[axeman_g]

ok all,

I have decided to get a new GP100 .357 as my next handgun. This will be my first wheel gun in a long time. I will use this gun as an all around range, hunting companion, SD and sometime CCW.

I am thinking 3" barrel with fixed sights, but I really like the model with the brushed stainless finish with 4", problem is that model only comes with adjustable sights.

What are you alls thoughts??? any pros and cons????

Advice welcome ...

[Snowshoe]

I have the 4" stainless adjustable sight version.

IWB in a Don Hume holster it hides really well under a jacket. It is great for bowling pin shoots, IDPA and general plinking.

I can only hope that I live long enough to wear it out.

[kayak bum]

My first handgun was a 4" stainless/adjustable sight GP. It has been a steady, reliable companion for 15 years. I have since added a six inch as well, but if I had to choose between the two.... Actually, if I were to be limited to one handgun period (heaven forbid...) it would be one of the entries on the short list. It is a joy on the range, a decent, if slightly heavy field gun, at home, well, as a house gun (has also served as a boat and a car gun at different times). It is also a fine CC weapon if, like me, you are of the stocky persuasion.

[Jim March]

There HAVE been special runs of 4" barrel fixed-sight short-shroud GP100s. Not common, and probably not in production lately...but they turn up used now and again.

Fixed-sight GP100s have a smaller grip than the adjustable-sight guns, but they're swappable and the small-grip set (rubber core plus wood inserts) are available from several sources...about $40 last I heard.

Me, I'd start with the adjustable-sight 4", swap grips for small (or go completely wood aftermarket; Eagle has a compact grip for these), and have most of the barrel shroud professionally removed, lightening the feel up considerably. Then run aftermarket Tritium sights :).

THAT would be a really sweet GP100.

[Gary A]

I believe Cylinder and Slide offers just the modification package that Jim is referring to. I'm thinking of have a GP done that way myself sometime in the future. Gary

[stans]

CCW use screams for fixed sights and a smaller stock. The adjustable sights are nice, but can dig into flesh and snag on clothing during a draw. The hardest part of a handgun to conceal is usually the butt, so a shorter stock, something like a boot grip, will usually do the trick.

[Jim March]

The sight snagging issue can be addressed easily and (fairly) cheaply with a Bowen "Rough Country" rear sight, which is user-installable (difficult, but still doable) and is more "melted" than the factory:

http://bowenclassicarms.com/shop/

http://bowenclassicarms.com/assets/HDrearsight2.jpg

There's two variants but with that one you get a sloped face and rounded corners. $89. Another $40 for the smaller stock at Lett's or Brownells and you're most of the way there. The underlug can be chopped and rounded with hand-tools if necessary. Then combine that rear sight with an Ashley Big Dot Tritium and yeah, you got somethin' NICE without really breaking the bank, esp. since you can spread the mods across multiple paychecks if necessary and there's no shipping the gun around...

[DHart]

You mentioned hunting... for that purpose, I think adjustable sights on a 4" or 6" would be the way to go, with 4" being a little better suited to purposes other than hunting than the 6". I think the 4" balances much better than the 6". And the 3" even better than the 4". I don't like 2 or 2 1/2 in .357. I have this one, which is a fantastic revolver:

Ruger GP-100 4" Barrel, Adj. sights, .357 magnum
http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/GP100_0755.jpg

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/GP100_0761.jpg

That said, if hunting wasn't a use and carry and defense is primary usage, I think the 3" fixed-sighted model is absolutely perfect for general defense use. And I personally prefer the full length lug. While it adds a little to weight, it's that weight which helps make the revolver more shootable and aids in quicker recovery time for follow-up shots. Plus I like the looks! :rolleyes:

I have a 3" S&W 65 which is the finest revolver I've ever known... including four other S&W's I have. It's my 3" 65 that makes me desire a 3" GP-100!

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/SW65_1283s.jpg

[Z_Infidel]

I have the sight combination Mr. March mentioned: A Bowen Rough Country rear sight with v-notch and post along with a Big Dot Tritium front sight on my GP-100. It is a good combination that makes for very fast sight alignment. The Bowen rear sight is much better made (IMO) than the factory adjustable sight.

[axeman_g]

I went to my favorite gun monger/range and saw what I was looking for, a pre owned lovingly cared for GP100 3" SS for $290. The guys at this shop are very knowledgeable (no gun store commandos) and seem to be very honest. They have at least treated me with respect and integrity for a few years now.

Anyway, the two counter guys both commented on what a fine piece it was and it seemed to check out using revolver check out list.

I cant wait to shoot it. I would like to change the front serrated sight to a high visibility unit? Any suggestions ...

[DHart]

axeman... AWESOME choice! I think you're going to really love that wheeler. Funny, I just ordered a new KGPF-331 which is the stainless 3" fixed sights, full lug, GP-100. Can't wait to get mine... should be in early next week!

Hey, post some pics of your new GP will ya?

[groessebaer]

I see Express Sights offers either a standard or Big Dot for the GP. Here is a link:

http://www.expresssights.com/detail.lasso?id=12592468

to the Big Dot. I do not know what they do about the fixed rear sight. Another alternative would be to have a desired sight configuration dovetailed into the top of the barrel. The could be Patridge, ramp with insert or gold bead. Alternatively, perhaps there is a fibre optic that could be made to fit that was the right height.

[Jim March]

Express Sights has two different versions of the fronts for the GP100, for fixed-sight guns and adjustable. That's the fixed variety at that link. I would call and confirm the part numbers involved; the front with the correct height for Ruger's adjustable rear sight will also work if the rear has been swapped with the Bowen rear sight.

[jdmb03]

axe,

You could send it to David Clements and he could do a bead blast finish for you.

[axeman_g]

Jbmb ....
I saw your picts under the other gp100 post. I started to drool on my keyboard.

I was thinking about sending mine off after I shoot it a little while. I was going to get the milling and the bead blast finish. I am going to leave the hammer spur, mill the shroud and leave the rosewood grips red. I would also like to see if Bill does trigger jobs and would install the express fixed front sight.

Me like yours ...

[groessebaer]

The lug can be milled and Bill does do trigger jobs. Here is a link to a discussion of this over at the Ruger Forum:

http://www.rugerforum.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/004837.html

Jim has a point relative to the Express Sights for the fixed sight models. I do not see how the fixed sight can be both used for the SP and GP as they take different Ruger part numbers and I think have different sight heights. This is why I mention the sight picture. The Big Dot is .205" high which is a lot taller than the stock Ruger blade which I think on the SP is dialed in for the 158 gr loads.

[groessebaer]

Here is a link to something different:

http://photobucket.com/albums/v56/PhotoOK/3inchGP100.jpg

I think they were made for a Southern PD somewhere.