Ruger GP100 and SP101 modifications question.

[JellyJar]

I know that a lot of you don't like the "billboard" that comes on the left side of the Ruger GP100 and SP101 barrels. In fact I have seen several pictures of these revolvers here and elsewhere where not only have the billboards been ground off but the barrels now have a flat area on each side of the barrel.

It looks quite good but I was wondering if having these flat areas did anything else like change the harmonics of the barrel and perhaps increased the accuracy or reduced the barrel weight to make the weapon handle better?

That is to say is there any other purpose to these flat areas on the barrels other than simply to make the barrels look good after grinding off the hated billboards?

 

[CraigC]

It will cut some weight though probably not even noticeably. It surely won't make the sixgun any more accurate and you don't 'have' to slab side the barrel if you remove the warning. A good gunsmith can remove the warning, recontour and refinish the barrel so that you'll never even know it was there. Even on a round barrel.

 

[RugRev]

The billboard can be removed without affecting contours. Here is a link to a gorgeous 3" GP that belongs to DHart:

http://www.rugerforum.org/phpBB/vie...ghlight=&sid=8891507660bfece035f82962bc786198

that he posted not long ago. I would think that if the shape change affected harmonics much it would have more effect on rifles and one can find octagon and half-octagon barrels on some there. The amount of metal taken off could affect weight and balance, more so the balance I would think to some degree if slab sided to any great degree.

 

[GP100man]

Easy !! don`t look at that side !!!

Really though, I care how my Rugers look I`ve never found the billboard offensive enuff to remove it , I think of it as part of the firearm.

Now what`s purty is honest to goodness , carry everyday holster wear !!!!!!

 

[bigmike45]

I removed the one on my GP-100 and Redhawk when I shortened the barrel to 4".