big-bore GP100 market opportunity

[revolversrbetter]

if you were in the market for a new revolver, would you buy a five-shot big-bore GP100 with a 4" barrel?

I'm going to make the poll 'no' or 'yes', but I'll define big-bore as .41mag, .44spc, .44mag, .45colt

my preference would be a .45colt, I just think a stainless five-shot .45colt GP100 with a 4" barrel would be the ideal outdoor sidearm for the lower 48

(and, I know all about the S&W MG, I just think the less expensive Ruger gives confidence with a broader range of ammunition (which is maybe why Ruger doesn't sell the gun I'm talking about, maybe they see liability in +P ammo in a big-bore GP100...)

however, if the numbers suggest a healthy market opportunity, I'm going to forward the link to the Ruger CEO, so please don't just respond whimsically!

thanks!

 

[Surefire]

Heck Yes!!!!!!!!

Ruger, you listening?

 

[sidheshooter]

8 to 0 in favor at this posting: I've often thought that a .44spec GP100 would be a real dandy.

 

[Surefire]

To add to my post, I think a .44 special +P+ chambering would be AWESOME (I know there is no such official chambering, but I want the hottest .44 special load that can safely be shot in a medium frame GP 100).

If the GP 100 could fire as hot of a .44 special as possible, I'd be VERY HAPPY.

 

[Waywatcher]

Definitely. 4" barrel GP100 is a great size gun for me. I have the .357 but would love to be able to use the same holsters and have a bigger bore.

If it came down to .44 spec or .45 Colt I would prefer the .44

 

[Old John]

Yes, for Sure. I'd like to see it in .41 magnum or .45 Colt.
I have a Ruger 3", .357 magnum now. It is an excellent CCW, with an extra round over
my Ruger .357 magnum SP101.
I'd buy a 5-shot, .41 magnum, GP100.

 

[captain awesome]

I'd buy a 5-shot, .41 magnum, GP100.

^me too^

 

[bannockburn]

I would love to see this in 3 out of the 4 calibers you have listed (don't really need/want one in a .44 Magnum). Definitely interested in a .41 Magnum and a .44 Special.

 

[Monster Zero]

Need another choice in the poll

How about HELL YES!!

I'd go for a .44 Special for sure. Maybe a .45 Colt.

(I voted yes.)

 

[Monster Zero]

I think I might be more interested in the 3" barrel with fixed sights, though. Just sayin'.

 

[RugRev]

I would like one in .44 Special. To fit a .45 into the gun would require re-engineering to increase cylinder size (which would also allow a 7 shot .357). On the other hand that is what Taurus uses, a bit larger frame. The .44 Special and .41 mag are able to be done on the existing frame. I don't know how big a market there is for the .41 mag. If the frame size were changed to allow the .45 then the gun could also be offered in .44 mag as Taurus does. It would be a bit more compact than the Smith Mtn. Gun, probably weigh a bit less and fit more hand sizes. As Taurus has no competitors currently Ruger could move into this market and take over.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

45 colt

Ruger can you hear us 45 colt.

 

[mp510]

A 4" .44 Mag would be nice, even if it was only designed for standard loads loads. It would be preferable to the .44 Special, simply because it allows more possibilities than a Special chambered gun.

 

[wild willy]

I'd want both a .44 special and a.41 mag. Come on Ruger . I think you would sell a lot more GP100s if you did this

 

[22-rimfire]

I would consider on in 41 mag. But I would want to shoot it first. Frankly, I don't know if it is strong enough for 41 mag.

 

[Surefire]

Why are the people that voted no generally not stating why?

 

[luckysedem]

.44 mag would be GREAT!!!

 

[Zundfolge]

A 4" barrel? Why not a 2.5" in .44mag?

 

[jmr40]

I voted no because I already have two 629's. A 3" and 4". The Ruger would not do anything more, weigh any less or work any better. Except do it with 1 less shot.

Not that I dislike Rugers, I don't. It is just that I don't see a niche for a big, heavy, 5 shot big bore revolver.

 

[Surefire]

I voted no because I already have two 629's. A 3" and 4". The Ruger would not do anything more, weigh any less or work any better. Except do it with 1 less shot.

Not that I dislike Rugers, I don't. It is just that I don't see a niche for a big, heavy, 5 shot big bore revolver.

This is a great post. It is interesting to see the reasons why people vote they way they do.

Thanks for sharing your reasons.

 

[Ky Larry]

I think one in .44Spl or .45 Colt would be a very nice gun for HD and/or social work.

 

[MCMXI]

my preference would be a .45colt, I just think a stainless five-shot .45colt GP100 with a 4" barrel would be the ideal outdoor sidearm for the lower 48

I voted YES since I'd love a 3" GP100 chambered for the .44 Spl ... now that would be a nice revolver!! However, what would a five shot GP100 chambered for the .45 Colt get you that you can't already have with a six shot Redhawk in .45 Colt? The same argument could apply to the .44 Mag which is available in the Redhawk.

 

[goon]

Damn right! I've had this thought myself.
The GP-100 is a very solid, smooth revolver. It feels a bit like an N-Frame S&W in a way.
I think one in .45 Colt would be a really sweet gun. I bet it would even handle .44 Magnum in a five shot cylinder.
Maybe something with a thinner half lug barrel available? Think maybe along the lines of a Mountain gun sort of...
I am trying to get into semi-autos again but such a gun would be so sexy, I don't know if I could pass it up!

To those who don't see the appeal, basically what you'd get is a really powerful revolver in a smaller package than the Redhawk or Super Redhawk. Smith and Wesson did something similar a few years back with the 696 in .44 Special, but I don't think the L Frame could handle hot .45 Colt or .44 Magnum. The GP-100... Maybe.

 

[critter]

I SO like that idea! My GP100 would LOVE to have a 'big brother'. Also, I'd love a snubby barrel for CC, but I'd probably like the 4" because we're required to have at least that length for deer hunting here. That would be a NICE gun for deer hunting either as primary or as a backup gun. And a 'woods walker' gun, perfect!

 

[RugRev]

"I would consider on in 41 mag. But I would want to shoot it first. Frankly, I don't know if it is strong enough for 41 mag."

Gary Reeder is planning to offer a custom .41 mag GP-100. See:

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discuss...ticle=192177;title=Gary Reeder Custom Gunsave

What the GP has over an N frame if offered in a large caliber is one less round in the cylinder BUT more compact dimensions that will fit a small hand better. The N frame has about the longest trigger reach of any revolver (except Python) when John Taffin measured this some years back on his site. The GP probably would weigh a few ounces less, too, not much but a few as the cylinder is smaller.