Ok I see this 3" GP-100 adjustable sight 38 Special at the OGCA. Buy it due to low price. Get it home and bore the cylinder holes deeper to turn it into a .357. I was aware that some 3" GP-100's have a shorter grip than the 4" and up guns. I found this grip with cracked panels and removed the Hogues it came with. My question is are these the shorter grips than the regular one or are these the standard ones. I am S&W guy so I don't know much about Rugers. If these are the short grips I have heard they take the SP-101 inserts. Any help you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks.
GP-100 Short Grip Question ?
- Thread starter Zipdog
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Your 3" GP has the Lett manufactured Ruger COMPACT grip. These were factory issue on the Fixed sight GP100s. The Fixed sight GP100s were 3" and 4" guns. Most 3" 357, and some 4" 357s were fixed sight. There were a very few 3" GP 357s with adjustable sights. Most 3" .38 Special GPs were adjustable sight. They also shipped with the COMPACT grip.
The COMPACT grip inserts were wood(Goncola Alves), and were the same as the SP101 inserts, with the exception of having a relief hole drilled on the back side, for the larger GP100 grip locator pin. If you look on the backside of the standard SP101 plastic insert, you will see the relief hole, and the plastic insert works in the COMPACT grip without any modification. I have original catalogs from the early days of the GP100(86-87) that shows the COMPACT grip with the plastic inserts, but I dont know if any ever shipped with the plastic inserts.
The SP101 was available with wood inserts as an extra cost option, and the wood inserts were available as an accessory from the Ruger parts department. These were drilled with the relief for the COMPACT grip, and were listed as fitting both SP and GP grips.
The newest SP101s that come with the checkered, and engraved inserts(2014), have the relief hole drilled, and will work in the COMPACT grip. The first style checkered, and engraved insert(2012), does not have the relief hole.
Many people prize the GP100 COMPACT grip, because its an excellent grip. Its just barely a full size grip, and allows better concealment for the smaller GPs. They bring anywhere from $40-$250 on the auction sights.
This is the first style checkered, and engraved insert, that isnt factory drilled. I drilled the relief, and I like the look of this insert. This is my 3" 357 GP100.
The COMPACT grip inserts were wood(Goncola Alves), and were the same as the SP101 inserts, with the exception of having a relief hole drilled on the back side, for the larger GP100 grip locator pin. If you look on the backside of the standard SP101 plastic insert, you will see the relief hole, and the plastic insert works in the COMPACT grip without any modification. I have original catalogs from the early days of the GP100(86-87) that shows the COMPACT grip with the plastic inserts, but I dont know if any ever shipped with the plastic inserts.
The SP101 was available with wood inserts as an extra cost option, and the wood inserts were available as an accessory from the Ruger parts department. These were drilled with the relief for the COMPACT grip, and were listed as fitting both SP and GP grips.
The newest SP101s that come with the checkered, and engraved inserts(2014), have the relief hole drilled, and will work in the COMPACT grip. The first style checkered, and engraved insert(2012), does not have the relief hole.
Many people prize the GP100 COMPACT grip, because its an excellent grip. Its just barely a full size grip, and allows better concealment for the smaller GPs. They bring anywhere from $40-$250 on the auction sights.
This is the first style checkered, and engraved insert, that isnt factory drilled. I drilled the relief, and I like the look of this insert. This is my 3" 357 GP100.
Last edited:
KLYDE
Member
Weblance nailed it^^^^^^^
If you want the full sized grip go here Chig's Grips | Ruger SP101 & GP100 Grip Panels
great prices and great service.
If you want the full sized grip go here Chig's Grips | Ruger SP101 & GP100 Grip Panels
great prices and great service.
Chigs Grips has very nice inserts, and they are reasonably priced. If you want inserts for the COMPACT grip body, order SP101 inserts, and tell them they are for the GP COMPACT grip. They will drill the relief, and you will be all set. Here are two pics of my GP100s, all with Chigs inserts. The first pic, all three are Cocobolo, and the second picture, Box Elder Burl. The 3" and both 4" GPs have the COMPACT grip, the 6" has the older original Lett supplied Ruger full size grip.
Last picture... SP101s with Chigs inserts. All are Cocobolo...
I like Ruger revolvers...
Thanks everyone for all the great information on the grips. I picked up the compact grips at a gun show and neither I nor the seller knew for sure what they were. Didn't want to order the inserts until I knew for sure which inserts to get. Both inserts are cracked. The gun I have was manufactured in 2012 and so came with the Hogue rubber grips. I don't really care for Ruger revolvers but this one was priced really cheap due to being 38 Special no one would buy it. I was able to ream the cylinder holes deeper with a reamer I already had from a misc. box bought at an auction. I like 3" revolvers but this is the only non Smith one I have. Around here Ruger revolvers are almost impossible to get rid of except for the SP-101. Thanks again to everyone who responded with the very helpful information. I'll get some grip inserts for it probably some checkered ones. I see that Altamont has some also but don't know if the ones for the SP-101 have the hole on the backside.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I read that what cracks the inserts is tightening the screw too much.
I left the Xenoy inserts on my SP-101, partly because they take more stress (including recoil) without cracking. But the wood panels on my 2004-made GP never cracked before I replaced them with Pachmayr Grippers.
I left the Xenoy inserts on my SP-101, partly because they take more stress (including recoil) without cracking. But the wood panels on my 2004-made GP never cracked before I replaced them with Pachmayr Grippers.
Erich
Member
I had my hickory heart inserts for my short Lett stocks made by Ruger Forum member "41 Magnum" and they are great. He also did some in maple burl for a woman judge friend that are just beautiful to see (but I don't have pix - sorry).
Here are mine:
Here are mine:
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