Talk me out of a G P 100

[eveled]

I'm not a fan of the Novak sights on the GP100. The dovetail cut into the top strap must weaken it somewhat. Also it is a shorter sight radius than the regular adjustable sights. I'm sure it is still plenty strong, but I don't see the benefit.

Just my opinion FWIW,

 

[Sam Casey]

Many of us have our own petty grievances. I have never renewed my NRA membership since President Bush resigned his membership because of Wayne L's repeated reference to Federal Agents as "jackbooted thugs".

 

[Otreb]

The Rugers IMO are solid revolvers, I own a few including the Sp101, GP100, LCR along with their single actions and MKII. The advantages to the GP include strength ( though no question the L frames are strong enough) especially in the lockwork, ease of disassembly and slightly lower price vs the S&W. They also have very high quality bores and chambers...they seem to come clean very easy at least as well most of my smith and Wessons and better than many.
They come with a more mechanical DA trigger with a stiffer pull generally, though being easy to disassemble allows one to deburr and clean up the triggers without much difficulty.
They will also have more casting marks with less attention to the nooks and crannies compared to S&W or especially Colts.
Rougher and blockier guns vs S&W, but every bit the shooters and arguably tougher guns if you like the hot stuff.
Last time out with my 3" fixed sight GP, fixed sights are a little off with wadcutters, but much closer with 145gr .357 Silvertips it's normally loaded with.

 

[Sam Casey]

Good point on the Novak sight. I will probably follow your suggestion. I was just thinking that the adjustable looked a bit fragile in comparison and there really is an element of adjustability in the Novak.

 

[g17]

I can't talk you out of it because it's the only current mfg double action .357 revolver I'd own. I've had 3 of them, one 4" from the 80's, a 6" that I sold because I just never could warm up to the way it felt, and a recent 4" I bought for myself last December. The newest one has a few changes from the older in that it has an easier to remove firing pin (held in by a bushing vs cross pin) and the trigger is is different. Out of the box, a Ruger isn't nowhere near as smooth as the old Smiths but they aint bad either in my experience and after about 500 rounds down the pipe, they're just fine by me. I've got a passel of older 686's which is my favorite gun but as far as function and accuracy, the GP will hang toe to toe with them.

 

[Waveform]

Good point on the Novak sight. I will probably follow your suggestion. I was just thinking that the adjustable looked a bit fragile in comparison and there really is an element of adjustability in the Novak.

My 2 cents about the Match Champion - in both versions you sacrifice the replaceable front sight insert. That may or may not matter but there are a lot of front sight options out there for the standard insert - fiber optic, tritium, red insert, solid colors, etc. If IPDA is your game then the full Novak set up is probably all you need. That's what Ruger was trying to target (pun intended) with the MC. Easy holstering, quick sight acquisition and run-and-gun shooting. If you are a bullseye target shooter get the adjustable rear sight. It's plenty robust for most folks (Ruger's been selling them on the GP100 for almost 30 years now) but if not you can always swap out the rear for a Bowen Rough Country rear. The Novak rear has adjustment for windage only, no elevation.

Don't make the mistake of equating Ruger's Match Champion with something from the Performance Center. The MC has a little more attention paid to it in assembly of the trigger group with shims used for both trigger and hammer. But don't expect a super tuned action like you would get from a good gunsmith.

It is the only GP100 with a recessed 11 degree target crown.

If you like the styling of the Match Champion then pick your sights and go for it.

 

[Geo. T.]

All Over the Map!

Wow in reading these posts my emotions have been all over the map! The importance of belonging an NRA member and Bill Ruger's laps in judgement will just have to wait.

Here is a brief telling of my revolver evolution. Hey I grew up a Coly man. My Dad's dad left me a colt lightening and my Mom's dad left me a Colt SSA in 32-20. My first 22 pistol was a Colt New Frontier. It always shot 6 inches left at 25 yards and even a new barrel did not cure this.

When I got the bug for a 44 Magnum I bought a Ruger Super Black Hawk. I never really cared for that gun and waited for Colt to come out with a 44. I bought a 29 and the quest for an accurate good handling revolver was over. I have had a blue 29 or a stainless 629 every since.

When my son turned 18 the 686 was brand new. I bought him a 6 inch. I now have a 4 inch 686 and a 442 and only have a 45 1911 by Colt.

Ruger's in this area sell slightly lower priced than a S&W but their trade in value or used price is also less. I just like the lines of a Smith better. I like their triggers better as well.

For a house gun I would buy a 686 in 4 or 6 inches. I do love the 22 autos that Ruger makes. Later! Geo. T.

 

[Jaymo]

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.

Also, a HELL of a lot more expensive.

I can't try to talk you out of a GP100. I own one. 4" stainless.
I love it. It's a lot more pleasant to shoot than a K frame .357.
Less money than a 686.
It's a damned fine revolver and is stout as hell.
Mine has a nice action and an action job would make it fantastic.
You can't go wrong with one.
I'd ditch the Hogue grip that the new ones come with. They feel like a dead snake to me.
Mine is one of the last to come with the original GP100 grip.
You can get them from Altamont grips.
In fact, I'm probably going to buy the checkered or fish-scale textured version that Altamont offers.
No functional reason for me to get them. I just like the way they look.

 

[Jaymo]

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…"

By that token, we could dwell on S&W's agreement with the Clinton administration and boycott them.
To do otherwise, would be hypocritical.

