Just picked up new Ruger GP100 3"

[Bob79]

Just picked up my new Ruger GP 100 3" I got off gunbroker for $410 shipped tonight from my local FFL.

I must say I'm impressed. This is my first Ruger, and compared to my S&W 66(which I'm going to be selling to a buddy) its definately beefier. I love the look and balance of the 3" barrel. The grips are also the perfect size, I don't think I'll be changing them. I thought the Ruger warning label, and "GP100" stamping would really bother me, but holding and looking at it, its not really a big deal to me. I would prefer it didn't come with it all but, I guess the overall stainless shiny look kind of tones it down.

So Monday I'm going to be shipping it to Clark for some work. And originally I had planned to pay them to polish out the warning label and "GP100", but I think I'll leave it (and yes I'm aware of the issues that could arise with removing it, so lets not get into that). But I'm for sure going to have an action job, front sight colored insert, and chamfer the cylinder holes.

I can't wait to shoot some .357's when it gets back

Handling this gun makes me want to really look into getting a SP101 in .357 2"

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I think you'll really like it. Is it new or one of the police surplus ones that came on the market a couple of years ago?

I have one of the surplus 3" GP-100s with the short butt. I've found that it has the most comfortable grip of any revolver I've shot (which is many ). The GP-100 grip absorbs recoil better than anything else I've shot.

 

[Bob79]

Forgot to add that when I went to pick it up and was checking it out things seemed really stiff. The cylinder was tought to close and open. And about half a dozen times the hammer was pretty tough to cock, I mean really tough. When I got it home I put a few drops of Militec in a few locations and dry fired it maybe 100 times. Since doing that it seems to have loosened up a slight bit. Is this common for brand new Rugers?

I'm sending it out Monday to Clark though, so I'm sure it will come back a lot smoother all around after they work thier magic on it

 

[Frandy]

The cylinder was tough to close and open. And about half a dozen times the hammer was pretty tough to cock, I mean really tough.

Based on your description, no, my GP100 was nothing like that when I first bought it. True, dry firing it smoothed out the trigger, but all other pieces parts were and remain quite "fluid" in their movements.

But I'm for sure going to have an action job, front sight colored insert, and chamfer the cylinder holes.

I changed the front sight on my own as it's a simple spring-loaded item. Bought the insert from Ruger:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAAccView?acc=1104

Are you paying someone else to do this for you?

Just curious...

 

[slopemeno]

My Security Six was like that when I first got it. Lube it and dry fire the heck out of it.

 

[Bob79]

Yup, Clark Custom Guns is where I'll be sending it.

 

[Hugh]

Bob,

I'd give thought to shooting it before you send it off for custom work. If there are any problems (e.g. accuracy, point of aim/point of impact, binding of parts, etc.), you've got yourself a warranty dilemma. You can send it to Ruger to make it right and they'll fix it without charge. While it's visiting the factory, however, all those parts that Clark lovingly fitted and polished are going to fall out of your revolver and disappear. Despite your instructions to the contrary. Then you are back to where you are right now. Ruger is very meticulous about replacing parts that need replacing under warranty. They are equally adept at removing parts they feel might potentially make their product Exhibit "A" in a strict liability suit.

I'd be surprised if your Ruger needed work fresh from the factory. I've had several Blackhawks, however, that needed the barrel tweaking or had screws break due to poor heat treating. Smith & Wesson, for example, has a second industry regulating the fixed sights on many of its new Model 22s. The fact that your action and cylinder seem stiff would be enough to make me wring it out before I ship it off. Personally, I'd satisfy myself that the gun was reliable and accurate before I paid to make it smooth. If it's not, then Ruger will take care of the former on its dime before Clark takes care of the latter on yours. Just my opinion, mind you. God bless.

 

[homefront]

Very good advice!

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Probably a good idea to fire the gun first and check it out *before* you customize it, for the reasons stated above.

I love my 3" GP and so does everybody else who tries it out. Superb balance, feels good in hand, and is fun to shoot the full house .357's out of.

I know Rugers have the reputation of being stiff out of the box, but mine was quite smooth. I'm just going to leave it stock as it keeps getting better with use.