How Big Is It? [The 3" Ruger GP100]

[Amadeus]

I'm thinking of getting myself a 3 inch Ruger GP100 but I've never actually seen one in person. I have held and fired some examples of the 4" GP100 and have an idea of its size and handling characteristics, but never a 3" model. So, how big is it?

I read somewhere that the frame on the 3" is a little smaller than the 4 inch. Could someone verify this for me? Or at least give me an idea of the frame's size as compared to a k-frame Smith and Wesson.

 

[Brian Williams]

It is the same size as a GP100 4", only 3" barrel.
A K frame and a GP are the same weight and nominal size.


EDIT to correct post, the GP100 and the L frame are the same weight, 39.5 oz. and 40 oz. respectively. The K frame is 36oz.

 

[steveracer]

Actually, it's like an L-frame.

About the same as the L-frame. The 3" has smaller grips, which are interchangeable with the 4". They are my grips of choice on all GP-100s.
BTW: The 3" is maybe the most comfortable six-shot .357 to conceal and shoot in high volume.

 

[gunhappy]

my k frame m64 has a bigger frame than my 3" sp101. The k frame holds 1 more round, tho I find myself carrying the SP101 more often. The frame is like a j and 1/2, not as large as the k frame.

 

[Amadeus]

my k frame m64 has a bigger frame than my 3" sp101.

Thanks for your input, but if I may redirect your attention the question it concerns the dimensions of the 3-inch GP100. Not the sp101. If you have any information on the GP100 I will gladly accept it.

 

[Amadeus]

A K frame and a GP are the same weight and nominal size.

That's interesting. The 4-inch GP100 always seemed to pack more weight heft than my k-frame 66. Maybe the balance is different but the Ruger feels bulkier.

 

[steveracer]

L FRAME

Read my above post! The holster I bought for my 3" GP-100 is exactly the same holster for the 3" 586 L-FRAME.
They are bigger than the K-frame, and the SP-101 is bigger than the J-frame.
They are a very tough revolver, and they are the best value in modern wheelguns out there in my opinion.


6-shot L-FRAME Smiths and GP-100s use the same speedloaders as well.

 

[Amadeus]

They are a very tough revolver, and they are the best value in modern wheelguns out there in my opinion.

Thanks, Steve. Your response gives me an excellent illustration of what I am dealing with. I may just stop by the local gunshop and cop a feel of the 586. It won't be quite the same as a Ruger. But for indicating size and balance it will be a big help.

 

[gunhappy]

sorry...

totally my bad...guess I wasn't paying attention, too wrapped up in my own stuff...if you want info on the sp, feel free to ask.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

Here's a picture of my 3" GF-100 and 3" S&W CS-1 if it might help:


The same L-frame Speedloader from HKS works for both.
Best.

 

[slick6]

Deleted! See below!

 

[slick6]

1)Aside from just the one-inch shorter barrel on the 3-inch GP100, there is also less metal in the barrel on the 3-inch and in the top strap of the frame, on this "Fixed sight" GP100 versus the 4-inch(Adjustable sighted)GP100!

2)Here are the weights of the adjustable sight(4-inch), the (Fixed sight"4-inch, and the (Fixed sight)3-inch, GP100's to compare them, taken from a Ruger Catalog!:

A)Adjustable sight, 4-inch GP100: 41 ounces.

B)Fixed sight, 4-inch GP100: 38 ounces.

c)Fixed sight 3-inch GP100: 36 ounces!

3)As has already been said, all of the GP100 models are equivalent in size to an Smith & Wesson "L" frame(Not the smaller(Medium sized K-frame!))!

4)Following is a picture of my stainless, adjustable sight(4-inch)GP100 and my fixed sight(3-inch)GP100:

 

[JohnKSa]

Correct.

The fixed sight models have a good bit less metal in the topstrap, the barrels do not have the full underlug and have less of a top "rail" on the barrel.

Here's a lousy pic that should be good for a comparison.

These are both 4" GP100 revolvers.

What you can't really tell easily from this picture is that the topstrap is rounded on the sides (as can be seen in Mr. Camp's photo) and has a channel down the middle for the fixed rear sight.

So, the frame difference isn't really between the 4" and the 3", it's between the fixed and adjustable sight models. I don't know of any differences between the frames of the 4" fixed sight and the 3" fixed sight models.

