Talk me out of a G P 100

[wingriderz]

I am saveing me piggy bank money for a .357 mag . I Like the 4 inch. But just started looking. At options in the smith line. It's. Going to be a while before. I make a buy. But willingly to go with the smith as well. I would like to have an opinion on which one. I like. The blued look better. Also. This will be a house. Gun not for carry and in new

 

[kbm6893]

Won't try to talk you out of it. The GP might be a bit less refined, but it's cheaper, has no internal lock, and is capable of handling pretty much anything you throw at it.

If I was looking to buy a NEW revolver today, I wouldn't even consider a Smith and Wesson. Two piece barrels. MIM parts. Internal lock. Just things I don't want in a revolver.

And Ruger has the best CS in the business. ANYTHING goes wrong with that gun, they'll fix it for free and FAST. A good friend of mine inherited his father's Ruger Security Six .357. His dad bought that new in the late 70's and fired probably 30,000 rounds through it. Nearly ALL .357. He was a reloader and never fired .38. As a matter of fact, that was the first .357 I ever shot. I was about 13.

When his dad died, my friend called Ruger to see about a makeover. The gun was a bit loose. Ruger paid for the shipping, completely refurbished the gun to new specs, and even reblued it, for free. They asked my buddy first, of course. Sent it back in a factory hard case. Whole thing took less than a month. Came back looking like it just came off the line.

Just buy the GP. You won't be sorry.

 

[Captain O]

Won't try to talk you out of it. The GP might be a bit less refined, but it's cheaper, has no internal lock, and is capable of handling pretty much anything you throw at it.

If I was looking to buy a NEW revolver today, I wouldn't even consider a Smith and Wesson. Two piece barrels. MIM parts. Internal lock. Just things I don't want in a revolver.

And Ruger has the best CS in the business. ANYTHING goes wrong with that gun, they'll fix it for free and FAST. A good friend of mine inherited his father's Ruger Security Six .357. His dad bought that new in the late 70's and fired probably 30,000 rounds through it. Nearly ALL .357. He was a reloader and never fired .38. As a matter of fact, that was the first .357 I ever shot. I was about 13.

When his dad died, my friend called Ruger to see about a makeover. The gun was a bit loose. Ruger paid for the shipping, completely refurbished the gun to new specs, and even reblued it, for free. They asked my buddy first, of course. Sent it back in a factory hard case. Whole thing took less than a month. Came back looking like it just came off the line.

Just buy the GP. You won't be sorry.

You'll be better off of you buy the GP100. Ruger stands by it's products.

I'll buy more of them as time goes on. (I want a custom 8" barreled GP100 in .327 Federal Magnum and another identical revolver rechambered for the 10mm auto cartridge).

These will make marvelous "field and farm" revolvers.

 

[MAJPATT]

The Ruger GP100 seems like a fine gun. Not my style though. I prefer a .44 Magnum to a .357, but my go to .357 is a 627 PC. Trigger pull is smooth and quick; superior to the GP.

 

[Bobthegod]

So let me tell you my story. First off I have a S&W 6.5" 500 Magnum.
I love this gun. Shoot 350gr's all day without issue or stiff recoil.

I also have 3 GP100's. A 4.2" Stainless Steel .357 Magnum, a 6" Blued (which really looks more black) .357 Magnum and a 4.2" Stainless Steel
.327 Magnum.

These are all tanks. built strong and will last a lifetime. Ruger's, as you heard stand by their products. They are very easy to work on yourself. I've changed the trigger and hammer springs myself in no time to lighten them up. Also you can get a lot of grips for them. I've purchased Altamont Rubber grips and then installed chiggrips(.com) panels in them. He makes mighty fine panels.

So the 4.2 inch 357 is a fine gun and you would really like it I'm sure. The .327 magnum is really fine piece. Stats right up there with the .357 and holds 7 rounds compared to 6 in the .357 magnum.

The .327 is bit harder to find these days and they come at a premium price.

Good luck, get the .357you wont be disappointed and don't forget to check out the GP100 Match Champion Edition it is also a fine one that I will get soon. Besides even if you didn't like selling one goes real fast.

 

[Waveform]

I'm a bit of a GP100 nut and know them intimately. It's a great platform - sturdy, robust and backed by outstanding customer service. Last year a friend of mine found a 20 year old 4" stainless steel GP100 for $350 that developed some function issues - the trigger wouldn't reset every once in a while. He sent it up to Ruger and they completely rebuilt it and shipped it back. For free. No questions asked. Really amazing CS stories like this are pretty common.

