Please help me compare two Rugers!

[campergeek]

Okay, all other things being equal, please tell me which of the two options you would choose. I'm new to handguns and am trying to determine the best deal. These are both offered by the same dealer:

NIB Ruger KGP100 .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, adjustable rear sight, $419.99. Will be on sale first week of September, price not yet set.

Used Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, groove rear sight, DA only. $259.99 including leather holster and speed loader.

I've seen the TFL thread on testing a used revolver, and plan to perform the tests before closing any deal. The big questions for me are the comparative value of the adjustable sight vs. the groove sight, as well as whether having DA only would be any sort of detriment. With the two in front of you, which do you choose? Depending on the discount on the new revolver, at what price point does it become the obvious choice?

 

[4v50 Gary]

I chose the blue gun. I play a lot with natural point so sights aren't that important (remember, we're talking close distance) and for the savings, that's over 1,000 rounds of ammo, or about 2 range sessions. BTW, you should know I've got more revolvers with adjustabel sights so to me it's a matter of fun and not self defense or target shooting.

 

[Mal H]

How was the GP-100 made DA only? Was the hammer spur removed? Was there some smithing done to achieve it? The answers to those questions would help me make a final decision.

Right off hand, I would take the SS model. I personally prefer stainless GP-100's. The fixed vs adjustable rear sight isn't that much of a deal. I don't think I've adjusted mine since I got it. (KGP-141)

To answer your last question, if the price of the KGP is $375 or lower, run, don't walk to snap it up.

 

[campergeek]

To avoid any confusion, these are both Stainless guns. As for the DA only, there is no spur on the hammer. It didn't show signs of being machined, so it didn't even occur to me that the spur might have been removed by a smith. I suppose the hammer itself could be after-market; I'm too much a neophyte to know if, or when, Ruger offered that from the factory.

FWIW, the used gun is stamped RUGER OMEGA on the barrel.

 

[Preacherman]

I'd go for the new gun, simply to have the adjustable sights. It will shoot anything from low-velocity .38 Special 148gr. wadcutters right up to screaming 180gr. .357 Magnum deerstoppers. There will be different points of aim/impact for this range of ammunition. It's good to be able to adjust the sights to hit where you want to.

A used .357 fixed-sight is just fine for defensive use, where you're going to stick with one bullet weight/type of ammo. and can learn to adjust your point of aim to achieve the desired point of impact. However, for a variety of loads, that ain't no fun at all...

 

[tbeb]

I would buy the one with the adjustable rear sight, and single as well as double action capability. Maybe you could look for a used one like this.

I just bought a Ruger Speed Six which has a fixed rear sight. I much prefer the sight picture with an adjustable one. On mine the rear groove is same width as front sight. I prefer to see a little daylight on each side of front sight when I aim. Lighter bullets shoot low so I'll have to stick with 148/158 bullets. If I want to use lighter bullets all the time then I'll have to file down the front sight. An adjustable rear sight is so much more universal.

 

[Jim March]

Used Ruger GP100 .357 Magnum, 4" barrel, groove rear sight, DA only. $259.99 including leather holster and speed loader.

That gun is almost CERTAINLY a police trade-in. Ruger did up scads of these with a *factory* DAO setup for law enforcement back in the '80s and/or early '90s. They all seem to turn up the same way: speedloader and holster.

If I remembering the sketchy details I had right, they went to something other than "regular street cops"...I seem to remember Federal purchase orders for groups like Fed building security. Most comments say that these didn't get shot a lot, most of the "cops" that got 'em were more "slightly upscale security" types versus "cops". If that makes sense. But I think some went to parks police/rangers who might have shot 'em more.

If that's what that is, the DAO was probably "done right" - in other words, you can't start the hammer travel back with the trigger and then thumb it back to a full cock state. (About a week ago at a gun range, a guy was showing me his Taurus 38 with a nice home-done hammer bob (really looked clean), and I asked him if it was true DAO. He said it was. I made sure it was unloaded, and while pointed safely, I cocked it. He looked somewhat surprised .)

That DAO fixed-sight gun would make a nice carry piece. Swap the front sight blade for an XO Sight Systems "small dot Tritium" setup - NOTE that it's a different part for fixed-sight GPs versus adjustables, but they do have both if you CALL and specify.

So long as that gun is in good shape (checkout!) that's a damn fine value.

 

[standingbear]

id go with the nib one.that way you are the one putting rounds through it and maintaining it.adjustable sights are a plus,depending on what distances your shooting.i have one and i shoot woodchucks with mine occasionally and it proves challenging and fun.ruger gps are a dandy lil gun and quality either way.

