A new SP versus GP question (I hope)

[DevilDog1833]

I’m looking to surprise my wife with her first handgun and have narrowed the choices down to either the 3” SP101 or 3 or 4” GP100. Keeping in mind the fact that she is new to shooting and that she is 5’2”, 110 lbs and has very tiny hands, which do you think would better suit her for home defense?

Being an avid gun forum lurker, I am aware of the hundreds of GP100 versus SP101 posts that are out there, but (while I could be wrong) I don’t think any of them specifically apply to small framed/handed women, so please share your thoughts.

Selfishly, I’d like to get the SP101, but having never fired one, I don’t know if a 158 grain +P load out of the SP is too much for the little lady to handle. And having never fired a GP100, I don’t know if the overall weight is too much for her to handle. What do you think?

I’ll probably be able to answer my own questions once I get a chance to rent and test fire each, but I’d greatly appreciate your opinions in the meantime.

 

[jad0110]

First off, welcome to THR!

Normally I recommend letting her choose, but this is a Chirstmas gift after all.

Size of the person really doesn't mean much for how one handles recoil. I remember seeing a little 100 lb, 5' tall British chick at the range have a wonderfull time with a 5.5" Ruger Redhawk, shooting full bore .44 Magnum. OTH, my father (6'5" and 220 lbs) dislikes the recoil of my S&W 642 shooting .38 wadcutters.

More of a concern are her tiny hands and trigger reach. My wife has tiny hands as well (she's just under 5'), and she can barely reach the trigger on my 686, a direct competitor to the GP100. OTH, she can reach the trigger of a J Frame (though she doesn't like revolvers).

So of the 2 you listed, I'm thinking the SP101 would fit her hands much better, and the 3" is a good length for home defense duty. They balance nicely (4" GPs are a bit barrel heavy, IMO) but they do have enough weight to soak up .38+P recoil. 158 grain +P 38s out of an SP aren't bad at all, giving a moderate amount of recoil. She is unlikely to find them painful to shoot, but as always, her mileage may vary.

If she doesn't like it, you can always keep it for yourself and let her pick out whatever she wants.

 

[GlockFan]

I was looking at a sp101 this past weekend. I am a guy with smaller hands and liked the grip a lot. With its weight, I think it would be a good first gun especially if you start with 38 specials.

 

[William Lee]

The 4" GP100 is a bit heavy (I think mine weighs in at 46 oz with magnum loads in the wheel), but that weight is very nice to have when you start shooting more than a couple of boxes of ammo. .38 wadcutters feel like a gentle handshake, and +P ammo is enjoyable to shoot. Follow up shots are nice and easy, even with magnum loads. I can say that there are a great variety of aftermarket grip options for the GP100. I bought this gun as a piece that both myself and my girlfriend, who is 5'3" ish can both enjoy shooting. I was wary mostly of the trigger reach, given that the gun now comes stock with the somewhat bulky Hogue rubber grips, but I bought a $30 original rubber/wood insert grip from some internet dealer and that has solved the problem. If you need an even smaller grip, Pachymer makes one that people seem to appreciate.
On the other hand, I've never fired an SP101. It's not that I wouldn't want one just because, but I felt that the first revolver I bought, and the gun that would teach my girlfriend to shoot properly, ought to have at least a 4" barrel. We were both frustrated by a friend's Bersa Thunder which had a short sight radius making aiming at anything beyond punching distance mostly guess work. The 4" barrel gives us the ability to shoot confidently at paper at distances exceeding 25 yards, and that in itself makes the entire experience more fun. I have heard that the SP101 still soaks up recoil better than anything else of the same size, so if your main concern is recoil I doubt it would make a huge difference between the two. However, the GP gives you an extra bean in the wheel, and the longer barrels make it pleasurable as a target gun. It's also pretty big, so aiming at someone's chest should they break into your home should create quite the reaction.

 

[Leathermarshmallow]

My wife is about the same size as yours. She loves to shoot my sp101. She loves to shoot my RedHawk in .44mag even more.

For some reason, the recoil doesn't bother her much. I think it is because she is small, she likes to do things that "big" people do. Maybe that is why she loves to drive my truck too!

 

[Sniper X]

SP101 for sure, plus it'll fit in her purse way better if she decides to carry it.

 

[black timber]

I own both those handguns. One thing to think about especially with your wife having tiny hands- my wife also has tiny hands and almost no hand strength. She has trouble pulling the trigger DA (even with the wolff springs) on both those revos and trouble even cocking them, she can do it, it's just not very easy for her. Maybe my wife is abnormally weak, but just something to think about.
The GP is easier for her, it has a lighter and smoother trigger pull.

 

[Black Butte]

I think the GP-100 might be a little heavy for a lady. I'd look into getting the SP-101 chambered in .327 Federal. You get less recoil than a .357 magnum with more punch than a .38 special, and the cylinder holds six rounds. It would also be more concealable if she wanted to carry it.