In my opinion the GP100 is overbuilt in many respects and lacks the refinement of the 686. It can be said the GP100 is somewhat clunky or chunky in the aesthetics department. The GP100 trigger group does respond well to action work and most actually need it to some extent. I've read comments from owners who rave about how wonderful the trigger is on their new GP100 but I've had close to 30 new GP100s pass through my hands and I have yet to find one that I liked right out of the box. I prefer the feel of a S&W trigger. It's crisper. Hard to put into words but try 'em both for yourself and see what you think.

FWIW - new GP100s now have MIM triggers. Just sayin.....

Thought I should perhaps back up my claim to know the GP100 "intimately". Below are several GP100s that I have modified to try to improve on the otherwise rather mundane styling that comes out of Newport, NH. The reference to S&W styling should be obvious to the folks here...

 

[Cal44]

Here is my GP-100 in blue. Great gun. Accurate with good trigger.

IMHO, you should buy one.

Looks like my 642 wanted it picture taken also.

 

[clang444]

The first revolver I ever bought was a 4" stainless GP100. I bought it over 20 years ago. I was very happy with it until I started collecting (accumulating really) Smith & Wessons. After my first 4" Highway Patrolman (pre-28) and NYSP marked 681, the Ruger didn't get shot any more.

I eventually traded it for a 10mm S&W 1076.

I still have my 4" 1st gen SP101 in 22 lr and a 9mm Speed Six, but no more GPs.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Before there was a GP-100 there was a Security Six. I owned this one years before I owned most of my S&Ws:

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: Other Brands - Revolvers - Picture

Yes, it, too, was mundane, so I jazzed it up with Hogue target grips. People laugh when they see it. They stop laughing after I use it and they see what I can do with it. It is not a hideout gun or of much use for concealed carry although it's not all that hard to conceal in cold weather. My point, however, is that it is a work horse, will never fail, and is of high quality. I am a S&W aficionado - I only have two Rugers revolvers compared to I am not sure how many S&Ws. But I can't see a good reason to dissuade you from the GP-100 if you want a workhorse of a revolver.

If you want a sexier gun that might get derogated because of its lock but, if you don't care, then get one of these:

Smith & Wesson Forum - ISCS Yoda's Album: S&W Revolvers - Picture

It's a wonderful gun. Period.

 

[eveled]

I love my GP, mine is a 4inch fixed sight gun, and it has been great. Here it is with my SP101 full lug .22lr. (they compliment each other)

Waveform, I have been admiring your work on your GP's for a long time. I am not a member of the forum you usually post at, so I haven't posted any comments. You have a nice eye, and a lot of talent, and some very nice GP's.

I wonder what Ruger CS, would say if you ever had to send your's in for repair.

 

[AlHunt]

I am saveing me piggy bank money for a .357 mag . I Like the 4 inch. But just started looking. At options in the smith line. It's. Going to be a while before. I make a buy. But willingly to go with the smith as well. I would like to have an opinion on which one. I like. The blued look better. Also. This will be a house. Gun not for carry and in new

Really, you've had excellent advice here. For a house gun, either one would serve perfectly well. Were it me, frankly, I'd probably buy the Ruger.

 

[Waveform]

Waveform, I have been admiring your work on your GP's for a long time. I am not a member of the forum you usually post at, so I haven't posted any comments. You have a nice eye, and a lot of talent, and some very nice GP's.

I wonder what Ruger CS, would say if you ever had to send your's in for repair.

Thanks for the compliment. I know better than to send any of my customs back in to Ruger. They're mine in the fullest sense of the word! But that's OK - folks with customs by Gemini, Bowen, Turnbull, etc. are all in the same boat in that regard. Once you decide to go down this path there's no turning back. But parts are available and good smiths are abundant who can work on the GP100 if I ever encountered anything I couldn't handle. I think it would be fun to send one in to Ruger CS just to find out what they would say....

 

[s&w-noob]

the gp100 was my first revolver. def a good choice. i like the 4 inch the best.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

As a funny aside, I forget to mention that last summer I went to a range with about a half dozen friends. I brought my 4" Ruger Service Six because I was fixing to head to Colorado and bear country and I didn't want to put a fancy S&W in my luggage. The gun was to accompany me solely at my friend's house as we hung out on the veranda in case of incoming critters.

Anyway, I fired a lot of rounds through it to refamiliarize myself with the gun because it had been awhile since I used it. Meanwhile, my friends were shooting a variety of modern semi-auto pistols. At one point I turned to one of them, who seemingly couldn't get a solitary good group with his pistol (a Glock, I think) and I said, "Do you want to shoot a real gun?" One round fired, one bullseye later, he sheepishly admitted he totally sucked with his pistol. I didn't blurt out "NO KIDDING??!!" but I mildly agreed with him and recommended a switch to revolvers.

