Evaluations Please: Ruger GP 100 ....
- Thread starter CZ Gunner
- Start date
I have a GP-100 like you describe but in 6". My range buddy bought a 4", so I'm pretty familiar with both.
You should probably do a search and will find all sorts of info, most of it favorable.
I love my GP, the trigger is a lot better after installing lighter springs. Gun feels totally solid and well built.
So far it is the gun I am most accurate with.
You should probably do a search and will find all sorts of info, most of it favorable.
I love my GP, the trigger is a lot better after installing lighter springs. Gun feels totally solid and well built.
So far it is the gun I am most accurate with.
I've got the 161, have put a couple thousand rounds through it with no problems. Added a set of Wolff springs, that along with the number of rounds fired has left me with a trigger pull that is equal to or better than my model 57 S&W.
If you'd like an idea of how well they're built; I screwed up at the loading bench and loaded 8 grains of Bulleseye under a 158gr lead bullet - max load is around 6 grains. Fired all six rounds, had to use a dowel to knock the spent brass from the cylinder. Try that with any other revolver in the Ruger price range.
If you'd like an idea of how well they're built; I screwed up at the loading bench and loaded 8 grains of Bulleseye under a 158gr lead bullet - max load is around 6 grains. Fired all six rounds, had to use a dowel to knock the spent brass from the cylinder. Try that with any other revolver in the Ruger price range.
Poodleshooter
New member
I've run some VERY hot loads through my Ruger KGP141. It handles everything with ease. It's really a very nice gun. After a few years, the trigger only gets better.
I also own 2 of these lil wonders. One is in original config. one is moderately customized......ie: action trigger job, barrel cut down to 3 inches, recrowned, all exterior surfaces polished, stupid warnings taken off barrel and me own name engraved where it used to be. Noone has enough money to get me to part with either of these.
nuff said!
nuff said!
Mike Irwin
Staff
Good solid guns, you could certainly do a lot worse.
My only general grip with them is that it can be very difficult to get a really good, smooth trigger pull with them.
My only general grip with them is that it can be very difficult to get a really good, smooth trigger pull with them.
The kgp141 and 161's where the first handguns I started my collection with. I am completely satisfied with them , so much so I bought a blued version of the 161 just for giggles (it was used and needed a home
) all mine are stock except for the front sights and grips , dependable , durable (they have been dropped by others and me 
) , I actually have gotten people to buy them by letting them try it out ( Ruger send checks to ......) so IMO buy one you won't be dissatisfied
) all mine are stock except for the front sights and grips , dependable , durable (they have been dropped by others and me ) , I actually have gotten people to buy them by letting them try it out ( Ruger send checks to ......) so IMO buy one you won't be dissatisfiedThe reputation is that while heavy among .357s, they're "light" in that they're the lightest .357 made that can take an unlimited diet of the most stout .357 mega-hunting-loads available.
They'll eat a regular diet of stuff that would stretch an S&W K-Frame to heck and gone, and would slowly tweak an L-Frame (which is basically similar in heft to the GP100). Only the S&W N-Frame is in the same ballpark in terms of strength as the GP100, and it's a bigger gun.
So the GP100's "strength to size ratio" is excellent.
Ruger used to make the Redhawk in .357 - that was THE strongest DA .357 ever made, end of discussion, bar none. Some are in the hands of professional ammo developers who use them as the ultimate in unbreakable load testers
. For most needs, that's overkill .
They'll eat a regular diet of stuff that would stretch an S&W K-Frame to heck and gone, and would slowly tweak an L-Frame (which is basically similar in heft to the GP100). Only the S&W N-Frame is in the same ballpark in terms of strength as the GP100, and it's a bigger gun.
So the GP100's "strength to size ratio" is excellent.
Ruger used to make the Redhawk in .357 - that was THE strongest DA .357 ever made, end of discussion, bar none. Some are in the hands of professional ammo developers who use them as the ultimate in unbreakable load testers
. For most needs, that's overkill .Before you buy one, close the cylinder and tip the muzzle down. Look to see if the cylinder actually slides forward toward the rear of the barrel. It will if the bolt cut is too long for the bolt. Try that for each chamber. Ruger's quality control is often faulty in this area, and it allows the barrel-cylinder gap to change as the cylinder moves. In the gun I had, the cylinder would ease forward enough to almost touch the rear of the bbl. !
