GP100 or 1911?

[czechsonofagun]

My former employer passed on me some extra cash in the severance pay and (since the employer was pretty much on the liberal side) my plan is to spend the money on a handgun.

I narrowed my choices down to two:

GP100, .357, SS, 4" - I like revolvers and particular this one ever since I had a chance to shoot it.

1911 GI - the American Classic, no home should be without it IMHO

Opinions?

 

[MrJimi]

Go to your local gun shop and handle a Smith & Wesson
That will make your day
Jim

 

[Jimbrown]

Well it depends on how interested in guns you are. The revelvor is much simpler to use. But for me if I could only have one handgun it would be a 1911.

 

[TheHammer]

You can't go wrong either way.

If you're going to do a lot of shooting, consider the price of ammunition. A box of .38s is cheaper than a box of .45s.

 

[NewToy]

1911 all the way. Check out the Kimber concealed ultra carry. A truly fine piece of workmanship. Out of my 5 1911 based pistols the Kimber is the most accurate and reliable of all. Pick one up and shake it, you'll see. Downside, a bit pricey.
John

 

[chh]

Go 1911. I like shooting revolvers too, but I'm just not a fan of the .357. I just love shooting 1911's though. Those Kimbers are really, really nice, I just haven't gone that deep yet. I have an old high end LLama(it was a gift from a very good friend) and my son has a Rock Island he bought when he came back from Afganistan. It is a very solid performer for the price.

 

[BizDoc]

Boy, tough to decisions with the varying opinions.

But, I have the GP100 and absolutely love it. If I want a heavy load I load the 357 cal. but if not interested in the heavy load I load up with 38 cal. Much cheaper to shoot the 38 cal. The GP100 has worked flawlessly, I really like the feel of the revolver, the grips with the rubber and rosewood inlay is nice also. I at first thought I would change out for the hogue grips but after shooting the stock grips I liked them as well. the rubber has a good feel to it. The GP100 shoots a nice pattern in both the 357 and 38. As some one else stated it is mostly a matter of personal preference.

 

[RonMar]

It depends on what you want it for... If you are experienced, then a 1911 can be a heck of a lot of fun and an absolute show stopper for a defense gun in the right hands. A little more expensive to shoot and in my limited experience with .45's usually happiest with one particular type ammunition. It is kinda cool watching the bullet's air path as it heads down range though In a stressfull situation, general operation and dealing with any feed difficulties take training and practice to be able to overcome quickly and confidently.

If you are a little less experienced, a wheelgun is a little friendlier to shoot. As a defensive handgun, there is nothing to think about(is a round chambered, is the safety off, is it cocked), just pick, point and pull(squeeze) the trigger. Likleyhood of a jam is virtually zero in a stressfull situation. The GP will also not really care what you feed it so it is versatile like the .44. you can punch paper with inexpensive .38 specials or load full blown magnum rounds into it. The Ruger transfer bar safety lets you carry 6 safely chambered and you have the choice of using single or double action...

A 1911 carries a few more rounds, but IMO if you can't do it with 6, you probably won't be able to do it with a few more.

 

[weldingisfun]

I am fortunate enough to have both a GP 100 and a 1911. The GP 100 is a permanent fixture in my truck and the 1911 with Laser Max grips sits in the nightstand. Both are great shooters! You won't go wrong regardless of which one you choose.

 

[GaryM]

I'd have to go with the 1911. I won one last Spring, Para Ordinance, and it really shoots nice. The trigger pull is very crisp out of the box. GP100's are nice too, but get a 1911.