GP or SP ?

[JimB120]

Ok I'm normally an auto guy, but thinking about my first modern wheel gun. (have a couple of antiques, but that's another story)

Looking at the GP and the SP.

Not considering it for a carry gun, more of a plinker and HD piece. What are the advantages, disadvantages of the two guns?

Thanks!

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Unless for CCW definitely the GP-100. The GP is big enough to absorb the recoil of the 357 and has 6 rounds. The trigger is much better for the GP. The barrel choices of 3"- 6" and half lug or full lug as well as Blue or Stainless make it almost a personalized gun. The mechanics of the GP are fairly simple and the fact that major components come apart easily makes cleaning a breeze. Grip choices are plentiful. The gun is sturdy and dependable. What's not to like??

I got one that's loaded in the house right now. It is the gun I trust. :D

...Jimbo

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Unless for CCW definitely the GP-100. The GP is big enough to absorb the recoil of the 357 and has 6 rounds. The trigger is much better for the GP. The barrel choices of 3"- 6" and half lug or full lug as well as Blue or Stainless make it almost a personalized gun. The mechanics of the GP are fairly simple and the fact that major components come apart easily makes cleaning a breeze. Grip choices are plentiful. The gun is sturdy and dependable. What's not to like??

I got one that's loaded in the house right now. It is the gun I trust. :D

...Jimbo

What he said.

-- Sam

 

[JimB120]

Sam, you're a man of few words! :wink:

Jimbo, thanks for your analysis. Wanted to ask those who own them, because I don't have any experience with revolvers.

I had pretty much decided on a 4" GP in SS, and your review validated what I was thinking.

Time to do a little shopping.

 

[revhigh]

4 inch ... stainless steel .... adjustable sights .... the end.

REV

 

[CanonLyles]

I love my SP, but GP since you're not using it for carry. For the above stated reasons.

 

[welder]

I love my SP, but GP since you're not using it for carry. For the above stated reasons.

+1. Mine lives on the nightstand when it's not playing at the range.

 

[Skeleton King]

Even for carry, GP can be done, but it'd be more of a "statement" piece than a super-practical, ccw.

The GP is one of the absolute best production DA revolvers made at the moment, and, all Ruger bias aside, few, if any, modern S&W rotary guns can touch it in terms of pound-for-pound, durability, reliability and accuracy anywhere remotely close to the GP's price range.

It might be different if Colt were still around, or S&W was just overall bad unless you pay the $1k admission fee (performance center lawl), but imo the choice is clear.

 

[patcannon]

I own both, and I say... what they said.

 

[sourdough44]

Even in a sea of semi-autos a 4" 357 can cover a lot of bases.

 

[maxpress]

what they said unless a speed six/service six pops up. best of both the sp and gp. my service six 2 3/4 conceals as well as my SP and is a six shot like the GP.

 

[hittman]

Save yourself $100 and opt for a Security / Service or Speed Six. At least as good a gun as GP or SP ~ some would argue better.

 

[patcannon]

Good point about the Six series. I was looking for a Speed Six but I found a GP first and went for it. On the other hand, the main advantage of a Six over the GP to me would be it might be compact enough to carry. I gotta say I like the grip stud of the newer guns over the traditional grip frame.

 

[CanonLyles]

what they said unless a speed six/service six pops up. best of both the sp and gp. my service six 2 3/4 conceals as well as my SP and is a six shot like the GP.

Even better... :wink:

 

[bigflash1]

I own and love my GP100. Can shoot several boxes in an afternoon and not be hurt (not too bad if shooting hot 357's).
I have access to an SP, after the first cylinder of 357's, I'm very ready to put it down....

Both are 100% reliable.

GP will be much better plinker (daughter shoots mine w/38's), SP will slip into CCW mode.

I think someone said both! :)

 

[OldNavy]

My preferred CCW weapon is a 3" GP100 equipped with the full sized old style (wood insert) factory grips. I've just ordered a set of Crimson Trace grips for it.

