Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum recoil?

[BluedRevolver]

I'm considering purchasing a Ruger GP100 with a 6 inch barrel for home defense/truck gun/woods

do you think they'd have too much recoil, blast, flash and muzzle flip to be good for defense if loaded with a decently powered 125 grain load, like the Federal 357b or 145 grain winchester silver tip?

I know I could load it down to .38 special, but that gives up the advantage of having a .357 mag. I'd rather just get a .45 auto than use .38 Special.

 

[19-3Ben]

do you think they'd have too much recoil, blast, flash and muzzle flip to be good for defense if loaded with a decently powered 125 grain load, like the Federal 357b or 145 grain winchester silver tip?

No. It's got a full underlug and with all that forward weight, and the weight of the frame, even monster loads would probably tolerable (although perhaps not enjoyable) by most people.

 

[hogcowboy]

You can always practice with .38 Specials then load it with .357 Mags for serious business. If you would have to use it, the adrenaline produced would probably make it so you won't even notice it anyway.

 

[BluedRevolver]

You can always practice with .38 Specials then load it with .357 Mags for serious business. If you would have to use it, the adrenaline produced would probably make it so you won't even notice it anyway.

It's not really the recoil itself that I'm concerned about, but the time between followup shots. I consider that very important.

 

[hogcowboy]

It's not really the recoil itself that I'm concerned about, but the time between followup shots. I consider that very important.

Well I have a 3 inch and I don't think it's a problem so with the 6 inch it should be very manageable. But if you're used to a .45 then that might be your better bet. A full .357 Mag round does have a pretty good snap and if you're not prepared for it, it could throw you off.

 

[GP100man]

& there are magnum powders that don`t flash as bad as others !

 

[proven]

i haven't shot a ton of mags through my three inch gp, but the ones i have didn't seem bad at all. that said, i load .38+p 158gr lswhp for defense. the muzzle blast and follow up shot speed being the deciding factor. i do want to find a .357 mag load for woods carry, but have yet to decide on one.

 

[jmstevens2]

My 15 year old swears that my 1911 has more recoil. There is a lot of mass there. Everyone who has shot my GP100 that is not a revolver guy becomes one after shooting it. People assume that it has more recoil than it does.

 

[BluedRevolver]

My requirements for a self defense handgun are:

-Must be in a double action revolver (I can't shoot autos worth a crap)
-Must be in a relatively powerful cartridge, one known for good one shot stops, similar in power to .45 acp, .357 or more.
-Must have relatively low recoil, muzzle blast, and flash, to allow for fast follow up shots, similar to .40, .45, etc..

 

[LKB3rd]

I find that rounds with lighter bullets have more snap and muzzle flash/blast than 158 grainers. If I were choosing loads for flash and noise, I'd go with the 125 grainers.
Anyway, while it won't be light recoiling, with practice, I don't think it would pose a problem.

You'll get people who disagree, but to me the big minus of .357 is the noise and flash with certain loads especially.

 

[motorcycle-charlie]

6 inch gp100? there is alot of steel and barrel length there. recoil really shouldnt be an issue with a gun like that. that is what they are made for. .38s will make it feel like you are shooting a water pistol.

 

[BluedRevolver]

Revolver for Self Defense

asdf

 

[Sam1911]

Actually, a 6" revolver is larger than optimal for defensive roles, IMHO. You just don't need that much length/weight to tame the .357. A 4" gun will handle a little quicker and be easier to carry, conceal, manuver.

If you're looking for a defensive .357:

GP100s are larger and heavier than many .357s. Fine guns, almost as good as the older Security/Speed 6 series Ruger used to make.

About the same size/weight are the S&W L-frames (581, 586, 686, etc.) in .357.

S&W's various .357 K-frames are a lighter choice that handle a little faster and are easier to carry.

Also consider that a .44 Spc. or .45ACP will do all you're looking for. You would be extremely well-served with a .45ACP S&W m25 or 625. Moon clips make fast reloads.

 

[jad0110]

In my experience, the 135 grain .357 Mag Speer Gold Dot is a nice, moderately powered .357 load that is pretty easy to control in a heavy, all steel handgun.

That said, I still stick the .38 Special (158 grain +Ps) in all my carry guns. Plenty of performance with easy, quick follow up shots.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have a 6" S&W 686, which is practically identical to the 6" GP-100 from a size/weight perspective. Also have a 4" 586. Even the heaviest loads are pretty tame in such large revolvers. The only guns that would make it even softer are the monstrous Redhawk .357, S&W N-frame .357's or Dan Wesson guns.

However, in .357, I prefer a heavy 158 gr. load to the 125's. They're easier on the gun and offer better penetration. Lighter bullets driven to higher velocities accelerate wear on guns (Revolver, Autoloader, Rifle.......doesn't matter) and usually don't perform as well on living targets as mid-weight or heavy-for-caliber bullets.

 

[RaceM]

With 158gr loads there's some muzzle flip but the recoil itself ain't bad with a 6" GP100. I'm with jad though, if the recoil is a bit much for you use 158gr +P 38 loads.

 

[rich642z]

If you want recoil,,,,,,,,,, try out a S&W .500 mag with a 700 grain bullet loaded hot. Then ask about the recoil of a 6 inch barrel GP100 after words.

 

[jmstevens2]

Yes, mine is a 4" and my 15 year old and my 120 pound wife don't mind the recoil at all with full loads. The weight really makes a difference. My kid won't shoot more than 5 out of the J frame .38, shoots a whole box of .357 out of the GP 100 4" and looks around to see if there is another box.

 

[beag_nut]

Already tried one, which I had rented at the range. Was a 4 inch model, so slightly lighter than the six. With full 158 grain factory loads recoil was much less (and reasonable) compared to my .357 snubby.

 

[IlikeSA]

I had a 3 inch with a hogue monogrip and recoil was negligible with full power, heavy (180 grain) rounds. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a GP100 with a six inch barrel as my woods/truck pistol.

 

[Drail]

A GP 100 will give you less felt recoil with any load than just about any other full size .357 revolver around. But as someone esle pointed out you will still have to deal with the flash, blast and muzzle lift. But recoil? No problem.

 

[Fotno]

Like several folks have already mentioned, for me the flash and noise of a .357 is worse than the recoil. In the late 80's I owned an early 4" GP100, and it wasn't uncommon for me to go through a box (or more) of .357 at a single range session.

 

[SunnySlopes]

I have a GP100 with a four inch barrel. Even with magnum loads (which I rarely shoot anyway) it's like shooting midrange loads out of my S&W 66 no dash w/four inch barrel.

It really is a magnificant gun for shooting. A lot of mass.

 

[2zulu1]

I did a night time photo shoot with a M686 6", 125gr Gold Dot, 1600s loaded with AA #9 powder. No muzzle flash but there was a large fire ball at the cylinder gap, recoil is not an issue with proper grip and that makes for relatively fast/accurate follow up shots.

 

[MDH90]

The only 6 inch gp 100 I've ever shot was magnaported, that being said, it is more than manageable, and well handling in moving and shooting drills while practicing for self defense.