Personally, I think Bill Ruger and Ed Schulz were both just pandering to the Feds to try and get government contracts.
That's what happens when you sell your soul for riches.

 

[Jaymo]

Many of us have our own petty grievances. I have never renewed my NRA membership since President Bush resigned his membership because of Wayne L's repeated reference to Federal Agents as "jackbooted thugs".

You're right. That is petty. Wayne L was right, and Daddy Bush is anti-gun.
His joining and quitting the NRA was a political stunt.
Lets not forget that Daddy Bush started the whole "assault weapon" and "no sporting purpose" BS. Clinton just took the Bush ban and ran with it.

My personal reason for not renewing NRA membership is the fact that they have compromised way too much.
There is NO room for compromise, regarding rights.
Every time they compromise, we lose. We NEVER get anything in exchange. The leftists win and we lose.

 

[rjm6120]

I won't talk you out of one, either. This is a 3" version in .38 spl and I absolutely LOVE it. It was an internet purchase that unfortunately had to go back to Ruger to get the cylinder replaced (sort-of-long-story), but I can vouch for their impeccable customer service---turnaround time from sending it there to getting it back in my hands at work was 1.5 weeks. They even smoothed the action for me!

Waveform: PLEASE tell me where you got the all-wood grips for your GP's!

 

[ralph7]

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…"

Bill Ruger has been dead for over a decade.
If you want to boycott them for something a dead man said a long time ago, well ok.
Seems petty to me, though.

 

[MAJPATT]

Also, a HELL of a lot more expensive.

I can't try to talk you out of a GP100. I own one. 4" stainless.
I love it. It's a lot more pleasant to shoot than a K frame .357.
Less money than a 686.
It's a damned fine revolver and is stout as hell.
Mine has a nice action and an action job would make it fantastic.
You can't go wrong with one.
I'd ditch the Hogue grip that the new ones come with. They feel like a dead snake to me.
Mine is one of the last to come with the original GP100 grip.
You can get them from Altamont grips.
In fact, I'm probably going to buy the checkered or fish-scale textured version that Altamont offers.
No functional reason for me to get them. I just like the way they look.

It is a reasonable alternative. It is not like I suggested a Registered Magnum or a Korth.

 

[Rangerpat]

I've owned a GP100 stainless 4" for over 27 years. It is built like a tank and can handle any load in .357mag from mild to wild.
For your intended purpose of home defense it is a very good choice, if you run out of ammo you can beat the home invader to death with it.

 

[KSDeputy]

I love the photos and information. I never had anything but a S&W revolver. I had lots of them through the years. Two of my favorites were a model 65, and model 60.

 

[M3Stuart]

+1 on all the comments.

I'd probably buy the Match Champion if I didn't already have a 4" 686-4+.

I really like the 3" wiley clapp editions. BUT, the novak sights are not elevation adjustable, and with different weight bullets I'd be high or low all the time. So I'd go with the MC - the one with the adj rear sight vs. the one with the novak sights.

Once you get into 'range gun' category, the weight probably doesn't matter, at least not as much. That said, the Ruger's are heavier than the L frame S&Ws.

 

[shawn mccarver]

What the world needs now is a 4 inch GP100 with a barrel profile like the Security Six (standard ejector housing instead of the so-called "full lug").

 

[L Pete]

Discourage you! No way, I just bought a 3" version myself this week. They're good revolvers, and has been stated beaucoup times, they're very strong revolvers. What's not to like about a GP-100.

As far as grips go, yeah, mine came with the Hogue monstrosity grips, but I immediately ordered a set of the Lett style original type round butt grips for it at ShopRuger.com. Both the round and square butt styles are available again at that site, plus I got a 20% discount as a new gun purchaser.

I intend the revolver to be my new woods walker, and I anticipate no problems, other than having enough ammo to feed it.

Ruger is making some good stuff right now, and I was less than satisfied with my last new Smith & Wesson purchase three years ago. Ruger is getting my business for a while.

 

[chaparrito]

I have shot many GPs and love them. I bought my Security Six here on the forum after looking at a ton of beaters that were ugly as sin but still shot well. Love it. It's become a house gun. The wife is learning to shoot with it using .38s and she loves it too. My one and only beef with it is it is a very early model, made before a second generation change in the grip frame design and I cannot, for the life of me, find any grips for it other than the originals. If I could find a pair of rubbers for it I'd shoot it more.

 

[Waveform]

I won't talk you out of one, either. This is a 3" version in .38 spl and I absolutely LOVE it. It was an internet purchase that unfortunately had to go back to Ruger to get the cylinder replaced (sort-of-long-story), but I can vouch for their impeccable customer service---turnaround time from sending it there to getting it back in my hands at work was 1.5 weeks. They even smoothed the action for me!

Waveform: PLEASE tell me where you got the all-wood grips for your GP's!

Nice Model 1751! One of my favorites and the basis for a couple of the guns pictured. Unlike S&W Ruger makes all the GP100s with the same size cylinder and frame window and just reams the chamber for either 38 Special or 357 Magnum. That makes re-chambering a 38 to 357 a breeze with a cylinder finishing reamer.

To answer your question the dark wood grip on the extreme snubbie (2.6") is from a Thai grip maker named Jaruwan P. He sells on eBay. The black laminate grip is a Badger boot grip by Jim Badger in SC. I love the feel of that grip - even have it on a Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan 44 Mag.