 

[22-rimfire]

The 3" GP100 balances and points very nicely and has a very nice feel with the slightly smaller grips from the factory. (I have one.) Pick one up, you'll probably like the feel. I did and bought it on the spot. Last year at the time, it was $350. I think they are too big for concealed carry. They are heavy, but they have a nice solid feel and would work nicely for house gun, walks in the woods, hiking companion, and general outdoor carry where concealment is not a critical issue. They shoot pretty well too. But I don't think of them as a 50 yd gun. 25yds is about the limit with non-adjustable sights for me.

To me they feel just like a 4" Colt Diamondback with just a bit more weight and I love the balance and feel of a Diamondback.

 

[steveracer]

I disagree about the concealed carry issue.

unless one is very small, this is a perfect carry piece. When I want a revolver to carry, this is the one. It's the same weight as a HiPower, maybe a few ounces less than a 1911, and those are my other carry guns. I like the 4", and have carried concealed, but it's size isn't really the issue, it's the grips. The 3" gun comes with great grips, small enough NOT to print, and big and comfortable enough to shoot lots of ammo.
I have over 30k rounds through two GP-100s and never a failure of any kind, and of all the triggers my friends have tried, my factory trigger (after about 5K rounds) is the one they all like best.

 

[Amadeus]

unless one is very small, this is a perfect carry piece.

That's surprising. I would have thought it was too bulky. If I could successfully conceal a GP100 then it's the perfect gun for me. Thanks for the insight, Steve. And thanks to all for the information and fantastic visuals. Very very helpful.

 

[jad0110]

Last week I held an L-Frame based S&W 686 and a GP100 4" side by side. They were pretty close in size and weight, the Ruger was perhaps just a tad blockier. I then held the GP100 next to a Taurus 66 like one I own (a near copy of the K frame S&W 66) and the GP100 is noticeably thicker in the frame. About the same weight, since the Taurus in the shop had a 6" barrel like mine.

 

[Euclidean]

The GP100 is a good carry piece if you can get away with OWB carry, you need a good belt and holster.

There's also weirder forms of carry... I had a Mika's holster made for a 3" GP100.

I happen to have a jacket with an internal cargo pocket which is just the perfect size, and the revolver will cycle if fired inside and through the garment where a semiauto probably wouldn't.

 

[JohnKSa]

I could deal with the bulk, it's the weight that made the GP100 hard to carry. I already wear a heavy leather belt, but I'd have to start wearing suspenders if I wanted to avoid hitching my pants up all day...

 

[Big Mike]

I think you mean the differences in the grips. I own the same configuration pistol as Mr. Camp, the 3" with the compact grip. I like it but am considering the Pachmayr Gripper Grip as the compact grip is somewhat too small for me.

 

[Blue .45]

I like it but am considering the Pachmayr Gripper Grip as the compact grip is somewhat too small for me.

+1 for the Pchmayr. I just bought a used 4" stainless GP with fixed sights, full underlug barrel and compact grips. Ordered the Gripper from cheaperthandirt.com. I have the full size factory grips on my blue GP which I like, but the Pachmayer looks like a nice grip so decided to give them a try. As others have posted, the GP100 is comparable to the S&W L- frame. They typically use the same size speedloader as well.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have one identical to the GP-100 in Mr. Camp's post. Mine is one of the batch that was imported into the US by Century as surplus from Canada, so it isn't as pretty as the one shown. E.g.:

It looks better from the business end:

IMO, Ruger put the best grip ever on a revolver on the GP-100, especially if said grip is in the short size like on the one pictured. I've never fired a .357 which soaks up recoil like the GP-100, including my S&W Model 28. Full bore .357s don't hurt and .38 Specials are pleasant to shoot.

The 3" GP-100 is a really, really nice gun. Get one and I'm sure you'll be pleased.

 

[Marshall]

The 3" fixed sight GP-100 is probably one of the best 3" full size revolvers for overally CCW holster carry there is.

 

[Bulldog]

I love my 3-incher. Personally, I prefer the full underlug on the current models.

 

[Amadeus]

Great picture, Bulldog. And a handsome looking firearm. Do you have any more pictures from different angles?

You're right about that full length underlug. It gives the gun a robust and finished look.