Have Ruger GP100 chopped to 3 inch?

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WebHobbit

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I really want a GP100 with a 3 inch barrel and adjustable sights. Did they once offer this config? I know they don't now. I like the look of the 3 inch fixed site and love the full-lug barrel. But what I'm concerned with is POA/POI when using the lighter bullet loads I prefer (110, 125, 135, etc,). Also I like the sight picture of the adjustable setup better anyway. I carry an SP101 so the GP100 will be mainly for home defense with the occasional winter time carry.

Would it be outrageously expensive to have a 4 incher cut down to 3? :what:

What custom shops would you all recommend for this? I'm thinking if I sunk that kinda dough/time into it I'd just go ahead and have an action job, hammer spur removal/DOA done at the same time.

Opinions please!
 
Hobbit,

I've had that very same thought. I do have a 3 inch GP-100 (Canadian police trade in) with fixed sights and a 4 inch adjusable sighted GP100. But yes I'd LOVE to have a 3 inch one with adjustable sights.

And I've seen those fancy custom 3 inch Rugers. $$$!!

Best you can do is find a Security Six 2 3/4 .357 with adjustable sights. I have one of those to!

Deaf
 
A 3" GP100 with adjustable sights would be a pretty cool gun. You could have the barrel cut down or re-barreled with a 3" barrel. I'm thinking $150-ish.

An issue to consider is the front sight. One of the best features, IMO, of the 4" GP100 is the interchangeable front sight, which you'd lose. If you cut the barrel, you might be able to retain an interchangeable front sight on it by fitting a Weigand interchangeable sight base on it. Looks to be plenty of meat on the GP100s barrel for the fit.

In the case of a re-barreling, the 3" barrel has a pinned front sight. You could leave it, swap in something else, e.g. fiber optic, or probably fit the Weigand base to it, as well. This last option is likely the most expensive, since you'd be paying for a re-barreling and installation of the sight base.

For this, I'd contact Matt Almeda. He works on Ruger revolvers, and I've read good things about his work. He can likely give you an idea of the costs involved.

Action job & conversion to DOA? I'm a fan. I'd also recommend chamfering the cylinder and having the throats checked to be sure they're in spec. I'd also have the general condition of the gun checked, e.g. timing, cylinder gap, etc. No sense in having all this work done if the gun's not up to it's potential, IMO.
 
The reviews I read say the fixed sight hits spot on through SD distances, but gets high at longer distance with the heavier bullets. With 125 grain bullets and lighter, it should be pretty close out to 25 yards. The front sight is pinned, so it should be possible to change to a different height blade, if you should choose.
 
I am thinking of using a 3" GP for IDPA. A cut down 6" to 3" would be a nice way to rid the world of another 6" 357. (I just hate long barrel revolvers)

The best I have found would be about 250 from TK Custom or Gemini Customs. 200 for the barrel chop and 50 for a nicer recrown.

I have a local Smith who could probably do the work though and as long as the labor rates are the same I could save on shipping.

All this info can be looked at at the Gemini and TK webpages.
 
It would be outrageously expensive for the result.
The GP is a big heavy gun at any length and an inch of barrel is not going to make much difference.
Except cosmetically and you may think looks worth the cost. I don't.
 
In the past Ruger has offered a 3 inch adjustable-sighted version, though I don't believe it was ever a cataloged item. I have seen them, the most recent one being three or four years ago. I'm not sure if they were distributor specials or special runs for some agency or organization.
 
If they make a 3" fixed sight model, I would say to buy it and then have someone cut the sights for a dove tail configuration. If you used the measurements for 1911 or Glock sized dovetails, you would have a ton of options for both front and rear sights. Pretty much any decent machinist could do the modification and since it's stainless you don't have to worry about reapplying a finish or anything.
 
If they make a 3" fixed sight model, I would say to buy it and then have someone cut the sights for a dove tail configuration.
Click to expand...

The problem I see with this is there is a lot less meat on the top strap of the 3" GPs. I dont know if it is significant enough that it would dangerously weaken the gun when shooting 357 Mags or not though.

In the end it is probably not worth the cost and the 4" GP would have the same amount of utility.
 
