Pale Ryder

I'm looking to buy my first revolver in the next few months when I get the money saved up. I'm debating what to buy and thought I would get some opinions. A few other forums suggested Rugers both GPs and SPs and I stumbled on this site and just joined.

I will most likely carry this gun in the woods but will not be hunting with it. I have my rifle for that. Just have the pistol in case I run up on anything or it runs up on me. I will also use it when fishing. There's a reasonable chance that I might CCW with it, but more than likely it will be put in the car for trips and such. And it might see some nightstand duty from time to time. I have a Glock 19 currently and it can/does fill all these roles as right now, but I want a revolver.

I haven't shot revolvers very much. Most handgun experience is with my Glock. I'm leaning 3in SP101 in .357. I don't reload so I though the .327 might be expensive to shoot. Want to be able to shoot it enough to learn how to handle/control a revolver vs semi. Any opinions? Suggestions? SP101? 4in GP100?

Revoliver

A 3" or 4" .357 magnum sp101 sounds perfect for your needs. It's a solid reliable tough as nails revolver.

nixpap

i got the 3 in sp 101 in 357 and i really like it.

Benemorte

Yet another vote for the SP101 3" .357

bearcatter

Sounds like you need a good general purpose revolver, which would be the GP-100. But also sounds like you will be toting it around for some time, and/or distance, so the lighter and smaller SP would be a #1 choice. Three inch barrel would be a good compromise for all your uses.

reevolvers

Don't forget the 3 inch GP 100 option! I have one and its a great gun. With the proper holster and belt the weight shouldn't be an issue.

shootist

Well the GP100 is a bit big for carry, the SP101 will work lots better but go with the 2 1/4" barrel like I did, easier to conceal than the 3", even with my 2 1/4" some times it sticks out from under my shirt so you don't want anything longer for carry.

57Frontier

I've a 4" gp100, 3" sp101, 2 1/4" sp101, and a 3" gp100. The only one that is left is the 3"gp100. Out of this bunch it was the best all around frame for my needs (shooting fun, carrying, ect...).

Pale Ryder

If CCW were off the table would the SP still get the vote or would the GP start to win out for field carry?

shootist

The SP101 would be a OK field carry but I would sure rather have a full size gun for that and would go GP100 for that purpose out of the 2, out of my personal perference I carry a blackhawk or Vaquero for field.

Nutty Ned

First revolver get the GP 100 and learn the fundamentals with
less recoil than you'll get with the SP 101.

SnakeChief

I have the 3" 357 it is great. If you have large hands or find the recoil to much get Hogues or Pachmayr grips. I will say one thing though, holsters are harder to find for 3" vs. 2.25". Oh yes, the trigger pull is quite stiff. You will have to dry fire, live fire, polish internals or possibly do a spring job. I dry fired mine with snap caps maybe 1,000 times, plus several boxes of 357. Works fine now. Oh yeah, the front site has no color. You may not like that. I used fluorescent nail polish, but that looked cheap, so I bought a Meprolight night site for the front. The gun is perfect now.

terry_p

The only thing that might be problematic for a GP would be concealed carry. I agree for the first revolver the GP
makes the most sense particularly when you include nightstand.

shootist

My advice is buy both you know you want them both just take the plung

Pale Ryder

Haha would love both. The more I think about it I think the SP would be good for now and some limited CCW. I have the Glock for the nightstand. Then maybe a Blackhawk later on for field carry??????