Talk me out of a G P 100

[Waveform]

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.

Nice old SS chaparrito! I had an early 150 prefix frame like yours with 2 3/4" barrel and I was always on the hunt for grips that fit it. Like finding hens teeth. I was able to locate a new set of original Ruger panels, a NOS set of Jay Scott oversize target stocks and a NOS set of Herrett's but never saw or even heard of any rubber grips by Pachmayr or Sile or Trausch that fit that frame. The 151 prefix frames sure - all day long. I ended selling my 150 prefix SS not long ago and quickly sold the extra grips as well. Lots of guys are desperate to find ANYTHING to fit that frame. To be honest unless I was a collector looking at a collector grade gun I would avoid the 150 prefix guns unless you know you're gonna be happy with the grip that's already on it. Good luck in your search and I hope you can find something that fits that you like (Pachmayr Gripper would be perfect if they ever made one.)

 

[John R]

Won't go wrong with a GP100, the're built like a tank, good shooter too.

 

[rjm6120]

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.

Thanks very much waveform! I will look up those guys.

 

[chaparrito]

Nice old SS chaparrito! I had an early 150 prefix frame like yours with 2 3/4" barrel and I was always on the hunt for grips that fit it. Like finding hens teeth. I was able to locate a new set of original Ruger panels, a NOS set of Jay Scott oversize target stocks and a NOS set of Herrett's but never saw or even heard of any rubber grips by Pachmayr or Sile or Trausch that fit that frame. The 151 prefix frames sure - all day long. I ended selling my 150 prefix SS not long ago and quickly sold the extra grips as well. Lots of guys are desperate to find ANYTHING to fit that frame. To be honest unless I was a collector looking at a collector grade gun I would avoid the 150 prefix guns unless you know you're gonna be happy with the grip that's already on it. Good luck in your search and I hope you can find something that fits that you like (Pachmayr Gripper would be perfect if they ever made one.)

Thanks. I did find one guy in Colorado who does customs who said he'd do it in wood. Some finger grooved combats, but the price was north of 300 dollars. Too rich for me. I'll just enjoy it with hot .38s before spending that kind of dough on grips.

 

[wingriderz]

Only thing holding me back for a. G P is re stocking the piggy bank

 

[Jaybr]

I just picked up a new 5" Gp100 about a week ago and shot it for the first time today. Very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. The trigger was pretty good out of the box but I did some polishing because they can always be better, also installed a spring kit.

Sold an unfired model 60 that's been sitting in the safe for a couple years to fund the Ruger.

 

[Rick_A]

Rugers certainly fall into the "best buy" category. When it came to a full framed 357 I settled for "best ever."
20140912_082322 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

It's all preference. They all shoot lead out the front.

 

[BigBill]

I think the best ever 357Magnum revolver to me was my python. Just as strong as my ruger security six in 357. The s&w is ok but it's not going to eat the hotter rounds my ruger and colt do.

 

[okto]

I won't. It's a great revolver.
Stock trigger pull is heavier than a Smith, but an action job and/or a lighter spring will sort that right out.

 

[SC_Mike]

My newest acquisition, just received it back today from Ruger.

GP 100 TALO in 6 inch barrel. Looking forward to bench shooting it tomorrow afternoon.

 

[wingriderz]

Very. Nice

 

[TeaDub]

The GP100 is an excellent revolver. I've had mine for 4-5 years and the trigger is pretty decent, stock. It's not quite as nice as my -4 Smith L-frame, but it works for me.

Locally, the Ruger revolvers have been creeping up in price. A GP100 is only about $125 cheaper than a 686. I never really liked the Hogue grips that Ruger now ships, so I bought a replacement grip from Altamont in "snakeskin". More authentic IMO, and they feel great.

 

[rjm6120]

Nice panels, TeaDub. I've been thinking about getting their replacement checkered fleur-de-lis pattern in walnut. Now I have a pretty good idea how they'll look.

 

[BigBill]

I been a ruger guy since '76. There about a Mack truck bulldog strong revolver as we can get. My '76 gf32 police service six in 357mg with 2 3/4" barrel has performed above and beyond the call. It's quality is tops. While it might not will the most beautiful contest she surely can digest any stout load. A few years ago my lgs put a mint security six in blue with a 6" barrel in the used gun case for $199. As soon as he put it in there I bought it.
The ruger revolvers are the strongest revolvers out there. There not pretty but they shoot great. I'd like to get a 6" 357 in stainless someday.

I think it's better than an S&W L frame strength wise. Start pumping up the 357mg/125gr jhp bullets to 1,597 fps and see which revolver can handle it. Loose screws? Ruger has no side plate screws. I like my smiths but facts is facts.

Note, my GF-32 had a tad rough action. A disassembly and lubing it with moly smoothed it right out. Today the action is so smooth I'll put it up against any factory action out there.

 

[ScottN]

I just traded into a GP100 Match Champion. It's my first 357 and reading this thread makes me excited! I already ordered the Wolf spring kit...and so it begins!

 

[kingsey]

My first revolver was a stainless 4" GP100 I bought used for $300. I loved it and shot it often. Since then I've bought more than a few S&W including a 19-4 6". The Smith has better fit and finish and I like it better and have thought about selling the Ruger but every time I shoot or handle it I just realize I can't sell it and one of my sons will own it someday.

 

[Bello]

Rugers are just ugly as hell SW are a beautiful piece of work

 

[Grayfox]

There's no doubt that Ruger builds a great revolver, but I never did like the GP-100. The thing just feels clunky to me and that brick of a barrel throws the balance way off.
I much prefer the older "Six" series guns. These feel much better in my hand and shoot like a champ.

I don't care for the newer S&Ws either. If it were me, I'd be looking for a good used older revolver by either company. But then, I'm a bit of a dinosaur anyway.