I picked GP100
Ive shot a friends GP100. DA was smooth and controled, SA was light and clean.
Weight would help with follow up shots using .357 magnum.
Practice is cheaper with .38 special ($19.99) over .357 ($24.99) and .45 ($22.49) for that matter. I quickly searched midway for the prices using federal american eagle brand for comparison.
The only potential issue I can bring up with both guns is ability to mount a light. I know some 1911s can have rails and some .357 revolvers can as well. I would recommend purchasing a model which has a rail.
After another quick search I learned that ruger does not offer a GP100 with a rail. I did however find this:
http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?model=10
Therefore I will retract my recommendation for the heavy, powerful .357 in favor for a weapons light attachable 1911.
Unless of course you would consider another brand of .357 like the S&W M&P R8. What a Bad A** Revolver!
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765757_-1_757770_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y
Hope this helps fxstchewy.
Those scandium N-frames are pleasant to shoot, even with full power handloads.
Here's my M327 TRR8 (Tactical Rail Revolver);
Bottom of the shroud is drilled and tapped for a light, top is drilled and tapped for a red dot/holographic optic;
What I've learned is 8 round moonclips are slower to load than 6 or 7 round speedloaders.
125gr SJHPs create a large wound channel and typically don't over penetrate.
Not much muzzle flash using AA #9 powder, but there's a huge fireball from the cylinder gap on this M686P/6".
When traveling, I typically have the 686P/6" and a Colt 1911 Government in 45 auto on the night stand.
Both calibers are very suitable for night stand duty, you simply have to decide how much practice and training you're willing to devote to become proficient with your choice.
While some feet all one needs to do is pull the trigger on a DA revolver, placement of the trigger on the finger and grip is different than that of the 1911. The DA trigger pull of the GP 100 will never be as smooth or as fast as a 1911 and there's more of a tendency to jerk the trigger during rapid fire training sessions with the wheelgun.
Other potent calibers re available for the 1911 platform, 38 Super and 10mm come to mind and if you handload, the Super can push 125gr magnum bullets at magnum velocities, but with the recoil of a G17;
Training, this out of the box Colt shot 400 flawless rounds, 150 of those rounds were fired as fast as I could load and pull the trigger;
This Colt became my CCW and I continued to push it hard, another 200 round session during an extreme heat range session;
Included in the session was 70 rounds as fast as I could load and pull the trigger, right handed, left handed, Bill Jordan from the hip style, both hands with and without using the sights, ~7 yards;
I carried the mag back in the day and was fortunate enough to have superb instructors, same can be said for the 1911, but never on patrol.
Some observations, for me - weak hand advantage 1911
Split times advantage 1911
Range sessions - moving both, point shooting both, draw to first shot 1911. Rapid fire range sessions with the mag (not 38) and at about 50 rounds I need to put gloves on my left hand because the cylinder gets really hot. At about 70 rounds I put the mag down. When doing intense training shooting the magnum I'll bring 2-3 357s in order to allow for cool down times. 1911s get very hot to the touch too, but that's what the slide stop is for.
Some of the hardest hitting ammunition on the market;
complete with the Ranger star;
I voted 1911, but it's a toss up for home defense. Furniture and carpet soak up some of the muzzle blast, but the advantage goes to the 45 for both lower blast and flash. IMO, 38 Special is a cop out, clear advantage to the 45 between these two calibers.
For training sessions at the range, if you only bring one gun, the advantage is with the 1911.
Handloading with hardcast bullets is the way to go with both calibers, I like to practice with 357/170gr Keith style bullets and either 185gr/200gr SWCs in 45.
Get both.
