Went with the Ruger GP-100 over the S&W

[rblack]

I used to have a GP-100 some years back and traded it for something. I have always regretted trading it off, so I got a new one today. I had looked at the S&W 686, but I have a model 60, so I wanted something a little different. These Rugers sure are built like a tank, but the trigger has really suprised me in that it is actually pretty nice. This one has a much better trigger that an older SP 101 I had some time back. I just need to shoot it now and get used to it..........Here is a pic if you're interested..

 

[longtom4570]

Very nice. I have one to, i like it very much. I just bought the one piece Houge grip for it and i like it so far, just have to get used to it. Darn i guess i will have to go shooting some more

 

[TheeBadOne]

The GP-100 is a solid revolver and a nice addition to any revolver collection. Everyone I've handled looked and shot good.

 

[Neal Bloom]

Very nice! Enjoy your new gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

No harm, No foul! You made an excellent choice.
While I own and shoot a 6" Smith & Wesson 686-5, there
is nothing wrong with the Ruger; except perhaps the DA
trigger pull? And a $15.00 WOLFF spring kit will fix
that. Enjoy~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Flipper]

Do some Dry Firing at home for practice (Double-action with the plastic ring between the hammer & cylinder)and watch the trigger action get even better.Its a Ruger so it can take it. I have a 4 inch blued GP100 in 357 and the trigger appears to be getting smoother and smoother the more I use it. Trust me, I don't think its 'cause of muscle development.

 

[critter]

I have it's twin. I sincerely both of us live long enough to wear them comletely out! We will be OLD codgers if that happens!

Good choice-good shooting!

 

[berto]

Handsome revolver,MR Black.

 

[rblack]

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments. I just need to get out and shoot the thing now.............

 

[Sean Smith]

Now you just need that essay stamped on the side of your barrel ground off...

 

[JNewell]

Hey, at least the rollmark is actually rolled on. :banghead:

 

[Jim March]

Rugers are so tough that a million years from now when we're all geeked and giant 10ft-tall descendents of the modern cockroach rule the world, they'll be able to dig up GP100s, stick different grips on and shoot each other with 'em.

 

[Gary A]

Jim March wrote, "Rugers are so tough that a million years from now when we're all geeked and giant 10ft-tall descendents of the modern cockroach rule the world, they'll be able to dig up GP100s, stick different grips on and shoot each other with 'em."

I always enjoy your take on revolvers, Jim, but THAT'S FUNNY!!

 

[JimJD]

Nice choice!
Love My GP-100. I ended up getting one with a nice out of box trigger too.
Also put a hogue cocobolo monogrip on it. Sooooo nice.
Wanted to point one thing out though.
Flipper said:

Do some Dry Firing at home for practice (Double-action with the plastic ring between the hammer & cylinder)and watch the trigger action get even better.

My manual stated to take the plastic ring out when dry firing.

 

[rage]

Jim is right, Rugers are tough. Ditto to above advice...wolf springs and dry fire a lot.

Rod, nice gun. 4" with the smaller, rounded grip. Handles the recoil and is easier to carry. I've got two. A 3" SS and a 4" blued GP.

 

[Bob]

I swapped a 581 to get my GP-100. No regrets at all. I kept the springs stock and have shot it alot, trigger smoothed up nicely. For some reason I can see the sights on the Ruger better than I can on the Smith.
Bob

 

[Flipper]

Jimjd & rage,
If the plastic ring isn't to be used during dry-firing.....Then what's it doing there?

 

[Majic]

Plastic ring is to quickly show the revolver is empty during inspection for packaging at assembly plant.

 

[mtnbkr]

Here is my GP100:

After 4 years of dryfiring, shooting, and a little action work, it's a slick and smooth as most of the S&W's I've fired. My standard magnum load for that gun is a 180gr SJHP @1200fps. It's digested probably close to 2k of those and at least twice as mean 38's.

Besides the action work, I had the throat converted to a Taylor throat, installed hi-viz type sights (can't recall the name), and added a Hogue cocobolo monogrip.

Chris

 

[444]

Good for you.
The GP100 would be my first choice in a .357 revolver if I didn't already own one.
I have at least a half dozen Smiths in .357 and would choose the GP100 over any of them; if I had to make a choice.

This whole thing about Smith & Wesson having better triggers than the Rugers has been repeated so many times on this board that even if the trigger isn't an issue in this particular case, it has to be mentioned anyway. You simply can't have a thread about the GP100 without mentioning the trigger compared to Smith & Wesson.
Let the trigger stand on it's own merits.
I own a lot of S&W revolvers. Some have better triggers than others. I have sent some of them away for action jobs. In other words, just because it says S&W on the side doesn't by any far stretch of the imagination mean that the trigger is flawless or that it is anything to write home about. Many, many people have had action jobs done on S&W revolvers.
By the same token my Ruger GP100 has a great trigger. I had no work done to it. It has no gimmick springs in it. It simply has a great trigger. I would compare this bone stock Ruger GP100 trigger to at least a couple of my Smith revolvers that have been to their Performance Center for action jobs; it is that good.
If you get an action job done to a S&W, nothing is said about it. If you get an action job done to a Ruger, it is because the trigger isn't as good as a Smith.
Why can't the Ruger GP100 trigger stand on it's own merits here ? Why is this automatically repeated over and over on every thread involving the Ruger GP100. When you see the topic listed, you already know half of what will be said in the thread before you even click on it.

 

[JNewell]

Agree with 444

This whole thing about Smith & Wesson having better triggers

Bought an SP101 just before yearend because it was dirt cheap and like new in box...couldn't resist. It has a trigger that is as good as any S&W I own made in the past 10-15 years. Additionally, I like the idea that you can dump the guts in a couple of quick motions for cleaning and lubrication. The Rugers don't have the cachet of the old Smiths...but in real life, let's face it, the Smiths don't either...

 

[Checkman]

I own a GP-100 6" and I like it alot. I even like the factory grips though I am considering replacing them with Houges. Actually the way Ruger designs their weapons reminds me of the way the Russians manufactured their weapons in WW II. Very solid, simple and reliable. The difference is that I think Ruger makes a very gook looking revolver while the Russian stuff was functional, but not very pleasing to the eye. If I had to choose between carrying a Ruger or a Smith into combat field conditions I would most definitely go with the Ruger. Smiths are great, but for soldiering I think Ruger would be the best for those kind of conditions. Funny that nobody ever thinks of Ruger that way. I wonder, if the military ever goes out for another handgun will Ruger test? I think they would be excellent for soldiers. Of course they would be autos but still.....

 

[TonyB]

Like adope I traded away my GP........I'll be getting a new one soon I hope....I always like the short under lug one's though.......My SP needs a big brother..

 

[mtnbkr]

Let the trigger stand on it's own merits.

I just want to add that I worked on my trigger not because it wasn't as good as a Smith (it was), but because I wanted an even better system. It is light, smooth, and reliable. It feels different than any Smith and suits my shooting style (I shoot almost exclusively DA and like a trigger I can stage).

Chris

 

[biere]

I love the little gp100s, the 3 inch barrel with fixed sights and the smaller factory grip. This was my first revolver and I honestly trust it more than anything else because it has never had a problem going bang.

With ohio's ccw being signed I now get to search for iwb holsters for it.

And since it will be a carry gun I get to go find another one for a back up, oh and I think someone recomended another one in case one of those has to go to a gunsmith. And maybe another one since I don't like odd numbers.

Good choice and happy shooting.

As for the triggers, I have 5 rugers and all are factory triggers and the more I shoot them the better the triggers get.

A ruger rarely needs a trigger job, it just needs to get broken in.