Ruger GP 100 problems fixed

[Surefire]

I ended up at the last moment NOT sending the guns to Ruger, but to a local gunsmith. I didn't want to pay for overnight shipping accross the country, for problems that should have NEVER left the factory. I don't trust Ruger to fix the problems, given that their quality control is so poor in over half of my recent purchases--there are a couple other new Rugers I have that I will need to have gunsmithed--with problems less severe than these two GP 100s.

The gunsmith finished the job, and I got both GP 100s back today. He told me that both suffered from the WORST burring that he has ever seen on a GP 100. Also, one of the two had misaligned parts in almost every area of the cylinder--which caused the problems I reported in a previous thread. I also had him do an action job--and both guns now have very good DA triggers.

Sadly, this experience has turned me away from Ruger--ironic, because I was a HUGE Ruger fan before this recent string of bad luck--essentially all in NIB guns bought within the last 5 years. I don't want to have to have a gunsmith work on half NIB Rugers...meaning I will probably steer clear of blindly ordering new Rugers--unless I visually inspect them before buying.

I am at least happy that the issues are resolved, and I did write to Ruger letting them know that I am unhappy with their recent quality.

 

[461]

Had you called their service department and asked for a shipping tag it would have cost you nothing. Ruger has some of the best customer service I've ever seen. Sorry you had problems, I've bought a half dozen Rugers in the last five years and have had exactly zero problems.

 

[Surefire]

^Maybe, but in the past Ruger has refused to pay for shipping in the past for me--for my P97 .45 ACP.

At least this way, I was able to get the action smoothed out as well (I doubt Ruger would also have done action work).

 

[461]

I can pretty much guarantee you wouldn't have gotten any trigger work done on it unless they made it heavier. The trigger lawyers have a firm grasp on Ruger although I did get an amazing GP-100 out of them. Lucky thing is that a good trigger job usually includes deburring the action anyhow so it probably didn't cost you much and now you've got a great revolver.

 

[Surefire]

^Hopefully two great revolvers.

The cylinder latching system on the 4" had to be re-aligned (it was WAY out-of-spec), along with some other parts on the 4-incher that lock the cylinder. It also needed burrs removed.

The 6-Incher just needed the action job and an inspection (to see what was causing the rubbing). It turned out to be burrs.

The 6-Incher has the better action now--as good as my buttery smooth S&W 686-4. Even the single-action pull has improved--I can only guess that he did work on that as well.

The 4-incher did not come out as light as the 6-incher in terms of trigger pull, but it is still very smooth after the action work. I am crossing my fingers that re-aligning the parts did the trick for the significant problems I had--so far so good though.

The triggers were also radiused.

I will be very happy if the alignment on the 4-incher holds up. My main concern would be that if the parts are bad they could become un-aligned again?

Well worth the money spent (it was NOT cheap to have this work done), because it was either this or sell both guns at low prices and let the buyer know the problems. Now, crossing fingers, both guns should be up to factory specs and provide many thousands of rounds of trouble-free service.

 

[461]

Wow- that 4" had a major issue, I bet it wasn't cheap for that kind of surgery. I think I'd have definitely made Ruger fix that one. Been awhile since I sent one back to them but after a little "persuading" they paid full shipping and actually sent me a new gun to replace the bad one(MKII).

 

[LeonCarr]

Hey Surefire,

What gunsmith did you use?

LeonCarr

 

[Surefire]

I used Dan Gatley, over at NB Firearms (Formerally Montana Hawk). He was recommended on this forum, plus he is reasonably close. I recommend him, based on how nice the trigger pulls came out.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Interesting and troubling. Glad your sixguns are healthy now.

I've read other reports here of slipping quality on NIB Rugers in just the last few years -- some say since the Old Man died, some say since a recent executive turnover that left the company without any Ruger family members on the board (IIRC).

If so, they better get their act together again. There aren't enough quality revolver manufacturers left to have one of them to go to pot.

I should say that my 4" GP100, bought new about two years ago, has been excellent from the jump.

OTOH, my 3" SP101, bought new last year, had some sort of "clearance" problem that made the cylinder occasionally catch up in mid-rotation when there were cartridges in the gun. My gunsmith fixed it in the course of giving the gun an action job. Great little shooter now.

Interesting. Troubling.

 

[Surefire]

^Yeah, for about a 7 year period, I had ZERO problems with Rugers. Now, the last 5 years, its been hit and miss (close to 50% problem rate). What bugs me the most is that I LOVE the Ruger design...IMO its a better design than S&W on paper. If only quality control would catch these things consistently...

Anyone know what percentage of guns Ruger quality checks? I'm taking a guess that they do NOT inspect all guns, but rather use random checks to save on money? To be fair, I can understand how the 6" GP would get by quality control, but NOT the 4". The 4" IMO should have been pulled immediately, based on how noticable the problems were.

To be fair again, I do have some recently purchased Rugers that are GEMS--having some of the best fit I've seen. I know everyone makes lemons...what is concerning me is the percentage of problems.

But lesson learned, I figure if I only buy after inspecting each piece at a gun store (rather than ordering and hoping for the best), I probably won't have problems in the future. Most of the issues I've had would have been noticed if I examined first, rather than ordering (this makes it harder for models gun stores don't carry though).

 

[461]

Hey Surefire, I didn't know you were in my neck of the woods. I used to go to Montana Hawk all the time when I lived over in Petaluma. I'm over in Sacramento now and didn't know they changed names. The gunsmithing operation at the time was Scott & Macdougal (sp) and they did a great job on the trigger of my .357 SP-101. Small world.

 

[Kestrel]

I wonder how much Ruger would charge to give my GP100 a 26-pound trigger? It currently has about a 20 or 22-pound trigger pull, but I'm trying to get carpal tunnel syndrome, so I thought I would increase the pull. The front sight doesn't quiver enough when I struggle pulling the trigger. Maybe with a heavier trigger pull...

The front sight's not crooked either. Maybe they could remedy that while they have it...

If they could also further sharpen the edges of the trigger, while they have it, it could finally be afflictive to fire...

I wouldn't mind some more print on the barrel, too. I sometimes forget to brush after meals...

 

[cbsbyte]

I also noticed that Rugers quaility control was slipping. My last GP-100's muzzle was badlybuggred by a tool marks. It did not effect functioning but it really looked ugly. Ruger fixed it but I had to pay for shipping.

 

[Surefire]

461 -

Last I heard, Doug (the owner of Montana Hawk) had moved to Hawaii. The operation is under new ownership now--partially why they changed names, but some of the old employees are still there. It is still a very nice operation, if you're in the area I'd recommend introducing yourself to the new owner.

I actually do most of my shooting at Bullseye in Marin because they still rent guns.....but the only gunsmith within the Northbay Counties seems to be in Cotati (same building as Northbay Firearms). Same system as when Montana Hawk / Macdougal operated together, just different names.

 

[GatleyGunsmithing]

Yes this is true. I'm a bit late on this post, but I am here.
My name is Dan Gatley owner of Gatley Gunsmithing and yes I am next to Northbay Firearms. I am a seperate business however with my own store front.I am one of the last gunsmith's in the area and I plan to be here for a long time to come. I studied under Doug Mcdougall after I got back from gunsmithing school in Colorado, same school Doug went to. I then took over the shop when Doug passed away. I am a full service shop I do custom work and upgrades as well as general work. My website is is in the process of being built but please do check it out for more information, and if you or anyone you know of needs firearm repairs or upgrades don't hesitate to contact me.
Thanks
Dan