Ruger Revolver question

[MaxMan]

What differentiates the Redhawk from the Blackhawk, from the GP 100 and GP 101?

I was looking at pictures and couldn't see anything really differentiating.
I saw this though.

 

[Richard76]

Redhawk is DA Blackhawk is single action and I think you mean GP100 and SP101 the GP100 being a larger frame

 

[Richard76]

both GP and SP are DA

 

[Fox Mike]

Just to compare my SP101 to a similar shaped GP 100. My SP weighs 25 oz where as the GP is 36 oz. Similar sized and cal Redhawk is 52 oz. and the Blackhawk is 48 oz.

 

[cellar701]

That Super GP100 pictured is an interesting critter. I guess I'm out of date on the double actions. 8 shot, built on the Super Redhawk action with shrouded barrel. A new one to me.

 

[Richard76]

I agree, never heard of Ruger making a super GP100. unusual frame and caliber for it

 

[sharpblade7777]

Top to bottom, redhawk, blackhawk, gp100, sp101.

 

[contender]

For the OP.
As shown,, there are substantial differences in the models.
The Redhawk is a Large framed Double action (DA) revolver.
The Blackhawk is a large frame Single-action (SA) revolver.
The GP-100 would be more of a medium framed DA revolver. It's smaller than the Redhawk,,, but still bigger than the SP-101.
The SP-101 (I'm not sure if there's a model GP-101) is the small framed DA revolver.

Now,, the picture shown is the Super GP-100 in 9mm. It was a Custom Shop,, 8-shot DA revolver built for competition. They have dropped the 9mm, but they still offer a .357 in it. I'd have to actually measure things,, but I THINK the Super GP-100 is on the normal sized GP frame. I may be wrong.

Richard76; "I agree, never heard of Ruger making a super GP100. unusual frame and caliber for it"

As noted,, yes,, they make a Super GP-100 and the one shown above is 9mm. It was built before the covid crap,, and not picked back up yet. As I've mentioned,, a Custom Shop gun. Look at the serial number of the pictured gun. CS6-00073. And it's marked 9mm on the barrel shroud. The concept for that one is speed competition games such as ICORE & USPSA.

 

[Sam Summey]

What differentiates the Redhawk from the Blackhawk, from the GP 100 and GP 101?

I was looking at pictures and couldn't see anything really differentiating.
I saw this though.
View attachment 66256

Are you a Troll?
There is a ton of difference between the three. Redhawk/Super Redhawk, GP100, SP101, all operate double action. RH/SRH are large frame, GP100 is a mid-frame, SP101 small frame.
In the case of the Blackhawk it operates single action, meaning you have to cock the hammer manually to shoot it. You failed to query the Bearcat which is a small frame single action.

 

[MaxMan]

Are you a Troll?
There is a ton of difference between the three. Redhawk/Super Redhawk, GP100, SP101, all operate double action. RH/SRH are large frame, GP100 is a mid-frame, SP101 small frame.
In the case of the Blackhawk it operates single action, meaning you have to cock the hammer manually to shoot it. You failed to query the Bearcat which is a small frame single action.

I don't live under a bridge and I don't eat goats, so I guess not. I just asked the question as I saw the posts with the different names. Most members here are fully versed. Just looking at the pictures I could not tell S/A from D/A, maybe it would be obvious if I knew what to look for. I don't know why the snarky comment to someone just trying to get more knowledge. I hope this doesn't chill the enthusiasm for others who might have questions.

 

[Dan in MI]

I don't live under a bridge and I don't eat goats, so I guess not. I just asked the question as I saw the posts with the different names. Most members here are fully versed. Just looking at the pictures I could not tell S/A from D/A, maybe it would be obvious if I knew what to look for. I don't know why the snarky comment to someone just trying to get more knowledge. I hope this doesn't chill the enthusiasm for others who might have questions.

Do you own any Ruger firearms? Are you a general firearm enthusiast but just now looking at Rugers?

And for the record, I do live under a bridge, and am called a troll (just ask anyone from the Upper Peninsula )

 

[MaxMan]

Do you own any Ruger firearms? Are you a general firearm enthusiast but just now looking at Rugers?

And for the record, I do live under a bridge, and am called a troll (just ask anyone from the Upper Peninsula )

I have a Max 9 and a 1022. Looking at revolvers now. For me they are not cheap, but I realize quality rarely is. I also have an XD 9, a H&R 949, and a Heritage Rough rider, and others. I came to the forum after getting the max 9. But I am getting hooked on the idea of a Ruger Revolver. I think. The 327 mag intrigues me, but the cost of ammo may be a turn off.

