum, I dont' want to shoot it out of anything smaller than a GP100. Not that it can't be done, but it is a handfull to control even with a GP100.

So, GP100 for me.
 
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