Do you like your 5" GP100 44 special???

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98s1lightning

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I have never been that impressed with 44 special. But am beginning to buy into the camp of big slow and heavy bullets being effective on game.

Idk if people will choose 44 special over a 45 auto...seems to me they are equal performers. Especially in this model revolver it doesn't look to be one I would temp hot rodding, the forcing cone looks thin in pictures.

I will take a HOT 45 auto into the woods. So maybe I oughta consider the GP 100 44???

I don't like how they eliminated the quick change front sight. Or the fact it's blued. But it's not a deal breaker for me if I stumbled across one cheap.

How do the ones them at own them like them???
 
Even if you don't hotrod the cartridge and hold it to the same 230gr@850fps, you can use more effective WFN bullets that probably won't feed well in a brass chucker.

While I certainly wouldn't try some Elmer Keith 250gr@1200fps type loads in the GP100, I feel a 250gr between 900-1000fps will handle the vast majority of tasks.
 
I like the way you think...
Even if you don't hotrod the cartridge and hold it to the same 230gr@850fps, you can use more effective WFN bullets that probably won't feed well in a brass chucker.

While I certainly wouldn't try some Elmer Keith 250gr@1200fps type loads in the GP100, I feel a 250gr between 900-1000fps will handle the vast majority of tasks.
 
Some time back I made up a batch of hot rod loads ala Elmer Keith for a revolver rated for hot rod loads. Since then I have acquired several 44 special revolvers that are NOT rated for hot rod loads. So I am restricted to factory loads in them until I have used up all my hand loads so as to avoid any possible oopsies. I'll stick to level one loads in future.
But I do think a GP100 would take something a trifle hotter than a Charter Arms would.
 
I can vouch for the gp100 it is a great firearm by design and perfect with the 200 grain hardcast wadcutter from Buffalo Bore. More of an appeal to me for concealed carry than for game or woods defense although it would do the job it is not optimized for it.

But some of it falls to what is cool in your view.

Since you have .45 acp you might like the look of the Ruger Vaqueros chambered for .45 long Colt that come with an extra .45 auto cylinder. .45 long Colt can be loaded with a power advantage for when you need it and you can load your auto rounds for practice and fun. Plus it's 6 shots. That's the way I would go.
 
I hadn't owned a DA Ruger revolver in years, and was quite content. Then they just HAD to make this one. Soooo like any 44 special junkie I just had to have one. Excellent revolver I love it. My only slight complaint is that the stocks are just too long for comfortable carry. It's hard to keep from printing with it.
 
I hadn't owned a DA Ruger revolver in years, and was quite content. Then they just HAD to make this one. Soooo like any 44 special junkie I just had to have one. Excellent revolver I love it. My only slight complaint is that the stocks are just too long for comfortable carry. It's hard to keep from printing with it.
Try compact grips.
 

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Love mine, it's a constant range trip attendee, and the most likely revolver to go with me on hunts I don't carry a rifle.
I run 240mbc hard cast at about 1000fps.
 
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I was looking at getting a 3 inch gp100 44 special for awhile, my idea was for CCW and also being able to carry it hiking.

In the end I chose what is basically the best 44 special ever made......the 329pd, and I can shoot Magnums too
 
I would have one myself if I hadn’t got my 44 special blackhawk the week before my lgs got a in a gp in 44.
It’s in my list
 
I will take a HOT 45 auto into the woods. So maybe I oughta consider the GP 100 44???
I'll keep my Model 69 Smith for a "woods" or "trail" gun. It weighs a little less than a GP100, and rather than hot-rod 44 Special loads, I can (and do) download 44 Magnum loads to hot 44 Special levels for it. Or, I can run full-house, fire-breathing 44 Magnum load through my Model 69 - if I plan on an ibuprofen regimen for a few days afterwards; a dozen or so full-house 44 Magnum loads fired in a relatively light-weight revolver makes my 72 year-old right elbow give me scolding.:eek:
Or the fact it's blued.
Model 69 Smiths are stainless.;)
 
while I generally love the .44 special, and I own a few Rugers , I was really disappointed with it . I never could get it to fit right in my hand , and the rear sight pin kept popping out and it never held it's aiming point . Sorry to say that was the first ruger I ever let go because I was unsatisfied, So I traded for a .44sbh to shoot my .44 specials out of .
 
I hadn't owned a DA Ruger revolver in years, and was quite content. Then they just HAD to make this one. Soooo like any 44 special junkie I just had to have one. Excellent revolver I love it. My only slight complaint is that the stocks are just too long for comfortable carry. It's hard to keep from printing with it.
I put a GP 100 compact grip on my 3” GP .44 S and they not only look and feel better they conceal better, too.

Stay safe.
 
I have both a 5" GP100 and a 6-1/2" S&W 624. Both are chambered in 44 Special. Both shoot well but the GP100 is a bit trimmer than the N-frame S&W.

My GP100 has a full under lug barrel and I'd prefer the half under lug barrel. But, that is a personal preference.
 
Since you have .45 acp you might like the look of the Ruger Vaqueros chambered for .45 long Colt that come with an extra .45 auto cylinder. .45 long Colt can be loaded with a power advantage for when you need it and you can load your auto rounds for practice and fun. Plus it's 6 shots. That's the way I would go.

My woods gun for many years was a .45 Colt Vaquero... whatever the .429" can do, the .451" can do better... ;)
 
That right there is a fine looking gun! I've got the 357 version and a block of ironwood just waiting to be turned into grips for it.
 
I wanted one, but never grabbed one. Mainly because I dont reload. .44 special is pretty spendy off the shelf.
When I bought my .45 acp Pittbull, I kinda felt I didn't need a .44 special because off the shelf, I could find all manner of .45 acp that I wouldn't have to worry about jamming my 1911 that could behave similarly to the .44 at half the cost.

That said while I have no desire to spend money on a GP100, I think I kinda need a .44 Bulldog just because it is a modern classic.
 
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