 

[hittman]

Seems 22LR about the most economical revolver to shoot …. Ruger has several options

 

[Sam Summey]

I have a Max 9 and a 1022. Looking at revolvers now. For me they are not cheap, but I realize quality rarely is. I also have an XD 9, a H&R 949, and a Heritage Rough rider, and others. I came to the forum after getting the max 9. But I am getting hooked on the idea of a Ruger Revolver. I think. The 327 mag intrigues me, but the cost of ammo may be a turn off.

Checking availability with my largest distributor, they list 8 sku of 327 that are in stock. Only one sku with 50 cartridges that would retail for around $40 per box. All the other skus have only 20-25 rounds per box, self defense type projectiles, their retail would be about $40 per box. Ouch!

 

[Dan in MI]

Yeah I think the .327 is a reloading type caliber if you shoot it much.

 

[s4s4u]

I don't live under a bridge and I don't eat goats, so I guess not. I just asked the question as I saw the posts with the different names. Most members here are fully versed. Just looking at the pictures I could not tell S/A from D/A, maybe it would be obvious if I knew what to look for. I don't know why the snarky comment to someone just trying to get more knowledge. I hope this doesn't chill the enthusiasm for others who might have questions.

This might be a good read in your case:

https://inside.safariland.com/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-revolvers/

 

[Lt92]

I don't live under a bridge and I don't eat goats, so I guess not. I just asked the question as I saw the posts with the different names. Most members here are fully versed. Just looking at the pictures I could not tell S/A from D/A, maybe it would be obvious if I knew what to look for. I don't know why the snarky comment to someone just trying to get more knowledge. I hope this doesn't chill the enthusiasm for others who might have questions.

The reason you received a "snarky" comment was due to left wing nut trolls who have victimized many online forums to the point we (all) are hyper sensitive and wary. Don't take it personally. What I suggest going fwd; if you ask a question regarding an issue you have little knowledge of, you may wish to preface the question like this: " I know this question may sound silly, but I really don't know/see the difference between (the) platforms...I'm new to these type platforms and would appreciate some info....or words to that effect...just a thought

 

[thinckley]

TBH, I can't tell the difference between Single-Action and Double-Action from looking at them, so that part of the questions is extremely valid.

Personally, (if you couldn't tell) I am a huge fan of the Single-Action Blackhawks and Single-Sixes, mostly the old models, but I do have 3 new model Single-Sixes. I own two DA revolvers, an S&W 686 I inherited from my wife's aunt, and a GP100 I picked up for my wife to carry in Montana.

 

[rugerguy]

it was easy in the old days, they were either 'cowboy' guns or police guns and we all knew who carried , what..........

....and then along came "space guns" in the 50s.....

 

[el caminero]

Do you own any Ruger firearms? Are you a general firearm enthusiast but just now looking at Rugers?

And for the record, I do live under a bridge, and am called a troll (just ask anyone from the Upper Peninsula )

Be careful dem yoopers, eh.

 

[MaxMan]

The reason you received a "snarky" comment was due to left wing nut trolls who have victimized many online forums to the point we (all) are hyper sensitive and wary. Don't take it personally. What I suggest going fwd; if you ask a question regarding an issue you have little knowledge of, you may wish to preface the question like this: " I know this question may sound silly, but I really don't know/see the difference between (the) platforms...I'm new to these type platforms and would appreciate some info....or words to that effect...just a thought

Thanks. good advice. I don't take it personally, but after reading the Pull up another cup of coffee thread, I thopguht it was out of place.

 

[vlavalle]

I don't live under a bridge and I don't eat goats, so I guess not. I just asked the question as I saw the posts with the different names. Most members here are fully versed. Just looking at the pictures I could not tell S/A from D/A, maybe it would be obvious if I knew what to look for. I don't know why the snarky comment to someone just trying to get more knowledge. I hope this doesn't chill the enthusiasm for others who might have questions.

Your original question was quite valid, especially if you do not own any of these type of Rugers. But there are a lot of people on this site that are rather closed minded, and love to come off like know-it-alls. Please ask away when you do not know something about any gun.

