Lipsey & Ruger…ask for a GP100 in 41 Magnum!!!

[.38 Special]

I don't have anything against the .41 Magnum. In fact, I think it's a great cartridge, almost identical in performance to the .44 Magnum. That's the issue, though: if you have a .44, there's no practical reason to get a .41, and vice-versa.

Of course, "I just want one" is perfectly valid. Are there enough of those folks to justify a run of such guns? Ruger and/or Lipsey's apparently don't think so. I wish you all success with the letter-writing.

Personally, I remain mystified by the continued lack of guns in .50 Special.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Why would I need a GP100?

Because you don't have one. That's my reasoning for buying most of what I buy.

 

[JCooperfan1911]

I don't have anything against the .41 Magnum. In fact, I think it's a great cartridge, almost identical in performance to the .44 Magnum. That's the issue, though: if you have a .44, there's no practical reason to get a .41, and vice-versa.

Of course, "I just want one" is perfectly valid. Are there enough of those folks to justify a run of such guns? Ruger and/or Lipsey's apparently don't think so. I wish you all success with the letter-writing.

Personally, I remain mystified by the continued lack of guns in .50 Special.

I believe you mean .500 S&W Special.

There is no such thing as “.50 Special”

 

[.38 Special]

I believe you mean .500 S&W Special.

There is no such thing as “.50 Special”

Hamilton Bowen has been making them - and marking them as such - for decades.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hamilton Bowen has been making them - and marking them as such - for decades.

That’s funny. My wife had a H&R HandiRifle in .500S&W and I never thought to reload for it because a box of ammo was basically a lifetime supply for her. She said a few times she would like a .500Spl Blackhawk to go with her rifle. I’ll have to let her know there’s one being made and has for a while.

 

[Anchorite]

I’m not sure I understand the fascination with smaller-framed revolvers and exotic cartridges. I’m perfectly fine with my Redhawk 41 Magnum and it shoots 41 magnum downloaded to special levels just fine.

 

[Onty]

I’m not sure I understand the fascination with smaller-framed revolvers and exotic cartridges. I’m perfectly fine with my Redhawk 41 Magnum and it shoots 41 magnum downloaded to special levels just fine.

Put side by side Redhawk 5.5" and GP100 6", measure them and weigh them.

I have Redhawk 7.5" in 44 Magnum, but after getting SBH (now Bisley) 5.5" and second Bisley 7.5" (both 44 Magnum), Redhawk is at the back of my gun cabinet, hope to sell it soon.

I guess this picture speaks volumes:



Also, see these pictures, both rifles in 8x57, both 60 cm barrels. Left is mine, right is neighbor's:



Make a note that rifle on the left has scope bases installed. So difference must be close to 450 grams, or one lb.

 

[Anchorite]

Put side by side Redhawk 5.5" and GP100 6", measure them and weigh them.

I have Redhawk 7.5" in 44 Magnum, but after getting SBH (now Bisley) 5.5" and second Bisley 7.5" (both 44 Magnum), Redhawk is at the back of my gun cabinet, hope to sell it soon.

I guess this picture speaks volumes:

View attachment 1142107

Also, see these pictures, both rifles in 8x57, both 60 cm barrels. Left is mine, right is neighbor's:

View attachment 1142102 View attachment 1142103

Make a note that rifle on the left has scope bases installed. So difference must be close to 450 grams, or one lb.

I’m well aware of the weight argument. I have a GP100 and several SA Rugers and Smiths.

My F150 gets me around as well as a Toyota would, I’m sure. I just like the F150 a bit more. Does the same job as a Toyota.

 

[CraigC]

I would love to see Ruger legitimize the .41Special and would get in line for a .41Spl so-chambered. It could also remain a six shot. It can be loaded with a 215gr at 1200fps though that would probably have to be a five shot. No desire to shoot full pressure .41Mag in that platform.

There is no such thing as “.50 Special”

The .50Spl is a .500Linebaugh cut to .44Spl length, a Bowen creation. It is typically chambered in lighter guns that are not fortified like the Linebaugh/JRH conversions. Probably first seen in a John Taffin article 30yrs ago.

