Rexrider
Member
For the first time in about 12 years I finally added a revolver to the collection.
(I have not had a revolver since my personal financial collapse of '93. Most of my collection was sold off in '93-'94)
I decided on a Ruger GP100, 4", stainless. I was also looking at a S&W 686 as well. A couple things made me go for the Ruger. One, the Ruger was actually tighter then the Smith. The Smith was $110 more than the Ruger. The Smith has a frick'n lock on it. I have seen the posts about the lock and knew it was going to be there....but when did S&W start that?
The only thing the S&W had over the Ruger was single action trigger pull, but not by much. I was way not impressed with the Smith's double action.
Not trying to bash S&W here. Just pointing out the differences with the revolvers that were on-hand. I used to have, back in the day, a S&W 686 6" and a 629 Classic 8 3/4" w/scope. Both were fine revolvers. Just thinking about how good the trigger was on the 629 brings a tear to my eyes.
Anyway, back to the Ruger. I got it out to the range yesterday. Woo-Hoo !! I have been shooting semi-autos all these years and forgot how much fun revolvers are. I had a mix a Remington 125gr JHP (my old stock from bought in '91), PMC 158gr JSP, and some pain old .38 special 158gr swc. I was shooting 20, 50, and 75 ft.
Whew...that 125gr stuff is hot. Nice flash too. It did not take long to get her dialed in. The GP100 seemed to like the 158 gr stuff better. Not to mention less flash. My best group was 6 shots, about 1 1/2" at 20ft off-hand and single action. Four shots in the center ring with 2 just outside. Good enough for me. Groups at 75 ft were 4" to 6" (6 shots, off-hand). Nothing spectacular, but not bad for just getting the feel of it.
Shooting the .38 specials was almost funny. Instead of BOOM they kind of when PIFFFT. No recoil to speak of. One odd thing with the .38's, not only did they go high, they also when left. At 20 ft they grouped at between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions 2" from center. I expected a change in elevation, not windage. I never notice this with my old S&W when shooting .38's.
I have to say at this point I am happy with the GP100. Now I just need to find a good holster for open carry when my wife and I go hiking. One thing about the GP100, it is not light.
(I have not had a revolver since my personal financial collapse of '93. Most of my collection was sold off in '93-'94)
I decided on a Ruger GP100, 4", stainless. I was also looking at a S&W 686 as well. A couple things made me go for the Ruger. One, the Ruger was actually tighter then the Smith. The Smith was $110 more than the Ruger. The Smith has a frick'n lock on it. I have seen the posts about the lock and knew it was going to be there....but when did S&W start that?
The only thing the S&W had over the Ruger was single action trigger pull, but not by much. I was way not impressed with the Smith's double action.
Not trying to bash S&W here. Just pointing out the differences with the revolvers that were on-hand. I used to have, back in the day, a S&W 686 6" and a 629 Classic 8 3/4" w/scope. Both were fine revolvers. Just thinking about how good the trigger was on the 629 brings a tear to my eyes.
Anyway, back to the Ruger. I got it out to the range yesterday. Woo-Hoo !! I have been shooting semi-autos all these years and forgot how much fun revolvers are. I had a mix a Remington 125gr JHP (my old stock from bought in '91), PMC 158gr JSP, and some pain old .38 special 158gr swc. I was shooting 20, 50, and 75 ft.
Whew...that 125gr stuff is hot. Nice flash too. It did not take long to get her dialed in. The GP100 seemed to like the 158 gr stuff better. Not to mention less flash. My best group was 6 shots, about 1 1/2" at 20ft off-hand and single action. Four shots in the center ring with 2 just outside. Good enough for me. Groups at 75 ft were 4" to 6" (6 shots, off-hand). Nothing spectacular, but not bad for just getting the feel of it.
Shooting the .38 specials was almost funny. Instead of BOOM they kind of when PIFFFT. No recoil to speak of. One odd thing with the .38's, not only did they go high, they also when left. At 20 ft they grouped at between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions 2" from center. I expected a change in elevation, not windage. I never notice this with my old S&W when shooting .38's.
I have to say at this point I am happy with the GP100. Now I just need to find a good holster for open carry when my wife and I go hiking. One thing about the GP100, it is not light.