First GP 100 .357

[Riomouse911]

Well I recently added to the set of .357 revolvers, and increased the growing list of Ruger firearms in the safe, by picking up a nice used GP-100 4” 6-shot .357 Magnum. I really didn’t need it but I’ve never had a Ruger .357, and the price wasn’t bad, so I thought I’d pick it up. While waiting to pick it up I ordered a Wolff spring set.



This gun has the Hogue grip rather than the original rubber-wood panel ones like my .44 Spl. GP-100 has. It fits my hand pretty well and the GP’s frame allows the rubber to wrap around without an exposed back strap like the Hogues on my S&W revolvers. This made for a pretty comfy grip.



One thing I noticed right away is the DA trigger pull on the new GP is not at all like a Smith & Wesson or Colt revolver. This GP has what almost seems like a two-stage trigger.

The first part of the pull rotates the cylinder until the cylinder stop drops into the slot. It literally staged itself as I was pulling it to the rear without my trying to. I’m not really a fan of staging the trigger, but I didn’t have a choice not to.

After the cylinder is locked the trigger still has more to go, stacking a bit as I kept pulling to the rear until it finally broke. To be kind, I wasn’t all that impressed with the trigger set up as it came.

This trigger action is not like the 5-shot GP-100 .44 Spl., it really threw me for a loop. The .44 Spl., like my 6-shot Colt and all of my 6-shot S&W triggers, doesn’t lock the bolt until a fraction before the hammer falls. I guess the offset bolt notches, combined with the 6-shot cylinder of the .357 GP, cause the early lock up. It took a while to get used to when shooting today, I think the gun will shoot a lot better once I figure out the unique trigger pull this gun has.

These targets were pretty large so I ran them out to about 12 yards and shot DA. I had a partial box, so I started with 40 rounds of .38 Spl. 148 gr WC over 2.8 gr Bullseye. First shot was low. I didn’t bring a small enough screwdriver so my astigmatism kept my shots a bit to the left.



Then another partial box of 15 mid range .357’s: 158 gr SWC over 6.2 gr Unique. Again, my first shot was low with these, too.




Keeping with the 5-shots-each regimen, I shot some really stout loads: 165 gr coated RN over a book-max charge of AA-9. The blue circle on the right was the first one I fired at, the first shot went high then the next 4 went closer together. The next one I really took it slow. 3 shots in one cluster… then I chunked one. The last was back with the first shots.



These loads had sharp recoil even with the Hogue grips. I think I’ll finish the remaining 40 off the next time I shoot and then retire this load. They’re probably too much for my K frames, and too long for the Dan Wesson with the counterbored charge holes, so it’s the 4” L frame or the GP only. (The bullets are too pointy for me to safely use in my Rossi 92.)

Once I got home and cleaned the gun I then checked the trigger pull with the Lyman gauge. 5 pulls averaged 10 lb 6 oz DA, 4 lb 1 oz SA. I popped it open, smoothed some of the surfaces and put in the Wolff 12 lb mainspring and 10 lb trigger return spring. After reassembly, the trigger pull is a smoother and less-stacky 8 lb 5 oz DA and 3 lb 4 oz SA and still should have plenty of firing pin ooomph for my reloaded ammo.

All in all it’s a good revolver. The trigger pull is not one I’m used to so it’ll be like learning to shoot all over again as I figure it out.

Stay safe.

 

[stonebuster]

The first revolvers I bought were a GP100 4" & 5" 357 so I had little experience to compare the GP trigger to. Now after owning multiple Smiths and Dan Wessons the difference is obvious. My GPs have very smooth triggers but longer pull especially after cylinder lock up. I find it easier to shoot accurately with a shorter trigger pull but that may say more about me than the gun.

 

[Tallball]

Congratulations!

My FiL has a 6" that happened to have a nice trigger NiB. The trigger feel is a little unusual, as you described, but it's easy to get used to.