My F150 gets me around as well as a Toyota would, I’m sure. I just like the F150 a bit more. Does the same job as a Toyota.

But you're not carrying it, you're driving it.

 

[Charlie98]

I would love to see Ruger legitimize the .41Special and would get in line for a .41Spl so-chambered. It could also remain a six shot. It can be loaded with a 215gr at 1200fps though that would probably have to be a five shot. No desire to shoot full pressure .41Mag in that platform.

I had one of the Lipsey's Ruger .44SPC flattop single-actions... my first, and probably last... .44 pistol of any sort. Besides the cartridge, I thought the pistol was a joy to handle and shoot... and particularly when compared to my (large frame) .45 Colt Vaquero, which felt like Porky Pig compared. Now, while I've explored the upper regions of 'Ruger-only' .45 Colt loads in my Vaquero, I had no such intention of trying that with that flattop... it simply was not the pistol for that kind of silliness. Now... take that same flattop Blackhawk, and give it 6 ports in a .41SPC? Now you are talking! Do that twice... with the GP, too... and I think Ruger would have a hard time filling the initial demand.

 

[Onty]

I would love to see Ruger legitimize the .41Special and would get in line for a .41Spl so-chambered. It could also remain a six shot. It can be loaded with a 215gr at 1200fps though that would probably have to be a five shot. No desire to shoot full pressure .41Mag in that platform.

With that Custom 465® - Specialty Alloys | Carpenter Technology steel (same as on 454 and 480 RH), cylinder could be 6-bore. As for weight, of course, that revolver isn't for shooting couple boxes of full power 41 Magnum in a single day. But if it has the same weight as 6" S&W 57/657, no underlug, in case of emergency cylinderfull shouldn't be problematic.

The .50Spl is a .500Linebaugh cut to .44Spl length, a Bowen creation. It is typically chambered in lighter guns that are not fortified like the Linebaugh/JRH conversions. Probably first seen in a John Taffin article 30yrs ago.

Agree with you about 50 Special, but I doubt in a factory revolver bore will be .510", rather .500" to conform to the law. However, I am bit skeptical about anything lighter/smaller than large frame NMBH. And Bisley configuration, of course.

 

[Onty]

My apology, missed main page about steels used on 454 and 480 SRH:

ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL REVOLVERS GETS LIFT FROM AEROSPACE ALLOYS (carpentertechnology.com)

 

[CraigC]

With that Custom 465® - Specialty Alloys | Carpenter Technology steel (same as on 454 and 480 RH), cylinder could be 6-bore. As for weight, of course, that revolver isn't for shooting couple boxes of full power 41 Magnum in a single day. But if it has the same weight as 6" S&W 57/657, no underlug, in case of emergency cylinderfull shouldn't be problematic.

Agree with you about 50 Special, but I doubt in a factory revolver bore will be .510", rather .500" to conform to the law. However, I am bit skeptical about anything lighter/smaller than large frame NMBH. And Bisley configuration, of course.

Personally, I don't want stainless so a blued five-shot is perfectly fine.

No legal issues involved with the .500Linebaugh or Special.

 

[Onty]

Personally, I don't want stainless so a blued five-shot is perfectly fine.

No legal issues involved with the .500Linebaugh or Special.

Yes, no issues. However, when S&W worked on design of their 500 Magnum, caliber issue was researched. And conclusion was "to be on safe side" and they went to .500" bore. In that respect, 500 JRH is also .500". And 50 AE, if I am not mistaken.

 

[SDGlock23]

I would like larger bore GP100 models and to be fair they could achieve that with their "Super GP100" series, but so far they don't seem to be doing much with it. The GP100 is my favorite Ruger revolver, their Super Redhawk is good but admittedly a bit ... ugly. The Redhawk looks better but has a terrible trigger system. I may be wrong but I thought the concept of the Super Gp100 was basically a GP100/SRH grip frame with a Redhawk "upper" so to speak. I'd be a very happy guy if Ruger simply made a Gp100 to the T, just slightly bigger and offered it .41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and maybe eventually 454...but then they'd have to (well, would likely) get rid of the Redhawk/Super Redhawk series.

On a side note, it would be kind of cool if Ruger commercialized the 500 JRH and offered guns (real or imagined) in it.

