Experience with the Ruger GP-100 revolvers???

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keko

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I am thinking of buying a KGP-141 a SS .357 with a 4 inch barrel? Any feedback, experience, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Up until now I have been a S&W revolver guy. I have a Ruger KP345PR and a Ruger Mark III, so I have been impressed with Ruger semi-auto's, but have no Ruger revolver experience.
 
You'll love Ruger revolvers. They handle the hottest loads with ease, they're also very accurate. The triggers do get better as time goes on. Ruger's finish might not be on par with a Smith, but they're alot more durable than a Smith. Ruger also backs their products 100%!
 
I have a 3" SP-101, 3" blued GP-100, 3" stainless GP-100, and a 4" blued GP-100. They're excellent revolvers and with a lighter mainspring, the actions can be quite nice indeed. Feel in the hand is excellent, accuracy is excellent. Finish quality not great, but not terrible either. Definitely a good choice. I think you would be pleased with the GP-100.

Since you're a Smith-guy, by way of comparison, I would put the GP models between the K-frames and the L-frames, but closer to the L-frames, as far as impression of size and weight. The Smith L's do have a stouter cylinder and feel just a tad beefier than the GP-100's of equal barrel length do. My impression is that the GP-100 will withstand more heavy loads over a longer period of time than a K-frame .357 will.

As compared to the L-frame Smiths, however, I don't think the GP is notably different from an L-frame in durability... I'd rate them close enough to be comparable in that regard. I think a GP-100 is about the same as 686 for durability.

I feel equally well armed with either and enjoy them both, but the Smiths just have that extra something special which I personally really enjoy. Sooner or later you might want to have both Rugers and Smiths... why deny yourself the pleasure? ;)

here's my 4"er:

GP100a0761.jpg


I especially like the GP-100's in 3" barrel length:

GPF331RtLrg.jpg


In a 4" Smith, I've gotten great pleasure from the 586:

M586left_0697.jpg


and the 681:

681Lft.jpg
 
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I own two Ruger KGP-141s and simply could not be happier with them. In fact, they have improved with age and I have never had a failure of any type with either. Given their manufacturing and design quality, their durability, their accuracy, and their reliability, I would expect my great-grandchildren to make a similar report about these two revolvers 60+ years from now.
 
They're bull strong, accurate guns. I have never cared for how the grips feel, so have used Hogue aftermarket grips instead. They're only about $15.But, I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't care for the factory grips. Everyone else I've talked to likes 'em.

Definitely a great revolver.
 
I own a KGP-141 and a KGP-161.
Great revolvers, very accurate.
I'm one of those guys who loves the factory grips, they fit my hand perfectly.
 
I had three Rugers: a 2-3/4" Security Six .357, a 4" GP100, and a 6" Blackhawk .44 mag. I did not shoot any of them well. Groups were on the paper but quite large. Right now I have an old Taurus 6" .357, a 2-1/8" S&W 60, and a 6" 629. They will all shoot very tight groups. I sold my Rugers because I couldn't shoot them well. But I've read enough other guys' experiences that I'm willing to admit it was either the particular Rugers I had (rather than the brand in general), OR there is just some bad mojo between me and Bill. I think he makes a heckuva gun though.
 
I have 4" stainless GP-100, and I love it. Shoots great, cleans up easy, and feels great in my hands. The SA pull is nice, the DA pull is pretty stiff.
 
I have a 4" GP-100. The best thing about it is the grip, feels great. The trigger takes some getting used to though. Overall It's a great gun and my buddies that have semi-autos ask to shoot it all the time. I definitely like the feel of a Ruger over an S&W anyday.
 
I have (and have had) a number of Smiths, Rugers and Colts. Generally, the Smith out of the box has a bit lower trigger pull (at least before the MIM models). The Ruger after a tune will have a greater percentage improvement. A GP-100 I have is within a pound double action of a highly tuned L frame I have (both tuned to shoot magnum ammo) and the single action within about a quarter of a pound. The Ruger will feel a bit different in double action vs. the Smith as the latter locks up the cylinder a bit later and the Smith has less of a hammer arc or lock time compared to the Ruger. Still, for whatever reason the GP is my favorite. On the adjustable sighted models it is easy to change front sights if desired for different colors or profiles or heights. I like all three makes for variety.
 
My carry is a GP100 3"

I have a stainless 3" GP100 that I have loaded with 38spl +P.
(6gr PowerPistol with 125gr GoldenSabers in Federal +P cases)

Works just as well as anything.

I did take it apart (it was a used cop trade-in) and cleaned it. I ran some Flitz over it as well and it spins like a top with a couple drops of CLP.

nothing wrong with the Ruger .357s in my book.
 
I own a 4" Target Grey GP100, a 6" blued GP100 and a 2" stainless spurless hammer SP101 and love 'em all! They look, shoot and feel great.

A good friend of mine is a S&W lover and we go to the range all the time together. He insists that his Smith's are better, but he cannot shoot his 686 any better than my GP100's. I have done a lot of shooting with his 686 and I don't see a huge difference at all. If any, the Ruger feels better in my hand!

Go with the GP100, you won't be sorry, neither will your wallet!
 
Have a 4 inch it is very robust (thats actually a understatement) The one thing I don't like about it is it needs an overtravel screw on the trigger like my Dan Wesson. If it had that IMHO it would be perfect. Maybe someday I'll find a smith that can do that work.
 
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