GP 100 or SP 101

[Ex]

Shoot them all. You'll likely end up buying one of each. Or two. Or three. It's an addiction. Just don't look at Dillon reloading presses.

Too late! Already drank blue koolaid several years ago. Hooked now, no going back!

 

[righteoushoot]

If you get the SP101, I highly recommend getting a set of the Pachmayr grips such as these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/198084/pachmayr-compac-grips-ruger-sp101-rubber-black

I think they offer even greater recoil taming with not much difference in size. THey feel MUCH better too.

If you get the GP100, get the old style compact grips that take the same grip panels as the SP101. Much more concealable.

 

[RealGun]

If you get the GP100, get the old style compact grips that take the same grip panels as the SP101. Much more concealable.

If you do that, you may have to use tamer ammo. Concealing a full grip requires a forward cant holster, so the grip length goes up along your side. As long as the cylinder rides above the belt line, an OWB is good enough

 

[amd6547]

If you do that, you may have to use tamer ammo. Concealing a full grip requires a forward cant holster, so the grip length goes up along your side. As long as the cylinder rides above the belt line, an OWB is good enough

Not in my experience. I recently added the OEM Lett compact grip to my 3" GP100.
I put 100rds of commercial full power 357 ammo through it last week. Recoil was no problem at all, whether shooting slow fire single action at 25yds or rapid double action at 7yds. They worked great.

BTW, I just got a Galco Summer Comfort IWB for my 3"...very comfortable to wear, and conceals easily.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

I see both options as conceal carry weapons but for fun time at the range I would choose something else. Maybe a 10/22 if you wish to stay with ruger. Of course you could branch out to a 1911, a S&W model 17, 57, 58, 25-5, 25-2, shotgun,AR or whatever you fancy.

 

[RealGun]

Originally Posted by RealGun View Post
If you do that, you may have to use tamer ammo. Concealing a full grip requires a forward cant holster, so the grip length goes up along your side. As long as the cylinder rides above the belt line, an OWB is good enough

Not in my experience. I recently added the OEM Lett compact grip to my 3" GP100.
I put 100rds of commercial full power 357 ammo through it last week. Recoil was no problem at all, whether shooting slow fire single action at 25yds or rapid double action at 7yds. They worked great.

BTW, I just got a Galco Summer Comfort IWB for my 3"...very comfortable to wear, and conceals easily.

How nice for you. There are always exceptions, but you are ignoring the large club of bruised-finger, bone-bruised-thumb people who tried that grip. You can't have missed that topic.

 

[anothernewb]

I'll put in with the others. GP100 for the adjustable sights, and a slightly heavier gun to reduce recoil.

However, I have recently discovered a lust for smith model 19's

 

[amd6547]

How nice for you. There are always exceptions, but you are ignoring the large club of bruised-finger, bone-bruised-thumb people who tried that grip. You can't have missed that topic.

No doubt there are plenty of people who don't know how to hold a handgun of any type, let alone a magnum.
When I was at the range shooting my GP last week, there was a guy shooting a 6" barreled S&W Model 27. He was shooting at 7yds, sitting, using his range bag as a rest. I heard him complain that he was "all over the paper"...He was shooting a larger group than I was getting standing, offhand at 25yds with my 3". As I watched him shoot, I could see he was holding way down the grip...at least an inch below the recoil shoulder on the frame. With each shot, the barrel was rising up like a hot loaded 44magnum.
My last 357 was a S&W Model 19 2.5" snub. While it came with Hogue rubber banana grips, I preferred the small wood magnas with Tyler T-grip. No problem shooting magnums with that combo, either.

 

[RealGun]

No doubt there are plenty of people who don't know how to hold a handgun of any type, let alone a magnum.

Maybe true but it's too arrogant, considering that the standard grip on the gun is a rubber Hogue.

