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Ruger's are over built on purpose.
Traded in a stainless steel 6'' Python for a new 6'' GP100 decades ago,cause it couldn't handle aggressive hand loads.Innards were delicate.
The GP100 EATS 125-158 GRAINS LIKE CANDY.
What yer sweating is history from the K-framed SMITH AND WESSON models 19 blued ,and 66 stainless...A much smaller gun.
Ass kicking cop guns when they came out, but they mostly trained with .38 specials,
because those guns were not designed for constant magnum rounds.
.38 specials can be fired in 357 magnum safely,because they are lower pressured.
I also own a 6''GP100 with a 6'' barrel(stainless steel)...the bulk/weight of that gun
reduces felt recoil alot ,and 6'' of barrel length allows full burn of powder,increasing both bullet speed and accuracy.
Full power125 grain jacketed hollow points are considered THE ROUND for self defense.
recumbent,
What .357 do you own?
Mean,no offense...but 158 grain rounds ......are more for hunting than defense.
Good enough for white tail deer ,within 50 yards...but if using yer .357 for protection...
A 158 grain bullet expands less and tends to over penetrate an attacker.
Which means less chance of stopping him,yet odds are great bullet will go through him and hit an ''innocent'' behind him.
Guys,
I own a few handguns 22,9mm,40SW, 2-357's (one a SP101 snubnose/OUCH),
two .44 magnums.and a .223 that hits targets at 200+yards.
Don't be impressed.
Other members on this site dwarfs both my collection and skills.
That said.....
I do know .357 magnums [bought my first one 1981] and you both seem to be new to them.
JMHO of course...but If I could only keep one of my handguns.....
No brainer , my GP100-.357 magnum.
Bullet weights from 110-200 grains that I would trust...although I prefer 125 minimum.
This round covers-----targets from 25 to 100 yards .
Hunt from squirrels to deer,varmints,and pests.
As far as target shooting at the range, my GP100 at 50 yards never disappointed...
AFTER TRYING different ammo to see what it preferred.
[NOTE] Used 125 grain jacketed hollow points , not grain 158 which prolly would have grouped tighter,but consider this a target/defense gun .
THE ONLY Ruger handgun that I remember having issues with burning gases cutting in the top strap was a single action firing the .357 maximum...
An interesting round.....heavy bullets that traveled faster than .357 magnums,so hit with power of a 44 magnum,but with a flatter trajectory.
Too long a post,becoming a book.