Ruger GP100 vs Sp101

[Carl]

For a CCW revolver, I've narrowed it down to these two. I love Rugers and how durable they are (I'm trusting you guys on that one) and the look also and the price.

Things to discuss:

Advantages and disadvantages for ccwing these two, not compared to anything else but the other one. For instance, the weight difference and how the recoil might be better on the gp100 due to it being a larger frame revolver, and also one more available shot. Of course, the Sp101 is smaller, easier to conceal and also lighter and easier to carrry around day after day.

From those who have shot one or the other or perhaps have shot and own both I'd much appreciate the input. Trigger pull, recoil, etc... Also, I'm not a tiny guy, 6'3" and roughly 195-200 lbs so carrying something other than a little tiny light gun wouldn't really bother me.

P.S. Do they make a blued Sp101?

 

[The_Shootist]

Grin

No blued SP 101's unfortunately. But I've CCW'd a 686+ in a Kramer IWB holster in t-shirt/shorts weather (its about the same size as a GP 100) so its perfectly doable.

But yeah, the SP 101 (mine is the 3" version) is easier. But if I'm inclined to carry a small revolver, I just carry my 642 in a pocket. I'd carry a 357 more often, just that the ammo is kinda hard now to find in amounts for practicing.

 

[Mooseman]

I carry a 2.25 inch sp101 and I think it's a lot easier to conceal than a full size revolver would be. It's weight soaks up recoil really well IMO, I only ever practiced with .357 loads for it.

 

[AdamSean]

I believe the sp101 is the better choice for all day concealment. I carry mine in a High Noon Holsters Bare Asset IWB and almost forget its there. Also, it is an all stainless steel revolver (other than the springs) so it resists moisture from sweat working all day. Its my favorite handgun of all time.

 

[Baldy]

I carried the SP101 21/4" with a CT Lazer on it for over a year. It's a fine easy to conceal revolver. It will do it's part if you do yours.

 

[Confederate]

I love the Rugers. The SP101 is a tough gun to shoot full magnums in, regardless of your size. You can master it, but the five shots is a problem for me. If I could find a Smith 19/66 snub or a Ruger Speed-Six snub, I would go that way in a heartbeat. One extra shot and the fit is much nicer.

If you carry your SP101 with 125 gr JHPs, you'll get quite a violent blast, yet if you connect, you probably won't need more than one shot. I know one fellow who carries two SP101s. He eventually moved to a single 9mm automatic.

I've always wished that Ruger would re-issue their Speed-Six or one like it. They have one that's close, but it's very hard to get.

The S&W 66 is a great carry gun.



The GP100 is outstanding and would be my choice, but they can
be difficult to find.




The Ruger Security-/Speed-Six can still be found on occasion.

 

[blutarsky]

i have a 3" stainless gp100 and i love it ... but one thing i really want is some crimson trace grips for it. unfortunately, crimson trace seems to only make the full-size grips for the gp100, not the smaller size grips that live on the 3" version, similar to what's on the sp101. and unfortunately the sp101 grips don't work on the gp100, so if you want crimson trace grips on your 3" gp100 (maybe you'd like it as an option for concealed carry, which can totally be done), you have to get the big-honkin' full-size square-butt grips that are used on the 4" & 6" versions. how dumb is that? come on! make a compact set for the 3" already!

 

[wankerjake]

The SP101 is a tough gun to shoot full magnums in, regardless of your size

I have found .357's to be quite manageable in my SP101 so far. I have hogue grips on mine which I think help a lot. Also I tend to like recoil so maybe I'm not the best person to ask. I loaded up some .38spl +p that I'm hoping to try out tomorrow but I carry .357's right now and feel comfortable shooting them. For concealed carry, go with the SP101. I LOVE mine!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like said above, the SP101 will be an easier carry. The felt recoil IMO isn't an issue since it's quite heavy for a small revolver. If you don't mind the weight and are going to belt carry I feel a 3" GP-100 would make a good carry. If you can find an older Ruger Six-Series revolver it would be an even better carry. It's very similar to the GP-100 but like the S&W K frame it's slightly smaller than the GP-100. It's somewhere in between the SP101 and GP-100 and you get 6 rounds instead of 5.

Here is my 2.75" Police Service-Six. (6 rounds of .357 Magnum and it's blue)

 

[9mmepiphany]

i've owned both the GP-100 and the SP-101 and neither quite worked for me...i think i'm just spoiled by the actions on my Python and S&Ws.

the GP-100 was a nice duty gun but i thought a bit large for CCW. the SP-101 was just too large for the 5 shots it offered when i could carry a J-frame instead.

if you can fine one am old Speed-Six would be ideal. BTW, i found the SP-101 quite manageable with magnum loads, but prefer the Speer 135hr +P Gold Dot for better control

 

[Carl]

I think I'm leaning more towards the Sp101. Lighter to carry (less chance of me leaving it at home due to weight) reliable (Ruger) good defense load (.357 mag) pretty look to it, etc...

So now that we have that out of the way, what are the possibilities for changing the grip? I had something like this in mind.

 

[9mmepiphany]

that might be a little hard when you consider that the SP-101 desn't have a front or back strap. whichever grips you decide on will need to enclose the whole mainspring stud

 

[Carl]

I'm aware that the Sp101 has GP100 style grips available somewhere and instead of wood inserts I can use these.

 

[Carl]

Good example.

 

[9mmepiphany]

sorry i misunderstood that you meant the inserts only