New Revolver

F

FunkMonster

Inactive
Just got my first revolver (first handgun actually) a Ruger kgp161.
I was getting a little worried after reading some of the threads around here about diving quality, but mine seems straight and tight.
I put it through the checkout procedure that someone posted (thanks, sorry can't remember your name at the moment) there's just a little bit of rotational wiggle at full lockup but back and forth is super tight, everything seems straight and well made. The single action trigger pull is great, and the double action, while not buttery smooth is steady and fine for me.
Anyhow, I thought I'd just post to thank everyone for their opinions when I was trying to decided what to get and to ask if there's anything else I should know about as far as care and maintinance and whatnot.

thanks
 
Welcome FunkMonster
Glad your new Ruger likes you.

The check list you probably used would be by Jim March.

Stay safe
Get good
Enjoy.

Sam
 
Took my new shootin' iron out to the local makeshift range after the rain quit yesterday. Shot about 70 rounds of a variety of ammuntion, recoil was very managible with everything (.38 specials feel like .22's) I didn't have time to set up a target and try and get a pattern, but I did manage to plug a plastic jug out at 100 yards, although not nearly as many times as my buddy who was with me :o :).

When I got home I broke it down for a good cleaning. I like how it comes apart, but the manual didn't mention that all the little bit of the trigger group would go flying all over the place :). That took a little time to get back together.

Looking at the chambers there are dark rings, at about where the bullets would sit that I can't seem to remove. I'm starting to wonder it's not part of the design. Should there be a dark ring there or do I just need to scrub it more? thanks
 
If it's stainless, that "dark ring" will be pretty damn difficult to get completely gone :(.

One trick: clean it GOOD, then take the end of a toothpick and run it lightly along the inside of the cylinder bore until you hit the "dark bit". As long as you don't "feel a bump" right there, it's not too bad, esp. on a stainless gun.

If there's enough crud to actually cause a teensy bit 'o "lump", it ain't quite clean yet :).

Remember, if you've been shooting a bunch of .38s, you want no significant bump before going to .357s. If there's a real ring of crud there from the area just in front of 38s, and you stick a 357 in on top of the "crud", you're making it harder for the mouth of the shell to properly "uncrimp" and release the projectile on firing. In an extreme situation, the "38 crud ring" won't let the 357 case mouth expand, it's still "grabbing" the 357 projectile despite firing going on, and pressure goes up. Now, the GP100 is a TOUGH gun and your odds of outright breaking it this way is low, but it can be a lot of stress and since pressure is varying from shot to shot, accuracy goes into the toilet through no fault of the gun.

If you shoot 38s, do at least a minimal cleaning before going to 357s.
 
I use a "cylinder brush" which is slightly larger diameter than a bore brush. For a couple bucks it seems to make quick work of the dreaded 38 ring.

Don't use it in your bore, however.
 
FunkMonster

Rugers are great Guns !
You bought yourself one very good revolver. With the proper care you'll give it to your grandkids.

I have purchased 5 new Rugers in the last 3 years and each one has performed flawlessly. My most recient purchase was the GP100 6" S.S full barrel KGP-161. This is now one of my favorite Revolvers.

Here is a link on several ways to clean the cylinder face on your new Ruger.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums...d=128698&highlight=cleaning+the+cylinder+face

This is a picture of the cylinder face of my KGP-161 after a good cleaning .

Tony

screen
 
I bought a GP-100 stainless six inch years ago, still have it, a few thousand rounds later and it still shoots like new. If you get a good Ruger, you really have a keeper. I think the GP-100 is one of the strongest 357's around. As for cleaning the cylinder face, I got mine spotless one time, haven't bothered with that much cleaning since. I want people to know that my guns are for shooting, not just for looking. Enjoy your GP-100, the only modification mine has had is a do-it-yourself trigger job courtesy of a Trapper's spring kit.
 
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