Also, gently push the cylinder to the left and look at the crane from the front to see if a gap opens, and feel for crane motion. From the days of the Security-Six, Ruger has had sorry crane fit, with some motion often present. Part of the problem is that the locking bolt on the crane is often too small for the recess in the crane, allowing motion. If all fits well, it's probably a cooincidence, but a happy one!
Finally, if you hold the gun up to a light and look carefully, there's too much space around the base of the front sight, which looks like a piece of pot metal. This doesn't add to pride of ownership...
Oh: the rubber in the grip often tugs at the hand during recoil, especially if it's dirty from powder residue. It can actually rip the skin on your hand. I found out the hard way. I'm staying with Smith & Wessons. Of course, I individually inspect them, too.
If the quality control checks out okay, and you don't mind the somewhat crude appearance of the gun, the GP-100 is a wonderful piece.
Lone Star
Also, gently push the cylinder to the left and look at the crane from the front to see if a gap opens, and feel for crane motion. From the days of the Security-Six, Ruger has had sorry crane fit, with some motion often present. Part of the problem is that the locking bolt on the crane is often too small for the recess in the crane, allowing motion. If all fits well, it's probably a cooincidence, but a happy one!
Finally, if you hold the gun up to a light and look carefully, there's too much space around the base of the front sight, which looks like a piece of pot metal. This doesn't add to pride of ownership...
Oh: the rubber in the grip often tugs at the hand during recoil, especially if it's dirty from powder residue. It can actually rip the skin on your hand. I found out the hard way. I'm staying with Smith & Wessons. Of course, I individually inspect them, too.
If the quality control checks out okay, and you don't mind the somewhat crude appearance of the gun, the GP-100 is a wonderful piece.
Lone Star
Ruger GP100 .357mag.
One thing has always bothered me about Ruger Double Action Revolvers such as the GP100: If its overall design has technical merit, then why aren't there any competitors in the shooting sports who use them? Why isn't there a Ruger customshop and a market for custom Ruger revolver parts? Why isn't there a Ruger sponsored shooting team? Why don't gunsmiths other than Jack Weigand make an effort to customize them? Why don't they appreciate in value?
There is no doubt that the design is durable and strong-features suited to the larger calibers. I've heard that the French experimented with the Ruger design for their special forces revolvers? Info?
One thing has always bothered me about Ruger Double Action Revolvers such as the GP100: If its overall design has technical merit, then why aren't there any competitors in the shooting sports who use them? Why isn't there a Ruger customshop and a market for custom Ruger revolver parts? Why isn't there a Ruger sponsored shooting team? Why don't gunsmiths other than Jack Weigand make an effort to customize them? Why don't they appreciate in value?
There is no doubt that the design is durable and strong-features suited to the larger calibers. I've heard that the French experimented with the Ruger design for their special forces revolvers? Info?
Jack Weigand, the Guild Pistolsmith thinks the GP is way-overlooked as a competitive choice- particularly for USPCA. Other Top gunsmiths and distributors consider it the least trouble prone of any of the revolvers'http://www.milesfortis.com/guests/mcump/mc06.htm
629 shooter
New member
I owned a 4" GP100 stainless heavy barrel in the late 80's. The single action trigger pull was not in the class as the Smiths I owned at the time or the ones I have owned since then. It usually takes more than a spring kit to get that clean crisp trigger break. The grips to me fit well and made the gun pleasant to shoot. The rear sight takes 2 different size screwdrivers for the windage and elevation plus the adjustments did not have any feeling of precision. Never cared for the Ruger rear sight. However the accuracy of the GP100 I owned was fantastic! This was the most pleasing feature of the GP100 to me.
I may get another GP100 one day - in fact looked at one at the last gun show I was at. I would like to have some customizing performed next time I buy one. Having the warning message removed as mentioned by SgtGunner sounds like something I would like to do with all my Rugers! I will also look closely at the items metioned by Lone Star next time I go to a gun show. The last Ruger revolver I bought back in 2000 (Super Redhawk) had problems right out of the box so I am still somewhat leery. I seem to have the knack of running in to more than my fair share of problem guns in the last 10 years or so.
