Ruger GP-100 as first gun

[emwave1]

Ok, so this is my first post, go easy on me. After a month of deliberation and lots of money spent trying different guns at the range, I've decided to purchase a Ruger GP-100 4" barrel revolver as my first handgun. Anyone have a good reason why I shouldn't?

I tried a number of revolvers and semi-autos at the range, and I have to say, I found a lot of guns that I liked. After my wife gets used to us having the Ruger in the house, I plan on buying a semi-auto also, probably a S&W M&P9 (one of the guns I tried at the range). For the first gun however, I'm feeling revolver-ish...maybe as a tribute to my dad, who has been carrying a snub-nose S&W .38 for over 40 years as a (now retired) cop.

 

[Shade00]

You won't be sorry. There are plenty of good used guns out there, but if you have put a considerable amount of time into firing guns at the range and are comfortable with the GP100, then that's what you should go with. The GP100 is a fine weapon, tough as nails, and one of the most affordable new revolvers you can buy.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

 

[JCMAG]

Welcome!

GP100 = fantastic. You've got good taste.

Here is one compelling reason not to get the GP100: I don't have it and therefore I resent you having it. You should buy two and give one to me. Thanks in advance

 

[emwave1]

Thanks guys...and you're welcome JCMAG...except there's a weird law in Virginia that makes it illegal to buy more than one handgun within 30 days, so you'll have to wait at least a month

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Great first gun. Get out there and shoot it! Maybe check out a bowling pin or silhouette match. Nothing makes you learn to shoot netter than a little competition.

Check out a .22 pistol next. Like a Browning Buckmark or Ruger MK2. For $350 or so, you can get a great 10-round pistol and thousands of rounds of ammo. Great way to learn without flinching.

Put 1000 rounds through a .22 and you'll be a better shooter than 99% of the people on the planet.

Congrats on the Ruger GP100! Enjoy!

 

[461]

You made a wonderful choice that will serve you very well.

 

[batmann]

Great choice!

 

[Dienekes]

Well, it's a BIG gun--but an awfully good big gun. Heavy for daily wear but ok in the field or on the range. My daily carry piece is still an old Security Six as it is smaller and lighter. I picked up a very nice stainless 4" GP from an estate some years back. It had a trigger job on it, done by a real pro. Never could find out who, but whoever he was, he was good!

I shoot that gun better than any .38/.357 I have owned. For that matter, better than almost any handgun I have ever tried. It has the original style grips (which I much prefer to the newer furnished ugly Hogues. .38s feel like .22s in it, and .357s feel like standard velocity .38s. Comfortable to shoot, "much smash-em."

Bianchi makes a UM-84R synthetic full-flap holster for it that carries the gun very well in the field. You tend to forget it's even there, which takes some doing.

FINE gun.

 

[longtooth]

Great choice. I carry a GP100 in a 3" barrel quit often.

 

[Rio Laxas]

I've never had a Ruger firearm that wasn't a quality product. The GP100 is an excellent revolver. I have one with a 6" barrel and I really like it.

 

[TimboKhan]

You made a wonderful choice that will serve you very well.

I agree with this statement, with the addition that it will probably serve you well for your entire lifetime. Even people who aren't particularly in love with Rugers will agree that they are built strong.

It's a good, stout revolver that is unlikely to let you down. Excellent choice!

Also, welcome to THR!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

No reason at all. I once owned one myself. When getting started shooting, you can download it with light .38 Specials and learn the basics without excessive recoil and blast. Then you can work up as you see fit. All the while being able to adjust the sights for a given load, so as to retain the same point of impact.

 

[Legionnaire]

Welcome to THR!

I've decided to purchase a Ruger GP-100 4" barrel revolver as my first handgun. Anyone have a good reason why I shouldn't?

Not I! Excellent choice for a first handgun. My 4" GP is one of the last I'd get rid of.

 

[novaDAK]

except there's a weird law in Virginia that makes it illegal to buy more than one handgun within 30 days, so you'll have to wait at least a month

Get a VA Concealed Handgun Permit and you don't have to worry about that weird (and very stupid) law. It also doesn't apply to private sales either.

 

[JohnKSa]

It was my first firearm and I still think I made an excellent choice.

 

[greener]

I own a GP100 and concur with the posters who say it is an excellent handgun. You choice of an M&P9 is also good. I have one of those and it has been darned reliable and easy to shoot.

I'd look at a .22 (Ruger single six, S&W 22A, Ruger MKIII/MKII or Browning Buck Mark) as a second handgun if your first one is the GP100. You can find good ones in the price range of $200-$400, new. Ammo is $10/550 and up, making it much less expensive than .38/.357 or 9mm. Learning to shoot a handgun accurately can be difficult and the .22's allow lots of practice without breaking the bank.

I didn't shoot for a very long time. When I decided to start shooting regularly, I bought a 22A as a trainer. I still shoot it regularly for training and fun. I may be a bit of a .22 addict since I now have 8 .22 handguns. When I take one or more of my centerfire handguns to the range, a couple of the .22's go along.

 

[Rio Laxas]

There is a 4" stainless GP100 with a bobbed hammer over on rugerforum.com right now for $325 shipped. These were apparently issued to a Canadian PD. Current owner says it is in great condition. If it is, that's a really good deal.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=35439

If you aren't a member, I can get you in touch with the seller if interested.

 

[D Boone]

Great gun... I picked up a blued used one, found some stock grips from Brownells, and it looks good as new. My first revolver and one of my favorite firearms.

 

[george29]

Might as well close this thread, I can't think of any reason why the GP100 wouldn't be a great first gun unless someone just wanted to stir the pot a bit for the sake of smelling up the thread. Go for it emwave, THR members got your back on this one!

 

[BigBlock]

Yep, they are magnificent guns. I bought mine a few weeks ago and I absolutley love it. Right out of the box the trigger pull was very smooth and the lockup extremely tight...almost as if it had already seen a gunsmith for finishing.

 

[steak-knife]

Generational Gun

The 4" GP100 is a great gun choice. It's an incredibly strong and robust design. So much so, that I would deem it a generational gun because even with heavy use, it probably will not break-down, and remain in service through many generations of your family.

Just FYI, on the 4" and 6" models, swapping out the front sight for something like a Millet day glow-orange tab or night sights will take less than 30 seconds. With the 3" model, it takes a bit more effort, as you have to knock out a pin and buff the replacement pin. Also, the front sights for the 4" and 6" models are not interchangeble with the 3" model.

 

[tblt]

My GP100 is a great gun my friend is always asking me I will sell it to him.I have had this gun for 22 years and it still looks new,I take it to the range about 3 times a year and take it hunting as a side arm or just when riding around on my 4 wheeler.
Love the gun.I only use 357 mag when hunting,at the range I shoot 38 spl.

 

[printcraft]

go for a glock next

Great first choice. Have one myself.
BUT
You need to get a Glock for your first auto.
I don't have one... but I've hear everywhere that they are the best.

 

[Walkalong]

Anyone have a good reason why I shouldn't?

No. It is a fine choice to start with.

 

[penny]

The 4" GP100 was my 1st gun bought many years ago, it shot awesome!
Only sold it to move up to the 6" GP100.You can not go wrong with this as a 1st gun.