New GP100 Owner Looking for Field Pistol Suggestions

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targetshooter22

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Hi all, picked up a new SS GP100 in 357 with the 6" barrel. Haven't done much with it, just a couple hundred mags and a couple hundred 38's for practice, trying to lean DA shooting, etc. After lurking for a while and going through the search function, thus reading many posts about the GP100, I still have a few questions, and would greatly appreciate your thoughts, opinions, and recommendations on some topics below. Apologies for length, but I'm hoping for thoughtful responses, so figure that requires thoughtful questions.

I wanted a strong shot 357's for the rest of my life gun that I could take a white tail with out to 50 yards or so with factory sights. This one is probably better than that, but I'm not. Otherwise the mission is general "field pistol" meaning open carry in the wilderness, shooting deer, and if I ever get the chance, a hog. SD application is there, but only on road trips, and only in the room or camp again black bears (if I get to griz country, I will pack something heavier).

1. Holster: there are a lot of really nice looking rigs out there, but I'm reluctant to buy on on the internet without touching it and trying it out, which of course isn't possible. I'm thinking something that I can wear either on my belt, or with a field jacket, or with my heavy blaze orange parka. Also, I want it to really hold the gun well; sometimes I ride on the back of an ATV or truck, and don't want it to leave the rig. Anyone have that kind of go-anywhere holster/belt combo?

2. Reloading suggestions: I'm new to this caliber, but not reloading. Given the field pistol mission, and plus all the fun it is to shoot at the sand pit, any suggestions from someone that owns a 6" Ruger GP100?

3. Performance/accuracy: What is reasonable to expect at 25 and 50 yards for an "average" shooter? Meaning, I like to shoot, have been a while, use handguns, but am new to DA shooting, and don't practice, train, or shoot with anything like the frequency of many here.

4. Any other suggestions or things it looks like I'm missing? There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of cumulative years of experience here...

Thanks much in advance, and looking forward to what I learn.

TS22
 
2. Reloading suggestions: I'm new to this caliber, but not reloading. Given the field pistol mission, and plus all the fun it is to shoot at the sand pit, any suggestions from someone that owns a 6" Ruger GP100?
Click to expand...

My favorite 357 loads are a 158gr SWC loaded over 14.5gr of 2400, a 125gr JHP loaded over 16.2gr of 2400, or a 158gr SWCHP loaded over 6.4gr of Power Pistol.
 
You'll get many opinions on using the 357 for deer hunting. But I think your 6" choice was okay. My first hunting revolver was a 6" Colt Python until I really started reading about handgun hunting. I opted for a 41 mag and feel very comfortable with that caliber for deer hunting at practical ranges. My 41 mag hunting revolver is a 8 3/8" S&W M57 which I carry in a leather bandoleer holster. But I use a Ruger SRH more often in 480 Ruger for this purpose.

You don't have learn to shoot double action shooting to use the gun hunting. In fact, I don't know anyone who would opt to shoot double action at a deer if they have the time for a more careful single action shot.

But it is fun to shoot double action and it is certainly harder to master than single action shooting.

Dry fire your GP a lot. I did that with my 3" in front of the TV and the trigger gets better and better. You won't hurt it.

I carried my 6" Python in a leather Bianchi belt holster. Still have the holster, but not the Python. It gets heavy after a while. A bandoleer type holster makes a lot of sense but buy it with the knowledge of the kind of clothing you are likely to wear. I would probably have both a belt holster and a bandoleer type holster. The nylon holsters (Uncle Mikes and so forth) that are available aren't bad and retain the gun well overall. A flap holster would certainly protect the gun more in the field and the flap often comes as part of the bandoleer type holser. These are nylon type holsters.
 
See if anyone (maybe CompTac) produces a kydex holster for it. For a working gun it is the best material going. Yea, the kydex wears the finish, but your GP is stainless, and sounds like you are going to use it for what it was intended, and not some safe queen. That revolver was a good choice. You will like it.
 
Great choice in guns!

For holsters, check out Andrews Custom Leather in Florida. Bit of a wait, but prices are on par and he's a hella guy to boot.

Post some pics when you get a chance.

C
 
I also have the 6" GP100 and I have a couple of hoslters for it. My favorite holster for field use is the Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster. It holds the gun close to the body and shrouds the gun well from snags and whatever you might encounter while in the woods, its a nice snug fit in the holster, I've never had a problem with it coming out of the holster the few times I've been on the atv with it. It also fits my King Cobra just as well. While probably not the best holster out there, Its a good general purpose holster thats performed well in the field and its reasonably priced too.
014-1-1.jpg
 
For reloading, any manual should have a ton of data for both .38 and .357 loads. If you just want to work on your DA shooting, load up a mess of DEWCs in .38 hulls. Want a small game load? Work up either a heavy .38 load or a light .357 load with 158gr SWCs and you will have your fill of rabbit stew. Those are also good once you've figured out how to work that DA trigger and want a little more oomph. Finally, pick up some AA#9 or 2400 or H110 and you can build some hot-snot blasters. If you decide to get into silhouette, a heavy 180gr bullet with AA#9 or 2400 is a lot of fun.

Holsters are kind of a personal thing. That gun (I have the same one, in blue) is heavy. The Simply Rugged pancakes hold the guns well - I have one for a 1 7/8" Detective Special and it's not fallen out yet with that small size. You might want to look at a Chesty Puller system from Simply Rugged - it puts the gun across the chest. Probably not the best for rifle hunting, but if you're just woods loafing, it would be out of the way and could be under a coat.

