New 3" Ruger

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Lucky 7

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It is amazing what one happens across when looking for something else. I had been, in recent weeks, shooting and testing and researching various EDC revolvers. However, yesterday I saw a gun that's been on my short list for some time now, a 3" Stainless GP100 for 5 even bills (truthfully, I wanted a blued one but I'm realistic and practical).

I debated on the purchase for a long minute then took the dive. Once I got home, I gathered up Gatorade bottles and a bad apple and did a quick fam fire after about 25 dry trigger pulls. Using .38 Special WWB 130gr nd my own handloads (158gr LSWC over 3.5gr of Unique), I fired 50rds at 10 and 15yds in my backyard range. Must say,I am very impressed with the gun. The gun shot POA w/ the 158gr and 1.5 to 2" high w/ 130gr and the trigger is so smooth.

I don't know what the heck the detractors of Ruger triggers are talking about. I tried a SW 386-1 w/ a hellish trigger last week. My Ruger is so much smoother and it led to a great shooting and enjoyable gun. Granted it can't compare to my 2.5" SW 19-3 but the 19 has been reduced to a quarterly (at best) range gun.

Now I have to find a pair of compact rubber grips as Pac doesn't list their Compac grip for this gun on their site and good leather (IWB). Any suggestions?

Thanks for sticking through the long post.

Regards and Semper Yut!
-Lucky
 

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I have a blue 3" GP and I like it. Frankly I bought it because of the reviews on this forum a couple of years ago. Price was a lot less then, like $350 new.
 
Just fired another 50rds. I love this gun! Definately my trail gun (or an alternate for the Mil-Spec come winter).

158gr LSWC over 3.5gr of Unique is the cat's meow for a practice load. I may flirt with TiteGroup for these next 100...

-Lucky
 
>>I don't know what the heck the detractors of Ruger triggers are talking about<<

Same here.... greatly overblown by those who can't think of anything else bad to say about Ruger. :p
 
I don't know what the heck the detractors of Ruger triggers are talking about
Click to expand...

Agreed.

maybe ruger had some bad triggers in the past. i don't know. i do know that the trigger on my GP100 is nice. as for grips, i saw a poster here on THR that had a 3" GP with bobbed hammer, and bead blasted finish. the grips were Butler Creek grips if memory serves me. nice lookin gun and the grips are what i would think to be well suited for the 3" revolver. smaller, and more in line with concealed carry.

search for the GP100 club and look through the pics. you'll see it. nice lookin revolver.
 
When I purchased my GP100 I was amazed how nice the trigger was. I'd bought into all the internet chatter (mostly from S&W fanboys trying to prop up their favorite company) about how lousy the Ruger triggers were. NOT TRUE.

Since the real S&W went out of business in 2001 Ruger revolvers are the only game in town (for new) for me. :)
 
>>Since the real S&W went out of business in 2001 Ruger revolvers are the only game in town (for new) for me<<

I'm with you there. I was a huge fan of S&W going back to the early 60s, but in the last few years I've switched my alligiance to Ruger. I only have a couple of S&W revolvers left, and those are the older ("real") ones.
 
My Ruger SRH Alaskan has as nice a trigger as most of the Smith's I have shot. I have an older 29 that is in a class by it's self, but I'll put my Alaskan up against most newer Smiths
 
What I did with my 3" GP was buy the ruger compact grips from Brownell's (I think Midway has them too). The don't come with the insert though. But the insert is the same size as the one's the SP 101 uses. There are many people that make nice wood after market grips for them. I just bought the grips for the SP 101 from Brownell's with the GP compact grips and used the plastic insert from the SP. Works like a charm.

The compact grips really make the gun seem a lot smaller to me, and I really like the difference it made with the gun. (the big hogue grips just seemed wrong on a 3" gun, the seemed longer than the gun!) You can also by the old regular size Lett grips from the Ruger site still. They are bigger than the compact grips, but smaller than the hogues.

Hope this helps
 
I like the 3" barrel on that gun. And it looks great in stainless! Please let us know how she shoots!
 
The gun shoots like a dream. I don't have a picture of the 1 gallon water jug that took 50 rounds yesterday but it looked like hell (shooting from 10 yds left-handed and 15r yds right-handed and 2-handed grip).

