It was time for a New new revolver. A no frills shooter.

J

Jeff #111

New member
The only problem with collecting vintage revolvers is the need to not inflict too much wear and tear on the grand old shooters. Regardless of the quality of the four screw S&W Model 19 or the pre-war (WWII) S&W Heavy Duty revolver I just don't like running a box (or more) of fire breathing loads through them. Yes they are very well made revolvers, but they are also fifty, sixty eighty and ninety year old handguns. A few months ago I realized that I've ended up with a bunch of revolvers that I am very proud of, but that I also treat with kid gloves. Sometimes you just have to have a shooter. I realized that meant I had to buy a modern high-quality revolver. A new new revolver. So today I withdrew some cash from my savings account (also known as my Toy Account) went to the local Sportsman's Warehouse and purchased a brand-new stainless steel Ruger GP-100. Thought about buying a Smith & Wesson, but Ruger makes a strong, reliable, no frills revolver and that's what I've been needing. So $700.00 later I now own a workhorse revolver. Now this one I can shoot without feeling guilty because this sucker is designed to be used and used hard. My hothouse revolvers will just have to adjust. It does feel strange owning a brand-new handgun. It's been twelve years since I bought a brand-new handgun.


 
Smart!
Nice purchase, There's a number of things I like about Rugers---price, strong construction and adjustable sights.
 
Nice gun. I just bought a used one a few months ago of GB with the original wood and rubber grips. I do not like the Houge rubber grips myself.

As far as your older guns unless they are pristine never fired or handled guns there is nothing wrong with shooting them. If they are as old as you say they are they may have already outlived the original owners and may outlive you.:D

No rule says you have to shoot "fire breathing loads" from them. Target loads make the same holes in paper as full bore magnums. You don't have to set the target on fire with every shot.

But I bet you enjoy your new gun. I also have a 6" model GP-100 I bought back around 1988 and I won a bunch of trophy's with it shooting falling plate matches. I don't know the round count but it should be well past 5000 rounds. Your new gun should last for a very long time.
 
As far as your older guns unless they are pristine never fired or handled guns there is nothing wrong with shooting them. If they are as old as you say they are they may have already outlived the original owners and may outlive you.

No rule says you have to shoot "fire breathing loads" from them. Target loads make the same holes in paper as full bore magnums. You don't have to set the target on fire with every shot.
Click to expand...

That is true, but it is also nice to have a handgun that I can shoot without any worries. It was time to have a shooter - I guess you can call it a Fun Gun.
 
Just bought the exact gun this past Saturday for the exact reason. Happy blasting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Congratulations! My gp100 is a tank and is my favorite gun to date, enjoy it!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Yes, those mild target loads are just as much fun to shoot as "firebreathing" loads and easier on the gun. And the ears. Only caution with the older revolvers is that replacement parts can he hard to find, and finding a gunsmith who can work on them properly is also difficult.
 
The only problem with collecting vintage revolvers is the need to not inflict too much wear and tear on the grand old shooters.
Click to expand...

Jeff, I face the same problem/question with my assorted vintage revolvers. So far I've relocated my two model 27's to different homes. The new owners are very pleased to have a pair of safe queens. The rest get carried and shot as they were intended to be. The only concession is now I shoot Hot 38 special ammo instead of .357 Magnum ammo.

Enjoy that Ruger, I don't own one but they are reported to be great revolvers.
 
I have a 586 ans a 686 for shooting, about the same price as the GP100 but I like the S&W action better.
 
Ed McGivern published pictures-from the 1930s-of tight machine rest groups fired out of 1920s vintage S&Ws with more than 200,000 rounds through them.And settling down on a cold winter's night-or a miserable snowy and icy day-with an old revolver, proper tools and manuals-beats watching TV IMHO and makes for greater long term pleasure.
 
Op, great revolver! I almost bought the exact same gun a couple of months ago but couldn't resist a .45 Colt 4.2" Redhawk sitting next to it.

May have to rectify this at a later date.
 
"Ruger makes a strong, reliable, no frills revolver and that's what I've been needing." No argument from here. But I can't buy the idea that a Ruger is a strong gun designed to be used, while an S&W is a fragile toy that cannot ever be fired or "used hard" without being destroyed.

Jim
 
Well lets just say I don't want to use my S&W revolvers in a hard manner. I probably won't use my Ruger in such a manner either, but with the Ruger I won't be concerned about it. Just peace of mind for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top