which 357 GP100 or SP101?

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thesheetrockman

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I just wanted your opinions on the topic. I am planning on getting either a gp100 with a 4in barrel or a sp101 in 357 with a 3 1/16in barrel. This purchase will be towards the end of December. I don't have a ccw so i don't plan on carrying as of now. I have shot my buddies gp100 with a 6in and 3in barrel, and his sp101.

My question is which one you would get?

If you got a 4in gp100 would you get adjustable or fixed sights?

Would you rather have a 3in gp100 than a sp101?

If you were getting a sp101 would you get the shorter barrel? I am thinking of getting the longer one because I think that it would be a lot easier to shoot.

Greg
 
I have both but I shoot the SP101 more , I just like it more . The GP100 I have is accurate and all but I get a bigger kick out of shooting the SP101 with 158 gr magnum loads ( it has a Hogue grip on it , no fun to shoot with the original grip ). If I was told to keep one or the other I would keep the SP101 .
 
I think a 4" 357 is a great choice for a one gun (or one revolver) man. If you are just target shooting and home def. I would get the adjustable sights. They aren't really need for home def. but make target shooting a little more fun.
 
I faced almost the exact same dilemma several months ago.

I bought the SP101 w/ 2" barrel, then bought the GP100 w/ a 4" barrel. Much more fun than choosing.
 
If CCW is not a consideration, a GP100, fixed sights, 3" barrel - is going to be much more comfortable and easier to shoot well. For a non-CCW gun - I'd pick the GP100. Personally, I wouldn't even consider an adjustible sight handgun with a barrel under 6".

BTW - I have a 2.25" SP101 .357, and a CCW - and have been very satisfied with it. So for the use I put it to, it's proven to be the better choice. But for a "reasonably" compact full power .357 revolver - a 3" GP100 is hard to beat.
 
If it's going to be your only gun i would go with a 4" adjustable sight GP100. If you decide to ccw it later the extra 1" in barrel length won't be any harder to concel than a 3". The SP101 would be a good choice if you don't need adjustable sights.

You need to decide if ccw is in your future. The SP101 is a great carry gun. The GP100 is a bit harder to ccw.

I couldn'dt stand the cheap looking factory grips so i put Hogue grips on both my GP100 and SP101. They turned the SP101 from a nice gun to a sweet gun. It handles th hotter stuff great.

For some strange reason the SP101 sees more range time than the GP100. it's just a great gun.
 
I bought the SP101 w/ 2" barrel, then bought the GP100 w/ a 4" barrel. Much more fun than choosing.
Click to expand...

Basically I did the same thing. My wife had bought me, my GP. The following year I bought my SP.
 
Another vote for both!! I have both and consider them on my short list of guns to keep. The SP-101 is the best shooting small frame snubby period, and the GP-100 is the strongest standard frame there is.

Both are accurate, both are tough as nails. If I had to choose one, I'd probably go with the GP-100 as it's an all arounder. A GP-100 with both grips makes CCW possible as well. The 3" GP has a smaller grip that you can order and put on the other models.

You can't make a bad choice here.
 
I've shot my GP-161 (6" full shroud barrel) and my SO's SP101. They both shoot nice. The GP-161 is a tack driver, but the SP-101 handles full magnum loads quite well and its weight makes recoil managable. I'd go with the GP-100 unless I was planning to carry it in which case I'd easily get an SP-101.
 
I also have both. You really can't go too far wrong here. If there's any
possibility of CCW in your future I'd go with the SP101. If target/hunting
accuracy is more of a concern than an adjustable sight GP100 should
be your choice. They're both great guns and both keepers.
 
I have a 2 1/4 bobbed SP that was purchased with CCW in mind. I am now considering getting a 4" GP to go along with it.

I'll envoke the arfcom answer of: Get Both!
 
tsr,

Own, carry concealed and shoot a 3" GP100. IMO it is a fair compromise between the SP101 and the 4" GP100. Best balance too, accurate to boot. Good luck. Mike
 
I'm probably in the minority, but short barrelled .357 Magnums are not for me. If you want a CCW piece, go with a +P J-Frame Smith or even a Taurus. If you want a solid .357 revo, make it at least a 4" or preferably a 6". An attempt to compromise ends you up with the worst of both. YMMV.
 
I have both; if compelled to retain only one, it would be my KGP-141, which does everything I want (including concealed carry) VERY well.
 
ROCK >>> YOU <<< HARD PLACE :D

My story:

Had an SP-101 snub and put Hogue grip on it. LOVED IT...but, I wanted 6-shots and sights. Gave it to my Best Friend for his Birthday one year.
Got myself a Security-Six snubnose! Put Hogue grip on it. LOVE IT!

Later --- I bought a GKGP-161. Shiny 6" bbl. full-underlug with sights. LOVE IT! Put Hogue grip on it. This IS what a .357 revolver is all about!
4.jpg


Recommend:
If only ONE .357 revolver is in your plans, the GP-141 would be an outstanding choice.
8.jpg

BLUED with 4" bbl. and sights; add a Hogue rubber fingergroove grip.
You'll LOVE this gun.
As mentioned, it'll have everything you're looking for...sights/accuracy/concealability and the initial price is a bit lower than the stainless version. Tough gun, too.

Pictures ripped from the above mentioned link "This Week" section http://www.gunweek.com/

Have FUN. ;)
 
Just to complicate things ;) why not a 4" Security Six (adjustable sights) or a Speed Six or Service Six (fixed sights)? Probably available at only a little more than half the cost of the new GP. 2 3/4" barrel versions also available, if you want shorter barrels. Great revolvers, nearly as bullet-proof as the GP.
 
The GunWeek article on the GP100 that Mike linked to above is quite good. I roundly agree with the author: Pachmayr Gripper grips are an excellent choice for the GP100. The optional Ruger red-insert front sight is also a good option. Pops right in; gives a good sight picture. If you aren't going to carry the gun, go with the adjustable sights.

I love my gray GP, and very much want an SP101 to keep it company. Sweet little fiveguns. The SPs I've handled have surprisingly decent triggers; Ruger DAs in general seem to slick up noticeably after a few hundred rounds.

This is a hard choice, but you can't go wrong. Smith DA revolvers are nice guns in the way a nice car is nice. Ruger DA revolvers like the GP and SP are nice in the way a nice pickup is nice.

You mentioned that you don't have a CCW. If you think you might get one in the future, that weighs in favor of an SP101. A number of people around here maintain that the 3" SP is really just about as concealable as the 2" SP, and shoots better.

If this is going to be a dedicated home defense gun, get the GP100 with a 4" barrel.
 
If it matters, it seems like the 4" Adjustible sighted GP is the most popular -closely followed by the lugged 6" . These are the one distributors are likely to have on hand all the time. The fixed sighted ones with the short shrouds are completely neat looking but seem about as far down the popularity list as the 6" short shroud that I like so much.

A local guy who spends a lot of time on the metallic silhouette range swears by his 3" SPI01 and regularly hits the metal animals at extended range with it. Mine is the 2.25" model because it is carried much and shot little. The extra fraction of an inch is significant when you are using an ankle holster or just dropping it into a pocket.
 
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