 

[Anchorite]

Reading some of these posts reminds me of the (legendary?), “ya, but Colt made a .41 Python, and a few slipped out the door…” stories.

Point is, something tells me there’s a real reason we don’t see the GP in any larger calibers.

 

[CraigC]

Yes, no issues. However, when S&W worked on design of their 500 Magnum, caliber issue was researched. And conclusion was "to be on safe side" and they went to .500" bore. In that respect, 500 JRH is also .500". And 50 AE, if I am not mistaken.

All the same rules apply to factory and custom guns. It's why Bowen had to jump through hurdles to do his .577. As I said, there is no issue with the .500Linebaugh because it utilizes a .510" groove with a .500" bore diameter. No doubt Linebaugh wanted to use existing .512" cast bullets. The JRH is a .501" because that's the biggest cartridge that would fit the FA 83.

I would like larger bore GP100 models and to be fair they could achieve that with their "Super GP100" series, but so far they don't seem to be doing much with it. The GP100 is my favorite Ruger revolver, their Super Redhawk is good but admittedly a bit ... ugly. The Redhawk looks better but has a terrible trigger system. I may be wrong but I thought the concept of the Super Gp100 was basically a GP100/SRH grip frame with a Redhawk "upper" so to speak. I'd be a very happy guy if Ruger simply made a Gp100 to the T, just slightly bigger and offered it .41 Mag, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and maybe eventually 454...but then they'd have to (well, would likely) get rid of the Redhawk/Super Redhawk series.

On a side note, it would be kind of cool if Ruger commercialized the 500 JRH and offered guns (real or imagined) in it.

The Super GP100 (another dumb name from Ruger) is a Super Redhawk with a standard Redhawk style barrel.

 

[RKRCPA]

I would love to see Ruger legitimize the .41Special and would get in line for a .41Spl so-chambered. It could also remain a six shot. It can be loaded with a 215gr at 1200fps though that would probably have to be a five shot. No desire to shoot full pressure .41Mag in that platform.

I would be in that line as well.

I don't have a GP100 to measure....will a six shot 41 fit in the cylinder with room for the cartridge rims? Looking at pictures of the 10mm cylinder it seems like it would be a very tight fit.

 

[Onty]

I would be in that line as well.

I don't have a GP100 to measure....will a six shot 41 fit in the cylinder with room for the cartridge rims? Looking at pictures of the 10mm cylinder it seems like it would be a very tight fit.

You are right, even if cylinder is strong enough, space could be a problem. In that respect, IMO 5-bore is better solution.

 

[CraigC]

I would be in that line as well.

I don't have a GP100 to measure....will a six shot 41 fit in the cylinder with room for the cartridge rims? Looking at pictures of the 10mm cylinder it seems like it would be a very tight fit.

It works for the .41Spl but you have to keep pressures low. For a custom anyway, probably wouldn't satisfy Ruger. In something with a cylinder the size of the Colt SAA, it can be a six shot and loaded to 1200fps.

 

[RKRCPA]

It works for the .41Spl but you have to keep pressures low. For a custom anyway, probably wouldn't satisfy Ruger. In something with a cylinder the size of the Colt SAA, it can be a six shot and loaded to 1200fps.

The single action piece I have covered with my mid-frame Blackhawk. Every time I pick up my 696 I think how nice it would be to have one in 41 caliber. The GP100 seems like the perfect candidate for a five shot.

 

[CraigC]

The single action piece I have covered with my mid-frame Blackhawk. Every time I pick up my 696 I think how nice it would be to have one in 41 caliber. The GP100 seems like the perfect candidate for a five shot.

Agreed, 100%. That Taffin article of 30yrs ago featuring Bowen's first custom Colt SAA's and an unfluted 5.5" .41Spl he did still echoes in my mind. Was gonna do one with a Uberti flat-top.

 

[RealGun]

I would be in that line as well.

I don't have a GP100 to measure....will a six shot 41 fit in the cylinder with room for the cartridge rims? Looking at pictures of the 10mm cylinder it seems like it would be a very tight fit.

My 41 Special GP100 carries six rounds, but in a magnum the cylinder would not rate as strong enough for six and at best would carry five rounds.