 

[horsemen61]

Get one of both you will be happy

 

[amd6547]

"Arrogant"? Not really.
When I bought my 3" GP, it had the big Hogues on it. I disliked them immediately for their looks and for the extra bulk and size they added to what is otherwise a compact revolver.
However, I did use them on my first range trip with this GP...I found they worked very well for shooting. They fit my hand well, pointed well, and handled recoil well.
Yet, they made carrying the GP nearly impossible.
The compact Lett grip is perfect for my application, and the larger OEM Lett grip would probably work great too.
The only reason Hogue is standard on the GP now is that the original manufacturer of the GP grip went out of business, or so I understand.
Over on the Ruger forum, there is a strong dislike of the Hogue and a rabid search for Lett grips. Look at eBay...OEM GP grips sell for unbelievable money.

 

[mavracer]

There are always exceptions, but you are ignoring the large club of bruised-finger, bone-bruised-thumb people who tried that grip.

Not sure exactly how large that club is since you're the only member I've come across. You ever think that maybe just maybe you're the exception.

I've launched quite a few of the 412gr bullets pictured @ 1300+FPS with the "factory" Lett grips shown and find they are very good at absorbing recoil.

 

[peacemaker45]

I don't own either, but had an opportunity to shoot both just a week or so ago.

The GP struck me as a fine gun, suitable for whatever you'd use a full size, medium magnum handgun for. Range work, woods carry, close range hunting with the long barrel, general carry with the shorter barrel. It's heavy enough that it probably doesn't belong on an ordinary trouser belt, but rather a proper gunbelt. It can be made to work on a reinforced 1.5" or 1.75" heavy trouser belt, but probably not as happily as on a 2 or 3" duty belt.

The SP is something of an oddity, though. On the one hand, it's a pretty good answer to the question "How big should a .357 snubby be to be shootable?" Of course, hat basically comes down to "Not really a snubby anymore."

The SP is a fine little gun, well made, and more pleasant to shoot than any other small .357. But it's too big and heavy for the snubby's traditional home in the pocket. It really belongs on the belt. And if you're going to be belt carrying, there's a lot more bang for the bulk and for the ounce to be had than a five shooter, even if it is a .357.

To answer the question you actually asked, then, for a recreational shooter, definitely get the GP100.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

I'll put in with the others. GP100 for the adjustable sights, and a slightly heavier gun to reduce recoil.

However, I have recently discovered a lust for smith model 19's

I finally got my first model 19 with a 2 1/2 barrel. Really nice but the model 586 is my sweet spot. I've yet to find anything to beat it even my coveted model 610.

 

[tomrkba]

Quote:
Originally Posted by anothernewb View Post
I'll put in with the others. GP100 for the adjustable sights, and a slightly heavier gun to reduce recoil.

However, I have recently discovered a lust for smith model 19's
I finally got my first model 19 with a 2 1/2 barrel. Really nice but the model 586 is my sweet spot. I've yet to find anything to beat it even my coveted model 610.

Ugh...I hated my Model 19 with 2 1/2" barrel. It needed a longer ejector rod to fully throw out the spent cases. Recoil with 357 Magnum was...not fun. If I wanted a gun in 38 Special, I would have bought one chambered for it

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

personally I'd say the gp100 would make a better "recreational" gun, that being said, you already have one. I personally see no reason to have two of the same gun unless one of them is a different model and has something to offer that the other doesn't.

I'd say get the sp101 and consider carrying it. I have a 3" that has been worked on by marc at Gemini customs that has been my everyday carry for 2 years now.

 

[anothernewb]

my 19-3 is a 4" version.

I will also agree with the others. if you want a range toy. GP100. if you intend to carry, the SP101 is designed a little better for that.

 

[Ex]

I have no issues with carrying a GP100. Tiny bit wider and no heavier than a G20 in 10mm which is one heck of a powerhouse. I think I have decided against an SP101 in favour of a stainless GP as mine is blued. A pair would be nice. I will also have the advantage that the stainless GP will not get rings on the cylinder.

