GP100 3 inch still being made?

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CuzinMike

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Hello all. Long-time lurker and first time poster. This is a great community you have here, and I've picked up a wealth of information. Thanks!

Anywho, I've been in the market for a new nightstand/car/camping revolver to compliment my wonderful (but big and heavy) Smith Model 610.

After visiting several local shops and endless hours reading online, I've determined that Ruger's 3 inch GP100 is about perfect for my intended use. Problem is, they seem a bit difficult to find. Of the three local shops I've been to in the last week, I've come across 5 NIB 4 inch GP's, but the only 3 inch I've found is an extremely worn half-lug model marked "VT State Police", and I'd much prefer a new gun.

I want to order one, but every employee I've asked at these shops told me the 3 inch is no longer being made by Ruger, which seems to contradict Ruger's 07 catalog and their website.

Anyone else have any additional information? I don't really want a 4 inch model, as I already have a great gun for the range, and Smith's 686 just doesn't feel as good in my hands. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
i dont know bout the 3 incher but my 6" is just dandee. maybe not for conceilment purposes, but is shoots great. i luv my gp100!
 
I doubt its discontinued - it shows as a current model on their website - KGPF-331, in stainless (no blued 3" model).
Perhaps give Ruger a call to confirm and then have your dealer do the same.
It may be that the distributors don't have any in stock at the moment...
 
so i don't want to add a voice to the gunshop-employees-suck choir, but have you considered that these employees might just have a vested interest in selling down their stock of 4-inchers? seems unlikely that three different shops would all come up with the same story, so maybe they just know better than the rest of us and ruger needs to update their website.

even if that is the case, though...you ought to still be able to find a NIB 3-inch GP through gunbroker, auction arms, or a gun show. heck, if there are still NIB colts floating around, there are sure to be some unfired GPs in whatever size you'd like. and for a new one, the need to check it out in person before buying is considerably less, it seems to me.
 
Thanks, I was considering that at at least one shop maybe the guy just wanted to get rid of the two 4" GP's he had, but he also kept insisting that Ruger made a 2 1/2" GP100, which I have never heard of, so one of the two of us is misinformed (Possibly me).

I have no problem ordering a new weapon, but I've never paid for a gun without seeing it in person first. I know they're out there though, so it may be my only option. I mean, I figure if you're gonna shell out the money, you might as well get the gun you really want, right?
 
I know a few guys in the gun selling business and they tell me that Ruger is notorious for advertising new products and then taking months and even a couple of years getting the product out to the market on any real scale.

The same goes for alot of their variations. The Blackhawks with the switchable cylinders can be hard to get hold of and possibly the same goes for the GP100's with the 3" barrels.

Just speculation on my part.
 
Along with some of the other possible reasons listed above, it may be that the distributor they go through is out or does not stock the item. As of a few months ago Davisons still had them in good quantities. After talking with the owner of one local store and the manager at another about why they dont stock them they both said something to the effect that they would be hard to sell next to the sp101 line. Price is approx $100 more. I see the point and have been looking for a good used 3" GP as they only fetch about $50 more in the used market.
 
You bet! 3 inch barrel GP100 are in great demand for Personal Fighting Carry weapons. They are everywhere...and very easy to order if you do not find them in stock. They are the "It" revolver at the moment. If you want fine trigger work and customized gunsmith finish on one, go to: http://www.geminicustoms.com/ where you can actually purchase one on their site and get it fine tuned. The older, Speed/Security Six revolvers were 2 3/4 inch barrels. I have a friend that has had his S&W rebuilt three times in his lifetime...his Ruger, on the other hand, goes on and on. Come to think of it, has anybody...anybody ever even heard of a Ruger needing a rebuilding or ever going out of time? I thought not...me neither.
 
Almost makes me want to sell my 3" blued GP100.:)
But then I would have to find something to replace it.:(
 
The 3" GP100 with the full lug barrel is still being made. I happen to have the half lug version and I have to say this is one fine revolver. It is absolutely perfect in size and balance.
 
I think Ruger has always worked in "runs". For a while the 3" seems hard to find and then for a while they are plentiful. I don't believe the SS full lug 3 inch has been discontinued, but the entire Ruger line has shrunk to those models Ruger feels are most profitable and marketable. The 3 inch is a fine, fine gun.
 
I too have heard about Ruger's manufacturing runs. Just because something is on their website does not mean their distributors have them, and something apparently discontinued, due to not being on the website, may be in stock at the distributor. Some rarer variations have been produced for certain distributors, such as Lipsey's and Davidson's.
 
As far as I know, the 3 incher is alive and kicking. Saw it on the Ruger website last week, so it should be currently manufactured. They sell tons of them, so I don't believe it has been discontinued - chalk it off the bad luck.
 
The 3" GP100 is a great little revolver. I bought it because of all the chit-chat on the forums and I have not regretted it. I used it to qualify for my CCW permit with full house 357 loads. The humorous part about it is that it was only the second time I shot it.
 
While I agree the stainless is the most "practical" (and I have one), I am very glad I was able to get one the blued ones when they were being closed out a couple years ago. It is a beautiful revolver.
 
Countyline Shooting Sports in McKenna, WA has a NIB 3" stainless GP100 under the glass for, if I recall correctly, $479. With payment, maybe he'll ship it to your local FFL. (360) 400-4010, Tuesday - Saturday.
 
so i don't want to add a voice to the gunshop-employees-suck choir, but have you considered that these employees might just have a vested interest in selling down their stock of 4-inchers? seems unlikely that three different shops would all come up with the same story, so maybe they just know better than the rest of us and ruger needs to update their website.
Click to expand...

It has been my experience that gunshops do NOT like ordering from 'other distributers' than 'their own'
 
Old 112,

I believe they had it marked "$305.00 Cash".

The gun was tight, and the trigger was quite nice (as expected after who knows how many rounds) but it had a lot of discoloration on the cylinder and holster wear. Didn't seem abused, just well used. I'm still thinking about picking it up and sending it off to Gemini...
 
CuzinMike,
Too bad the gun shop guys don't want to do the right thing and order the gun you want. The 3" GP100 isn't a new revolver so it shouldn't be a problem for them to get for you. I'm lucky enough to have found a Blue 2 3/4" Service-Six last year in .357 Magnum. The Ruger site has the 3" GP100 in Stainless only, the Blue is in 4" and up. http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1715&return=Y
 
Thats pretty weird that the shop owners would say that. I ordered the same gun in question on the 7th and the owner said no problem. I hope he doesn't have problems getting it.

It sounds to me they just didn't want to do their job.
 
CuzinMike,

DawgFvr, is right about the 3" GP-100's. I have many Ruger revolvers but never had the desire for the GP.....It just did'nt light my fire.....that is until I came across one of those used guns, reimported by CAI from Canada. It has the short shroud and is factory DAO. I found the best of the bunch that looked like it had been hardly used and purchased it. I threw away the holster, speedloader and cartridge slide that came with it. It was plenty accurate and I decided to send it off to Marc at Gemini Customs. The only thing I did not get done was the barrel porting called HybraPorting. It is now my ONLY carry revolver....

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