 

[Rob96]

I voted for the KGP-100. I have the KGP-141 which I can't speak highly enough of. The adjustable sites will come in handy when using different rounds for different tasks. Maybe you'll get lucky like me, and find a used but never fired KGP-100 for $269.

 

[Jim March]

In my opinion, the DA Rugers are NOT a gun I'd be particularly worried about buying used, pending a checkout of course.

If it's clearly still tight, then psycho handloads haven't been run through. Both the SP101 and GP100 rarely "wear out"...the SP because it's too small to shoot 50,000 full-house Magnums through, the GP because if you DO run 50,000+ full-house loads the dang thing won't even NOTICE .

True, the springs could wear. But hey, a full set of Wolffs is less than $20 and is user-installable.

If it's something like an S&W K-Frame 357 then sure, buying used is maybe a bit trickier (although still not crazy).

 

[denfoote]

The used Ruger for that price is a bargin!! Hey, it's already broken in!!

 

[campergeek]

Quick question: What are the benefits of having DAO vs. DA/SA, or vice versa?

My uneducated ideas, please confirm, deny or add to this list:

- SA may be useful in shooting targets when a light trigger is desired.

- DAO has no hammer spur to get caught on clothing

- DA would likely be used most often in defense situations

- SA might be useful in defense situations if the sound of a hammer cocking causes a perp to evacuate your premises.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

The sound of a hammer cocking on a revolver ain't as loud as in the movies. I might believe the sound of a pump shotgun could scare off a BG in the right circumstances, but I think you need to make the sound behind a pointed revolver (i.e. "LEAVE! NOW!") to scare anyone away.

With SA, you will likely shoot better at targets and hunting. If this is for defensive use, I don't think there is a big issue with DA only. It would be easier to draw and the DA only practice would make you a better shooter.

SA turns a GP100 into what I consider very much of a hair trigger. Great for targets, but probably not so great for 3am fumbling. Just be sure to practice a lot with whatever you get and keep your finger out of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

I voted for the $259 used GP100 -- sounds like a great deal on a great gun. Of course, you'll eventually want a SA/DA version of your favorite gun, so it will probably cost you more later.

 

[campergeek]

Thanks to all who provided great suggestions. I'm happy to say that a decision was made. In the end, I went with the ayes (and my gut) and today I put the used GP100 on lay-away. Now I have GOT to sell my Winchester '94 to have the cash to get my new toy out of jail.

The gun itself isn't in pristine condition visually, but it's also in need of a good cleaning and I think a polishing will make a world of difference. Good looks are favorable, of course, but it's probably good if my hunting companion isn't too pretty to take into the woods. Mechanically, however, this gun looks and feels great. The cylinder is very tight on full lockup, all of the potential gaps are very close, and the trigger feels buttery smooth. Special thanks to Jim March who clued me in to the probable history of this gun and the origin of the DAO. While looking it over I thumbed back the hammer and it would not lock back in full cock, so it appears this is a job "done right" by the factory and not just a bobbed hammer.

Finally, the deal turned out even better than expected. While looking at this gun I noticed that there were two fitted holsters in the case. Thinking that they might have a second GP100 and I could get my pick of the two I asked about the second holster. As it turns out, they sold the other gun and forgot to give the buyer the holster and speed loader. The salesperson joked that maybe they could throw in both sets with the gun. At first I felt bad for the other customer not getting the full package, but then I figured he must have never known about the extras and felt happy with the deal he made regardless. So... I asked the salesmen if he really would throw in the extras and he packaged it all up. Should I feel guilty?

Anyway, now I settle into the bittersweet knowledge that there is a GP100 just waiting for me to come back with the rest of the cash and set it free.

 

[Jim March]

Cool. Glad to help. It's obviously been shot enough to smooth it up, but hasn't been abused. Makes sense, as psycho handloads seldom see time in a cop's gun.

Now, minor thing: you're going to want to take it completely down and clean it inside. If you don't have the manual for it, download it at:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/SE-InstructManualsR.html (free Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Ruger DA wheelguns take down almost without tools. You need a screwdriver for the grip panel screw but once the panels are off, there's a takedown tool buried in there. If it's missing (unlikely) Ruger is good about mailing you a new one. Anyways, you can get it completely apart without boogering frame screws. Do so. Clean it . 'Cuz the cop prolly never did .

Don't worry, if it's still tight nothing got hurt from poor maintenance.