Ruger GP-100 3" owners - your comments, pics?

[DHart]

Medium frame, fixed sight revolvers with 3" barrels seem to be a little like bastard children. Most people would choose a smaller frame and shorter barrel for carry use or a longer barrel with adjustable sights for other purposes besides carry.

For example, I've got two guns which many buyers would choose to have for themselves: a GP-100 4" blue steel with adjustable sights for general revolver use and an SP-101 w/3" barrel for concealed carry and just hanging around. Both are great guns. It took me a little bit to warm up to the "shootability" of the little SP compared to medium frame .357 revolvers, but I'm getting there.

But lately, I've become extremely attracted to revolvers with fixed sights and 3" barrels... this started when I recently bought a S&W 65 which has fixed sights and a 3" barrel. The combination of size, balance, feel, and shootability of this gun is the best I've ever felt. To me it's the perfect defense revolver, no bigger nor any smaller than just about right for the job. I like the gun so much that I bought a model 13 (blue steel version of the 65) to go along with the 65.

Now I'd also like to buy Ruger's 3" versions of the GP-100 (the blue GPF-331 and stainless KGPF-330).

I understand the bulk and weight issues with the GP-100 frame for carry use (the SP-101 is much better in that regard) and also the merits of a 4" barrel and adjustable sights for general use. So I guess that from a purely practical standpoint, the SP-101 3" and GP-100 4" really cover the concealment and general use needs quite well. A reasonable gun person would probably call it good right there!

To my mind, the GP-100 3" offers the best combination of size and features of any revolver for defense use... fixed sights, excellent balance in the hand (for me, anyway), .357 power, enough weight for good shootability. And the bonus of tremendous aesthetic appeal. I guess that's why the fixed sighted 3"ers have so much appeal to me.

I really don't NEED another 3" size blaster, but those little 3" GP's are sure calling my name! And who knows for how long they will be available, being as they are like bastard children! (Sadly, S&W is dropping their K-frame .357 bastard children.)

Sorry for the long ramble... but I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts on the 3" GP-100's and seeing your pictures of them... thanks so much.

 

[jc2]

At the risk of starting another meaningless S&W vs. Ruger debate, I would say the three inch, round-butted K-frames (Models 13 and 65) are a much better implementation of the concept than the three inch GP100. The three K-frames combine the best of GP100/SP101 without the drawbacks of either. I had a three GP100, and it didn't last very long, but if ever I had to limit myself to one weapon, it would be a three inch M65LS. The three inch M13/65 pretty much define a fighting revolver.

 

[Jefs]

I'm very new to revolvers (3 weeks) and relatively new to semiautos (glocks in 9mm, .40, .45 cal - 6 mos.), so what I say might not be valid for those more experienced. It's somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I've already picked up both a 2 1/4" and a 3 1/16" Ruger SP-101 and a 4" Ruger GP-100. Yesterday, I picked up the 3" GP-100 and I am very, very pleased (I can't get the damn thing out of my hand). It has a smaller grip than the larger GP-100's and the dimensions lengthwise and heightwise are almost equivalent to the 3" SP-101 with hogue grips. You can guage the width disparity yourself by examining a SP-101 vs a GP-100. The gun feels so good in my hand that I don't really notice the 7 or 8 oz. weight difference when I hold the guns in either hand, but I can't comment on how it'd carry over the course of a day. Yesterday at the range I shot a box of 125 gr Winchester WinClean JSP, a box of 125 gr UMC, and a box of 125 gr JHP (my carry load) from doubletap and this gun shot .357 much easier than the SP's. Did I say I was very, very pleased?

 

[rblack]

DHart, My 3" SP101 is absolutely my favorite revolver and I seem to shoot it the best. I just sold my 4" S&W 686 and I'm going to get another replacement for it as soon as I can find the right one. I really like the S&W 65 ladysmith ( just wish it didn't say ladysmith on it ). I've not seen locally the 3" GP100's, but I would like to take a look at them as well.

On a side note DHart, I'm getting a nice big box from Brownells today and will be transforming a couple of my 1911's in a few days. This madness never seems to end...................

