gp 100 or sp 101?

[chuck-ia]

I am mainley into blackpowder, but, have this incredible urge to buy a modern handgun. I have it narrowed down to a ruger gp100 or a sp 101. I will not use this gun for hunting, (will stick to the blackpowder for that) I am thinking a .38, less recoil and noise than a .357. I know I can buy a .357 and shoot .38 bullets out of it, but will it be as accurate? What I am trying to say is will a .357 shooting .38 shells be as accurate as the same gun chambered for .38? I will use this gun for home defense and carry for walks in the woods. I am really leaning towards the sp 101, mainley because it is lighter. I did handle a sp 101 at a gun show with a 3-1/16" barrel and really liked the way it felt in my hand, it was a .357, for 400.00, was just unsure if it would shoot .38 ammo as accurate as the same gun chambered for .38. Any help would be appreciated. chuck-ia

[stevekl]

Well, in my opinion, if you're not going to carry it concealed, then you should go with the GP over the SP. It's got a longer barrel (well, some SP101s are 3" and some GP's are 3", but you know what I mean), a longer sight radius, and I don't think it's that awful heavy, as long as you got a good holster.

That's not to say the SP isn't a bad gun. I just bought one on saturday, infact. I just think that you might as well get a GP if you're not interested in concealed carry.

[_N4Z_]

I have each. SP is 2.25" barrel. GP is 6"

I like them both. The GP is far more accurate for me with either .357 or .38.

.357 out of the SP is not fun so it gets a fairly steady diet of .38.


A dedicated .38 may be more accurate than a .357 shooting .38. I just don't know.

I prefer my GP.

[Coltdriver]

Full house .357 rounds out of my GP100 are a lot of fun to shoot and not punishing at all because it weighs 3+ pounds.

So I'd go with the GP first.

Accuracy is as much a function of the bullet as anything. You would be amazed at what you can do with a GP and lead wadcutters at around 1000 FPS. Very pleasant. And the longer barrel will make it easier for you to shoot accurately too.

[Ichiro]

For a range gun, I would definitely go for a 4" or longer GP-100. You can get them chambered in .38 special, if that's what you want.

For shooting .38s, I actually prefer my S&W model 10. The K-frame size is more comfortable to me than either the SP or the GP, and the trigger is way better.

~Ichiro

[461]

Have both models and love them both and you won't go wrong either way.

.38's shoot just as accurate from a .357 as a dedicated .38 will and both are more accurate than most people can hold. If you prefer it, both the GP and SP are available as dedicated .38's. Good luck.

[JohnKSa]

...it weighs 3+ pounds.Actually even the 6" full underlug model weighs in at a few ounces short of 3 pounds. The more common 4" GP100 is under 2.5lbs (just barely). ;)

[DHart]

I have both models in 3" versions and the GP-100 is far superior in every way, though it's a tad bigger and heavier. I'd give up the SP-101 long before I'd let the GP-100 go.

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/KGPF331_LF.jpg

[Pistol Toter]

Not to disagree with Mr. Hart!! But, I had a 3" GP and did not care for it and ultimatly traded it for something more to my liking. I conceal carry and I found it to be far too big and bulky for comfortable carry. I have a 2 1/4" SP and load it with 125 gr .357's. Is it FUN to shoot that way? No not really, but I can practice with .38's and a few rounds of .357's and carry them for, God forbide, personal defense. Now if the gun is going to lay on the night stand or a walk about the woods piece then I would choose the the GP but go to the 4" barrel. And I would get adjustable sights. A 6" would be fine, longer sight radius, better in the recoil supression because of front end weight but its going to be a tad heavier to carry. Accuracy? I find that most of my .357's shoot to the same POI with the same weight of bullet regardless of the loading pressures, Mag or Standard or +P's, at defense ranges. P.T.

[JNewell]

Dan's excellent picture doesn't show the optional wheels kit...:D ...the GP100 is a beeeg gun compared to the SP101. It will last forever and will also be a lot more gentle on you with full-house loads.

[cslinger]

Count me it with the 3inch GP100 group. I love mine and would keep it over our SP101 if I had to make the choice. Both are great guns though.

[RyanM]

There shouldn't be any difference in accuracy when shooting .38s. Velocity will be slightly lower than through a dedicated .38 gun, but not by much. You'll end up with a ring of crud inside the cylinder after a few hundred shots, though, which may interfere with chambering .357 rounds until it's scrubbed out.

[chuck-ia]

thanks for your suggestions on this, will probably end up getting the gp 100 in 4", no rear sight. chuck-ia

[chuck-ia]

so, what is a decent price for the gp 100, 4" barrel ? chuck-ia

[Tiny in Ohio]

http://www.gunbroker.com