I may get another GP100 one day - in fact looked at one at the last gun show I was at. I would like to have some customizing performed next time I buy one. Having the warning message removed as mentioned by SgtGunner sounds like something I would like to do with all my Rugers! I will also look closely at the items metioned by Lone Star next time I go to a gun show. The last Ruger revolver I bought back in 2000 (Super Redhawk) had problems right out of the box so I am still somewhat leery. I seem to have the knack of running in to more than my fair share of problem guns in the last 10 years or so.
GP6"
This was my 1st and favorite handgun..I got it used for $239.....everyone who has shot it says it's the most accurate gun they've ever shot(and some of these guys have custom guns).I got a trigger job done ,which I NEEDED (I have arthritis).and put Hogue monogrip on it,and hot 357's are easy to shoot now.
I'll b getting a 4"(or 3")as soon as my wife believes I need 4guns! buy it!!
This was my 1st and favorite handgun..I got it used for $239.....everyone who has shot it says it's the most accurate gun they've ever shot(and some of these guys have custom guns).I got a trigger job done ,which I NEEDED (I have arthritis).and put Hogue monogrip on it,and hot 357's are easy to shoot now.
I'll b getting a 4"(or 3")as soon as my wife believes I need 4guns!
buy it!!SgtGunner - how did you get the warnings off? I'd love to get rid of 'em.
SK
First I didn't my super great gunsmith did, but I watched him do it so I can tell you what I saw.
First he cut an inch off the barrel, and recrowned it. then what was still remaining of the stupid a$$ warnings he carefully ground off. then he reengraved my guns name on the barrel (her name is betty) wont go into her last name on a public forum...hehe but thats there too. after all was done he beautifully repolished me gun and now it is perfect in every possible aspect..
did I mention I liked him??? alot???....heh
SK
First I didn't my super great gunsmith did, but I watched him do it so I can tell you what I saw.
First he cut an inch off the barrel, and recrowned it. then what was still remaining of the stupid a$$ warnings he carefully ground off. then he reengraved my guns name on the barrel (her name is betty) wont go into her last name on a public forum...hehe but thats there too. after all was done he beautifully repolished me gun and now it is perfect in every possible aspect..
did I mention I liked him??? alot???....heh
I am a big fan of the .357 cartridge. I own a number of different .357s including the two model 19s that are in transit as we speak. Among that group are the S&W 27, 28, 627PC, 686, Ruger Blackhawk, Ruger Redhawk, SP-101, GP-100 among others. If I for some reason had to limit myself to just one, it would be the GP-100. Mine is a 4" stainless with the full lug. Most of my .357s are just for personal satisfaction and I won't even put most of them in a holster. But, my GP-100 is my "go to" gun. When I am 4 wheeling, hunting, hiking or doing anything off the beaten path, odds are, the GP is on my hip. It is accurate, it is tough as nails, it is just the right size for what I use it for. On top of all that, it is easily taken down to the frame for detailed cleaning and drying (if you were out in the rain). My Smiths have some very nice triggers. I had my Model 29 done by Jack Weigand and sent several to the S&W Performance Center. I honestly feel that the trigger on my GP is right there with them. My GP is bone stock. I didn't have a trigger job done on it, I didn't change the springs, all I did was fire perhaps 5000 rounds through it. Actually to be honest, the single action pull isn't quite as nice as the Smiths but the double action is just as good; plus I like the fact that you can stage the Ruger in double action. I even like the factory stocks and it is one of the few guns I own sporting the factory stocks. There is absolutely nothing negetive I can say about it. Obviously I give the Ruger GP-100 a strong buy recomendation, and I would leave it stock.
I have to agree with many things said by the other poster. My GP-100 is the most accurate revolver of my bunch, and has been completly reliable and tough as nails. The GP-100 fits my hand better the any other revolver I have held, it feels like an extention of my arm. This I am sure helps in the accuracy department. IMO you must have one in your revolver collection.
Tony
Tony