 

[wheelgunner100]

I have always felt that the 3" Ruger GP-100 was about the best balance of size, weight and power. The smaller grip fits my hand well, it's an easy size gun for me to carry and you can shoot magnums in it all day without getting beat-up. I like the short-barreled K-frame Smith's but don't find them as comfortable to shoot with heavy loads. The 3" GP's (I have two) have been my main carry/IDPA guns for about 6 years now and I don't feel a change coming any time soon.

 

[Jim March]

That same smaller Ruger GP100 grip can be retrofitted to the adjustable-sight GP100s. Or even the entire SuperRedHawk line - all have the same "grip frame stud" under the rubber.

Cost for the complete set either large or small is about $40.

Once you add that grip to a 4" adjustable-sight GP100, the feel is very similar. If you then chop away the underlug on the 4", the similarity is uncanny. If you THEN add the slick snag-resistent Bowen adjustable rear sight you get a very cool gun .

See also:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=113689

 

[Gunsnrovers]

I like the GP100. Recently, this slightly modified one was discussed here and it convinced me I have to get my dad to sell me his so I can save it from sitting in his dresser drawer...

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=110463&highlight=clements

 

[jdmb03]

 

[Jefs]

jdmb03, that is a thing of beauty (particularly since I know how good it feels in the hand and well it shoots). If my gun were that good looking I'd be afraid to shoot her and muss her up (and I've alot of heavy shooting planned for mine).

 

[pezo]

I maybe nuts but I have no problem managing recoil out of my 2 1\4 inch sp101 no matter what .357 ammo Im shooting. accuracy isnt great after 20 feet but thats not what this gun was made for. My next gun is going to be a 3'' barreled revolver but since I have a gp100 in 6 inch already (great gun would be wonderful in 3" to). Im gonna try a different brand just so I dont have what feels like 2 of the same gun, kinda. and since I dont feel my sp101 's recoil is close to what I would consider severe. Im going for the smith and wesson 386 mountain lite in 3" . a bit costly compared to rugers but somthing different. I love rugers always reliable beautifully built revolvers. but just want somthing different

 

[DHart]

jdmb03... you must be mighty proud of that beauty... this has got to be among the very finest looking revolvers I've ever seen... retro and futuristic all at the same time... I love the beveled barrel and the bead blasted stainless... quite inspiring.

I ordered a GP-100 3" stainless today and I have a feeling that a 3" blued sister isn't too far behind... really looking forward to having them!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I really like the things:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Range Evaluation - Ruger GP100.htm

Best.

 

[DHart]

Hey Stephen, nice to see you again. That's a great write up on your GP-100 3". I'm really looking forward to having mine. Thanks for the note.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. You are most welcome. If you enjoy yours as much as I have mine, I suspect you'll consider your money well-spent.

Best.

 

[Kestrel]

DHart,

I agree with another poster that the S&W 3" K-frame is a better implementation of the concept, but the 3" GP-100 is nice, too. I have one and think it would greatly benefit from an action job. The DA trigger pull feels like it's approaching 20 lbs.! Most every DA Ruger trigger pull I've felt is HEAVY. TOO HEAVY.

It would also benefit from some softening of edges on the trigger and trigger guard.

Steve

 

[DHart]

Steve... I have two of the 3" K's:

Smith & Wesson Model 13-3 .357 Magnum 3" barrel

Smith & Wesson Model 65-5 .357 Magnum 3" barrel

and they're magnificent, with supreme trigger pulls.

And I agree with you that the 3" GP-100 is a great example of the genre, though probably needing action work even more than the Smiths. I did some spring work on my 4" GP-100 and 3" SP-101 which improved their actions considerably without polishing a thing. My GP-100 now has a very nice trigger pull, though it will probably never have quite the luxury feel that the Smiths do.

Ruger GP-100 4" Barrel, Adj. sights, .357 magnum

Have you considered trying the 10# hammer spring and the 10# or 8# trigger return spring on your GP? It would transform your gun immediately.