3" GP100 Yes or No?

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crawdaddy

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I Need help making up my mind, I have a 6" GP100 and I love it. I originally wanted a 4" but they were out and I couldn't pass it up. My plan was to very soon buy a 3" SP101 for CCW and later buy a LCR.
I've started looking into maybe shooting IDPA in the future so I was thinking if I got the 3" GP it would fill two notches. I know the GP100 is a BIG gun but it would ride IWB. And by the way isn't that the point of competitions like IDPA, to get good with what you carry? Eventually I would like to have all barrel sizes and a few Security Sixes to complete the family.
Sorry I know GP vs Sp has been over done but this is a different twist and I respect the opinions and advise shared here.
 
Unless you specifically want a carry gun, I'd hold out for a 4" with adjustable sights.
 
The 3" GP100 is a fine gun. I owned one once, bought it for a CCW. However, I never was able to comfortably do so. It was too big, blocky, and heavy. Ultimately, I traded it away and have never looked back. The SP101 is an excellent package in either the 2.25" or 3.06" barrel length. Actually the 2.25 is my primary carry. I suppose the 3" GP would / does fit a nich somewhere but certianly not for me, my opinion you understand. It's fixed rear sight and short barrel leaves something to be desired for target or range work and as said before it is just too big. If I were to have my choice, right now to buy two new Rugers it would be the 3.06" SP and a 4" adjustable rear sight GP. I think with those two revolvers you would have 95% of all the bases covered for utility revolver needs. While trigger or lock actions don't tend to be as smooth in a Ruger as the S&W; the actions can be made pretty slick with minimal modifications and my SP has smoothed up with nothing more than use. Ruger makes many fine firearms, but those two, to me, are the best, of the good.
 
If the choice is between getting a 3" barrel weapon now or waiting [x] weeks/months/years for a 4" version to become available, I would buy the one that is available now.

Dan "a-bird-in-the-hand" Nafe

PS: I think a "full-sized" 3" wheel gun is a great solution. Small enough to carry, big enough to actually shoot for fun.
 
Im on the hunt for a 3" GP100 as well. I have the 2 3/4 Security Six and it is a dream to carry and shoot. I like my guns heavy though and have learned to carry them in spite of their weight. The 3" GP looks like it will fill a niche nicely. But just remember there is also the 3" and 2 1/2" 686 that can be had in the + configuration as well. My nod still goes to the ruger for its ease of maintenence and from what I can tell, a superior double action trigger.
 
The 3" GP with 1/2 underlug should weigh about 37 oz. A 4" Smith 66 weighs 36 oz and a 6 shot 4" L frame about 41 oz. As people carry the latter two(and some even N frame Smiths) I think with a decent holster and gunbelt it definitely is doable. Also, it should not weigh as much as a full size 1911 and people carry those without complaining about weight. At one time Ruger made a few 3" GP's with adjustable sights for a agency and some have turned up on the market. Obviously, the SP is more compact and lighter. A 3" probably would require a belt holster as doubt it would fit the pockets of many pants so I guess it comes down to 27 vs. 37 ozs. of weight and 5 vs. 6 shots.
 
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My experience mirrors Pistol Toters. I did own one, but now have an Sp101 which carries more than twice as easy for me. They are a great revolvers, but more chunk than I wanted on my hip.
 
i have a gp100 with a 6'' barrel i beleive and its my favorite out of all of mine its very accurate
 
I'm leaning towards the 3" gp. Like I said before I know it's on the big side for CCW but, I don't go to many places besides work, church and Home, (at least not during the week), so I think with a good belt and holster I'll be alright. Plus I have a pretty good feeling that either a SP101 or a LCR is in the near future. I guess I'm looking for an "all purpose gun" and I know one doesn't exist, guess I'll have to just buy more guns.
 
For those who own and carry a 3" gp what holsters would you suggest? I would like to know some good options for IWB and OWB. Thanks.
 
When I had mine I used the Bianchi Cyclone 111. You're ten times better off with the 3" SP101. I carry the 2.25". The 3" GP is fixed sight and heavy; if you're going the GP route go to the 4". I can carry a full size Glock easier than I could carry the the GP. I'm trying to save you heart ache and grief and money. The SP is only one round less than the GP and if one round makes that much difference, you are already in too much fight.
 
I vote YES most definitely.

When I was looking for another S&W 13 3" several years ago, I couldn't find any and came across the 3" GP100 and knew I had to have it. It was my backwoods gun and was a great gun, accurate and would digest anything I could feed it. I got rid of my .357's and went to .44's this last fall and traded it for my Alaskan.

If I had it to do over again I would have paid cash for the Alaskan and kept the GP as well, I've finally decided the quest to minimize calibers just doesn't work you need more variety than you ever think.
 
I was in the market for a S&W 3" model 65 when my 3" GP became available. I took the GP rather than waiting and I have never looked back. The GP is my regular carry gun.

Mine rides in a Sideguard belt holster. (http://www.sideguardholsters.com/holsters/OWB_Holsters.htm) Erik made the holster to my specs. It worries me a bit because the gun/holster combination is so comfortable I sometimes forget the it is there.
 
I love mine. Maybe my favorite handgun ever. Just make sure that you have the old style compact grips that used to come with it, not the new Hogues. Of course, that's just me.
 
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