The 3" adjustable-sight GP100 six-guns certainly do exist, as I was lucky enough to score one a few years ago, that is quite minty. I cannot grasp how to post pics here, but it is my avatar on the Defensive Carry forum.
 
I just went and took a look at my 4" GP100. I own a machine shop and even though it would be a pain to set up, it could be shortened at the end that screws into the frame. Doing it this way would retain the original Ruger front sight configuration.

It would need to be rethreaded of course, the slot for the ejection rod would have to be lengthened, and a new forcing cone would need to be machined. Otherwise, it is a pretty straight-forward machine shop job.

Having said all that, if I wanted to shorten the barrel to 3" I would do as suggested above. Whack the sucker off, recrown, and mill a dovetail slot for a standard sight. Been there, done that with other firearms.

DON
 
+1 for the 2 3/4" security six reccomendation. As the owner of both a 4" gp100 and a snubbie Six the short barrelled Six see lot's of belt time.
 
Rexster is correct as 3" adjustable sighted revolvers do exist. They aren't that numerous, though. The barrel can be cut and retain the replaceable front sight. Iowegan, a retired gunsmith, posted what was needed to retain the replaceable front sight. He has done several, evidently. He posted a picture of one he did with about a 2.5" bbl. He claimed they could be cut all the way to 1.75". It is posted either on Rugerforum.net or Rugerforum.com, probably the latter. He said a machine shop could do it in about 1 hour. Bowen makes sight blanks that could be shaped and cut to desired height, also.

Here is one link:

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=35041&sid=36283fc40f796d829c9e7722ded88baf
 
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Owning a GP 100 - 4" I feel a shorter barrel would be advantageous only when carried in a pocket.
( But I own no such big pockets ;) )

And I would loss quite an amount of ballistics and an inch of the already short distance rear to front sight. ( Optical line of sight )
 
If it's what you want, go for it. Just be prepared for the comments from naysayers who just don't get it and never will. Forget the Ruger front sight system, it is mediocre at best and there are limited options available. Forget a dovetail front sight. There are zero options applicable to handguns. Get the Weigand front sight system. There are lots of differnet blades available and the installation is easy for the `smith. Personally, I find the angled cut at the muzzle of factory GP's to be very unsightly. A straight cut would be my preference and I'd consider slabsiding it. IMHO, $250 is a little high for a cut & crown. I have used Jim Stroh of Alpha Precision and David Clements for custom sixgun work and they are both top notch. Browsing Stroh's price list, it would run you about $235, including the Weigand front sight system. You might also want to have the action tuned and refinished while you're at it.


It would be outrageously expensive for the result.
Click to expand...
I reckon it's all a matter of perspective. As far as custom work goes, it would be VERY affordable.
 
i have not had good luck with 3" fixed sight GP's. Sight regulation was poor as the barrels on both were not properly indexed and provided 7 ring impact from a rest @ 20 yards to the left.

I traded them off (both were C.A.I. imports) and after reading of numerous complaints here and there about sight regulation of fixed GP's and SP's it would seem to be a common problem that runs from mild to extreme in Rugers. I went to a 3" s&w model 65 and was quite happy with the performance.

If i do go down this road again and if the sight regulation is poor, I will either go to the trouble and expense of a gunsmith to get the barrel indexed properly for correct POA/POI or have the front sight removed and a dove tail sight post installed.

I don't care for the arguments about range and self defense. The gun must go through a LEO qualification course to be carried and i do not want to use kentucky windage to qualify with one weapon when the sights are that far off.
 
Forgive me if this is a dumb idea, but have you tried just looking for a 3" adjustable sighted barrel? Lot easier to buy a spare barrel and have your best local guy screw it on for you, I'd think.
 
I just emailed a famous revolver gunsmith regarding going from a 4" barrel to 3" barrel. He suggested contacting Ruger and having a 3" barrel fitted.
 
Owning a GP 100 - 4" I feel a shorter barrel would be advantageous only when carried in a pocket. ( But I own no such big pockets )
Click to expand...

A friend recommended bigger britches! He carries an N-Frame in the back pocket of his overalls.
 
I'm with JellyJar. Wouldn't pulling on rear sights be easier and cheaper?

Also, have you considered a SRH Alaskan?
 
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