[gearbox]

I'm pondering this purchase. It's either this or a 686Plus.
Anything I should know about it?
Is it unhealthy for the hammer or transfer bar to dry fire? Will it stand up to GAarms 158gr +P?
Are the internal components corrosion resistant?

[Sisco]

I'm not sure what the "TG" designation is but your typical GP100 can be dry-fired without doing any harm.
The internals are stainless and quite easy to access for cleaning.
If the GP can't handle +P ammo, no revolver can.

[Sisco]

Oops, double-tapped it.

[gearbox]

The "TG" is the Target Gray finish. It's like a dark matte stainless. I'm not real big on stainless as far as appearance. I like my guns dull and conservative. Except for SIGs.
Thanks. The GP100 is sounding better and better.

[Jim March]

Cor-Bon uses GP100s as test/development mules for their loads, including their 180 and 200grain full-house major-slam hunting loads.

They haven't been able to hurt one yet :).

These things are TOUGH.

Now, the new Target Grey finish CAN scratch...if you're concerned about such things, go with plain stainless as scratches can be buffed out. There's no strength difference between the finishes in the GP and SP series; on the SuperRedHawk, the target grey finish was used to identify guns that had the better metallurgy for the 454 and 480 mega-fodder.

The GP has a strength advantage over the 686 in that the cylinder locking lugs are offset and don't form a weak spot at the cylinder, and at the crane there's a secondary latch holding the cylinder closed at both the rear and front of the cylinder. When you hit the cylinder release button, an "interlink" undoes the front latch - if you swing the cylinder open and press on the center of the cylinder pin at the rear of the cylinder while looking at the crane, you'll see the interlinked latch at the crane and how it operates.

Taurus has taken to doing such "double latches" on the "Raging" series, but they don't know how to do an interlink to control both latches with one switch, so they use two manual switches, one at the normal location and another on the crane. Silly Brazilian engineers :).

Rugers also don't have sideplates. The action "forks up" into the rear of the very solid frame.

Anyways. GPs are wonderful, tough, accurate and while the triggers aren't quite at S&W standards sometimes, they're easy to take apart and do basic home slick'em'ups or sub-$20 spring kits in.

Now if they'd just set 'em up as 10mm with moon clips :D.

[stans]

It is real hard to beat a GP-100 when it comes to shooting hot 357 Magnum ammo. And they are usually very accurate as well.

[Bob41081]

Shooting side by side with my early 90's blued 4" Python using the same ammo, my 4" GP-100 groups better.

Bob:D

[Sunray]

I don't think there is a .357 revolver that's as strong as a GP. It's heavy, but I'm not carrying mine. Sold a tuned Smith 19 when I got the GP. The trigger job is done almost exactly the same as a 1911 and it works. Easy to work on too. You'll be much happier with a GP.

[Rob96]

The Gp-100 series is my favorite magnum revolver. It has strength, reliability, durability and accuracy.

[fallingblock]

buying any handgun these days in Australia is an extended chore:rolleyes:

The GP-100 is, as the others write, the most unbreakable of .357 revolvers.

An early '80's S&W K frame (model 13) that I owned shot out of time in less than 500 full-house .357's (mid-way through the 10th box, to be precise).:(

My SP-101 just kept on digesting those same loads until I lost count, and the GP-100 is even bigger and heavier than the SP-101.;)

[Hawaiian]

Both are great guns. I asked the same question once. Bottom line was I went to a gun show and handled them both. The GP felt better in my hand and that was the one I bought. No regrets, I really like it.

[Big Mike]

Here is a pic of the Target Grey model:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Products/183L.gif

Looks good. Mike