Ruger Gp-100 or CZ-85B?

[Boats]

I am looking at getting both of these firearms eventually, the question which one to buy first after wife lobbying is done.

Here is why I am interested in them: I am getting lazy. Actually, I am more pressed for time as my career heats up and I am losing interest in setting up to collect brass, buy components, set up, and actually find the time to reload .45ACP.

9mm and .38spec. are cheap to buy about anywhere I go. They cost just about 50% of the cost of .45ACP in bulk and still are cheaper than .45 reloads.

Here are the pros of each from my perspective:

GP-100:

Will last forever, handling any round through it.
Stainless.
Ergos work for me.
Grip customizeable.
Ruger stands by their products.
Inexpensive to purchase.
Can have .38 to practice and .357 for serious social work.
Never need to buy a mag.

CZ 85B:

Friendlier to my left handedness.
Ergos still work for me though not as customizeable as the revo.
Full cap mags widely available.
.22 adapter available would pay for itself in just a few sessions while allowing decent work with the trigger feel if not with recoil and POA with SD rounds.
DA/SA or C&L.
9mm even cheaper than .38
Great rep for durability.
Hakan.

So which would you buy first and why?

 

[Rob96]

Had a CZ75B still own my Ruger KGP-141, as a matter of fact, I bought an SP-101 to go with it.. But thats just me. Had some reliability issues with the CZ.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

I would go with the GP-100.

If I could keep only one handgun, it would be a .357 Magnum revolver.

A quality .357 is more versatile..... you can use it for defense with .38 Special +P's, for training new shooters with 148 grain wadcutters, or for hunting or survival situations with hot .357 Magnums.

If you ever have a problem with your Ruger, the company will likely repair it without charge.

 

[Neal Bloom]

ANother vote for the GP-100. Rugged and reliable.

 

[Jim March]

If you buy a GP100 and store it with even minimal precautions, it will last so long that one day it will be used by the upright, intelligent descendants of the modern cockroach.

 

[COK]

I would get the GP-100 1st for it’s reliability plus the ability to shoot .38/.357, then soon after get the CZ.

 

[JohnKSa]

My first gun purchase was a GP-100.

I've since bought and sold more than a few guns, but I still have that GP-100--always will. In fact, I'll sell everything in the safe and the safe too before parting with it.

I spent a lot of time researching that buy, thinking it would be my only handgun. I spent more time making the decision than I have for any gun purchase since. When I purchased my GP100, there was no question in my mind that I had made the right choice--still isn't.

First of all, if you must choose a single handgun, it almost HAS to be a .357 revolver. It will do anything a handgun can be expected to do, and it will do it well. It loses in specific requirements to various calibers/action types, but when you consider ALL the factors, it's going to be out in front by a mile.

Examples: It's not as good a hunting weapon as a .44 Mag, but it's a better choice for self-defense, easier to carry, and cheaper to shoot. It's not as easy to reload as an autopistol, but it's simpler to use, probably more reliable, and the raw power of the round outclasses all but the top powerhouses of the autopistol clan. It's not as concealable as a snubbie .38, but it's infinitely superior for hunting or plinking, and much more shootable as well.

Second, once you settle on a .357 revolver, when you take durability, manufacturer support, price and function into account, the GP100 is the obvious choice amongst the offerings on the market.

Get the GP-100. I think you'll get the CZ later, but if not, the GP is the way to go.

 

[556A2]

Depends, if you don't have a .357 Magnum, get the GP-100. If you do get the CZ-85. I have a CZ-75 and its been nothing, but perfect for me.

 

[makarov]

I have the CZ-85 Combat and it has been great. The adjustable sights are nice. It is accurate enough to actually make use of the fact that they are adjustable. I was printing a little to the right at 15 yards. Small adjustment and I was tearing out the center of the target.

I depends on what you feel your immediate need is. If you want a semi-auto get a CZ, you won't be sorry. I also love .357's and currently have a Dan Wesson and a S&W model 27. Had a Security-Six that I gave to my brother in law. I will probably get a GP-100 someday too.

I like shooting my CZ more than my revolvers. I shoot it better and it holds more ammo before reloading. I have 4 - 15 round mags and 2 - 10 rounders.

Gotta love the cheap 9mm ammo from Wal-Mart. The CZ had eaten 600 rounds of it so far with *ZERO* count them failures of any kind whatsoever.

I'm left handed, but shoot right most of the time - ambi controls are just a bonus. Get the 85 Combat instead of the B version. It doesn't have the firing pin block so the trigger is supposed to be better than the B versions. More like the pre-B CZ-75. Also it is adjustable for overtravel and has adjustable sights. It also comes in Nickel or High Gloss Blue. Mine is the blued model and it is nice. Nickel is more durable though.

 

[LiquidTension]

I'm not much of a wheelgun fan, but in your situation I'd get the Ruger first. In my experience, autos go through ammo much faster than wheelguns since you can pop off 9-16 rounds before reloading. And your friends won't ask to shoot your Ruger as often because it's so ugly

 

[Nick96]

Ruger GP 100. Unmatched versitility, durability & reliability in a .357 (.38spl compatable) revolver.

Any Auto is going to be pretty much a "speciality use" tool. A .357 revolver will fill a variety of needs and desires.

A medium frame .357, 4" barrel revolver (you pick the brand) is "THE BEST" all around handgun in existance - bar none.

If, by some weired twist of fate, I could only own ONE handgun, my personal top 5 choices would be:
1. Ruger GP 100 - stainles, 4" barrel, adjustable sights, .357. mag.
2. S&W 686 - 4" barrel, 6 shot.
3. Glock 19 (preferably with pre-ban mags).
4. Sig 239 - 9MM.
5. Ruger MKII .22, 5+" barrel.

By the way, I don't currently own any of the above listed. But I do have others that fit the "speciality use" catagory. Since this is still a somewhat "gun friendly" country - I have the luxury of "speciality use" choice. But, if it came down to bare bones "one handgun" limits - the above are what would be on my "must have" list in order of appearance.

 

[MoNsTeR]

This CZ85 owner says, get the GP100!

 

[JohnK]

I've had a GP100 for years (my first revolver) and a CZ clone for a couple years. I'd get the GP first. I'm also left handed and don't consider the auto any more friendly, after you've loaded/unloaded the GP a while it becomes very easy and fast.

 

[New_comer]

IIWY, I'd get the GP100.

Versatility is the foremost factor: 38spl for practice , 357mag for serious work...

In an anvil of a handgun at that.

 

[Longbow]

Another vote for the GP100!

I think the GP100 makes a better long term investment than the CZ.

 

[zxc]

Had the same situation a while back-thought 357/38 better first then get a CZ as a cheap 9mm. Well I did get a Speed 6 and CZ75 86 vintage-guess what the CZDA is so much like a revo that Ive taken to it most exclusively. So get the CZ then a used Ruger if you still want one. YMMV.

 

[Berg01]

A medium frame .357, 4" barrel revolver (you pick the brand) is "THE BEST" all around handgun in existance - bar none.

this statement absolutely hits the nail on the head... you chose the Ruger, I would choose the 686 S&W, both good choices.