range trip with the new 3 inch gp100

[proven]

i picked it up last night and went to the range this morning. it was really just a quick trip to put a few rounds through it because i couldn't wait. i shot a box of blazer brass 130 gr fmj .38 spl, and a box of hornady leverlution 140 gr .357 mag.

first i have to say that i absolutely love the balance of the 3 inch. none of the local shops had one to handle prior to ordering, so i was a touch leery , but it's fantastic. i also really like the sight picture with the fixed sights. i may change out the front blade at some point but for now it's fine.

the recoil was a pleasure with the .38 spls, and plenty manageable with the .357 mags. however the grip leaves something to be desired. i almost always have an issue with grips that are finger grooved, as the grooves are in the wrong place or my digits are too plump. the later is the case with the factory hogue grip. my big meaty paws prove too much for the finger grooves in the grip and although placed well, i feel the ridges of the grip bite into my fingers on each one. i picked up the old style lett compact grip and am waiting on some custom insert panels to be able to install them. i did however slip the grip on and i can tell it will be much, much better. i was hoping to order a badger boot grip, but have not received any reply to my email so i may have to look at eagle for their secret service grip.

a simply rugged sourdough pancake is on it's way as well as a gunbelt and ammo pouch. for now it rests peacefully in the safe and was transported to and fro the range via the factory box.

back to the gun......lockup was good and tight with two chambers/cylinder positions having ever so slightly more movement than the others. trigger pull is nice, but i suspect could be better. time (use), and possibly a spring change may be the answer to this.

i had two surprises today.

now, keep in mind this is my first double action revolver, and i'm fairly new to revolvers in general. when closing the cylinder after a reload i had a tendency (twice) to rotate the cylinder clockwise as i was pushing it into the frame. twice, it locked up the gun not allowing the hammer to be cocked. the remedy was to simply press the crane catch(?) release button(?) and consciously push the cylinder back in without rotating it clockwise.

the other surprise was it spit on me. my heart sank when it happened and i was bummed for a good while. the reason being is that all the reading i've been doing mentions this in relation to the gun being out of time. i the thought of having to send back a new gun that i've been so excited to get for warranty work was bringing me down. it only happened once that i'm aware of. so i finish the ammo i had taken and brought the gun home. i checked the timing (full lock up with a light at the back of the cylinder and looking down the bore), and everything seems fine. so my question is, is this normal? i honestly don't know which ammo it happened with, but could it possibly be the cheap blazer ammo? is it anything to worry about? i plan on heading to the range again tomorrow unless those with more knowledge than myself think it's a bad idea to proceed any further without competent inspection.

anywho, it's a great gun and look forward to my foray into the world of revos. i have been, as they say, bitten by the bug, and my world of handguns is about to drastically grow. i already have my eye on the sp101 in .22.

a couple gratuitous pics. they're not great but the bun's a beaut!
cheers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47190438@N07/6339309782/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/47190438@N07/6339310074/

 

[flhshvlhed]

I've the younger smaller brother to it - the 3" SP101 SS and a 4" GP100 SS that I've had since not long after they came out in the late 80's. I really enjoy them. If I had to go to 1 handgun, for practically everything, I would keep the 4" GP100. I've been looking for a 3" GP100, but they are pretty difficult to find in my area.

I'm like you - I don't care for the new Hogue grips. For me - it's the thin bacstrap that I don't care for. I bought a set, tried them out, and went back w/ the original. For my hands - they got it right.

It's normal for a small amount of "spit" dpending on your hand position. If the timing is correct on it - I would try a different grip. If you still have concerns, contact Ruger - I believe them to have a pretty good customer service dept, although I've never had to use it.

Shoot the mess out of that thing. I've seen 1 that blew up, but that was after filling the case w/ Bullseye, stuffing a 200gr slug in the barrel and compressing the Bullseye w/ another 200gr slug. It was a police confiscation, and the range had to make it unserviceable - it took a while, but they did it.

 

[Dan-O]

Nice looking GP. I am not a fan at all of the Hogue Monogrips that come standard now on the GP's either. Like you said, I also have rather large hands, and the finger grooves are kind of awkward for me as well. The compact lett grips are what I go with:

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Good for you, you've got one of my favorite revolvers, great first choice, IMHO. I have one that I bought used some years ago, a police trade in. It's been a pleasure to shoot, with .38 & .357, have used it in IDPA matchs. I hated the (factory) compact grip it came with and found a wood grip at a local gun show that made it much nicer to shoot.
The only thing that would make it better is to have a rear sight on it, something like a Novak 1911 style. I saw a picture of one that was a special offering thru Talo I think, that made me drool.
I put a Big Dot sight on mine, it's my nightstand gun most of the time.
Here's mine.

 

[proven]

that's a good looking grip, prodigalshooter. nice find. any idea of what it is?

have you guys had any trouble with rotating the cylinder clockwise as you push it back in to the frame? i think this may be something i just need to consciously train myself not to do. i' just want to make sure i'm not hurting anything. it locking up like that tells me i should be doing something different.

 

[Dan-O]

Proven,

I just got out my 3" GP and rotated the cylinder clockwise as I closed it, then dry fired it a few times. Don't know what to tell ya with yours.

Prodigalshooter,

Love that XS Big Dot on the front of your GP. Did you order the Big Dot for a J-Frame? Just curious what height you got if not. Still shoot to point of aim?

 

[proven]

talked to ruger this afternoon. something's not as it should be and they're picking up the gp for service. i must say, as bummed as i am to not be able to shoot it for a bit, there customer service is very user friendly thus far.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I bought the sight they said would fit, can't find the receipt to check model, sorry. It does shoot to point of aim.
The grips I picked up at a gun show a few years ago, from a fellow that made his own, haven't seen him in awhile. They work really well though.