Trading a Ruger GP-100 6" for a 4"

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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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Hey everybody, well I've been the proud owner of a 6" stainless steel GP-100 for about 6 months now. I've put about 2000 rounds downrange with the gun, and I like it very much... however, I'm beginning to think it might be too big for what I need it to do, and that is: Home Defense, Car gun for under-seat carry, and range gun/recreational plinking.

For the range, my 6" Ruger is very nice. At first I thought the gun was quite muzzle heavy, however I've adjusted to this and I know find the weight up front to steady my hand, but after some shooting all the metal up there really lets me know it's there if you know what I mean, and my accuracy starts to diminish as the gun gets heavier and heavier. I've heard a 4" barrel is fine for range use. Is this true?

For home defense I am comfortable with the 6" length. It know it gives added power and reduces muzzle blast somewhat, but I'm not so sure a 4" barrel would be much less advantageous and has the advantage of being more compact and handy. If you had to choose this gun for HD, would you use a 4" or 6" gun and why?

Now here is were I start to have problems with the 6" GP-100. It is simply too cumbersome for car carry. I carry under the seat, and getting the big revolver out from under there and maneuvering it around for a shot isn't very fast or easy. I've practiced it. I think the 4" barrel would be much better for this purpose.

So I have the opportunity to trade my 6" GP-100 for a brand new stainless GP-100 with a 4" tube. What do you think about this? Should I go for it, or do you think I should just stick with a 6" gun?

Thanks for your help.
 
Either one would work for me. With the 4" your only going to lose 5oz in weight,and 2" in length. I have a 4" GP100 and like it a lot. I do plan on getting a 6" sooner or later.
Not a lot of help am I, LOL :)
 
6inch sounds like the perfect size for what you describe actually. 4 inch is handy but I think if you sell the one you have you'll end up re-buying it down the road.
 
Well they're worth about the same, so its all about what you want.
Personally I prefer the 4" so I would make the trade. But that's just me.
 
Just a thought.

I have had a 6" for years but all I do is hunt with it. A 4" is a little handier, but just between you and me, I would keep the GP and get a SP101 for the HD and car carry.:D
 
The .357 magnum cartridge is the most versatile I know of. That means it is suited (depending on the platform you launch it from, and the specific load) for a large number of varying purposes.

If you want the maximum flexibility in employing the many .357 loads and the additional barrel length doesn't exclude it (say concealed carry), I believe the 6" (possibly the hard to find 5") is optimum for exploring the wide range of possibilities. The 4" and below is a tradeoff for;
1. Duty gun for a cop, hanging from your belt, in and out of a car, quick presentation.
2. The very longest that a (most) person can consider a concealable weapon. Most of these will prefer 3" or even 2". These do not increase your ability to employ the most combinations, they actually limit you rather severely.

I have never found it necessary to own an 8" (or more) barrel, but have many times appreciated a 6".

YMMV
 
To give an example, I employ up to 200 gr. bullet weights for hunting applications where extreme penetration is desirable (i.e. feral hogs). For this the 6" is a distinct advantage. I might also wish to employ the legendary Remington 125 gr. man-stopper. It reaches it's zenith of velocity and human devastation in about a 6" tube. I believe it was engineered this way but it is undoubtedly still devastating from 4". I would however consider 4" unsuitable for hunting (deer, hogs and the like) even if you hit very well with it due to the performance loss with these (180 or 200 gr. hard cast lead gas check) type cartridges.

You must observe the most facts possible and make a determination based upon your needs and usage.
 
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I wish it were just as easy as buying the 4" gun, but unfortunately my finances at the time won't allow it, so I must make a choice.
 
Keep the 6" GP100.

Save up and get a 3" SP101.

I did and have both. All problems solved, and have another gun to boot!


Honestly though, for everything you described, the 6" is perfectly suitable for. I suggest changing your vehicle carry position to between the seat and center console. Under the seat will be problematic for any sized gun.
 
Keep the 6-inch and save up for a 4-inch GP100 if you just have to have one. For home defense, either a 4 or 6 inch barreled revolver is fine. Its a gun you don't have to carry on your belt and you can easily maneuver around inside a house.
 
I have a 4" stainless GP 100. I would not trade it for a 6" - the 4 is amazingly accurate with the right ammo - my 158 gr. JHP handloads - and handles well. It is not a great concealed carry gun, but OWB or in a vehicle as you describe, it is fine. To me, the 6" sacrifices ease of handling and adds weight and bulk for a very small ( if any) gain in accuracy because of the sight radius, and perhaps a few FPS in velocity because of the extra 2" of barrel.
 