He always shoots it better than any of his service autos, even his CZ75.

 

[Ru4real]

Nice write up!

I’ve considered getting a GP100. Will be interesting to find out how the Wolff springs changed the trigger pull on your Ruger.

 

[bigmike45]

They are fantastic guns. I have a 3" factory DAO in .357mag as well. I've customized mine for carry and it is one of my favorite Rugers to shoot.

 

[Pat Riot]

@Riomouse911
Thank you for that write up. Did you try firing in single action?
I wasn’t aware that GP100s have this trigger set up. That is good to know.
Being a cowboy action guy for years I tend to shoot more single than double action with my DA revolvers, but I do shoot them all in DA and I will admit that my DA shooting isn’t as good as yours, from prior posts I have seen of yours, but it’s definitely good enough for SD.
I have only seen a couple new GP100’s recently. I saw one yesterday in Turner’s for $900 that looked just like yours. The other was a 7 shot that was full MSRP priced @ $1032.00. That one was made “single action” because it dropped off the Roster. I am sure someone bought it simply because it is now “off roster”. I think that’s why the LGS priced it at full MSRP, even though they had to remove the Double Action Dog to sell it legally here.

Anyway, I am going off on a tangent.
Congratulations on your new Ruger.

 

[357 Terms]

Good choice Riomouse, as 357's go you can't go wrong with a GP.
I have two, really like them.
My blued GP is a 170 prefix (first year of production) from 1986 (note the serial # in pic)
The 3in is from 2012.
Both shoot as well as any 357 I own.

 

[PapaG]

I have, or have had, at least one model of every Ruger da revolver. Only one has an exemplary trigger and that took work. (SP101 357). My one word for them all, "tanks". Over built and nearly indestructible.

 

[Barbaroja]

I think the gp100 responds very well to a spring kit and polishing. Very easy to do at home with next to zero gunsmithing skill.

 

[tominboise]

Good choice Riomouse, as 357's go you can't go wrong with a GP.
I have two, really like them.
My blued GP is a 170 prefix (first year of production) from 1986 (note the serial # in pic)
The 3in is from 2012.
Both shoot as well as any 357 I own.

View attachment 1055964

I really like that 3". Was that a rare model?

 

[chicharrones]

Yep, my old early '90s GP100 came with that "2-stage" trigger feel. Even with some polishing and spring changes, it still has it.

 

[357 Terms]

I really like that 3". Was that a rare model?

Nope, came standard with the Hogue monogrip and spurred hammer.
I bobbed the hammer and added the compact grips as soon as I could.
Handy lil 357.

 

[Riomouse911]

I really like that 3". Was that a rare model?

Not really rare, it’s a 3” .44 Spl. with the original grip taken off and replaced with a GP compact grip. The 5” blued .44 Spls. are a lot less common .

Edit: Oops, I just notice that was for the sweet bobbed version! Doh!

@Riomouse911
Thank you for that write up. Did you try firing in single action?
I wasn’t aware that GP100s have this trigger set up. That is good to know.
Being a cowboy action guy for years I tend to shoot more single than double action with my DA revolvers, but I do shoot them all in DA and I will admit that my DA shooting isn’t as good as yours, from prior posts I have seen of yours, but it’s definitely good enough for SD.
I have only seen a couple new GP100’s recently. I saw one yesterday in Turner’s for $900 that looked just like yours. The other was a 7 shot that was full MSRP priced @ $1032.00. That one was made “single action” because it dropped off the Roster. I am sure someone bought it simply because it is now “off roster”. I think that’s why the LGS priced it at full MSRP, even though they had to remove the Double Action Dog to sell it legally here.

Anyway, I am going off on a tangent.
Congratulations on your new Ruger.

I did shoot a few SA cylinders full, I just didn’t post any pictures. With a fairly crisp SA pull it shot well in SA, a lot like my S&W .357’s do. The DA pull of the GP was such a different feel I sort of focused on that I guess..

