I am mainley into blackpowder, but, have this incredible urge to buy a modern handgun. I have it narrowed down to a ruger gp100 or a sp 101. I will not use this gun for hunting, (will stick to the blackpowder for that) I am thinking a .38, less recoil and noise than a .357. I know I can buy a .357 and shoot .38 bullets out of it, but will it be as accurate? What I am trying to say is will a .357 shooting .38 shells be as accurate as the same gun chambered for .38? I will use this gun for home defense and carry for walks in the woods. I am really leaning towards the sp 101, mainley because it is lighter. I did handle a sp 101 at a gun show with a 3-1/16" barrel and really liked the way it felt in my hand, it was a .357, for 400.00, was just unsure if it would shoot .38 ammo as accurate as the same gun chambered for .38. Any help would be appreciated. chuck-ia
gp 100 or sp 101?
- Thread starter chuck-ia
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Well, in my opinion, if you're not going to carry it concealed, then you should go with the GP over the SP. It's got a longer barrel (well, some SP101s are 3" and some GP's are 3", but you know what I mean), a longer sight radius, and I don't think it's that awful heavy, as long as you got a good holster.
That's not to say the SP isn't a bad gun. I just bought one on saturday, infact. I just think that you might as well get a GP if you're not interested in concealed carry.
That's not to say the SP isn't a bad gun. I just bought one on saturday, infact. I just think that you might as well get a GP if you're not interested in concealed carry.
_N4Z_
Member
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I have each. SP is 2.25" barrel. GP is 6"
I like them both. The GP is far more accurate for me with either .357 or .38.
.357 out of the SP is not fun so it gets a fairly steady diet of .38.
A dedicated .38 may be more accurate than a .357 shooting .38. I just don't know.
I prefer my GP.
I have each. SP is 2.25" barrel. GP is 6"
I like them both. The GP is far more accurate for me with either .357 or .38.
.357 out of the SP is not fun so it gets a fairly steady diet of .38.
A dedicated .38 may be more accurate than a .357 shooting .38. I just don't know.
I prefer my GP.
Coltdriver
Member
Full house .357 rounds out of my GP100 are a lot of fun to shoot and not punishing at all because it weighs 3+ pounds.
So I'd go with the GP first.
Accuracy is as much a function of the bullet as anything. You would be amazed at what you can do with a GP and lead wadcutters at around 1000 FPS. Very pleasant. And the longer barrel will make it easier for you to shoot accurately too.
So I'd go with the GP first.
Accuracy is as much a function of the bullet as anything. You would be amazed at what you can do with a GP and lead wadcutters at around 1000 FPS. Very pleasant. And the longer barrel will make it easier for you to shoot accurately too.
For a range gun, I would definitely go for a 4" or longer GP-100. You can get them chambered in .38 special, if that's what you want.
For shooting .38s, I actually prefer my S&W model 10. The K-frame size is more comfortable to me than either the SP or the GP, and the trigger is way better.
~Ichiro
For shooting .38s, I actually prefer my S&W model 10. The K-frame size is more comfortable to me than either the SP or the GP, and the trigger is way better.
~Ichiro
Have both models and love them both and you won't go wrong either way.
.38's shoot just as accurate from a .357 as a dedicated .38 will and both are more accurate than most people can hold. If you prefer it, both the GP and SP are available as dedicated .38's. Good luck.
.38's shoot just as accurate from a .357 as a dedicated .38 will and both are more accurate than most people can hold. If you prefer it, both the GP and SP are available as dedicated .38's. Good luck.
DHart
Member
I have both models in 3" versions and the GP-100 is far superior in every way, though it's a tad bigger and heavier. I'd give up the SP-101 long before I'd let the GP-100 go.
Pistol Toter
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Not to disagree with Mr. Hart!! But, I had a 3" GP and did not care for it and ultimatly traded it for something more to my liking. I conceal carry and I found it to be far too big and bulky for comfortable carry. I have a 2 1/4" SP and load it with 125 gr .357's. Is it FUN to shoot that way? No not really, but I can practice with .38's and a few rounds of .357's and carry them for, God forbide, personal defense. Now if the gun is going to lay on the night stand or a walk about the woods piece then I would choose the the GP but go to the 4" barrel. And I would get adjustable sights. A 6" would be fine, longer sight radius, better in the recoil supression because of front end weight but its going to be a tad heavier to carry. Accuracy? I find that most of my .357's shoot to the same POI with the same weight of bullet regardless of the loading pressures, Mag or Standard or +P's, at defense ranges. P.T.
JNewell
Member
Dan's excellent picture doesn't show the optional wheels kit...
...the GP100 is a beeeg gun compared to the SP101. It will last forever and will also be a lot more gentle on you with full-house loads.
...the GP100 is a beeeg gun compared to the SP101. It will last forever and will also be a lot more gentle on you with full-house loads.cslinger
Member
Count me it with the 3inch GP100 group. I love mine and would keep it over our SP101 if I had to make the choice. Both are great guns though.
There shouldn't be any difference in accuracy when shooting .38s. Velocity will be slightly lower than through a dedicated .38 gun, but not by much. You'll end up with a ring of crud inside the cylinder after a few hundred shots, though, which may interfere with chambering .357 rounds until it's scrubbed out.
Tiny in Ohio
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