Dr_B
member
Recoil is not really an issue, in my opinion, with the GP100. That gun is a tank. Heavy and tough.
Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum recoil?
- Thread starter BluedRevolver
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NMGonzo
Member
Just let the perp get closer and hit them over the head with the barrel.
230therapy
Member
I use Remington UMC 125 grain SJHP in 357 Magnum in my GP100. They have two or three times the recoil of 130 grain 38 Special FMJ. They are stout, but controllable.
The best advice is that you buy a variety of self-defense ammunition and test them using a timer. Measure accuracy, your impressions of recoil, and check that against your split times. You'll likely find several loads that you can control.
Hmm.
The best advice is that you buy a variety of self-defense ammunition and test them using a timer. Measure accuracy, your impressions of recoil, and check that against your split times. You'll likely find several loads that you can control.
Hmm.
Waywatcher
Member
I like 230's response above.
I also load 125 sjhp .357 in my GP100 4"
My time on a 7 yard target (IDPA with 8" center) with this combo, unloading all 6 into the A-zone, was right around 3 seconds.
The amount of power in a .357, the relative ease of recovery, combined with the low number of shots; means I wouldn't load .38 in it if I had any choice.
I also load 125 sjhp .357 in my GP100 4"
My time on a 7 yard target (IDPA with 8" center) with this combo, unloading all 6 into the A-zone, was right around 3 seconds.
The amount of power in a .357, the relative ease of recovery, combined with the low number of shots; means I wouldn't load .38 in it if I had any choice.
And I like both Waywatchers and 230's response.
I have a 4" GP100 fed 158 gr 357 almost exclusively. My sons prefer this gun and caliber to all the others we have (9mm, 45 acp, 45 LC, 22 LR, 22 Mag). And they are accurate.
(For me) With two hands, decent followup is at the 1/2 sec level, one hand more like 1 sec.
Love the 45, but the 357 is Mr Business for me.
I have a 4" GP100 fed 158 gr 357 almost exclusively. My sons prefer this gun and caliber to all the others we have (9mm, 45 acp, 45 LC, 22 LR, 22 Mag). And they are accurate.
(For me) With two hands, decent followup is at the 1/2 sec level, one hand more like 1 sec.
Love the 45, but the 357 is Mr Business for me.
mdThanatos
Member
Using Monarch, Winchester, and Remington UMC 357 mag out of my 4" GP100, I have not had any issue with recoil. I have been trying to burn through some.38's I used to use for CAS matches and it's like shooting a .22. The .357 is noticeable but very manageable in my revolver. .38 special +P is very mild as well through it.
With mountain lion tracks all over the place, I changed over from a G20 to a 686+ with factory Remington 125 JSPs. Handloaded 140 XTPs fill a speed loader, but my favorite home carry are handloaded 158gr JHPs, typically Winchester or Nosler. Lots of good ammunition choices.
VA27
Member
Borrow one of the J-frame, lightweight Smith revolvers. Shoot five rounds of any of the big three made 158gr HP/SP through it. Now shoot the GP100 with the same ammo. See? No worries.
As to controlling recoil and follow up times I can offer you this...
I have taken my Springfield XD Compact in 45 ACP to a couple of IDPA workshops and competitions. I am no slouch at running my pistol pretty darn quick when it comes to putting many bullets through targets in an accurate manner.
I have done a fair bit of (not IDPA stuff, just shooting on my own) practice shooting with my GP100, 6" barrel running 158 grain full load magnum bullets to get as fast with it, as I am with my semi-auto 45 and here is what I have learned.
I feel I am just as fast with follow up shots with the 357 mag. as with the 45acp. I did have to work on this skill pretty hard and put a lot into it. It was not a round count thing but more of a concentrating on building the skill and getting my forearms beefed up a little. (I am 33, 5'11" 170lbs of medium build and I lift weights a few times a week.)
I had to work on follow up shots for about 200 rounds before I felt confident I am as fast with the GP100 as with the XD. (Those were 200 very fun shots, by the way.)
I am faster and more accurate at shooting targets that are at further distances with my GP100 than with the XD.
I'll take shots with my GP100 that I would not with my XD.
The only place where my XD shines over the GP100 is when I move from target to target at close range.
I feel I should point something out here; when I say fast shooting there is always the qualifier that the rounds must be accurate. I know that I can blast away with my XD and empty the magazine at a much faster rate of fire than my GP100 can reach. I am only speaking of the rate of fire I can accurately run my pistols.
Hope this helps
I have taken my Springfield XD Compact in 45 ACP to a couple of IDPA workshops and competitions. I am no slouch at running my pistol pretty darn quick when it comes to putting many bullets through targets in an accurate manner.
I have done a fair bit of (not IDPA stuff, just shooting on my own) practice shooting with my GP100, 6" barrel running 158 grain full load magnum bullets to get as fast with it, as I am with my semi-auto 45 and here is what I have learned.
I feel I am just as fast with follow up shots with the 357 mag. as with the 45acp. I did have to work on this skill pretty hard and put a lot into it. It was not a round count thing but more of a concentrating on building the skill and getting my forearms beefed up a little. (I am 33, 5'11" 170lbs of medium build and I lift weights a few times a week.)
