.357 Ruger GP-100 6 inch barrel 6 shots vs. 357 Ruger GP-100 4 inch barrel 7 shots 6

I'll take the 4" regardless of number of shots. Easier to deal with in a holster, and the balance is better for me.

Oooof...."general use" is a bit vague if we are trying to pick between such similar guns.

For home defense, the 7-shot 4" is the clear winner, with adequate power at close range, easier handling in close confines, and, well.....an extra round on tap.

For hunting or field use where large or potentially dangerous animals are in the offing, the extra FPS from the longer barrel will have more utility than one more shot.

So, I guess without more specifics, I would say it's impossible to choose. Both are fine revolvers anyway.

Hunting or longer distance target shooting: 6" barrel
SD/HD, general plinking, woods carry: 4" barrel

98Redline said:

Hunting or longer distance target shooting: 6" barrel
SD/HD, general plinking, woods carry: 4" barrel

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This would be my choice as well. That longer barrel is really only a benefit for target shooting and hunting.

Im not a big fan of 7-shooters.
I had one and it developed timing issues.

I think a 4" 357 is the best all around handgun made. The GP100 fits that bill. A 6" gives you a bit more velocity and sight radius but it's not that much of a difference. 6 or 7 shots? Your call on that.

There have been many reports of 7-shot GP100's in .357 having an issue with 'some' ammo types...

Seems there is an issue with 'rim-lock' of the cartridge cases...

Tight tolerances, and some ammo brands that are at the top end of the rim diameter spec have been cited as the main culprits...

DPris (member here) should chime in on this, as I have seen him discuss this in more than one forum...

Not sure I can link a 'competing' website, but Googling 'GP100 Rim Lock' gives some examples...

My vote is for 4", 6-shot, half lug...

I would pick each one up and hold it.

For me,

• I found the 6" just felt to long and heavy with its full under lug.
• The 4" seemed the correct length for a holster gun.

I chose the 5" and it seems perfect for me.
I read that prior to police cars 5" was a very common length.
Sitting in cars needed a shorter barrel and the 4" became popular.

I've got a model 1702 4.2" GP-100 which I think would be your best "all around use" vs the model 1704 6" version. The 4.2" weighs 40 oz. vs 45 oz for the 6" and the balance seems better to me. Handle them both and judge for yourself. The 4.2" is heavy enough to enjoy at the range without getting beat up and a good home defense gun. Consider the 1740 5" Davidson's exclusive model which weighs in at 43.5 oz and balances well too. I've got a 1740 also and would be hard pressed to decide which one to part with if I had to. I would buy a model 1768 5" half lug six shot blued GP weighing 39 oz if I didn't have two already(might anyway). To me one extra round of the 7 shot isn't worth the gamble of potential timing/cartridge binding issues especially with a defense gun. If I want more rounds than six I have semi autos for that. They're all great guns.

This may be of zero relevance to you, but be aware that many gun games either prohibit 7-shot revolvers or put them in categories where they are non-competitive (because they are up against 8-shot revolvers, too). If you have any intention of potentially playing around with IDPA or Icore, you probably want to give the 7-shot things a miss.

IDPA: A barrel longer than 4.2 inches is not allowed in IDPA. That kills off the 6 shot.

ICORE: could use the 7 shot in Limited and Open but will be up against 8 shooters. Cannot use it in Classic or Limited 6, but barrel length doesn't matter.

USPSA: Could use either revo if iron sight but will be up against 8 shot revos

Steel Challenge: ok to use either in ISR if iron sight. Add an optic can shot either in OSR. Here 7 shot is better than 6 shot but most use an 8 shot. But 6 or 7 will work.

Yep. Basically, there are no "7-shot" classes/divisions in any substantial shooting sport that I know of. So when you are allowed to use one, you are generally up against the 8-shot revolvers. Doesn't sound like a big deal to someone who doesn't play these games, but that can be a HUGE difference.

And good point re: barrel length.

As I said, none of this may be relevant if the OP truly has zero interest in ever competing or using this gun to compete. But if it's even a remote possibility, it's worth considering.

I've always have preferred 6" revolvers over shorter barrel versions. I like the looks and it's a little easier to hit you target.

In theory you could use a 7 shot revo in IDPA if the barrel is <4.2 but you can only load 6 rounds. If you use moons you must meet pf, I think it's 155, speed loaders 105 pf or maybe a little less but in any case loading 6 rounds and doing on the clock 6 round reloads in a 7 shot revo would in my opinion make life difficult.

When I first started shooting Steel Challenge I used a 6 shot 686 and would have loved to have a 7 shot but since getting an 8 shot I wouldn't want to have anything less. More is always better.

There's all-around use, and primary use. Either will do for all-around.

If I wanted to do a lot of target shooting I'd get the six inch. If I was going to carry it a lot I'd get the 4". I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between a 4" and a 6" for home defense. LAPD/CHP and other departments carried 6" revolvers for a number of years. An extra 2" of barrel does not suddenly make an already large revolver unwieldy. The only place you'll notice it is with a belt holster in a sitting position. The police-style swivel holsters they often used with the long barrels don't work for concealed carry.

On the range I do a bit better with a 6" than a 4". Not tons of difference but definitely bit better. Since I fire thousands of rounds a year at the target range and have only grabbed a gun twice in my life for self-defense (both false alarms) I'd take the 6".

stinger 327 said:

I wouldn't be using it for any kind of competition. It seems to be that the 4 inch is the winner and perhaps the six shots over 7 shots? Are there more problems with 7 shot revolvers than the traditional 6 shot revolvers in the GP-100 line?

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On page six of this revolver forum there is a two page thread discussing problems with some 7 shot GP revolvers. Go to ruger.net to double action forum and on page one you will find two merged threads about the problem which has eleven pages to read.

stinger 327 said:

This one: Ruger GP 100 7 round brass ejection issue
Discussion in 'Handguns: Revolvers' started by TomJ, Jul 23, 2018.
On the Ruger.net I get this:
Complete this form to get a price quote on
Ruger.net:

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ruger forum.net is what you want. sorry for the confusion.

I have a GP100 7 shot 2.5" with no touching or case removal problems , I have tested with 7 different kinds of ammo, .38 special and .357 magnum. So this report is not unfounded but I have had no problem. Purchased in August of 2018. BTW: Smith and Wesson has been making a 686-6 7 shot for many years with no problems what so ever.

S&W 686-6 7 shot