I found the SP101 too heavy for pocket carry, and for holster carry I can conceal the GP100 as easily as the SP101.

I've got GP100's in 3", 4", and 6". If I could only have one, it would be the 4".

 

[PeterCartwright]

When the question is, "Should I get the SP or the GP"?, the answer should be, "Yes".:wink:

Actually, I'm a "me too'er" with the GP decision.

PC

 

[BearHawk 357]

.
.
GP.....all the way.
.
.
P.S. Are you seeing a trend, here?
.
.

 

[rugerfan100]

I was undecided too. Then I realized that I just needed to have both. They are each their own animal and are hard to compare side-by-side. Both sight, shoot, and kick differently. Trigger pull is different. Handling is different. I love them both and would have a tough time saying which one I like more.

 

[airwin]

KGP141 you will love it!

 

[cledro711]

gp100 4in stainless you will love it. if i could choose one gun to bet my life on in an apocolypse its this gun

 

[The Highlander]

I've suggested a 4" Stainless Steel GP-100 with adjustable sights in .357 magnum as the perfect gun, if you can only have one.

I got this gun myself, but I stayed with blue and wood when I found a Royal Phoenix GP-100.

Next, I'll get an SP-101 and send it to Gemini Customs for a little work. Then eventually, I'll get around to the Stainless GP-100.

 

[CanonLyles]

Next, I'll get an SP-101 and send it to Gemini Customs for a little work. Then eventually, I'll get around to the Stainless GP-100.

That's on the "List" too. 3" DA/SA, though

 

[Anthony Williams]

My choice, 3 inch stainless GP-100, Hogue Grips, and a close fittin' belt holster.

A.W.

 

[wyzardd]

The only DA revolver I own is a GP100. I used to have a 2 1/4" SP as a backup carry piece (long story why I don't now) but that's all it was, a BUG. It was as solid and reliable as any Ruger revolver, but it wasn't much fun to shoot. Maybe one of the old 9mm would be more fun... In fact, if I happened upon one of those I'd probably snatch it up.
.38 was certainly manageable but not something I took to the range for a relaxing day plinking. Could be I'm a wimp, that's always a possibility.

I also once had an S&W586 in .357 that I sold because I prefer the GP. Half the cost and I think it's a better gun. I get strange looks even from non-S&W aficionados for that, but there you go.
And to top it off, in my opinion the new model with the awful Hogue grip has a much nicer trigger. (ETA - nicer than the old GP, not necessarily nicer than a S&W, sorry Ruger)

I have a 6" stainless, so it's pretty darn low on my list of carry guns. But .357 is like .38 in that tank. And I get an upper body workout just holding the thing :lol:

 

[CharlieW]

4 inch ... stainless steel .... adjustable sights .... the end.

REV

+1. That is what I have -- installed the orange insert front sight, and the more I shoot it, the smoother the trigger gets. Don't forget -- perfectly reliable for a nightstand gun.

 

[MMichaelAK]

Get the GP.
Then get the SP.
Nuff said on this issue.

 

[hugazombie]

^^^^^^^^ What he said :D


2 mos. ago bought my very first gun, a stainless 4" GP-100. A month later bought a 2" SP101 and replaced the stock grips with Hogue's. Shooting .357 is still quite a handful in the SP but very manageable. GP-100 does have a much smoother trigger though.

I've put enough rounds through them already that I'm thinking of moving up to a Super Redhawk Alaskan 2.5" 44 mag :D :D !

 

[JimB120]

Just realized I never responded to this with my decision. I hate it when a OP does that! :lol:

So I considered the avalanche of recommendations for a GP and finally got one at the end of the summer, then drifted back off into auto land.

Changed the Hogue rubbers out for some wood, and it is comfortable and accurate... and started shooting it.

Just love this gun! So much I decided to add a wheel gun for pocket carry. (I have been using a small 9mm.) Just picked up a LCR .38sp.

Thanks for all the great feedback!

 

[Chief_10Beers]

GP GP GP! Loves my 4" Model! :D ....................................