Need some help with a GP100

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frogger42

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I purchased a used GP100 today from an individual I met on another forum. I have 2 questions...

1. He had replaced the OEM grips with Hogue Monogrips. The original grips had 2 parts stored under the wood panels. One looks like a fat aluminum rod. The other looks like a thin copper rod. He said they were take down tools. Is this correct? Do I need them? He provided them in a ziploc bag but I don't know if I need to keep them.

2. I removed the grip to clean the gun. When I put it back a piece fell out in my hand. It was a pin with a flat end that fit through the frame just above the grip. I removed the grip and put the part back and replaced the grip which seems to be the only thing holding the part in. What is this part for and is it a problem if it comes out easily with the grip removed? I have included a pic below with an arrow pointing to the part I am talking about.

102_1084.gif

I have not shot the gun yet. It will probably be Sunday or Monday before I have a chance. I am mostly concerned about question #2. I want to make sure the gun is safe to fire.

[EDIT] Here is some additional information that I hope helps. The hammer pivot assembly does not sit flush with the frame. It is slightly sunken into the frame. Also, it can be easily removed while the hammer is down. With the hammer cocked, it is quite tight. I probably could force it out, but I haven't (and wouldn't) try. The speculation now is that the seller at some point replaced this part with one from an SP101. Does that seem plausible? If so, could this make it dangerous to fire? I plan to order the correct part from Ruger on Monday if it turns out that this theory is correct, but I don't know if it should just sit in the safe until that part arrives.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
#1:Yep, takedown tools. Keep them (I have a drawer for stuff like that).
#2: That's normal. That pin is the pivot point for the hammer and is held in place in part by the grips.
 
Don't know about the "fat aluminum rod" but the "thin copper rod" is used to pin the mainspring compressed so that it can be removed for field stripping. I would suggest that you go to the Ruger site, download the manual and read it before shooting the gun.

edit: the fat aluminum rod did not come with the gun as far as I know. The spring pin was supplied in a slot inside the wooden grip
 
[EDIT] Here is some additional information that I hope helps. The hammer pivot assembly does not sit flush with the frame. It is slightly sunken into the frame. Also, it can be easily removed while the hammer is down. With the hammer cocked, it is quite tight. I probably could force it out, but I haven't (and wouldn't) try. The speculation now is that the seller at some point replaced this part with one from an SP101. Does that seem plausible? If so, could this make it dangerous to fire? I plan to order the correct part from Ruger on Monday if it turns out that this theory is correct, but I don't know if it should just sit in the safe until that part arrives.
Click to expand...

I have three GP 100's and the hammer pivot pins on two of them are recessed down into the frame a good bit, the other one it still sets down but not as much. I think it's normal.
 
my hammer pivot pokes out a little, but it doesn't fall out with the grip in place. no big deal. shoots perfectly fine.
 
What you describe as a "fat aluminum rod" is actually what is known by Ruger is a "Grip Locator". The GP100 comes with Ruger Grips that are equipped with two panels. If you unscrew the standard grip screw (standard Ruger GP100 grips) you will see the following: The panels come off. Underneath those panels that fat Grip Locator sits to center the rubber grip and also acts to hold the factory grip in place. You would use your finger to push that fat Grip Locator either right or left and pull the ORIGINAL Ruger Grip off the frame. That fat plug mearly holds the grip in place when you use factory GP100 grips. That part is not needed with Hogues. But needless to say, keep that part, it's for the original Ruger grips! What you describe as a "thin copper rod" is the takedown pin. You can use a paperclip. But the takedown pin works just dandy. When the GP100 is cocked. You would insert this thin pin to trap the mainspring housing in the downward position and it take tension off the part for removal. Upon reassembly, the gun is cocked the the pin is removed. It's just for getting the mainspring housing off. TOGGLELOCK (Ruger Factory Law Enforcement Armorer)
 
it sounds as if the springs were changed if the hammer pin will slide out under gravity.+1 for togglelocks remarks , i would like to add that i like the Lett style grip ( the set with wood panels) the hogues are to "sticky" for my taste, if you run across a set of em it mite be a good idea to get em!!

GP100man
 
Well, I called Ruger today to ask if the issue with the hammer pivot assembly was an issue. The lady I spoke to said she has seen several of them do this and it was fine. Just to be safe, I ordered a replacement part ($7 including shipping). I figure when it arrives, I will see if it fits tighter. If not, at least I will have a spare in case the original one gets lost during cleaning. Thanks for all the replies. I'm glad to know my new wheelgun seems to be fine. I will still hold off heading to the range until the new part arrives, just to be safe, but if it shoots half as good as I am expecting, it could be my new favorite gun.

GP100Man,
Thanks for the input on the grips, but my experience was the exact opposite. On the original GP100 I owned years ago, it had the old style grips, and I actually ended up buying the Hogues and swapping them out. Then again, you will never find a grip everyone likes since no one's hands are the same.
 
One more thing about the Hogue grips. We are not talking SIGs, but rather Rugers. I immediately noticed that the Hogues pinch the mainspring somewhat and do not allow free movement of the mainspring housing within the frame. You'll find a tiny sound as the gun cocks - a sure sign of mainspring housing pinching. Stick with those plain old Ruger grips with panels. You'll need your fat peg to sick in the middle and hold the grip on. TOGGLELOCK
 
Don't know about the "fat aluminum rod" but the "thin copper rod" is used to pin the mainspring compressed so that it can be removed for field stripping.
Click to expand...
And if you lose it - like I did - a paper clip works just fine.
 
Uh, all current production Ruger revolvers are now sold with the new Hogue monogrips with the fingergrooves. At least the GP100s are, can't say the same for sure on the smaller framed revolvers.

Bestseller92 has it right.
 
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