GP 100; 4 inch barrel or 6

I personally prefer the 4" model (I have one). However, you may want to get clarification on the law from the folks that enforce that law regarding hunting before you buy anything. It would suck to buy the 4" gun and get hassled by game wardens. You mentioned driving... The 4" would carry better in a holster while seated.

As for CCW, I'd use that as an excuse to buy another celebratory gun and get your GP100 for what you know you'll use it for rather than what you might get to do.

Chris

I live in MD and the hunting regs say 6” barrel and 700 ft. lbs of energy. A .357 revolver is considered marginal for deer, and 700 ft lbs is tough to meet.
I have a very nice 4” GP 100, I also have a 6” S&W Model 27-2. They are quite different. I would be tempted to go with a 4” for most things, but plan to get something bigger if you want to do much deer hunting. Realistically, bigger means .44 or .45.
As a retirement present to myself I bought a S&W PC500 Hunter with a 6 ½” barrel. Presents to yourself are the best kind.

I've got a lot of good memories of deer hunting in Wisconsin, but that was many years ago. Just yesterday I bought a GP100 6-inch - that gun just feels right in my hands. But now, in retirement, it will only be used to punch holes in paper. As I read your post, I wonder how much experience you have with shooting big caliber handguns. Before taking one deer hunting, you will need to spend a lot of time at the range practicing. Of course you would be able to use lower cost .38 Special rounds for that. I agree with the poster above who stated that .357 Magnum is marginal for deer. However, I think it will suffice if you get the 6-inch barrel, don't take really long range shots, and are proficient enough to insure good bullet placement. If you don't plan to practice a lot, it would be better to use a rifle and increase the likelihood of a clean kill.

Personally, I like the feel and balance of the 6" GP 100. I have shot the 4" and it is a good gun also, but you need to decide what you are going to use it for. My 6" is used for target at 25 yards and deer hunting in Indiana. All deer taken has been within 30 - 50 yards. This gun has been very effective. It is the gun that I use to shoot very heavy .357 loads. Whichever length barrel you get, you are getting a very tough and durable revolver that will outlast your lifetime. JMHO

I really like the 4" version for its versatility

I can't believe I am the first one to say: One Of Each. I have much to learn about hunting, so I don't know about that, but as far as plinking, bedside and carrying around the farm, the 4" would be just about right. I love mine.

I would go six inch myself. If we get CCW who cares how big it is? Also, for farm or truck carry, use a shoulder holster or leave it on the seat.

Hey, where in WI do you live? I'm in Stevens Point myself and since I've lived here I never really feel inclined to carry a gun (except for deer).

dave-o

I would tend towards the 6" since you won't be CCW the piece. A little more site radius a little more muzzle velocity, a little better balance. I have a 5.5" Ruger Blackhawk (.45 Colt) and it is a great hunting, woods carry type of gun.

Absolutely. I had my cylinders (it is .45 Colt and .45 ACP) reamed out which helped a lot in the accuracy department. Power-wise if you reload (and for .45 Colt it really is the only way to get accurate and affordable ammo) sky is basically the limit (within reason - don't go crazy and follow the manual). I mentioned the blackhawk because it is about the same size (well a little bigger) than the 6" GP-100.

A 6" barrel really helps for sighting and balance.

I see the 4" barrel as a compromise between concealability and site radius. So if concealability is not a concern would go bigger. I have CCW'd my .45 Colt though (lived in Western NY then so even in the summer a flannel shirt was not out of place). 'twas the only gun I had at the time.

I think the only solution is to either a) flip a coin or b) buy both

I would go with the 4" GP100 and make do for whatever use you plan at first. Later if deer hunting is important, I would go with at least a 41 mag revolver with 6-ish" barrel. No reason why you can't have two and you might want to mount a scope or red dot on the hunting firearm. It really depends how good of a shot you are and how serious you are with the hunting aspect of the use. Me, I have a 3" GP100 that is quite handy for general walk in the woods or "around the farm carry" and I have no intention to hunt with it. I have several to choose from for hunting, but lately I have been using a 480 Ruger Super Redhawk for deer hunting. Packs considerably more punch than most 41 or 44 mag loadings. My 4" 41 mag is my heavy walk in the woods gun which I could use for hunting. If you like to shoot handguns, you will buy more than one.

Be sure to get yourself a 22 also which makes a good walk around gun in the outdoors. I started with 22 and moved up in power as my experience increased. You will shoot the 22 much more than anything else.

For carry, there are easier to carry revolvers for concealed carry than the GP100 but if you insist, the 3" would be more practical.

Great choice!

TX isn't that hot. Okay it is but you get used to it (just like the cold, I used to live up in the land of ice and snow myself).

You will not give up any accuracy with a 4" bbl. The bullet has no idea what length bbl it came out of. What you do give up is sight radius, a longer barrel can be easier to shoot well, but it has nothing to do with the accuracy of the gun. Since the 357 is marginal for deer I would definitely go with the 6" to give you a little more velocity. More importantly than bbl length will be you ammunition selection. Do not use ammo intended for 2 legged varmints or you will be sorely dissapointed. Two good choices are remington 165 gr corlokt hunting, and buffalo bore 170 gr bonded. Both will do as good a job on deer as can be expected for the venerable 357mag

Boughta

4" in SS for my son as a
christmas present and recently got a 6" blued with a BSA red dot sight for my self. Both are nice. The DA trigger on my 6" is a little gritty and the target reacquisition is a new experience, but I'll learn.
Good luck.

6"

+1

Well, I would go with the six. I went through this discussion when trying to decide between a .357 and a .44mag for hunting deer, and I went for a long barrel (okay, I went for a REALLY long barrel...9 1/2 inches) in .44mag. I wanted as much accuracy as I could get, and for me, recoil management was important. Since you know you're getting a .357, then the issue comes down to the sight radius of the 6 vs the 4 as opposed to the lighter weight and more concealability of the 4.

Given that you'll get a snubbie when you get CCW in your state (think positive!) get the six.

Springmom

Both!

I have both the 4" and the 6" and they are great . Very accurate but if you are
wanting to go deer hunting I would have to say go for the 6" you'll get better
range/accuracy at range with it. As for a CCW they are a bit heavy unless you want
an underarm holster even then you might find it cumbersome.

On the hip or leg for the farm, plinking, or home defense you can't go wrong
with either one. The final point goes to the 6" for deer hunting.

I do encourage you to get both though. The 6" first then the 4".

I'm with Revolverman357 on this, I've used the 6" GP100 to take a nice doe @ 63 yds. broadside with a Red dot using 180 Grain Partition Gold, dropped on the spot!

Tough, tough question. I have both. The extra two inches makes a big difference when it comes to balance and felt recoil. I would hold both (shoot if possible) and see how each balances for you and get the one that feels right, for me that is the 4", though I'm not getting rid of the 6 inch.