I must say !again! that there is no limit in my appreciation to all who have responded to this thread for your input. Hearing from so many people, weighing the differences and averaging the comments is invaluable!

There simply is no substitute for this kind of information from experienced shooters and owners. I am forever in your debt! I only hope that I can offer information from my experience that helps someone else.

I have enough info to pursue/make choice/test desired steel and make a sound decision and thank you all!!!!

Ex

 

[Armored farmer]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7WXzV9ofcEA/UiCgLKHXn1I/AAAAAAAAACQ/kS5AU4sqp1I/w878-h495-no/2013-08-15_19-24-36_380.jpg

I take my sp101 in case i have to shoot something.
I take my bigger d/a revolvers when i wnat to go hunting or shooting.

 

[tomrkba]

My vote is for a GP-141 carried in a Milt Sparks PMK:

 

[Hondo 60]

My GP-100 is MUCH more fun to shoot than an SP-101.

I've had 2 of the smaller guns & don't think I'll be getting a 3rd.
I was using it for EDC, but it just wasn't fun to practice with.

Some people will say, just shoot 38spls at the range & carry 357s for SD/HD.
I don't understand that mentality.
I want to practice with the exact same ammo I'll use when the situation demands excellence.

 

[RugRev]

Have both the GP 4" and SP 2.25". Time came to get another revolver and have not had a "Six" Series in a while so got a 2.75" Speed Six. The Sixes have been out of production for a while but one can find them in well stocked stores with used guns and online which I did. The Sixes are slightly smaller than the GP but still a 6 round gun. They are the Ruger "K" frame and are similar size and weight.

 

[MIL-DOT]

I also have both, a stainless 6" GP, and a 3" SP. This is my 2nd SP101, so I obviously like them, but their main advantage is that they are a bit smaller and lighter when carrying. But, as has been noted above, they're still pretty heavy guns, too heavy for EDC, in my opinion (I eventually went to an Airweight S&W.)
But my GP100 is my absolute favorite pistol. I love that thing, as do all my freinds. Fit and finish is outstanding,it's accurate, got an excellent trigger ( I HAD to install a lighter hammer spring in my SP) , and if the lock-up was any tighter, it'd be a friggin' Python,LOL!! Seriously, it's the tightest I've ever seen on one, you have to try very hard to detect any play at all. I bit the bullet an put some Hogue cocobolo grips on it, and it now looks spectacular.
My GP would be the very last pistol I own that I would trade or sell.

 

[RealGun]

My GP-100 is MUCH more fun to shoot than an SP-101.

I've had 2 of the smaller guns & don't think I'll be getting a 3rd.
I was using it for EDC, but it just wasn't fun to practice with.

Some people will say, just shoot 38spls at the range & carry 357s for SD/HD.
I don't understand that mentality.
I want to practice with the exact same ammo I'll use when the situation demands excellence.

Similar dilemma here...My SP101 3" gets a custom load equivalent to a little more than a .38 SPL +p in a .357 case. Doing the same thing for SD ammo, which I cannot buy off the shelf without being too hot, means using a light bullet like 125g and comparable load to the lead bullet practice ammo.

Actually the SP101 is usually a cross draw to a second gun on my strong side with full up .357 Magnum, my S&W 686 4".

When I carry the 5" GP100, it is usually cross draw, so I can sit comfortably with it and is concealable. It uses the serious firepower ammo because it is heavy enough to handle it.

To summarize, I think the SP 101 is better suited to someone who can load their own custom ammo.

 

[mavracer]

Similar dilemma here...My SP101 3" gets a custom load equivalent to a little more than a .38 SPL +p in a .357 case. Doing the same thing for SD ammo, which I cannot buy off the shelf without being too hot, means using a light bullet like 125g and comparable load to the lead bullet practice ammo.

If you want off the shelf ammo in that power range try either Speer SBGD 135gr@1000 fps or Remington Golden sabers 125@1220 to me the recoil of these 2 are no more objectionable than 158gr +P 38s.