What's the difference? SP101, GP 100...

[Mastrogiacomo]

I've been checking out the .357 Rugers in a 3" barrel. I looked at the GP 100's because I love blued guns and S&W doesn't make blue revolvers anymore. I can't tell the difference between the two models -- yes, the GP100 has blued guns but it also has stainless -- so how do the stainless differ from the SP 101 magnuns? Is it just weight?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Frame size is the biggest different (literally). GP 100 are 6 shot frames. SP are five shot frames. Internal mechanisms work the same though.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Would they're be any difference in trigger pull? How would you rate it compared to the S&W -- better, worse, or the same?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

The only other difference I can think of offhand is the GPs have fully adjustable sights and the front sight is dovetailed into the barrel.

 

[fallingblock]

Not all the GP's have adj. sights.....

Ruger's catalog lists the 3" & 4" GP-100 as available with fixed sights:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1711&return=Y

My SP-101 had a heavy D.A. trigger when new, but it improved remarkably with a lot of dry-firing.

S&W quality seems to have become rather erratic these days....you can get a very nice trigger or a gritty one, luck of the draw

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Yep, but AFAIK, you cannot get a blued SP-101 with adjustable sights, hence, the difference.

The trigger pull on both my GP and SP were terrible out of the box. As fallingblock stated, after some use they smooth out nicely.