GP 100 or SP 101

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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.
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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.
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That's good to know, but I don't buy ammo in that price range except maybe SD, which I currently make using XTP bullets. I'm good but will remember this tip.

Now I am going to check how difficult it is to find for sale, in stock.

addendum:
.357 Magnum Speer SBGD 135 gr - cursory check with Google shows lots of forums talk about it but no online merchants selling it.
.357 Magnum Remington Golden Sabers 125 (sic) - Alamo Ammo does not say Out of stock, but others say "unavailable".

I did find some stock in .38 Spl, but I don't use that in my .357 guns.

Again, $1.00 per round in .357 is not appealing to this reloader, but I try to buy my SD ammo.
 
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I love my old man's sp101 2" model with hogue grips that will someday be mine. I have never shot a gp100 but have shot other larger 357 mags and will say that the sp101 does have a little more recoil. With that being said I do not understand the pain that some people speek of when mentioning an sp101; im no big guy but I can shoot the hell out of an sp101 all day and while I will say it would have more recoil than the gp100, I would be lying if i personally thought it was uncontrolable, uncomfortable, or inflicted any kind of pain at all. Maybe people with fair hands or arthritis may have trouble handling the sp101 with hot magnum loads but I wouldn't let that stop the average person from buying it. I would love to have both guns but if I had to choose... Id say the sp101. The sp101 is more easily carried, especially in a shoulder holster (the main point for me) and with a little practice the recoil/acuracy is not affected enough at reasonable distances for me personaly to worry about. The only drawback in my opinion is the lack of the sixth round, but if they put that in it would'nt be the tank built conceal revolver that it is.
 
Both shoot great. I have the 2" SP101 and a GP100 6". the weight is the biggest difference. obviously the size is different, but carrying my GP100 on my waist is more or less not an option. i wear a shoulder rig with it. the SP101 is concealable. some might tell you they can conceal a GP100, but it just doesn't work for me.
 
GP100 - hunting or serious range handgun
sp101 trail use, lite duty work, house gun. Buy a 4" barrel. 2" to short to perform at its best.
 
Have a blued GP 100, wouldn't mind another!
Have never shot and don't know much about the SP 101.
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If you already have a GP100, I'd buy the SP101 next.
If you are looking for a concealed carry weapon, I'd buy the SP101.
If you are looking for a first .357 revolver for field and/or range use, I'd buy the GP100.
 
I have a 2.25" SP101 that I used to use for CCW. However as others have pointed out it is a belt gun, not a pocket gun and I've now got a Ruger KLCR For CCW and am looking at replacing the SP with a 4" SP or a 6" GP leaving me in much the same dilemma as you. The SP appeals as a trim trail gun, the GP as a dandy range and hunting gun. Either is rare to find lately though, so I've got a while to make up my mind.
 
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.
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I have a class to attend at the end of the month. I found (online) 550 rounds of PMC Bronze 132 gr FMJ 38 Special for $240 shipped. I could not find 550 rounds of 357 Magnum without performing five different transactions and getting five different loads. Hopefully, this situation will change soon.

I insist upon FMJ for classes due to fast shooting and high round count. I don't want to worry about leading, though I do still check at lunch.
 
I could not find 550 rounds of 357 Magnum without performing five different transactions and getting five different loads. Hopefully, this situation will change soon.
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Try LAX Ammo
 
Have you done business with LAX Ammo in the past? What was your experience like?
 
I have one of their ammo cans of .44 Magnum. Their bullets are all plated, so the rounds are not rockets. Received the order promptly, as I recall.
 
Both! The SP101 is a great CCW weapon, I went to a Glock 33 for more capacity but the SP101 was a pleasure. I gave it to my ex-girlfriend, because she needed a good weapon. I don't want to add anymore to my collection but if it were a pistol it would be the GP100. I have glocks, berettas, 1911's, even a 627 performance center. The GP100 will never, ever let you down, period.
 
kneesus said:
Both! The SP101 is a great CCW weapon, I went to a Glock 33 for more capacity but the SP101 was a pleasure. I gave it to my ex-girlfriend, because she needed a good weapon. I don't want to add anymore to my collection but if it were a pistol it would be the GP100. I have glocks, berettas, 1911's, even a 627 performance center. The GP100 will never, ever let you down, period.
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Conclusion:
Very much like my stable kneesus, except the 627.

Picked up a VERY slighty used Gp 100 SS w'/6" for $399!
Makes a very fine mate to my Gp 100 Blued 4". STILL waiting for the opportunity
to take it out, but I fondle it daily! (Imply what you will!) ROFLOL

Can't wait to go shoot it!!!!
Will definitely repost on this thread with my impressions
after my trip to the desert for initial testing!!!

This turned into a great thread with LOTS of great input from so many!!!

God bless and thanks for ALL your input!!!

Ex
 
Congrats:)

The GP is on my list for sure. It's just that I have a Blackhawk and Vaquero in .357 with 6.5" and sub 5" barrels, and for plinking I like SA.

The SP has been on my radar for years. Had a choice between it and an LCR 3 years ago. I went with the LCR in .38 and don't regret it for light carry. However, I have decided a stout .357 snub might be the best compromise for my cold weather edc. The SP fits the bill and I found one at a good price with the only thing keeping it from being 98% is the heavy carbon staining on the cylinder face...big whoop:D
IMHO while S&W and Colt have some of the most elegant lines in their revolvers, I can't think of a more "all business" looking snub than the SP101 of the 2" variety. I also love the look of the GP. Ruger's chunky under lug really gives the revolver a muscley look.