 

[Richard76]

If you can afford it I believe the GP100 in 357 would be just about perfect for your first medium frame D/A . I have had one for decades and it is still my go to. It also can lead you into reloading. there was a time when 38 brass was in abundance at the ranges and I picked up a 5 gal pail of it. Also collected wheel weights from local garages and cast my own bullets. reloading 38+P this way was quite inexpensive and I've shot 10's of thousands of rounds through the pistol with no issues. whatever you choose shoot often and shoot safe.

 

[vlavalle]

The reason you received a "snarky" comment was due to left wing nut trolls who have victimized many online forums to the point we (all) are hyper sensitive and wary. Don't take it personally. What I suggest going fwd; if you ask a question regarding an issue you have little knowledge of, you may wish to preface the question like this: " I know this question may sound silly, but I really don't know/see the difference between (the) platforms...I'm new to these type platforms and would appreciate some info....or words to that effect...just a thought

I seriously doubt it was a 'left wing' nut. I suspect that most of the users in this forum and die hard Republicans, quite opinionated, and biased quite often as well. Furthermore, putting blame on a political sect of this forum's clients is totally unjustified. But I do agree with you on the rest of it, although it should not be necessary to approach a question as if you are at fault, or do not know more. That is what questions are for.

 

[eveled]

For affordable ammo stick to .22lr and .357 mag revolvers. A .357 can shoot .38 special too.

SA (single action) AKA Cowboy guns.
you have to cock the hammer manually before each shot. They are loaded one at a time through a small door called a loading gate. The loading gate is the biggest visual clue it is a SA. Also the empty shells are ejected one at a time out of the loading gate with a sliding rod under the barrel. SA Rugers are Bearcat, Single six, Wrangler and Blackhawk.


DA (double action) AKA old fashioned cop guns. Pulling the trigger cocks and releases the hammer. No need to cock the hammer manually but it is usually an option if you so desire. Usually the cylinder swings out to load and the empty shells are ejected all at once.
Current Ruger DA revolvers from small to larger, SP101, GP100, Redhawk.

A .357 GP100 is a good start.

 

[MaxMan]

For affordable ammo stick to .22lr and .357 mag revolvers. A .357 can shoot .38 special too.

SA (single action) AKA Cowboy guns.
you have to cock the hammer manually before each shot. They are loaded one at a time through a small door called a loading gate. The loading gate is the biggest visual clue it is a SA.

Simple, thanks.

 

[stonebuster]

MaxMan, what would you be using your revolver for? Target shooting, home defense?

 

[MaxMan]

MaxMan, what would you be using your revolver for? Target shooting, home defense?

Mostly just target, plinking. I saw a single nine in ,22 wmr. That really caught my eye. Not going to pop any varmints that I can think of as we don't get a lot of that. Maybe look for the same gun in LR. I have an H7R 949, nice shape. But this being a Ruger forum, I think I have been indoctrinated. Anyway, need a closing or two before I can seriously look.

 

[hittman]

If you’re thinking of 22 mag remember it’s about the same price as 38 special …… more bang for the buck pun intended

 

[rugerguy]

easy to simply pass one off on a GOOD honest question, and yes lots to learn and know whats out there, sorry any of us "passed" you off or made a dig, just because WE KNOW any and most of the differences,and you do not, but even for us old timers, they start throwing around catalog numbers aside from ANY model names its can and does get confusing, I gave up on any and all "new" catalog numbers, heck, soon after the New Models came out and that goes back to the 1970s...used to be a system to see /know what the catalog numbers actually meant, no more these days.....and the pictures can be of little and no help either heck look at the old High Standard Double Nine revolver, against a Colt Scout or Ruger Single Six and they all look like "cowboy" single actions BUT the High Standard is BOTH single and double action ...and it get more difficult ,moreso today....so ask away and yes you will get many different answers most of them as to what their own likes and dislikes may be ( opinions) so gotta take it with a grain of salt,,BUT YOU have to do more 'homework' whether here on a forum , at the range, or a local gun shop ,or gun show,,,you'll find out fast who will even bother , or try to help you out,,,way too much to try and type out and answer on a forum for us old pharts,, heck if you were here ,local, it only takes "time" and thats one thing I have ,,heck I still do it at the gun shows for the most part. more than sales and I ain't really looking to buy these days ,been moving stuff for a few years now, cutting things down, locally as I do NOT care to do it " on line" with shipping and transfers these days, I want "hands on, look see, feel and touch" aforehand.............
Good luck and ask away....some of us will try and help you as you can see, read above.