CCW GP 100

[Maccool]

I am really fond of the 357 mag. and was wanting to get one as a carry gun but I would also like to use it for hunting too. At first I was looking at the sp101 with a 3 inch barrel for carry and a blackhawk  6.5  or gp 100 6 inch barrel for hunting, but I started looking at the 4 inch gp 100 for use as a one gun for both deal. What do you guys think one gun for both or go the two gun route, I don't ccw much , but love to hunt and go as much as I can.

[Savage]

Two distinctly different uses for one tool require you settle for one that's not really great for either. Don't know how easy you can conceal a revolver of this size, but I'm betting it wouldn't work with a variety of dress. Although the 4" GP 100 could do the job for some hunting situations, it would be a stretch for many. I'd go with a gun for each specific purpose. Hate compromises, and what's wrong with buying two guns??
Savage

[Maccool]

Thanks, that was what I thinking but wanted to have some other opinions on the matter, I have no problem with buying 2 guns but the wife always frowns when I bring up needing a new one, lol

[louiethelump]

I use one of my GP100 4" for CCW from time to time.  I use a Don Hume inside the waistband holster and with a shirt tail out it works as well as anything.  A bit heavy, but it works.  As far as hunting, it depends what you are hunting and where.  Here in the south where shots are close and the deer are small, the 357 works fine for deer and hogs and all the smaller stuff.  Where the deer are bigger; I don't know but 357 ammo has come a long way. 

Louie

[Savage]

I killed my first handgun deer with a .357. Single action JP Sauer. The .357 does a great job on deer if the ranges are sane. If I were handgun hunting today, I'd go with a good single action in .44mag or .45 Colt with an optic. Likely a low powered scope. I don't own one, but the SP 101 would be a good choice for CCW. My wife is understanding when it comes to needing new guns, but I rarely tell her about my purchases. Sometimes it's better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission -----------. Your situation may be different---------just sayin.
Savage

[Maccool]

I have two 44 mags a 6.5" S&W 629-5 classic with power port and 2x leupold and a Ruger  SBH 7.5" it did have a 4x leupold but just took it off and going iron sights on it. I just wanted the 357 mag cause I use a 357 mag H&R for deer hunting and wanted a handgun for the matching pair. But your right the wife doesn't even know what guns I have or don't have, I will wait and get her the CZ P-01 she wants then later get my 357s.

[Savage]

  I don't hunt anymore, but irons work ok for me inside 50yds. Were I to handgun hunt these days I'd likely opt for my BlackHawk .45 Colt, or maybe my 4" mdl 29.
I also have a 6" Security Six that would be a good choice if I were to go with the .357. Mine is SS and built like a tank. Paid $200 for mine, it's like new. If you can find one, it'd be an excellent choice as well.
Savage

[Lonegun1894]

I carry all the time, and it is almost always either a 5" 1911 .45 or my Ruger Security Six 4" .357 as the main gun with a Ruger Sp-101 as back up.  It all conceals very well, and the Security Six is almost exactly the same size as the GP-100.  So concealment should not be a problem in most circumstances.  As to hunting, as has been said, a 4" .357 may not be the best choice, and I prefer to hunt with my 7.5" Blackhawk .45, BUT my last deer was taken with that Security Six.  158gr cast bullet at 45yds head on, and the buck took three steps before falling over dead, and not a twitch.  So I dont feel undergunned in the least for our small deer down here, and dont think you will have any trouble with a double duty handgun as long as you can place the shot where it needs to go.
Now having said that, assuming money allowed, I would personally probably use the fact that a compromise gun isnt really the best hunting gun as an excuse to get two guns.  And did get a GP-100 6" recently also, but haven't had a chance to hunt with it yet.  Whatever you choose, best of luck.

[jimster]

My opinion is if your going to carry all the time no matter what with no exceptions get two guns, one heavier with adjustable sights for hunting and a lighter one that you would never leave home without and always have on you.  It's not all that comfy to carry a gp100 on you all day and night with no exceptions. So it really boils down to are you going to carry this and have it with you all the time no matter what.  A gp100 is too much work for me every single day, and I like to have more options for what I wear, a smaller gun gives me more options.  This is just my experience over the years, I carry big ones sometimes, colder weather and coats, but a little J frame size revolver is always close all year around no matter what I have on and it won't wear me out if go on a walk with my wife.  And sometimes she walks a long ways.

[Lloyd Smale]

ive carried 4 inch N frames consealed for years and there bigger yet.

[Old Griz]

Like Lloyd I have carried S&W N frames as a carry gun. Maybe not as comfortably as some others, but it can be done. (My favorite is a 3" 24-3 in .44 Special!) Heck, 95% of the time I'm lugging a Glock 21 and that's pretty good sized. BUT, my wife has a 3" SP101 and I have carried that on occasion. Great gun. I'd get that for a carry gun, and the GP100 for everything else. Just don't let the wife know you when you buy the second gun!

[NickSS]

I have carried a 4 inch GP 100 and other similar sized revolvers for CCW on numerous occasions and they are fine except for the middle of the summer where they bulge a bit for me.  My current carry gun is a Colt Officers model 1911 in a in the pants holster by Don Hume. It rides comfortable and is flat enough to hide well under a shirt in the summer.  Years ago I used a handgun for hunting for awhile and I tried a bunch of what I considered suitable ones and decided that that for longer shots where bullet placement is critical a longer barrel works much better than a short one.  The last gun that I used for this purpose was a Ruger Red Hawk in 44 mag with a 7.5 inch barrel.

[mjh]

Ye might think about the new sp 101 in .357 with the 4.2 inch barrel.  Smaller for CC, 5 rounds, legal in states that require a 4 inch mininum on barrel, adjustable sights.....both would be great.....