Ruger GP100 vs. SP101 for Carry?

[Cosmodragoon]

You obviously getter a bigger, heavier gun in the GP100. It will soak up more recoil and may be more accurate. You even get one more shot. However, it is larger and roughly 30% heavier. That could be a factor in determining how or if you carry. How much of a factor is it for you? Which do, or which would, you prefer to carry? How does that change for different circumstances?

In .357 magnum, you can choose a few different barrel lengths on each. There is also a .327 magnum offering in each but as far as I know, only one factory barrel for each in that caliber. How does this impact your choice?

There is also a difference in style. Is one more aesthetically or ergonomically attractive to you? How much does this influence your carry choice?

What would be ideal for you and why?

 

[ClydeFrog]

My $...

I'd buy a 6" barrel .357magnum & get the Ruger wizards of www.geminicustoms.com to do a package on it.
Hybra-port recoil reducer, DA only, removed hammer spur, action hone, etc etc.

The shop is highly rated for Ruger DA wheelguns. You'll like what you see.

ClydeFrog

 

[Newton24b]

the sp101 isnt exactly a light weight gun.....

the real question you need to ask is

1. how do i want to carry it?
if you want so carry IWB then smaller gun wins. but if you want to carry it on a nice big gunbelt like any cop did in 1950 then the gp100 wins.

2. what round count do you want?

 

[Kreyzhorse]

The GP is a nicer gun, but as far as CCW goes, the SP is a much better option. It is lighter, typically shorter and thinner. All of these combine to make it a gun that you can carry easily every day regardless of season.

A GP, while it can be done, is more difficult to carry daily.

Both are accurate with the GP getting the nod as a range / home defense gun and then SP as the CCW gun.

 

[pmeisel]

How big are you, and how can you normally dress?

Several months of the year I can wear jeans with a windbreaker or sweatshirt most places besides work, and I can comfortably conceal a 4" Python or a 5.5" bull barrel Ruger Mark II. But I am a bigger guy, lots of folks can't do this.

The hottest part of summer, it has to be something I can carry in my pocket. Even the SP101 might be a little heavy.

 

[kahrguy]

What are you looking to use ether revolver for and why a revolver?? Trail gun use ? Hunting use. Not as a everday carry gun right. Last how big ae you.

 

[22-rimfire]

Ideal for me? Well... I like the 3" GP-100 for a home defense gun. Other than that, neither the GP-100 or SP-101 is "ideal" for me for a concealed carry piece. I carry a S&W 442/642. I think the SP-101 is still too large for comfortable concealed carry unless you are carrying the gun like a cop. But many like the SP-101.

For walks in the woods, I carry a 22 in most cases, a 4" 41 mag, or the 3" GP-100. A 4" GP-100 would be a very good choice for this purpose for most people in the lower 48 states.

You have not defined your reason for choosing one over the other where size comes into play.

 

[Noreaster]

The SP 101 is easier to carry and I've never had a problem with recoil. The gun isn't a lightweight and the grips are very nice. You will lose one round but you'll carry the SP101 much more than the GP100, so you'll probably gain five rounds.

 

[Crazy88Fingers]

Odds are pretty darn slim you'll ever have to use it for self-defense. If you do, either gun will work.

But you're definitely going to have to put up with lugging that thing around on your belt. I prefer comfort of carry over capacity and accuracy myself.

 

[roaddog28]

I own a new SP101 4 inch. I have carried it with a belt holster and a IWB Blackhawk. I was surprised how much easier the revolver was in a IWB versus carrying a Ruger Police Service Six in the same Blackhawk IWB. I can't imagine carrying any GP100 other than in a belt holster. There just too big and heavy.

 

[horselips]

For CCW go with the SP101. For field carry go with the GP100.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

For those suggesting the SP101 for ease of carry or better concealment over the GP100, would your opinion change if the SP101 was in a 4" barrel?

 

[alex0535]

If I was going to get an SP101 to concealed carry I would want the 3" barrel for ease of concealment. Smaller grip, smaller cylinder, shorter barrel.

If I wanted a gun to go out and shoot, keep by the bedside, or open carry around the property I would go with the 4" GP100. Replace front with with a tritium night sights.

If I wanted the capacity of the GP100 but a 3" barrel, ruger offers one in that size. It is not going to be as concealable because the larger cylinder and grip.

 

[tomrkba]

Six is better than five and the GP100 is better than the awful SP101 (a gun that does just about everything wrong).

The larger frame GP100 is much nicer. You can get the speedloader into the charge holes...amazing! There's an actual rear sight. You even get a longer sight radius. The gun's heavy enough to actually use, though the SP101 is no lightweight. Neither gun fits in the average pocket, though it'll fit in overalls.

 

[savit260]

There just too big and heavy.

Nonsense.

I'm an avarage size guy and carrying a 4 5/8" Blackhawk or a 5 1/2" Redhawk IWB (both MUCH bigger and heavier than a GP-100) isn't hard IMO IF you are using a high quality holster and a good stiff gun belt. I sometimes forget they are even there. Sitting here wtih a 5 1/2" Colt New Service IWB as I type.


There's no reason someone of average size can't carry a mid sized 4" GP-100 with relative ease in a decent holster/belt combo.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Use the 'Winter gun, Summer gun' concept.

That is a larger gun for the months you can wear a coat, and smaller one for the hot summer months.

The 3 inch GP100 and 2 1/4 SP101 work well that way.

These are my two. GP100 Canadian Police and SP101 (DAO)

Nice thing is it is also the 'Always gun, House gun', and 'Main gun, Backup Gun'.

It can even the the 'His and Hers guns'!

Both can use the same ammo and both have the same manual of arms.

Deaf

 

[hulley]

I carry a 2.25" SP101 SA/DA daily. I carry it AIWB and weight is hardly noticed, however when I get the chance I really like carrying my wifes LCR .38

 

[L_Killkenny]

Best for CC just between them 2........ Hands down the SP. It's pretty much a no brainer and for THAT use I'm surprised to see anyone recommend the GP.

 

[engineer88]

Even with a good gun belt about 30oz is my maximum for IWB. Reason being I also have a flashlight, TDI knife, double speed loader pouch and Leatherman Skeletool with bit kit on my belt to balance on the other side. It all adds up. For me the SP101 in 2" DAO is right at the top of the heap as far as how much I want to carry every day weight wise. I have 6 shot wheelies (mostly S&W) and 4" barreled variety, but they never get carried. Good luck finding a cheap iwb holster for longer barreled revolvers Btw.

The HK36 and other speed loaders, not to mention speed strips work brilliantly with it. I think it hits a sweet spot as it is a carry gun I can practice with and not worry about wearing out. I can load it with 38 from wad cutter to +p, 357, shot shell, etc. It is very versatile and fills many roles for me. If I had it all over to do again I would still buy the 2" DAO for carry (no snag, trigger job makes it superbly accurate to 15 yards for me), but I will also be buying the 3 or 4" model down the road. Just not sure if the longer barrel will be on a GP100 or SP101. Probably whichever I get the better deal on tbh.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

tomrkba said:

Six is better than five and the GP100 is better than the awful SP101 (a gun that does just about everything wrong).

The larger frame GP100 is ... heavy enough to actually use, though the SP101 is no lightweight. Neither gun fits in the average pocket, though it'll fit in overalls.

So do you feel that the SP101 is too cramped for its caliber size or that too many corners are cut in production? Also, do you feel that while better than lighter J-Frame competitors, the SP101 is simply overwhelmed by .357 magnum? If so, do you think it would be a good fit for the lighter .327 magnum?