Congrats on your purchase:) Can't to wrong with a Ruger tank:D
 
one thing I have learned with my GP100 is that the throats are generally machined a bit tight for shooting lead. the bore is close to ideal spec, but the throats are tight. although I will say at mid magnum velocities, the leading still isn't that bad. I can easily complete a range session with no issues. and a copper chore boy cleans up the mess in just a few swipes. That being said, I tried some plated rounds in the same loading and things seemed cleaner. (even using unique, lol.)

they work great with plated and jacketed though. Dug through some other threads with the same issues, the GP100 can be modified to be better suited to lead by reaming them open a bit - but I have yet to be willing to do that since mine is such a sweet shooter.
 
GP100 - hunting or serious range handgun
sp101 trail use, lite duty work, house gun. Buy a 4" barrel. 2" to short to perform at its best.
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This would be my opinion of the uses for the two guns.

  • GP100 - Home defence, concealed carry, heavy trail gun, hunting, range gun
  • SP101 - Concealed carry, light trail gun .

IMO, in chosing between the two the only reason to pick the lighter, smaller SP101 is for concealed carry and trail use when weight is a big issue. Even for concealed carry you can use a 4-inch GP100 if you want to. Its bigger and heavier and a bit harder to conceal but it can be done with the right cover garments (I regularly carry a 4-inch S&W 686 in winter when I can use heavier cover garments).

As far as barrel length, for strictly hunting or range work the 6-inch GP gives the best accuracy and muzzle velocity. For concealed carry, I like both of them with 3-inch barrels (IMO best compromise between velocity and concealability). The 4-inch is the most popular barrel for the GP and is a good compromise and much easier to find than the 3-inchers. While the 2-inch is probably the most common SP, it gives up more velocity for only (IMO) marginally more concealability than the 3 inch. I'd really only pick the 4 inch SP as a trail gun.

Hope that helps! :cool:
 
I don't know why people always say the SP101 is no pocket gun.
I own a SP101 with a 3" barrel and my favorite way is without holster in my jeans pocket. Nobody ever noticed and I don't have to worry about exposing it when I bend down or pick something off the shelf. Sure, the draw would be slower but it beats having nothing. And if you see trouble coming you already have your hand on the grip in your pocket.
As far as shooting heavy 357 mag rounds; I reload and shoot them with the primer flattened with no problems at all (using a hogue grip). Hope this helps.
 
I have an SP101/.357 that I use for canceled carry and it prints under a shirt a little more than my XDS. Now that Fall is here and jackets are back it is good pocket gun, also have an inside belt holster for this time of year. I reload and love to do heavy loads for this gun. It handles real nice even with max loads. Last time I took it to the range with hot loads I could have sworn I heard it say "May I please have some more"
 
The only thing I don't care for is the way the grips attach with that Tang. If you put the adapter on that screws into the bottom of the butt, it's better. Otherwise there is too much wiggle at the base of where the grip touches the frame at the top. I pointed it out to a salesman for shoot straight here at a show, and he was amazed that he never knew about it.
That is the only reason I don't own that model.
 
Took the GP 6" SS out today with my cheap (read inexpensive) IAC .45 1911.

Both were hitting a 3" target at 60 ft consistantly, free standing, both hands. Absolutely loving it!

The front end weight on the GP with the 6" barrel makes hot .357 mags very tame and muzzle flip is almost non-existant!

Thanks to ALL who piped in and contributed to this thread!!!

;););););););););););););););)
 
Have a SP 101 in 357 2.25L for about a year now. I really like it. When I first got it all I could find was some 130 gr 38 spl. and some Winchester 125gr defense ammo. I didn't notice much difference in recoil in those. I've since been using 158 gr S & B and Monarch (?) and the recoil seemed much greater from the heavier bullet. There's some short barrel ammunition out there that promises to bring a snub nose up to par. I intend to try but I imagine the recoil will be greater with those.

It fits well in my medium hands. The sight is not much but works. Same for the trigger. Some one mentioned that you have to choke up on the grip and I agree. It stays in my hand better that way for faster recovery. To me it looks better than the GP.

The GP-100 is on the top of my list for my next revolver. It feels right in my hand. Built like tank they say. People talk about new grips, trigger work and after market sights for both guns but shouldn't they come not needing those things. So I'm thinking S&W 686 +. S&W has those things out of the box and looks count.
 
Picked up anSP101 with 4" barrel about a month ago, love it. I'm a small guy, with piano player hands so the smaller grips fit me much better than those with big meaty man hands. Last night shoot in at a steel plate about a foot across at 75ish yards, in twilight conditions, that green fiber optic front sight is amazing. I could put five of five shots on it with about a second or so between shots with single action. Its not even a second choice for daily carry, but for field and range play, its my favorite. With .357 magnum loads, it didn't hurt or jump much to shoot, just got that tingling in the hand from the recoil, kinda like a baseball bat with a solid hit. .38's seem milder than my wife's9mm all metal pistol.
 
My wife hated all my bottom feeders so I got a beater .38 Taurus for her to try. She did a 180 degree turn about having her own house gun right then so we bought an 4.2" stainless sp101 and I did a spring job on it.

The smaller grips fit her, (got small hands myself) the 4" barrel gives a nice sight radius, the trigger is sweet plus the SP is lighter than the GP. We keep 158 grain 38s in it for her nightstand duty and when I desire to have my hand spanked I take it out and put a few cyls of heavy .357s thru it.

win win :D
 
What's wrong with the SP101 is how so many people characterize it as a .38 that can shoot .357 instead of the other way around. I have an SP101 3" that I load custom .357, what I think of as "lite", but quite a bit stouter than .38 special.

To me, a proper .357 carry is my S&W 686 4". My Ruger GP100 5" is either a range gun or a crossdraw secondary carry. The GP100 is bulkier than the 686, ignoring the difference in barrel length.
 
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