I had to work on follow up shots for about 200 rounds before I felt confident I am as fast with the GP100 as with the XD. (Those were 200 very fun shots, by the way.)
I am faster and more accurate at shooting targets that are at further distances with my GP100 than with the XD.
I'll take shots with my GP100 that I would not with my XD.
The only place where my XD shines over the GP100 is when I move from target to target at close range.
I feel I should point something out here; when I say fast shooting there is always the qualifier that the rounds must be accurate. I know that I can blast away with my XD and empty the magazine at a much faster rate of fire than my GP100 can reach. I am only speaking of the rate of fire I can accurately run my pistols.
Hope this helps
Another thing came to mind after reading your original question...
If I am going out into the woods I will always take my GP100 over the XD
and it serves as my truck gun just fine.
Home defense is always taken care of by my SAIGA-12 so it stays in the
safe when we're at home.
If I am going out into the woods I will always take my GP100 over the XD
and it serves as my truck gun just fine.
Home defense is always taken care of by my SAIGA-12 so it stays in the
safe when we're at home.
I own the 6" GP100, and absolutely love it. I can't imagine the recoil would be an issue for you with such a heavy gun. But it might be a bit big and heavy for a defensive gun. Perhaps consider the 3" or 4" versions..? Or there's the SP101, which is heavier than an average snubbie, but handy enough to carry around in a 3" barrel.
22-rimfire
Member
Read through this thread with interest. I can relate to your "needs". I own a 3" GP-100 that I like. I have other 357 mag revolvers and my favorite is a 6" Colt Trooper Mark III.
I don't know what your shooting experience is. So I will relate my own experience starting from about age 21 with handguns. I bought a new 6" Python for home defense, woods walks, and deer hunting. I had never shot a 357 mag to that point in my life. I thought the noise and recoil were beyond what I was comfortable with for anything other than occasional use. But I did think it was pretty cool. I loaded 38spl's and shot those.
Roll the clock forward as I was becoming more interested in handgun hunting. I purchased a 41 mag revolver based on my research relative to my needs. I expected a lot more recoil as compared to the 357. I shot the Python poorly, but I was set on learning to shoot that M57 well. Got pretty accurate and comfortable with it using factory loads. The Python sat in the safe... for years unfired.
When TN passed the carry law in 1996, I started getting interested in concealed carry. But I did not see it as very important to me. My job situation changed and carrying was an important aspect of the job and my security. I got a lightweight Smith 38spl. Started shooting that. The recoil was snappy but tolerable.
Sold the Python. But decided later that I wanted a 3" GP-100 because of all the positive talk on the forums. Bought one. I really like it. Also picked up the Colt Trooper Mark III... I began shooting these along with my M57 and I viewed the recoil of the 357 mag as managable at this point in my life because of the 41 mag experience.
So, everybody's impression of recoil is different. I believed the Python's recoil as substantial and as a result I didn't shoot it much when I was young and inexperienced. I later learned to shoot higher powered revolvers and learned that the 357 mag is very tolerable. Throw in some semi-auto pistols of various calibers into the learning experience. But I still like 22's the best.
One shot stops... I think you might be happier with a Smith M25/625 shooting either 45 ACP or 45 LC. You already have confidence in this caliber. The recoil is very tolerable except with the stout 45LC loads. I would look at the JM model.
I don't know what your shooting experience is. So I will relate my own experience starting from about age 21 with handguns. I bought a new 6" Python for home defense, woods walks, and deer hunting. I had never shot a 357 mag to that point in my life. I thought the noise and recoil were beyond what I was comfortable with for anything other than occasional use. But I did think it was pretty cool. I loaded 38spl's and shot those.
Roll the clock forward as I was becoming more interested in handgun hunting. I purchased a 41 mag revolver based on my research relative to my needs. I expected a lot more recoil as compared to the 357. I shot the Python poorly, but I was set on learning to shoot that M57 well. Got pretty accurate and comfortable with it using factory loads. The Python sat in the safe... for years unfired.
When TN passed the carry law in 1996, I started getting interested in concealed carry. But I did not see it as very important to me. My job situation changed and carrying was an important aspect of the job and my security. I got a lightweight Smith 38spl. Started shooting that. The recoil was snappy but tolerable.
Sold the Python. But decided later that I wanted a 3" GP-100 because of all the positive talk on the forums. Bought one. I really like it. Also picked up the Colt Trooper Mark III... I began shooting these along with my M57 and I viewed the recoil of the 357 mag as managable at this point in my life because of the 41 mag experience.
So, everybody's impression of recoil is different. I believed the Python's recoil as substantial and as a result I didn't shoot it much when I was young and inexperienced. I later learned to shoot higher powered revolvers and learned that the 357 mag is very tolerable. Throw in some semi-auto pistols of various calibers into the learning experience. But I still like 22's the best.
One shot stops... I think you might be happier with a Smith M25/625 shooting either 45 ACP or 45 LC. You already have confidence in this caliber. The recoil is very tolerable except with the stout 45LC loads. I would look at the JM model.
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