Ruger Forum

Lautermilch · July 6th, 2012, 09:24 AM

I loved my Blackhawk .357 but the loading time was a pain. I walked into a local gun store on the 4th and there was a SS GP 100 6 inch that was less than a year old and in half an hour it was on the way home with me.

I'm looking forward to seeing the improved accuracy I will have going from a 4.75 to a 6 inch.

Having a 9mm I've done a lot of research into the debate over ammo and the more I read about .357 and see what it can do the better l like it.

chanaski · July 6th, 2012, 10:59 AM

I have the 6" GP 100.
You'll love it. It kicks a$$.

bwinters · July 6th, 2012, 11:13 AM

Gp 100 is a great gun. Maybe GP stands for great pistol.

Colt Seavers · July 6th, 2012, 11:35 AM

Have a SS 6" full lug gp100 as well. Absolutely love it! Congrats on your new shooting buddy!

ExArmy11b · July 6th, 2012, 12:45 PM

I fired one of my 6" GP-100's today along with a 4" Service Six and at 10 yards I couldn't tell the groups apart. The GP has light Wolff springs, and so did the Service Six but the GP has the better trigger.

Still, you probably won't see much if any difference between the 4" GP vs. the 6", besides the longer sight radius and slight velocity bump.

clayinva · July 6th, 2012, 03:24 PM

Is there a major difference beween 4" and 6"? My next purchase will be a GP100; I have a 4" S&W 65 as well as a couple of autos. Is the 6" much harder to store and/or carry?

(p.s. to Chanaski - Like the Dark Tower quotes! - don't see much about Roland any more)

jackruff · July 6th, 2012, 04:39 PM

My 6" stainless full lug GP-100 .357 magnum is the most accurate handgun I own.

Sal1950 · July 6th, 2012, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clayinva

Is there a major difference beween 4" and 6"? My next purchase will be a GP100; I have a 4" S&W 65 as well as a couple of autos. Is the 6" much harder to store and/or carry?

If you put both guns in a Ramsom rest the difference between a 4" and 6" would be minimal. So then it come down to how good a shooter you are, the better you are the more the 2" increase in sight radius will allow you to use your skills. Still the differences will be small.
As far as carry there are two aspects that are important. How big a person are you and in what climate are you carrying?. I'm a small guy and live in Central FL, my usual dress about 300 days a year are short, tee shirt, and sandals, a 6" revolver is a VERY difficult CONCEALED carry for me. Best I can usually get away with is a Taurus TCP 380 in the front pocket of my shorts.
If you live in a northern climate or weight 250+ lbs, getting away with a 6" revolver CCW isn't too hard to pull off most of the time.
Sal

Salmoneye · July 7th, 2012, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal1950

So then it come down to how good a shooter you are, the better you are the more the 2" increase in sight radius will allow you to use your skills

It's the opposite...

The better shooter you are, the less that extra sight radius means...

North country gal · July 7th, 2012, 05:42 AM

+1 on barrel length. The difference between a 4" and a 6" is more of a psychological difference that anything you will see on paper. My 4" GP is as accurate as any revolver I've owned, even out to fifty yards, and that includes some 7 1/2" SRHs and SBHs. Go with the length you like and forget about it.

By the way, Lautermilch, welcome to the wonderful world of the GP. If there is one revolver every Ruger lover should own it's a GP-100.

Sal1950 · July 7th, 2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salmoneye

It's the opposite...

The better shooter you are, the less that extra sight radius means...

Nope, Sorry but your wrong.
Sal

ratgunner · July 7th, 2012, 06:55 AM

I agree with Sal1950

TMan51 · July 7th, 2012, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratgunner

I agree with Sal1950

Actually there's no difference in accuracy at all, and why would there be.

The difference is with the shooter's ability to maintain a proper and consistent sight picture. Technically, that amounts to the difference in the sight radius, but with enough ability, the difference becomes zero. The extra weight might be an edge, but not for everyone.

I regularly shoot my M637 Airweight next to guys with 6" barreled Smiths and Rugers. Many can't shoot as well at 7yds as I can shoot the snubbie at 20yds. Does that make short barrel guns more accurate?

exlogger · July 7th, 2012, 08:30 AM

When I go hunting I take my 6" handguns. For packing and everyday use it's a snub or 4". According to this data the velocity difference from a 4" to 6" is 172fps (with 158gr). This is a substantial amount in the hunting arena, when you consider velocity, energy, recoil, and sight radius.

The only way to effectively measure velocity by barrel length is with a chop saw. This a great read if you have the time. They do it for you, and if you want to argue grab your chop-saw and send them an email.

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: Home

Salmoneye · July 7th, 2012, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMan51

Actually there's no difference in accuracy at all, and why would there be.

The difference is with the shooter's ability to maintain a proper and consistent sight picture.

That was what I meant when I said the better shooter you are, the less that extra 2 inches of sight radius matters...

It seems to have gotten lost in the translation to some...