I've been told that if you want to hunt with a pistol, you should be able to place every shot into a desert-size paper plate - that's about the size of the vitals area of a hog or deer. If you cant do that, I would keep practicing before going at game.

Check out the reloading forum for more info there. Lots of good stuff.

Q
 
I also prefer leather holsters as well. This is the one I want to buy for a couple of different revolvers from Diamond D. I read good things about them. http://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/Chest_Holsters.php

I have the Simply Rugged (SR) holster mentioned above for my 5" S&W Model 63. It fits very snug to the body if you use your regular pants belt. As a result, I bought a separate belt for this holster so I can just slip it on over top of whatever I am wearing and not have it so tight. I have not made my mind up about it, but I tend to like something a little less snug for field use. The separate belt eliminates the excessive snugness issue for me. That SR holster is designed for concealed carry versus field use. It is hard to conceal a 6" revolver.

If you are not knowledgeable about holsters. Consider getting an inexpensive Uncle Mikes belt holster and see how it feels. If you like the feel, then look for a much nicer leather holster. I very much like the Bianchi 5BHL holster. I have that model for several guns including my Redhawk and my 4" M57.
 
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For accuracy in DA with a GP100 you'll need to do some dry fire practice. Pull the trigger back slowly. First you'll hear a click as the hammer starts coming back, then a clunk (which you'll also feel in your hand) as the cylinder stop engages the notch in the cylinder. From that point it's only a bit more trigger travel until the hammer drops. After a few tries you'll be able to figger out where the break is on the hammer, so it'll be click, clunk, BANG, all while keeping the sights aligned.
 
Holster: Uncle Mikes vertical shoulder holster. Durable and inexpensive. Every time I get read to buy a nice leather holster I ask myself "why?" and then stick with what I have.
 
I'm thinking about getting a Galco Wheelgunner holster for my GP100.
 
That diamond custom leather guide chest holster looks like the Kats Meow for woods ,farm bummin.

Alot of times I take an uncles mike hip holster & belt droop it over 1 shoulder & roll on.

I can conceal the six inch with a open bottomed fletch & the compact grips ,but not with a tee shirt.
 
Well targetshooter22 in selecting a GP100 you're off to a great start. I do a fair amount of trail walking here and while I'm partial to 1911's in town I, similar to zebraranger, find my 4" GP100 in a Simply Rugged sourdough leather to be a near perfect out in the field combo.
 
Wow! Thanks for all the advice. I've only shot the gun a few hundred times, so I'm not even broken in on it yet, and yes, this one really wants to be shot a lot as in frequently and in great volume. Great tip on the click clunk bang thing, definitely will be practicing that. :D

Someone put me on to 2400 for 158 grain bullets, and that seemed promising. I also read some published data for H110 that pushed that same bullet north of 1500 fps. :what: Anyone ever tune em up that far?

I saw the simply rugged holster and thought it looked good too; sounds like gun retention isn't an issue and it still draws well. I really like the hip holsters, and wondered what others do when they carry in the woods in parts of the country where it gets cold. Sounds like another belt is the way to go.

Thanks again, someone told me this was a good site for advice; I can see why.

TS22
 
I can help you with the holster.... The 7X Leather chest holster is perfect for your applications. You said you were afraid to buy off the net. The 7X will come with a full inspection garantee. I am sure you will like the system better than any other holster that you can buy, if not...just send it back.

I have carried one for many miles, with a backpack, on a horse, and ATV. It will carry in tee-shirt weather and easily adjusts to fit over you biggest parka for winter carry.

Here is a pic of my personal rig carring a 4" 500S&W.

38694f3dcc8d18638.jpg
 
Get a nice cowboy action crossdraw holster. For the 6" barrel crossdraw is the way to go. These will generally come with a hammer retention loop that should really help hold the gun in place.
 
I also have a GP100, full lug, 6" barrel and have been reloading for it.

My revolver likes the 158 grain XTPs over 15.5 grains of H110 with SPM primers and a medium crimp sitting at 1.570 COL.
This is a bit expensive of a bullet and I think of it as my "premium load". I bet the XTP would serve you well as a hunting bullet, if you do decide to take game with your pistol. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000335750

The Magnus 158 grain JHP is another good bullet to look at. I use it as my less expensive hollow point; still good for putting large holes in stuff but not as accurate *in my pistol of the XTPs are. Although I wouldn't hunt with the Magnus JHPs, they do ruin Mr. Cinder Blocks' day in a spectacular fashion.:evil: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00051J104



I strongly recommend that you look at the Bowen Classic Arms Rough Country Adjustable Rear Sights for your GP100.
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/ruger_rough_country_adjustable_rear_sights.html

The factory rear sight just did not adjust well enough for me; I tried to work with it and never was satisfied. I ponied up the cash for a Rough Country Square Notch W/White Outline and love it!

It is a little spendy but has made me a happy camper.

Hope you have as much with your GP100 as I have been!
 
Thank you all for the suggestions. Just picked up a used Bianchi leather holster that seems to work quite well. The price was right, so it came home.

Been working on some H110 and 2400 loads for it, using my low cost R&D bullets (Montana Gold, purchased in bulk by weight from the LGS). I did pick up a box of XTP's in 158 and 180 grain for experiment, but figured I burn up the cheap stuff, then refine it on the spendy ones.

Thanks again, really appreciate all the help and advice.
 
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