If you are talking .357 magnum, capacity and size. GP100 is six shot and much larger. SP101 is five shot but much smaller. GP101 can manage .357 recoil better. SP101 much easier to conceal. Other differences would include price and barrel length.
Which would I prefer? Depends on for what purpose I was purchasing a gun.
The SP101 is a concealment gun, more compact than the GP. The SP101 also has a 5-shot cylinder as well, if I remember correctly.
EDIT: lafayettela types faster than I do. I would also add that of the two, I own a GP100. It's role is as an open-carry piece that I carry when I'm in the hills. It's more controllable, being a service revolver.
For full house magnum loads I prefer the larger and heavier GP100. Mine has a 3 inch barrel and I can conceal it pretty easily, it lives in my truck and I've had to carry it when I've gone places after work (I can't carry at work). I have a Galco Paddle holster and no one is the wiser.
I've had both since they were first introduced. The GP100 is my favorite handgun, and I have lots. I carry a 3", compete in IDPA, USPSA and ICORE with a 4", and hunt with a 6". If you are looking for a shooter, go with a 4" GP. If you are looking for a fine carry piece, go with a 3" GP.
lafayettela noted that the GP100 will handle .357 recoil better -- and he's right. However, that doesn't mean the SP101 doesn't handle .357 recoil -- it's a heavy revolver as well and doesn't do poorly with the recoil.
BTW -- I grew up in Lafayette, La! Go Cajuns! (but they were Bulldogs back then)
When comparing the sizes of the GP100 and SP101, you might compare them to their S&W counterparts. The GP100 is a 6 shot, medium frame .357 comparable to the S&W L frame 686. The SP101 is a small frame, 5 shot comparable to the J frame 60. The GP100 is probably a better range gun for most people. The 4” weighs about 40 oz. The SP101 is probably a better carry gun. I have a 3” and 4” and they weigh 27 oz. and 29 oz. respectively. I like all of them.
4 and 6 are your choices I have the 6 and am very happy with it around the farm here for an edc tho i would say most people would find the 4 more practical
There is a full lug limited run 5" and the 6" half lug, which turned out to be a limited run. I have one of the 6" half lug. It is a very nice gun. The 6" full lug is more muzzle heavy than I prefer.
new and used will both be good most used guns are in pretty decent shape not many people who shoot more than a few times a year % wise but give it a good look over before you buy i prefer used guns they get job done just as well for alot less $
$650 new is kind of steep -- they go for a little more than $500 at the gun shows here in Houston.
It will last forever -- once you see and hold one, you'll know why.
BT -- the trigger often needs a little stoning or cleanup on a new Ruger. You can disassemble it and stone it (Google Ruger trigger job) -- or, you can load it up with snap-caps and pull the trigger a coupla thousand times. Works just as well (although it'll wear your finger out)!
The only spring I think he's referring too is the one I mentioned where you remove a few coils. It's a different process compared to one he's illustrating for single actions.
He expresses all of about 2 sentences describing the process of sniping off a few coils...I just don't think that's reliable for a firearm that someone intends to carry on a daily basis...especially when your life depends on it. The trigger pull isn't that bad that I'd want to jeopardized reliability for one hole groups at 25 yards.
single actions...yes...double actions...not so much....
People have eliminated coils themselves...but that may or may not come at a compromise to reliability...so anyone interested should proceed with caution when doing this to an everyday carry firearm.
Oh, I definitely don't advocate clipping coils. I made that mistake with paintball guns when I was younger; doing that to a real firearm is absolutely something I wouldn't chamfer. I was referring only to his method of smoothing the action.
Back to the original subject, either or is a great gun, because it's a Ruger. my wife and I have a Mini14 and a Mark III, and both are fantastic. There's a reason for the reputation.
Congrats on your purchase, you just bought an awesome firearm that can and will give you many years of faithful service.
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