Ruger gp100 vs. sp101 for target practice/carry

[Kimber1911_06238]

Ok, I am having a hard time deciding between a gp100 .357 with a 4 inch barrel versus a sp101 .357 with a 3 inch barrel.

I would be only carrying this gun occasionally, but my question is mostly about the accuracy of these guns for plinking. Is it worth getting the 4 in gp100 or will it not be any more accurate than the smaller sp101?

I know neither are thoroughbred target guns, I am only talking about shooting steel plates at about 20 yards.

Would either gun be ok or would one be better than the other?

 

[cslinger]

Personally I think the best of all worlds is a GP100 3 inch with the smaller grips. Good full size six shot revolver that is also easily carryable. Mine is also one of the most accurate guns I have ever shot.

Chris

 

[sfhogman]

I think cslinger has it just exactly right.

Jeff

 

[Redbeard55]

GP100 vs SP101

I'd go with the GP100. Since I have a GP100 I am partial to it. If you take all the time in the world, it would be no trouble hitting steel plates at 20 yards with either revolver. However if you start firing quickly in double action mode, the targets suddenly become smaller. Strange how that happens. Neither Ruger is known for a trigger as nice as any of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. At the local gun club, most of the shooters use Glocks or 1911 style semi-autos. After the matches somebody will occassionally bring out one of the 3 inch revolvers popular for concealed carry, mostly J frame Smiths with skinny grips. I've seen A rated IPSC shooters missing 18X24 inch steel plates when they tried to hit the plates in double action mode.

 

[MudCamper]

The SP101 is smaller and significantly lighter. Given that, I would go with it for carry. I own a 2 and 1/4 inch SP101 and find it to be reasonably accurate.

 

[cslinger]

For comparison sake the GP100 3inch is at the far right. The SP101 is third from the right.

As far as triggers, Ruger triggers are a bit rough out of the box but smooth up immesely through use. They become very nice actually.

 

[paddling_man]

I have the 4" fixed sights, Gp100. Still the small grip frame of the SP100 and 3" GP but retaining that four inch advantage.

It is *not* my carry weapon... at least CCW. More of a woods/camp gun. Even then, there are times that discretion is nice and it needs to be holstered, short term, IWB. This is still doable. As others always suggest, the hardest part of concealment isn't the barrel length but the grip length.

With the factory short grip...


And my Ebay full size grip...


BTW - I DO like the SP101 and 3" GP100. If target shooting only occasional carry are the criteria, I might still go 4" FS GP100.

(I recently selected a S&W 642 as an additional CCW weapon. I looked at the SP101 but it is nearly as heavy as my fully loaded Glock 30! A great weapon, for sure, but weighty for it's five shot package size.)

 

[10-Ring]

Both will work well for you (if you do your part) but if it were me, I'd go w/ the SP101 - I just like the compactness of that wheelgun.

 

[_N4Z_]

I own both a GP and a SP Ruger.

For me the GP is far easier to be accurate with. I like them both though.

 

[rchernandez]

I'd suggest going "backwards"...first find the appropriate holster then decide which gun. There aren't as many choices for a 3" SP101 as there are for say a 2" J-frame.

 

[Gideon]

I have the SP101 3" and agonized over whether-or-not to get the GP. Getting the GP 3" is a compromise and compromise is just that, not ideal in either direction. Personally I recommend you get both but I'd get the GP100 in a 4" barrel with adjustable sights. This is going to be better plinker than the 3" barreled GP thanks to the better sight radius it creates. It'll be a LTO better plinker than the sp101 w/fixed sights. On the otherhand, if you want to conceal carry this, the SP101 wins hands down. Theres a BIG weight difference between the two guns. The GP100 is heavy and carrys best with an OWB. It's more pleasant at the range due to the weight. I can't think of one single reason to prefer a GP100 3" over a GP100 4" but I can think of a number of advantages to that extra ince, sight radius and accuracy being the main two. Again, I'd recommend 2. I got the SP101 3" because I have smallre hands and it fits me like a glove. Plus I do want to be able to use it as a carry weapon sometimes. It'll do double duty as a field gun but even there it's mean't for protection from two legged criters. I'm not going to hunt with it or even target practice. I'm going to send mine to Gemini Customs to get a full action job and have it bead blasted. I belive it'll shoot like a dream when I get it back. Someday, the I'll get the GP100 in 4" for true field/Range use.

Good luck with your choices and God Bless
Gideon

 

[Pk14]

GP-100 4" w/ adjustable sights

Given your planned use, I'd go with the 4" GP. I had one several years ago and it was my primary HD and target pistol. I never carried it - in part due to a lack of a CCW permit and in part due to the size / weight issue. It was very accurate and handled light .38 WC and full-house .357 equally well - really fun to shoot. The only mods were a 'smithed trigger and Hogue full-size grips. I regret selling it.

Currently, I have a Gemini Customs 3" .357 SP-101 that is fitted as a CCW / SD pistol. Tritium night sight, 4 port compensated barrel, 10 lb DA / 4 lb SA and CT grips. My wife can pick it up with minimal training and defend herself and the family if required. I do not consider it a plinking gun. Outside 7 yards, there are plenty of other choices for accuracy (not that it is not capable of fine accuracy, it is harder to acheive than with other pistols in the inventory).

If you were considering CCW as a primary purpose and occasional plinking (plus range proficiency), and could only choose one, I'd recommend the SP-101.

Good luck with your decision.

Pk

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

Thanks for the info everyone....picking up a 4" gp 100 tomorrow