I have a 6" GP100 I got long ago with different needs than I have now. It is a sweet range gun, and is very muzzle heavy. When it's all I had, it was my home defense handgun, but a shorter barrel would be better IMO. Especially for a car gun.

One note about muzzle blast out of the 6" vs. a 4". I really don't think the extra 2" moderates .357 magnum blast at all. Perhaps the fireball will be a bit smaller, but the ear shattering blast is an ear piercer in the 6" without hearing protection. I don't think I'd be able to tell if a 4" was louder unless I was a robot with a decibel measuring device.

So, trading the 6" for a 4" in your situation makes perfect sense to me. In fact, I'd do the same with my GP100 if I hadn't moved on to auto-loaders for home defense and car guns.
 
Revoliver said:
Keep the 6" GP100.

Save up and get a 3" SP101.

I did and have both. All problems solved, and have another gun to boot!


Honestly though, for everything you described, the 6" is perfectly suitable for. I suggest changing your vehicle carry position to between the seat and center console. Under the seat will be problematic for any sized gun.
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I will add my +1 to this. I can almost guarantee you that you will regret parting with it down the road.

I met in the middle and bought the GP100 5"... Now The sp101 is on my list.
 
If all you needed it for is HD and range use I'd keep the 6". The longer sight radius is more practically accurate and the longer barrel gives better ballistics. When you throw in the car gun use as well the 4" starts making more sense. If you can't afford to get a second gun the 4" will fill your needs better. Down the road you may regret your decision. Of course, down the road you may be able to afford a second gun and could get another 6" GP100. In the meantime you will be better served by a 4" until then.
 
Keep it and save up until you can afford a smaller gun to add to it. You have it, you like it, you are used to it, so it will give little to no advantage to trade it off.
 
For home defense and car carry I don't think 6'' is unwieldy. If it were me I would probably already have the 4'' instead of the 6'' but since you like it I wouldn't bother selling or trading. Now if you were looking to carry concealed that would be another matter entirely.
 
I'll cast my vote with those suggesting you keep the 6" until you can afford another with a shorter barrel. In my opinion, one cannot have too many revolvers. Besides, you know deep down inside that you'll want it back if you get rid of it. You should always have the gun you want. But, if you can have that and another gun, too ... that's the way to go. GP100man has it right.
 
It is simply too cumbersome for car carry. I carry under the seat, and getting the big revolver out from under there and maneuvering it around for a shot isn't very fast or easy. I've practiced it. I think the 4" barrel would be much better for this purpose.
Click to expand...

IMO, that would depend on your car set up

Example - I drive a MINI and an LH so the door map pocket is ideal for me and can easily conceal a 6" gun and have it at the ready. Depending on you and your car, something similar might work. Point is, if you like the gun, it already meets 2 out of 3 needs and is accurate for what you want - keep it. Either make it work for the car and/or find a used 4" Ruger or S&W model 10 for the car
 
I have revolvers with 2 1/2", 4",6" and 8 3/8"barrels. Anything 4" or less I carry IWB, 6" is a general all around gun and 8 3/8" is for hunting. As someone else said under the seat is a poor place the carry a gun if you need it in a hurry, carry it on you or between the seats.
 
If you keep this under a car seat, I hope you have some type of strap or holster that keeps the gun in the same spot, easily accessible, and out of sight. A gun bouncing around a car is not a good ide. Maybe just get a cheap nylon holster and velcro it to the carept on the floor of the car, then stick the gun in there.
 
You know, I'm glad this thread got started. Thank you, Cooldill. :)

I figure my blued 6" GP100 that I got about twenty years ago would net me about what I paid for it back then if I traded it in at a gun shop. That means I'd have to come up with 100% of that value to get a new replacement.

Heck, for the same money I'd have to pay in the difference between the guns I could just have a gunsmith shorten the barrel and put on a new front sight. http://www.cylinder-slide.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=prodshow&ref=CSM664

Of course, if I had money falling out of my pockets I could go this route. https://www.geminicustoms.com/ruger-revolvers/ :D

My 6" has become a dust gathering safe queen quite some time ago. Makes me go hmmmmmm.
 
You have two problems:

1) it's hard to get out from under the seat. No joke. That's a poor place to keep any gun for defense. Change the location as suggested.

2) you get tired of holding it at the range. Proper technique will quickly resolve that issue.
 
Having owned both (but in a Colt), I always gravitate back to the 4 inch. The only 6-inch I have these days is a Colt Trooper in .22lr. Everything else is 4 inch. My go-to revolver for most applications away from the house is a Ruger Police Service Six with 4 inch barrel. It is on my very short list of "never sell" revolvers.
 
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