Seeking Advice on 3" GP100

[jwc]

I own a 6" GP100 and really enjoy shooting it, especially long range at metal swinging targets. I also have a full lug 4" 357/38 Special GP100 and am going to pick up a half lug 4" GP100 in 38 Special today.

I am so impressed with my 6" and 4" GP100's that I wonder if adding a 3" model to the mix would be worthwhile. I am not a collector and would regularly shoot a 3" GP100 if I bought one, but do not want to buy one if they are not much different than the 4" models.

Does the 3" GP100 shoot or carry significantly different than the 4" GP100? What other differences and benefits does the 3" have over the 4" GP100? What else should I consider regarding this decision?

This is clearly a want vs. need, so if sticking with my existing GP100 line up makes sense I will definitely be happy with that. I just keep wondering if there is anything I am missing without a 3" GP100 in the arsenal!

 

[stantheman86]

I have a 3" GP, and ended up giving it to my Dad to use for CC.



I myself found no real advantage over my 4" fixed sight models, as far as shootability..........but it does feel good in the hand with a set of compact Lett grips and it's just a neat gun!

My opinion only, for utility, and CC I prefer 4" guns like my Service Six or a GP100 fixed sight, but the 3" is just a little easier to carry, but not much. This is just my experience, I'm 6' 5" and so an inch of barrel doesn't make or break me with an IWB holster, which is what I use anyway.

Other people love the 3" and one guy calls it "the One", in other words, if they had one gun, it would be the 3" GP.

If you have any interest in a 3" I would get one while the oppurtunity presents itself.......there has been talk from Ruger for years to finally drop the 3" GP100 and the availability of them seems to be spotty, like Ruger makes them in "runs". Just like when S&W dropped the 3" 10's and 64's, the ones that are out there go for a premium and I think that would happen with the GP's. I emailed Ruger a while ago about why can't I find a 3" GP100 and they said "due to the SP101 filling the need in our lineup for a .357 CC revolver, we have scaled back on 3" GP production."

It's the only GP that still uses the fixed sight frame, and since LE and security orders for 4" fixed sight guns are a thing on the past, I think Ruger is now thinking of dropping the 3". My 3" is a blued model, and those were discontinued years ago, and also the .327 is only available in stainless........leading to my theory Ruger is also looking to phase out blued GP's, but that's for a different thread

Here's my blued 3" half lug, it's an import marked Canadian police trade in. It fell into my lap and so I couldn't pass it up. I didn't know much about it, this was about 2 years ago before I started to play "Ruger collector" and some guys on another forum were going nuts over it, saying how the blue half lug 3" is one of the rarest Ruger revolvers ever, and all this stuff, and I just bought it from a guy who had it for years and didn't want it because it was too heavy, and he got a S&W Airweight and wanted to unload the GP.......

 

[jwc]

Great reply, thank you

 

[GKC]

I have a 3" GP100 .357, and to me it is the ideal revolver...but not for CCW. It's too heavy. I do like it for SD in the home. I like the fixed sights, and the 3" barrel is neither too short (like a 2" or 2.5") nor too long (like the 4" and higher) for inside the home. It's not a range gun, for which I would want adjustable sights and a longer barrel...so, as I said, it fits ideally for what I want it to do (SD in the home, and I can carry it in the car as well.)

I have several pistols, but the GP100 is the one I keep loaded in the nightstand. For pocket/concealed carry, I have a S&W 642.

 

[stantheman86]

I always thought of the 4" revolver as the ideal multi-purpose length. I just got done popping off some +P's through my 4" Speed Six in the backyard, took it out to about 50 yards, shooting in the prone in SA. I was able to put up a decent group, enough that I would be confident taking a longer shot with this gun. I also use this Speed Six for CC and it hides perfectly under a button down shirt. I'm sure I could shoot equally as well with the 3", there's just a little less sight radius to work with and probably just a little less velocity but I doubt a bad guy would know the difference.

I guess overall my ideal defensive revolver would be no less than 3" and no more than 4". I am not a huge fan of snubs, or full size revolvers like Model 10's with 2" barrels. I feel it's not worth the sacrifice in velocity and pointability for a gun that's a little easier to carry. IMO 6" revolvers are open carry holster guns and range shooters or hunting revolvers. I tried to CC my 6" full lug GP100 in an IWB holster and that was a pretty uncomfortable trip to the store

 

[Boge]

Owning a 1 7/8" .357 & a 3" .357 I will add that the noise & concussion are greater than with a 4" model. There is always a tradeoff. However, a 3" revolver is more concealable. Just my 2 cents.

 

[stantheman86]

There's a reason the 4" was standard for LEO's and the military for so many years, it's the best balance of quick out of the leather, accuracy, handling, muzzle blast reduction and carry-ability. Bill Jordan said the 4" S&W 19 was the ultimate gunfighters gun. Many people still think so.

People are selling their souls for nice condition S&W 3" 13's and 65's, I've seen thrashed beaters go for $500 on GunBroker.

Go for the 3" GP100, you won't regret it a bit. My Dad loves his (formerly mine)

 

[Colonel Daddy]

Go for the 3" if you can find it.....just because......
It will probably be completely discontinued in a couple of years and the darned things should last a lifetime (or two or three!)
Too heavy for cc? For shame, for shame! I walk with a cane, sometimes with a walker and occasionally confined to a wheelchair. I cc either the KP90DC or the 3" SS Gp100.
Besides, one can never have too many fine hand guns, regardless of brand!

 

[stantheman86]

I'm even thinking of ordering a stainless 3" just to get one before they get "dropped". It might look good with a set of large Letts on it. Or compact Letts and a DAO hammer if Ican ever find another one......

 

[chris_]

Go for the 3" if you can find it.....just because......
It will probably be completely discontinued in a couple of years and the darned things should last a lifetime (or two or three!)
Too heavy for cc? For shame, for shame! I walk with a cane, sometimes with a walker and occasionally confined to a wheelchair. I cc either the KP90DC or the 3" SS Gp100.
Besides, one can never have too many fine hand guns, regardless of brand!

Good for you, Colonel Daddy. I always wonder about those strapping healthy folks who say a gun is too heavy. It's supposed to be heavy. Hope you have more cane days than wheelchair days.