[old fart]

i have a small problem deciding so i hope yall can help me out, i have a chance to buy a new gun but only one and would like to know which yall think is best for the uses i'll need it for? i have a choice of a 4inch gp100, or a 3inch sp101, it will be open carried around my home area,(i live in a rural area and open carrying is not a problem) out walking, and hiking in the woods. it will serve also as a home defense gun. now i know some will say get one and later get the other, but unless things get better with money this will be my only handgun for at least a year. so i need the best choice for what i'm using it for, i've checked both out and love both but can only get one. they are the same price and new, so for what i'm using it for which gun will be my best choice? thanks for any help.

[nathangdad]

I do not think it is so much a matter of me saying one or the other.

It is really a matter of you handling each gun. Think carefully about which one "fits" you the best in terms of hand to grip, balance, pointability, weight, trigger pull, and sight picture.

That is the gun for you.

After all, we are all individuals with different sizes and strengths.

[neophyte]

old fart: Sir; my first consideration would be the GP100 4" in .357.
Reason being; all firearms are compromises, with this 4", you could reach out a little futher?
Very solid, very respectable, about 40oz.; adjustable sights; and looks good too shooting .357's or 38's Kind of like having two different firearms.)

SP 101: a fine looker too; 2.25" and 3.06" length .327 only one available with adjustable windage sight. 28oz.

Fit them each up in your hands; either will be fine Mine would have adjustable sights

follow up when you can

Thanks for asking;

[TeeRex]

I'd lean towards the GP, both are fine guns, but I'd only want an SP if I was concealing it.

[okami515]

have both the gp and the sp, and will say for what you are using it for I would lean more toward the gp. If it fits your hand. The reasons being the fully adj. sights and the extra round. I have put thousands of rounds through my gp and it is still going strong. I like my sp, though it is in 32mag, and it makes a nice pack gun but if I have a choice the gp goes with me more often.

[jerry]

Agree with thte GP. Longer sight plane, adjudtable sights, better control under recoil of heavy field loads. Nathangdad has a point about fit, if the GP would be that uncomfortable, you could option over. iv'e never heard anyone complain about the GP grip though.

[outlaw]

The GP 100 is the better choice of the two. you can"t go wrong with
the GP100, trust me, I own one.

[TXplt]

Quote:       Originally Posted by jerry

Agree with thte GP. Longer sight plane, adjudtable sights, better control under recoil of heavy field loads. Nathangdad has a point about fit, if the GP would be that uncomfortable, you could option over. iv'e never heard anyone complain about the GP grip though.

I'd agree if it was for open carry, home defense, and a car/truck gun.

Remember, one can get aftermarket grips for either gun to improve fit. The grips on the SP fit alot of hands too.

If you're thinking of using it for CCW, I'd consider the 3" SP-101 -- not as much muzzle flash as a 2" and a somewhat longer sight radius.

Best to handle (and preferably shoot) both to see what you like.

Either is heavy enough to shoot +P's and full up .357 rounds without undue pain--the GP would be a little more comfortable but the SP is a heavily overbuilt brute-strong gun. The Buffalo Bore Heavy .357's are pretty nasty in any 2" revolver but the SP is better than most--a 3" would probably get rid of alot of the blast and be OK with any sane .357 loading.

The only downside I've found with Rugers is their low-viz front sight. Put an XS big dot on the LCR but I'm not sure what (other than just painting the front sight) would be best for an SP-101.

[KW Gary M]

I own a 4" GP 100 that I am very happy with. I keep it mostly for home defense. It sits on my desk in a pistol rug loaded with 180 grain JHP's. If you think you will CCW carry it in the future I'd go with the SP due to size. If only for home defense and open carry I'd go with the GP due to the 6 round over 5 and 4" barrel over 3". Both are great revolvers so you will have a good weapon either way.

[jerry]

The 3" SP is nice.
I'm kind of a nut that way, I like 3" & 5" bbls on revolvers.

[outlaw]

Can someone tell me what gp, and sp stands for?

[jaku]

I don't know what the letters stand for, but I'll chime in I love my GP100 4" stainless - no regrets, a fine shooter.