 

[Hondo 60]

While the GP might be a bit heavy, it's heft will diminish the felt recoil.

I have an SP101 & it's size will appeal to her.
But the felt recoil is definitely more so, than with a 4" gun

You may have to start reloading so you can tailor your ammo to her likings.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
Either choice would be good. Again have her try both and see which one she can reach the trigger comfortably . I am going to suggest two revolvers that I feel have the right weight, balance and are accurate. One is a S&W K frame magnum either fixed sight or adjustable sight. Examples are M13,M65 fixed sight and M19,M66 adjustable. The other suggestion is a Ruger Security/Service Six. The Service Six is fixed sight and the Security Six is adjustable sight. I have always liked the 4 inch barrel. Probably the best all length for everything. The heavier revolvers are great but some ladies might complain about weight. As far as ammo, stick with 38 special target loads until she gets used to the choosen revolver. When she gets good with the 38 specials then she can start shooting 357 magnums.
Good luck, and here is some of the photos of my suggestions.
S&W M13

S&W M66

Ruger Police Service Six

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Split the difference with a three-inch, round butt GP100. Its smaller grip, which is less flared at the bottom than the service revolver, should still fit even small hands. (For that matter, you can put that grip on the four-inch gun.) It will also offer a sixth shot and a little more weight and grip to easily deal with hot .38 Specials or even some low end magnums. If even this is too large, then go with the SP101, as the GP100's benefits are of little use if she can't get a good grasp on the trigger. Both revolvers could benefit from a little trigger smoothing, both the edges of the trigger itself as well as the action. But this is not absolutely necessary, and will create a hassle in the unlikely event you have to send the revolver back to Ruger for repair.

 

[WNC Seabee]

I have both the GP and SP. My wife is also about 5' with small hands.

She LOATHES my GP, HATES the SP and LOVES her S&W 642.

Bottom line is that it's a crap shoot. She'll either love it, hate it or be indifferent. I suggest wrapping a box of ammo and a gift certificate to the local gun shop where she can handle and pick her own.

 

[DevilDog1833]

Thanks

I appreciate all the informative replies! As most have suggested, I'll probably pick up the SP. If the trigger pull is too stiff for her, I guess I'll have to send it out to Gemini for a touch up : )

Regardless, I'll follow up after I make the purchase.

Thanks again.

 

[Rexster]

A Gemini-ed SP101 has to be the most perfect gift I can imagine for a small-statured person! I am not of small stature, but gifted myself, about a decade ago, with two 2.25" SP101s worked-over by Jack Weigand, back when he still did custom 'smithing. (Yes, I am known to carry two snubbies at a time.)

Jack Weigand is mentioned on Gemini's site; my understanding is that Gemini follows the Weigand "school" of SP101 modifications. Of course, Gemini took over the Weigand method of porting, though mine are not ported. (I think ports are more at home on long-barreled sixguns, and may well send a GP100 to Gemini for that someday.)

FWIW, I find the 2.25" and 3.06" SP101s to have a very different balance. I certainly like both versions, but strongly favor the slightly longer-snout version for the times pocketability is not important. I had the good fortune to pick up a VERY smooth 3.06" SP101, and the additional good fortune for it to become even smoother hen I installed a spur-less hammer I had been saving for a number of years for just the right occasion. I find that a 3.06" SP101 balances similarly to a 4" S&W K-frame sixgun, which helps the pointability of the weapon. I am not trying to start a point-shooting debate in this thread, as I believe in using the sights when possible, but a weapon that points well has a head start in a "time-is-life situation," to borrow a phrase from Travis Haley, of Magpul Dynamics.

 

[savit260]

3" sp 101

 

[MIL-DOT]

I haven't read but the first few responses, but i assume I'm still in the majority in recommending the SP101.
This pistol handles the recoil just fine, and it's smaller dimensions are suited to y'alls purposes. But I would recommend changing the factory grips (very small) to Hogues or Pachmayrs.
Related side-note: I had a snubbie 101 a few years ago, but traded it to freind that I've done lots of bizarre,multi-faceted gun/guitar trades with. I later missed the SP101 and started asking about trading for it back, but he said his wife had just fallen completely in love with it, and NO WAY, NO HOW could he wrestle it away from her !!

 

[harmon rabb]

i own both. with .38spl and .38spl+p, the gp100 handles recoil MUCH better. felt recoil is exponentially less than the sp101.

with .357, though, felt recoil is about the same, and the sp101 almost handles it better.

i'll be damned if i know why. sp101 is a better carry gun. gp100, however, is a better range gun (if you're not shooting .357).

 

[goon]

Of the two, I'd go with the SP-101 for sure. Many of my female friends have shot mine without complaints, even in preference to semi-autos. Some of them are very small girls.
The GP-100 is a heavy, large gun. It kind of feels like an N-Frame Smith, sorta. I'd be surprised if your wife would find it more comfortable than the SP.

Having said that, I don't think it's a good idea for you to choose your wife's first gun. She should choose it.