Turners hasn’t done much but sell at MSRP+ for the past two years or so. I found a consignment 1930’s vintage Colt Officers Model .38 Spl. at the very start of the 2020 pandemic/social idiocy for $500 bucks at the SB store. By the time the 10 day wait was up, the handgun/self defense long gun shelves and racks were picked bare and what was left was MSRP+.

I think the only other thing I’ll change on the GP is the front sight blade. I think I’ll go with an orange or similar blade to bring out the sight a bit since I shoot indoors a lot.

I do like the simplicity of the gun, the only issue I had taking it down was a really stiff plunger that needs to be pressed in to pop the trigger mechanism out. I had to pinch the barrel in a well-padded vise to hold it steady while I pressed the plunger with a steel punch and pulled down on the trigger set. Once I swapped the spring to a #10 and polished the inside of the spring channel it was much easier to deal with.

(I haven’t needed to fiddle with the Redhawk or super Redhawk, the SP 101 .38 was much easier to take down when I did the spring-polish job on it last year.)

Stay safe.

 

[Rock185]

Those are nice GPs. I'd owned all manner of Rugers over the years, but no GP100 till the last couple years. I like the fact that the cylinder locks up solidly before hammer fall. Not always the case with some S&W revolvers I've owned. The GP100 trigger is definitely not like the S&W or Colt, but overall, I still like the gun. I've tried some different grips and front sights on mine. Sure like how easy it is to change front sights. I went from fiber optic to plain black 1/10" on mine.

 

[Barbaroja]

I do like the simplicity of the gun, the only issue I had taking it down was a really stiff plunger that needs to be pressed in to pop the trigger mechanism out. I had to pinch the barrel in a well-padded vise to hold it steady while I pressed the plunger with a steel punch and pulled down on the trigger set. Once I swapped the spring to a #10 and polished the inside of the spring channel it was much easier to deal with.

I also had some trouble with mine but I think the problem was mostly due to some burrs around the plunger. I always have to give a little tap on the trigger guard with mallet to get it to reseat properly. No real complaints as I’ve only had it apart twice and don’t plan to make it a common occurrence. Mine came with the black front ramp and I just put a dab of orange paint on it and called it good.
I have plans of replacing the grips with wood panels from chigs

 

[DMW1116]

I had one years ago and kick myself for selling it whenever I think about it. I was too poor to shoot it much and didn’t really have a place but it shot great. It was a 6” barrel but with the wood inset grips. If I still had it I would probably still have bought my Blackhawk but it would have been a much tougher decision.

 

[ThomasT]

OP you will like that gun the more you use it. They feel heavy in the hand but put them in a good holster with a stury belt and you can carry them all day.

I have two GP-100s. A 6" I bought around 1990 for using in falling plate matches and a 4" I bought off gunbroker about 6 years ago I like to wear at my buds ranch when I used to check his cows while he was gone on vacation. I won a lot of trophies with that 6" gun and still have it. Its probably my most shot revolver with over 5,000 rounds down the barrel and it shows no wear at all. Most were lead bullet round in the full power 38 special power in 357 cases.

I haven't shot the 4" nearly as much but enough to know I can ring the pipe at 100 yards off hand on a regular basis. The "pipe" is a section of pipe fence material about 3.5" in diameter about 3' tall set in the ground by the pond that used to have a catfish feeder mounted on top. The feeder and the catfish are gone but the pole has been a target for two decades for us. It rings like a bell when hit. Thats fun and it shows just how accurate some guns are.

Back in the middle 1990s afriend had a blued 4" he wanted to sell so he could buy a Glock 357 Sig. I took it to the gunshow with me and had a hard time getting $250 for it. No one wanted revolvers. Autos were the guns to have and the market was flooded with revolvers. I have regretted many times not just buying that gun my self. I really liked the blued guns a lot. You don't see them very often. Ruger does a nice bluing job when they want to.