That 4" Ruger Service Six is a heavy duty, non-recoiling beast - if the GP-100 is as good, with or without adjustable sights, "it'll do!".

I can't attach a picture. I left the gun in Colorado so I don't need to drag it along next time. Oh, well........

 

[wingriderz]

Thanks it will be the ruger for sure just got to put piggy bank back toghter.robbed it for a new xds. 45 c and M p 40 c so i am so broke lol. Thanks for advice Awsom replys . Sends pros and cons please

 

[kbm6893]

As a funny aside, I forget to mention that last summer I went to a range with about a half dozen friends. I brought my 4" Ruger Service Six because I was fixing to head to Colorado and bear country and I didn't want to put a fancy S&W in my luggage. The gun was to accompany me solely at my friend's house as we hung out on the veranda in case of incoming critters.

Anyway, I fired a lot of rounds through it to refamiliarize myself with the gun because it had been awhile since I used it. Meanwhile, my friends were shooting a variety of modern semi-auto pistols. At one point I turned to one of them, who seemingly couldn't get a solitary good group with his pistol (a Glock, I think) and I said, "Do you want to shoot a real gun?" One round fired, one bullseye later, he sheepishly admitted he totally sucked with his pistol. I didn't blurt out "NO KIDDING??!!" but I mildly agreed with him and recommended a switch to revolvers.

That 4" Ruger Service Six is a heavy duty, non-recoiling beast - if the GP-100 is as good, with or without adjustable sights, "it'll do!".

I can't attach a picture. I left the gun in Colorado so I don't need to drag it along next time. Oh, well........

I bought a GP100 4 years ago. Some security outfit was selling them. They traded them in for SIGs or something. Anyway, these sold for $299 and the came in a factory plastic case. They had the old style Lett grips which are MUCH better than the Hogue's the GP ships with now. As a matter of fact, I would either buy a used GP with the old Lett grips or factor in the price of replacing the awful Hogue's into the price of the new gun.

I have a stainless Service Six now. K frame size with full .357 mag capability. Best of both worlds. I miss that GP I sold, but it is pretty beefy.

 

[Sam Casey]

Match Champion

I am going to buy a Ruger 100 Match Champion. Just trying to decide whether to go with the Novac "fixed" or adjustable sights. Will not abandon my Smiths, but gun does get lots of good reviews and it will be something new for me. Appreciate input on sight choice (PM if thread drift makes you crazy) Thanks, Sam

 

[Warren Sear]

Alrighty then, here's why i won't buy a GP 100; It's a Ruger.


In his letter to members of the House and Senate on 30 March 1989, Bill Ruger stated in that which has come to be known as "The Ruger Letter":

"The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete, and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining "assault rifles" and "semi-automatic rifles" is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could prohibit their possession or sale and would effectively implement these objectives."

In addition to the furor amongst hunters, sportsmen and shooters caused by "The Ruger Letter", Mr. Ruger made additional comments during an interview with NBCs Tom Brokaw that angered 2nd Amendment proponents even further, by saying that "no honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun…" and, "I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 and 30 round magazines…"

 

[wingriderz]

Go for it no worries

 

[Sixgun100]

I'm a bit of a GP100 nut and know them intimately. It's a great platform - sturdy, robust and backed by outstanding customer service. Last year a friend of mine found a 20 year old 4" stainless steel GP100 for $350 that developed some function issues - the trigger wouldn't reset every once in a while. He sent it up to Ruger and they completely rebuilt it and shipped it back. For free. No questions asked. Really amazing CS stories like this are pretty common.

In my opinion the GP100 is overbuilt in many respects and lacks the refinement of the 686. It can be said the GP100 is somewhat clunky or chunky in the aesthetics department. The GP100 trigger group does respond well to action work and most actually need it to some extent. I've read comments from owners who rave about how wonderful the trigger is on their new GP100 but I've had close to 30 new GP100s pass through my hands and I have yet to find one that I liked right out of the box. I prefer the feel of a S&W trigger. It's crisper. Hard to put into words but try 'em both for yourself and see what you think.

FWIW - new GP100s now have MIM triggers. Just sayin.....

Thought I should perhaps back up my claim to know the GP100 "intimately". Below are several GP100s that I have modified to try to improve on the otherwise rather mundane styling that comes out of Newport, NH. The reference to S&W styling should be obvious to the folks here...

Hello Waveform: I know no one who is more of an authority on the GP-100 platform than you! Good to see your post here. As to the original Poster, they are great revolvers. I have the 3 inch and 4 inch models. I love both S&W and Ruger Revolvers. Good luck and best wishes with your decision! Jay