Goodbye SP101 2.25", HELLO GP100 3"

I really liked my SP101 2.25" but I wasn't accurate with it so, what's the point? I spent four years trying to master it to no avail. I sold it to LGS yesterday and found this second year mfg.(171 prefix)GP100 3" 357 at another shop on estate consignment. After today's range trip with the "new" GP I have no seller's remorse. This revolver is so much easier for me to be accurate with. Night and day difference. I carried it all day in a Simply Rugged pancake IWB 4 o'clock and I didn't find it too heavy. Couldn't be happier with my choice.

 

You may regret selling that. When I was much younger I sold several guns. Today, I regret every sale I ever did. Now, I have a lot of guns I never use but I still like having them around. Just a thought for future reference. Nice GP though!

 

stonebuster

Well if you're happy then we're happy for you too!

Your new GP100 (like the blued finish too), reminds me a lot of a Speed Six I use to have. It was one really solid built .357 and I use to carry it a lot in colder weather as it was easier to conceal it under a field jacket or parka. It was quite comfortable to tote it around all day while hiking through the woods with my brother.

Hope your new GP100 serves you equally as well for many years to come. Enjoy!

 

If I wasn't 71 I probably wouldn't have sold it but I've got quite a few revolvers already and that particular one I couldn't hit with any consistency.

 

I can understand that trade.

I have a 3" SP101. I like it very much. I can shoot it well. It is hell for stout.
However, it is a large, heavy 5-shooter.

I have no plans to rid myself of the SP101, but - if a 3" GP-100 crossed my path I would probably own it.

I would prefer to carry the GP: 20% greater capacity, and it's not very much larger than the 5-shooter.

 

I've never been a big fan of the SP101. I've fired various versions, but the only one I own is a .22, and if the .22 GP100 had existed at the time I would have bought that instead. A 3-inch .357 GP100 like yours is on my list of guns to buy someday.

 

Congrats.
I have that same model but in a 4". It's an excellent utilitarian handgun.

 

Congrats on the upgrade, @stonebuster .

 

Congrats, nice one!

 

This is one reason I've pretty much sworn off the SP101 in .357: when you can get a GP100 that's only marginally thicker and a few oz heavier you'll get a better shooting revolver that holds 2 more rounds.

Sorry to say, but the SP101 is a tank of a revolver meant for the 80s where the heavier and clunkier it was, the more people liked it thinking it was... quality.

 

Congratulations Stonebuster.

I agree with your thinking. If one cannot get a gun to work for them, then it is time for a change. I am pretty sure after 4 years you would know whether or not something worked for you…or maybe by some strange logic you should keep it and sprinkle it with magic Gypsy dust and maybe one day….

I have gotten rid of a couple of guns that just did not work for me. If I cannot get a gun to work for me with grip changes, altering trigger function or other non permanent mods, then it must go. I will not change my shooting processes or methods to accommodate one gun.

Sounds like you have found a good alternative.

 

Gutter sights make a revolver look so much nicer

 

Congratulations!

I've been working on my snubby shooting for about 30 years and have been paying special attention to DAO shooting lately.

That being said, I've only recently got to the point where I can shoot an SP101 decently, and that's only if it has different grips and a better than average trigger.

My regular S&W and Taurus and Charter snubbies shoot fine for me, but...

I adopted a 3" K-frame 38 caliber "belt revolver" recently, and totally agree with the OP.

The 3" medium frame shoots like a full-sized service pistol. It's easy to shoot very nice groups at SD range and even farther.

 

I came across this Factory DAO 3" GP-100 about 12 years ago. It has been one of my favorite carry weapons and is incredibly accurate. I carry mine IWB in a Tucker Heratige Revolver Holster. Mine is stainless and yours is the first blued 3" I have ever seem. Its a great looking gun.

 

I agree my Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4" & Dan Wesson 2.5" are easy to shoot at SD range. I shoot them DAO 95% of the time. I struggled to see the small gutter sights on my SP101 especially picking up the low profile front sight quickly. Poor eyesight doesn't help matters. This GP100 front sight is much taller and the rear notch is cut deeper and well defined which makes it easy for old eyes to see. The OE smaller compact grip works well with this GP and I ordered a new set front Altamont. The SP101 was a nice revolver that just didn't work for me.

 

That's a beauty there bigmike 45! I like the matte finish and have a DAO Speed Six 3" 38spl that looks very similar to yours. Thanks for posting the holster info since I like IWB for this size revolver which seems to dissipate some of the weight vs it hanging off the belt OWB. I'll check out the Tucker.

 

I understand the advantages of stainless guns but I too prefer the looks of nicely blued steel. Very nice looking revolver. Congratulations.

 

I have several of his holsters, made here in Texas, and they are very well made.

 

This is a Clark Custom that I looked at but the price was a bit more than I wanted to pay. It is a handsome gun though.

 

That is a beauty! I love the 3" GP's, especially with the compact grip. I think you have a winner there.

 

Another company that builds great looking GP-100's is Gemini Customs. He specializes in the GP-100 and SP-101's.

 

I couldn't bond with the sp101 either and replaced it with the same thing you did. It was better for me but still not great and I sold it for a CZ Scorpion!

 

Very nice. I have been looking for a 3" blued like that for a long time. Congrats!


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