backpacking ruger

[APPALOUSA]

I spend a great deal of time wandering about outdoors and have decided I need a revolver to take with me. Most of my time is spent hiking/ backpacking less than 10 miles a day, so weight is an issue but Im not obsessed with it. for the california/arizona area a 357 is the round that seems the most appropriate, hogs, coyotes, tweakers and the occasional cougar are the only real problems. I ve settled on ruger due to reliability and cost but am stuck between the SP100 and GP100. The SP trades 10oz for one round, which is a fair trade so long as the gun isnt miserable to shoot. I ve been able to shoot a buddies GP and loved it, but no real experience with the SP. Anyone have experience with both?

And before you ask no I dont want a sw (nice, but pricey), glock 10mm (cant stand the grip), or anything other than a ruger

[Sutcliffe]

Ruger's tend to be overbuilt

I have an SP-101 snub that I love. The 4", adjustable sighted, version looks like a hiker's dream gun. The smaller cylinder wouldn't be an issue for me as to the amount of weight the weapon saves you over a full sized .357 mag.

[Cactus_Tim]

I have the 4" SP-101.
It's one of my favorite hiking guns. The other is my 686+.
Have you shot an SP-101?
If you have large hands the grip can seem kind of small.
I put a custom wood grip on mine and a Hogue grip on my other one(.22).
.357 is pretty stout to shoot out of it.
The new grips helped quite a bit.
.38 +P loads are easy enough to shoot with the stock grip.
Buffalo Bore makes some good rounds to carry in it.

[APPALOUSA]

I have an SP-101 snub that I love. The 4", adjustable sighted, version looks like a hiker's dream gun. The smaller cylinder wouldn't be an issue for me as to the amount of weight the weapon saves you over a full sized .357 mag.

did you shoot 38 special out of it or 357?

[APPALOUSA]

I have the 4" SP-101.
It's one of my favorite hiking guns. The other is my 686+.
Have you shot an SP-101?
If you have large hands the grip can seem kind of small.
I put a custom wood grip on mine and a Hogue grip on my other one(.22).
.357 is pretty stout to shoot out of it.
The new grips helped quite a bit.
.38 +P loads are easy enough to shoot with the stock grip.
Buffalo Bore makes some good rounds to carry in it.

I havent, I ve looked/asked around and havent been able to locate one. Are the 357s to harsh to enjoy practicing?

[Oceanbob]

I havent, I ve looked/asked around and havent been able to locate one. Are the 357s to harsh to enjoy practicing?

Yeah, I like the SP101 2 inch stainless. It has some recoil with .357 and not my first choice for 'enjoy practicing'.

I assume you have a Carry Permit for California, so carry whatever is the lightest for your backpack or holster.

You won't have any issues with animals. Maybe 2 legged types, so running .38 thru a wheel gun will work and be less daunting (painful) to practice with.

[Cactus_Tim]

I shot 100 rounds of Winchester .357 jacketed hollow point to get to know the gun after I brought it home.
The trigger guard made the knuckle of my middle finger start getting sore after about 50-75 rounds.
I installed a custom wood grip and it was much nicer after that.
The rubber Hogue grip is also a good option.
I mostly carry 158gr hard cast .38 special +P when I'm out in the wild.



Or the 158gr lead semi wadcutter hollow point.

[NapalmCheese]

From a ballistics standpoint I wouldn't get anything shorter than the 3 inch SP-101 (or 3 inch anything in .357).

Recoil with full house .357 from an SP-101 is stout but manageable. Personally, I feel the S&W is a better fit for my hands. My wife disagrees and prefers the Ruger.

[APPALOUSA]

I shot 100 rounds of Winchester .357 jacketed hollow point to get to know the gun after I brought it home.
The trigger guard made the knuckle of my middle finger start getting sore after about 50-75 rounds.
I installed a custom wood grip and it was much nicer after that.
The rubber Hogue grip is also a good option.
I mostly carry 158gr hard cast .38 special +P when I'm out in the wild.



Or the 158gr lead semi wadcutter hollow point.

sounds like it holds its own then. may I ask which holster you use?

[Lead Waster]

I would say you should give up the extra round to get the weight savings. Why? Because you will carry it 100% of the time, and you will actually need to fire it ... ??? And you will need that extra round even less time than that.

I mean, realistically, when do you need that other round?

[JTROKS]

GP100 is great for backpacking. I used a 6" GP100 when I was living in Utah. Hiked many miles with it and depending on the weather dictated which holster to use. Light jacket weather I used a shoulder holster. During the summer time it was a high ride hip holster. Winter time I had a holster rig that can be slung over shoulder. I didn't have CCW at the time so I couldn't cover the gun.

Things I learned using the 357 on camping is not to shoot a lot of 38Spl loads during fun shoots unless you have a cleaning kit with you.

[Mr. Beretta]

I've owned & shot both.

GP100 all the way.

Cost is very close to the SP101 (which is a great gun BTW).

The GP100 will shoot any 38 / 357mag round you put in it. For back packing I suggest a 158gr semi wad cutter 357 mag round.

With a little care, the GP100 with out live us both and serve you well in the woods IMHO.

Good Luck.

[Sutcliffe]

It's actually the uncommon .38 Spl version

did you shoot 38 special out of it or 357?

Even +P stuff is easy to shoot. Magnum rounds in any kind of a snub just isn't for me.

[mievil]

3" LCRx. That's what I'm a gonna get.

[lastinline]

I own and shoot both. I CCW the SP101 2", as it is much more handy and easier to carry than the GP100. In a backpacking/hiking scenario you will most likely never even use the weapon, and after a few trips my money says the GP100 will be left back at home due to it's size and bulk. At least with the SP101 you have a very good option for CCW even when you are not on the trail. It is a rock solid, dependable weapon that offers good performance and durability. Loaded with the Buffalo Bore .38+P's it should be very good for your intended use.
One last point: Don't feel hesitant for choosing a good revolver for social purposes; they work very well for that.