Ruger gp100 5" what's special?

Simple, because 5" is the perfect size for a revolver barrel!

Probably because they less common.

Some folks are odder than others..... ;-)

Some claim it`s a perfect length for most powders to burn ,some claim it`s the perfect balance , & some will make claim to other things .

For myself ,I`d buy 1 to have in my GP line up , BUT try to find holsters, scope mounts & other accories will be a daunting task without some sort of customizing.

I like the balance that`s even on a 4" but for hunting I prefer the muzzle a tid-bit heavy so I opt for the 6"full lug.

But balance , grips & hand strength all play a part in FIT & I usually don`t get into recommendations.

I don't know about the 5inch being the best balanced as it probably depends upon the individual. I myself find my newly acquired GP100 with a full underlug 4 inch barrel to be just right balance wise for my needs.

Because it is almost as nice as a 3"?

4" and 6" are common. Anything not common is cooler and better-er!

Really, there's some truth to that, folks like things that are exclusive and different, and some folks really do compare 3",4", 5", and 6" guns and can explain reasons why they feel on is just a hair better than the other for whatever it is they think they'll mostly use the gun for.

As for the price bump though? Simple economics. There aren't many and some folks search for them, so they command a higher price. If Ruger had made mostly 5" guns, the 4" ones would command a premium price.

bikemutt said:

Finally came across a 5" gp100 today that's reasonably priced. Other than being halfway between a 4" and a 6", why do they command a premium price?

Click to expand...

Gun collectors are like stamp and coin collectors.

I loved the balance of the 5" barrel on a S&W Model 27; always felt just right to me. Some way with the GP-100 with that length barrel. And even if I pay a little more for one it's still a lot less money than what I would pay for a Model 27 these days.

Yep. You should buy it. The only ones I know of are distributor specials. That means a lot less common. Less common often commands a price premium.
A guy in my hunting club has one. It's pretty sweet.

Hey, let me know FIRST if you don't like it.

Plus, a 5" barrel looks RIGHT on a GP100. It's hard to explain. It just looks balanced.

bikemutt

Far be it from us to talk you out of a revolver purchase!

Congrats! The 5" guns do indeed look "right"

This guy sells the rubber grips, along with some nice inserts

http://chigsgrips.com/

I've always felt 6" was just too much, and you lost too much velocity from 4" or shorter 357's. Never owned one at 5" but would think it would be just about right.

I bought my 5" GP100 a few months ago and it quickly became my favorite revolver. Back when I was looking at the price for the 5", I was told that it is a limited edition. I did, in fact, see many that have a limited edition stamp on them but the one I bought did not have it so...

Didn't know Ruger did some 5: Bbl. GP100s
Great platform for the .357 Mag. I've shot a
buddy's 6" Gp100,

& Welcome to the 5" Bbl. Revolver Owners Group.

Mine's a S&W 625 5" Bbl. .45 ACP & I've
always wanted a 610 5" Bbl. N Frame in 10mm AUto
SS&W did a couple of small runs in the '90s with the 5"ers.
and a 27 5" they just look righgt

Randall

Just picked up one of these...thing is SUPERB. Crazy accuracy. Put in Wolff springs using the 10lb. hammer and trigger. Perfect ignition without going crazy on lightness. Also put the Hiviz front sight on. VERY pleased.

The 6" barrel was a deal breaker for carrying concealed, cross draw. The 5" works for me. The holster is a standard or no-problem model from Simply Rugged. Strong side carry is from Falco. Both are specifically for 5", open ended.

My S&W 629 (.44 Magnum) is also 5" and for the same reasons.

On both, I think the gun both looks balanced and handles balanced. Since I have never shot a 6" in either gun, I can't cite anything negative other than length...and that's for me...YMMV.

BTW this GP100 is the only gun I know of, for which Hogue provides the Tamer rubber grip. I recommend it. I have really handsome, checkered Rosewood Eagles for the gun, but for enjoyable range shooting I use the Tamer.

I would pick it up if I could. I so love my GP.

I have the 4"...sometimes I wish I would have got the 6". You just can't go wrong with either. And as for as the 5", why that seems like the best of both worlds....but yeah..it's because they aren't as common.

I have the 4" and it's a great gun. The 5", to me, would be my second choice followed by the 6". For range and hunting you found a great length.

BTW... Nice weapon!

I'm just a GP fan in general, with the 3 inch with the old style grips being tops for me. 5's are nice though and are harder to find which is why some will pay more.