Stormbilly,
Would you recommend tracking down the small factory grips or the butler creek ones? Both look like the ticket to successfully concealed carrying this great piece. The Houges are quite clumsy because of their size and unconcealable (for me).

Regards,
Lucky
 
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Both the 3" and 5" double action revolvers are over looked, about the same velocities as the 4's and 6's and just an inch shorter sight radius, a lot handier to pack either concealed or open, and to many a lot more pleasing to the eye.
 
I've never used the Butler creek ones. So I can't say it they are better or not. I have to admit that I did look for them for a bit just to try them, but had no luck finding them. I don't think they make them for the GP anymore. Though I'm sure they can be found if you are patient.

I've handled the butler creek grips on other revolvers, though, and if that is any indication, I believe they may actually be bigger than the compact grips. Can't say for sure though.

Ultimately, I can say that if you want concealable grips, the compact grips are VERY good for that. I've shot full magnum loads with these compact grips. While they don't absord the recoil as wells as the hogue or the regular Lett grips, I still found them perfectly comfortable. Get them along with some SP101 plastic inserts to try them out. It's not that expensive, and I'm sure you'll find them a good concealable alternative to the hogues. If you decide on something else later, you still won't be out a that much money.
 
Thanks for the heads-up on the compact grips. I'll look for them after work tonight (it's a toss-up between them and the $90 Eagle Boot Grips). Do you think a strip of non-skid tape on the front and back of them would help out much? The grip on my 19-3 is Pac Presentation so they are hearty and manageable.

Regards,
Lucky
 
I don't know what the heck the detractors of Ruger triggers are talking about.

For the past 25 years or so Ruger triggers have been very smooth, not light but smooth. A smooth consistent trigger is 100x better than a light gritty one.
 
GEEZS! You guys are costing me. I'm a BIGGGGG S&W fan but have 2 Ruger semi autos that I love. I've always wanted a Ruger revolver but somehow a S&W whatever was higher on the list. I'm getting one.
 
25 years.... that's back in the early GP-100 and Redhawk days... when Ruger moved their revolver line into the 20th century. .:D I have to agree on the smooth heavy versus smooth gritty statement. Ruger DA revolver triggers improve with use (smoothness).
 
Beautiful revolver. The 3 inch GP100 is also on my short list and I have been keeping an eye out for one with no luck. Just curious, what did it set you back?
 
There are shorter Hogue grips on the market for that gun.

I think Rugers have better out of the box triggers but I think S&W triggers can be tweaked smoother than Rugers can be.
 
The trigger on the 686 is probably going to feel more crisp and smooth. The Ruger is a fine choice- and I would not hesitate choosing them for simply one reason- Their customer service is SECOND TO NONE.

I had a problem with an LCP magazine cracking (yes, cracking) and Ruger had a BRAND NEW one on my DOORSTEP within TWO business days. Also, they included a PRE-PAID return envelope and asked if I would return the defective mag., if it wasn't too much trouble.

I never was a Ruger fan until I bought that LCP and experienced "first-hand" their customer service. The woman on the phone did everything she could to make the problem right, and was extremely polite in the process.
 
I have been eyeballing one just like that recently. Very nice gun. I would think the older small factory grip would be the ticket.
As for the S&W VS Ruger. i own several S&W's, the newest was made about 15 years ago, and I will not buy anything newer than that. They are just not the same anymore. Sadly, IMHO, Ruger is the only company currently turning out a decent DA revolver. God I need a 4' Redhawk .45 Colt.
 
Congratulations on your new GP100!

Regarding the trigger, I agree; there are some Ruger revolvers with rough actions, but it has always been possible to cherry-pick a good one. About the time the 4" Redhawk was introduced a few years ago, Ruger sixguns became smoother across the board. Heavy, yes, just a bit, but smooth, and smoother yet with a bit of cycling the action.
 
Lucky7, 5gr TG under your cast 158gr SWC makes a fun plinker. Recoil & blast is pleasant enough to let you know it's not a .38 Special but not so much that you can't shoot it all day if yo want.

Good choice on gun and future load development.

Unique will work for loads well into the medium Magnum velocity range, too.

Q
 
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