I am about to purchase my first handgun and I think I have decided on one of the ruger gp100 .357 magnum revolvers. Howerever, my final decision is between the 4 inch barrel with adjustable sights and the 3 inch barrel with fixed sights. The gun will primarily be used around the house target shooting/plinking but will occassionaly be carried. I was going to just get the 4 inch but think it would be too big to carry. So my two main questions are would/does the 3 inch version have substantially more recoil then the 4 inch version? Is the 4 inch barrel going to be more accurate? Does fixed sight versus adjustable sight really matter? Thanks for the help/

Id get the adjustable sights for general shooting. There wont be much difference in recoil between the two. The extra inch wont make much difference for carrying.

I have the 3" fixed sight version and like it a lot. Probably not as accurate as the adjustable sights, but shoots better than I can. Would like to have a 4" for hunting, but just haven't sprung for one yet. The 3" carries very well.

Welcome to the forum. Concealed carry? The GP100 is pretty heavy.... nothing wrong with them, though.

You might think about an SP101 if you are going to carry a lot.

I'd also recomend the 4 inch. The adjustable sights are very nice to have when shooting different loads, and carrying is easy in the winter or with a long dark shirt in summer.

If you aren't going to carry it concealed, and not carrying 8 hrs a day definitely the 4. Not but a few oz weight difference in the two and you will have less muzzle flip. I have an SP 3" for con carry, and a GP 4" and 6" and for targets formal and informal (cans etc) the 6 wins it!

Try looking at Gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com and search for a

Ruger Security Six. either 4" or 6" model. These are the foundation on which the GP series is laid and are oustanding values and excellent shooters. The GP and SP series has a certain elegance that is hard to resisit, like the S&W 686 series, but I digress.

I have a security six as well and in all honesty, it is kept in a gunrug and is the one thrown in the truck when we go on extended excursions to the mountains or the coast. It is a wee bit lighter, but still strong as Titan!

Anyway good values to be had on these two sites. If you buy one and don't like it, contact me and I'd probably take it off your hands. I have a new grandson and will at some point purchase one to leave to him!

One's first pistol should be a .22! You say, "The gun will primarily be used around the house target shooting/plinking…" You'll do a whole lot more shooting at .22 ammo prices than you will at .357 prices! With .22 recoil levels, you'll be able to develop good shooting technique, and avoid developing a flinch.

Get a Ruger or Browning Buckmark semi-auto, and you can plink like mad, or join a club and shoot in a league. You'll shoot and develop much more in league with other shooters, cuz it's more fun to have company.

You'll never outgrow that .22, I guarantee. Your second pistol can be something bigger!

.

good advice from gmd3006 !

a .22 revolver has the option of shooting shot cartridges for pests and an auto won't cycle though.

If you absolutely have to get a .357 as your first and of the two you listed, get the 4 inch with the adjustable sights.

You need a .22LR handgun. Same reasons as above.

I am about to purchase my first handgun and I think I have decided on one of the ruger gp100 .357 magnum revolvers. Howerever, my final decision is between the 4 inch barrel with adjustable sights and the 3 inch barrel with fixed sights. The gun will primarily be used around the house target shooting/plinking but will occassionaly be carried. I was going to just get the 4 inch but think it would be too big to carry. So my two main questions are would/does the 3 inch version have substantially more recoil then the 4 inch version? Is the 4 inch barrel going to be more accurate? Does fixed sight versus adjustable sight really matter? Thanks for the help/

I would go with the six inch for what you're intending the use for. I think it gives you better acuracy and flexibility. If you're going to carry for self defense, then naturally go with the 4" because it's more concealable.