Blackhawk or GP100?

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Sneakshot92

Sneakshot92

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Hi all. I'm looking at picking up another 357 magnum revolver for short range (under 35 yds) deer hunting to supplant my old 6" M66 Taurus that's getting retired to plinker duty. I like the heft of the Ruger guns for recoil management. Any pros or cons to either would be considered. Thanks in advance!

*My shots at deer are taken in S/A almost exclusively even though I have practiced D/A somewhat frequently.
 
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Personally, I'd prefer a Blackhawk for that application. But that's largely because I prefer how the BH feels in the hand, and not because of any particular design features.

The GP100 SA trigger can be very nice with a little work. So don't discount it because of that.
 
That’s really gonna depend on which one you like better. A lot of people really like single action revolvers, but I’m not one of them. I’ve owned them but never warmed up to them. I do however love double action revolvers and have owned several. My hunting one is a SRH and my fun ones right now are a GP100 and Security Six, so I’d say GP100. But that is me, I’d handle one of each and get whichever speaks to you. Either is plenty strong enough for whatever load you plan on for deer.
 
This is honestly going to be difficult for you to mess up. Both are very good shooters for me, and I'd use either. A longer barreled Blackhawk for velocity (but inside 35 yards, is it really a big deal?), a GP100 for versatility, but can get a little heavy if you go 6" with a full underlug. Either one will serve you well.
 
Since you already have a 6" barreled .357 mag revolver, my gut response is to tell you to broaden your shooting experience by getting a Blackhawk. That's assuming you don't already have a single action revolver of some sort.

Between the GP100 and the Blackhawk, you may find yourself wanting to change out the small feeling Blackhawk grip panels immediately to gain more control of the gun. With the GP100, the grips are pretty much good to go as is.

Both triggers can be tuned easily enough. Once you learn the GP100 takedown trick (look up on Youtube), I'd say the GP100 is a tad easier to get to the trigger and put it back together again than a single action Ruger. That's my opinion, others may feel differently.

If you go for the GP100, I recommend the 6 shot over the 7 shot. I've read a few reports here at THR of the 7 shot chambers being close enough together that ammo with wider than "normal" rims can get hung up against each other. No one needs that kind of frustration for 1 extra shot, IMO.
 
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chicharrones said:
That's assuming you don't already have a single action revolver of some sort.
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I do have a Heritage Rough Rider but I'm not really sure if that's a fair comparison with the Blackhawk as far as a single action revolver. I do however, have a 1911 which has a trigger that breaks like glass at 3.5lbs. Just a bit of a different single action though.
 
The Xr3 red frames too small for my hands so I default to the GP100.
Bisley frame and id go for the BH.

My gp100 has a very nice SA break, and an ok double action. Im honestly no better with either the sbh, or my gp100.
 
I'm a big fan of Blackhawks. Never shot a gp100 but I've handled them and they seem nice.

If it came down to it, I'd probably choose a gp100 in stainless for easy maintenance and knock around durability. Like Obturation said, I think Blackhawks are better suited to 41 cal and up. Ejection and loading are more of a pain with the 357 blackhawk (not that it should matter hunting) because it's just a smaller hole and the barrel is so thick. I do love the looks and the grips of the blackhawk though, so you pose a tough choice.
 
Olon said:
I'm a big fan of Blackhawks. Never shot a gp100 but I've handled them and they seem nice.

If it came down to it, I'd probably choose a gp100 in stainless for easy maintenance and knock around durability. Like Obturation said, I think Blackhawks are better suited to 41 cal and up. Ejection and loading are more of a pain with the 357 blackhawk (not that it should matter hunting) because it's just a smaller hole and the barrel is so thick. I do love the looks and the grips of the blackhawk though, so you pose a tough choice.
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One of my bigger driving factors in wanting a 357 is that I already have a full setup and complement of components and powders for loading 357 magnum. Right now with things the way they are my local go to store for reloading supplies is closed because it's in a large shopping mall. Makes setting up for a new to me caliber a bit tough.
 
Sneakshot92 said:
One of my bigger driving factors in wanting a 357 is that I already have a full setup and complement of components and powders for loading 357 magnum. Right now with things the way they are my local go to store for reloading supplies is closed because it's in a large shopping mall. Makes setting up for a new to me caliber a bit tough.
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Do you already have a single action in 357? If not I think you need a blackhawk.
 
I have a few Blackhawks including a 357 Mag/9mm convertible but they just do not shoot well in my hands. Nothing against the revolver, the platform just does not work with me.

I'd vote for the GP100.

But, both are excellent, reliable revolvers so you won't go wrong with either.
 
Sneakshot92 said:
I don't and have been kicking the idea of a single action 357 around for a couple years. Maybe posting here will be the enabler I seek... Just maybe ;)
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Well, if you insist :rofl:

They're fine shootin' irons. Mine would get the nod as my favorite handgun if I didn't have a super blackhawk I liked more. Very accurate and all that weight really tames hot loads. I find that they point really well for me and I enjoy seeing how fast I can get hits out of the holster. I dont think you can go wrong with either a gp100 or blackhawk but to me the blackhawk sure has that cool factor. Oh, and it's plenty accurate too.

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I've had both, and would go with the GP100 in that caliber. With the right length barrel, you could use it as a carry gun. Besides, as another poster said, the Blackhawk is too overbuilt for the caliber. Besides that, the front sight can be switched out easier on a GP100, vs a blued Blackhawk (difficult) or stainless (more challenging than the GP100).
 
Obturation said:
Gp100. Blackhawks are for bigger cartridges IMO.
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I feel this way too the mid size frame (early 3 screw and 50th anniversary) are better balanced, but they're even better in 44 Special or 45 Colt to my taste. I no longer have any 357 SAs still have a GP among others.
For your purpose OP either would work and I certainly wouldn't shy away from a Blackhawk for your needs if I didn't reload 44 and 45 or had a desire to have larger calibers.
 
Olon said:
Well, if you insist :rofl:

They're fine shootin' irons. Mine would get the nod as my favorite handgun if I didn't have a super blackhawk I liked more. Very accurate and all that weight really tames hot loads. I find that they point really well for me and I enjoy seeing how fast I can get hits out of the holster. I dont think you can go wrong with either a gp100 or blackhawk but to me the blackhawk sure has that cool factor. Oh, and it's plenty accurate too.

index.php
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Them plow handled guns do look nice so yes on the cool factor.
 
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