Which .357 Revolver Is The Best Ruger Ever Made?

[sigbear]

Which .357 revolver (in your opinion) is the best Ruger ever made?
How does the SS Security six .357 compare to the GP100 .357?

I currently have a SS secrity six with 6" barrel that I bought new in 1983, and a SP101 w/3" barrel.

Sigbear

 

[iburnpowdah]

Sigbear, unlike a lot of other companies which have had intermitant manufacturing issues over the years, i think Ruger has consistantly had the highest quality. I personally would endorse the SP101 for carry use, but for personal reasons and because it is much lighter carry a S&W Airweight 442.

 

[MMCSRET]

I would have to vote for the New Model Blackhawk for best Ruger 357. Mine is 30 years old and approaching 30,000 rounds and has never been worked on or failed in any way. And yes, I do own and use other Ruger 357 Magnums.

 

[Ron James]

This is one of those questions that can be answered," Which ever one you own, is the best ever built "

 

[Oro]

I would have to vote for the New Model Blackhawk for best Ruger 357

+1. If limiting only to Rugers, then an early New Model Blackhawk (or a safety updated Old Model).

 

[ceadermtnboy]

I personally think the SP101 is the best looking design ruger has on a double action. It also carrys nice in a holster.

 

[jad0110]

Not sure, as I don't own any (yet). That said, I prefer the Security Six to the GP100.

 

[MMCSRET]

In double action, I also prefer the Service Six over the GP100.

 

[9mmepiphany]

in DA: the Speed-Six or Service-Six
in SA: the old Blackhawk with the smaller gripframe

the Security-Six is a much nicer pistol to carry than the GP-100

 

[SgtGunner]

GP100. 4 inch. Stainless. Wheelgun perfection.

 

[Taurus_9mm]

IMO the GP-100.....

 

[WardenWolf]

Well, you haven't said what you want it for yet. If you're wanting a target gun, I'd say a Blackhawk; single actions lend themselves to target shooting more, and the Blackhawk exemplifies this. If you're wanting a carry piece, the GP100 is the classic BFR and the SP101 is fairly compact and concealable. I've got a GP100 right next to me right now. It's big, it's heavy, it's a well-made gun. Rubber grips are comfortable.

 

[Pistol Toter]

While I never owned one, I aways felt like the Security-Six, Speed Six or - Six guns had or felt more balanced. I once own a 3" GP100; it was bought for a carry piece but was too bulky and heavy. There is no doubt that a 4" GP would make a fine back country / woods gun and certianly a bedside gun but again IMO it would be heavy and bulky for a CCW. For it's size, weight and capacity; one would be better served with an auto. I do own the 2.25" SP101; it's on my hip now and is carried every day. It's too heavy for pocket carry but in a holster it is wonderful. Both the SP offerings are idea for full house .357's and can be concealed with eaze. Which is best? I don't think that can be determined as it would be determined only by the guns purpose. The -six guns are gone. They compared with S&W K frame .357's and they are gone also. So if you own a - six gun then I would strongly suggest you hold on to it! If you want a range or home gun the Gp series would be hard to beat. If you want a carry gun the SP series guns are tops.

 

[madcratebuilder]

For DA the Security Six is hard to beat.

 

[Travis Bickle]

The DA sixes are some of the finest all-around wheelguns ever built. I own a stainless Speed Six with the 2 3/4" barrel and couldn't be more pleased with it.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I've been very pleased with the strength and concealability of my USPS 3" speed six.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

For what purpose?

For carry-The sp101
For exploring the limits of the 357 magnums capabilities with handloads? The redhawk.

 

[Pistol Toter]

I think if I were to consider a gun larger than the 4" GP100, I'd go with .44 mag in what is it; the Blackhawk or maybe it is the Redhawk. I can't remember. But I don't need anything that big. I've got a couple of 6" .357's but they're too much gun for me. A 4"er is plenty for my purposes and like I said I carry the 2.25" SP101. I figure It will meet the requirements if I ever need it to. A couple of the 125 gr. mid vel. Remington Gold Sabre at 15 or 20feet will give the perp the idea that I mean business.

 

[9mmepiphany]

if you're carrying the snubby with mid-vel .357mag loads anyway...why not just load it with Speer .38spl 135gr+P Gold Dots which are optimized for the shorter barrel?

 

[22-rimfire]

The best Ruger 357 is the GP-100. No question in my mind. The SP-101 follows right behind it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i often feel, although i might be mistaken, that folks who feel the GP-100 is the best DA Ruger have never owned/shot the Security-Six family.

the thing i just couldn't live with on the GP-100 was the rattle of the ejector rod

 

[ArmedBear]

Ruger's .357 that has secured its place in history is the Blackhawk.

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned a Security Six, a SP101, and a Blackhawk. Just to judge the gun overall without regard to use, Blackhawk hands down. Now, IMHO, the Security Six finishes way last by a country mile to the other two. The little SP101 is a stronger gun, a more accurate gun (at least mine was, even with a 2" barrel vs 4") and an easier to carry gun to top it off. Funny thing, I found it more comfortable to shoot with hot loads, too, even though I had Hogues on both guns. Now, I've never really cared much for the GP100, but I'm sure it's better than the Security Six even though I've never owned one. I won't rank it here since I've never had much dealings with 'em. It's a heavier and stronger version of the SP101, though.

I did sell, for various reasons, the SP101 and the Security Six. I mean, they were good guns, just for reasons, I decided I didn't need the Security Six and I had told my son-in-law I'll sell him back his SP101. I really didn't need it, but it was a neat gun in a lot of ways. If I got another, it'd definitely be a 3" gun. It is NO pocket revolver IMHO, too heavy and needs the Hogue grip, so the 2" seems goofy to me.

I'd probably have kept the SP101, though, good little gun, had my son-in-law decided he didn't want it back. I woundn't even THINK of selling my Blackhawk, though. Of course, I'm a hunter and outdoorsman. It's no concealed carry gun, though at least one person on this board from the bay area would, no doubt, argue that point.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Two points:

For DAs: I submit that the -Six family is notably better than the GP family simply because they aren't so overbuilt. Good design, durable, attractive lines, but don't have all that excess steel.

For SAs: in a similar way I'd say the OM Blackhawk or the "Anniversary" .357 are better than the NM, simply because the NM is built in the .44 frame and simply has more bulk than is necessary.

I like Ruger, but they to tend to overbuild some of their guns. I was vary glad to see them shrink the Vaquero down to size for the "New Vaqero" (which is, confusingly, the size of the Old Blackhawk...)

 

[Pistol Toter]

if you're carrying the snubby with mid-vel .357mag loads anyway...why not just load it with Speer .38spl 135gr+P Gold Dots which are optimized for the shorter barrel?

Because the short barrel GD is not as good and the mid velocity .357 GS.