differences

[dakotasin]

i don't understand the difference between a gp-100 and an sp-101.

is there a compelling reason for me to get a blackhawk over a gp/sp?

if i can run down a s&w 586, does it make more sense to go that route?

what are the strength differences - and how much does it matter?


i am looking for another hunting revolver, chambering is only allowed to be 357 mag, and i want a 6 - 7.5" barrel. the gun must be strong enough to handle my (hothothot) handloads w/o blowing up, or loosening up too fast. my 4" 686 is handling them fine now, but i want more barrel.

 

[kmrcstintn]

Rugers:

gp100: full size frame; 6 shot cylinder; .357 magnum & .38 special +p chamberings; a few fixed sight models; most models are 4" or 6" barrel & adjustable sights; blued & stainless models; no sideplates on frame; breaks down into subassemblies for cleaning & maintenance

sp101: compact frame; 5 & 6 shot cylinders; .357 magnum, .38 special, .32 H&R magnum, and .22 long rifle chamberings; various barrel lengths; fixed sights (except .22LR); stainless models, same frame and subassembly design as gp100, just on a smaller scale

S&W586: I haven't seen many of them; it is basically the blued cousin of the older 686 variants (firing pin mounted to hammer); I am more familiar with the newer variants of 686; .357 magnum chambering; 6 or 7 shot cylinders; various barrel lengths; adjustable sights; stainless models; frames have removable sideplates; internal lock system

strength differences???... if you don't reload and only shoot factory loads, both Rugers and S&W's will do fine; if you handload toward the hot, hot, hot side, some people feel the Rugers hold up better and state that there are recommended reloading formulas only meant for Rugers...I cannot verify this since I only shoot factory loads

basically, six of 1 and a half dozen of the other

I don't use single actions so I don't feel I make a good source for feedback on them

hope this helps

 

[Tiny in Ohio]

To be honest, if I were looking for a hunting revolver, it would be the Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk. Single Action, will handle HOTHOTHOT loads. The SP101 only comes in a 3 1/16" barrel, so it is out of the question. The GP100 comes in a 6" barrel, and is a DA/SA revolver, it will also handle HOTHOTHOT loads. But for a hunter the Blackhawk or SB is the pistol that I would look for.