Ruger GP-100 w/fixed sights & 3" barrel - awesome!

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DHart

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Today I was able to pick up the KGPF-331 I ordered last week...

All I can say is WOW. I am more impressed with the gun than I thought I was going to be.

The action is the best Ruger action I've felt yet (still not quite S&W, but very, very close - once I do a little action & spring work, look out S&W). There were a few very tiny rust spots which surprised me and bugged me a little, but nothing that a couple of passes with some fine steel wool and some FP10 couldn't take care if. I guess it had been sitting in the box for some time. Maybe the aging is what made the trigger so nice! :rofl:

The abbreviated grip (smaller than the full size GP-100 grip, but larger than the SP-101 grip) is a perfect fit for me; in fact I prefer it to the full size GP-100 grip. I will have to order another grip like this one for my 4" blued GP-100.

The double action pull is smoother, more even, and causes less gun movement than with my 3" SP-101, but that's to be expected from the larger size. heavier gun.

Balance and feel in the hand is magnificent. I compared the gun side by side with my beloved S&W Model 65 (3" K-frame) and the two guns are so close it's nearly a draw size wise. Practically identical in size. The Ruger does feel just a tad heavier and has a beefier cylinder. The action is still a little better on the Smith, but this 3" GP rivals the Smith in every way and, of course, the frame is thicker and stronger than the K-frame... so it'll stand up to heavier loads a lot better.

This gun has instantly become my absolute favorite Ruger wheelgun and is neck and neck with my S&W 13 and 65 for favorite wheel gun regardless of maker. I don't think I will be able to resist buying the blue steel version at some point in the future.

I don't know why I didn't discover these 3"ers a long time ago... they are magnificent. :cool:

Ruger GP-100 3" Barrel, Fixed sights, .357 magnum (KGPF-331)
KGPF331R.jpg


KGPF331L.jpg


These 3" GP-100's and the S&W 13/65 sisters are the finest defense revolvers on the planet in my opinion... they just don't get any better than this. Not too big, not too small, beautiful balance, pointability, power, and reliability. This is a gun you can comfortably shoot all day and conceal reasonably well. Great nightstand gun, car gun, RV gun, camp/hiking gun.

If you're interested in a S&W 13 or 65 and can't find one... I don't think you would be the least bit disappointed in one of these fine defense guns in blue or stainless.
 
I agree 100%. You can't beat a 3" revolver for a belt gun. The GP100 fixed sight 3 inchers have great factory grips and are very comfortable when shooting .357 loads.
 
Great pics. Any chance you could get an accurate weight on that rascal? I'm reading up on the GPs but I'm a little skeptical of the weights quoted on Ruger's website and from the annuals such as Shooter's Bible.

Might not be wise to drop the thing on the scale at the post office, though. ;)
 
CouchTater... no worries, it's plenty heavy enough to make for very comfy shooting and rapid follow-up shots! ;)

Actually, I don't have a way to weigh it. Perhaps someone else can. Do you have reason to doubt the published weight on the gun?
 
Choice pics.

Have you taken that piece to the range yet? My 4" GP is a real sleeper in the practical accuracy department -- not far behind the 6" Python!

It is also great to have a gun that can launch hot magnums all day without worries.
 
P.P.... I just did a second shooting session with the KGPF331, paying attention to trying for the best accuracy.

I loaded up 27 rounds of WInchester brass with 14.1 gr. of 2400 and 158 gr. Gold Dot JHPs. Velocity (measured at about 14') from the 3" barrel averaged 1025 fps. Position was sitting on the floor with knees up two handed hold, arms resting on my knees, firing single action. Of the 27 rounds fired 24 of them were within 1" of the POA, clustered fairly evenly around it with no particular orientation. Three rounds were more "errant" and were perhaps 1.5" away from center, tending to be a little high. I'm fairly certain these variances were shooter error as I had a very difficult time seeing the front sight which blurred our of focus and blended in tonally with the black bulls eye. I definitely need some red sight paint on the front sight to aid my seeing it better. For a defense pistol, I very pleased with the accuracy of this fixed sighted 3"er. I haven't yet settled into my primary defense load, but I'm leaning toward a Speer 140 gr. JHP ttravelling at about 1100 fps from a 3" barrel. When I get those loaded up, I'll do another accuracy test session. This is FUN stuff! :)

In any event, the gun is quite well suited to the purpose and I'm very pleased with this mighty and compact revolver... it's definitely a long term keeper. The feel in the hand and the feel while firing it is magnificent, it's size and weight is just right for a defense gun: heavy enough to be quite comfortable while shooting; light, compact, and nimble enough to be comfortable carrying and handling.
 
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FPrice... I did take a little fine steel wool to mine as there were a few very tiny rust spots on the surface - developed from having been in storage at the distributor for some time, no doubt. That may be why mine has a little more "sparkle" now.
 
Dhart, when different sources show different data, I'm always skeptical. For example, I believe S&W's weight numbers for the 3" model 60 have been published at 24.0 and 24.5 oz. Not a huge difference, but it does make me wonder whats the right number. For your KGPF-331, a half oz difference wouldn't mean much, but a 1.5-2.0 oz difference would make a difference after 8 hours of hiking.

For seeing the front sight against the bull, you can try those orange stick-on dots. The ones you can get at an office supply store are probably a lot cheaper than the ones you'd get from a shooting supply place.

There's another thread here about a custom GP that shows a beadblasted finish, really nice looking.
 
CouchTater... I have some sight paint which I've used on other guns and will put on this one.

Yes, i've seen that Clements custom GP... it is gorgeous!
 
"These 3" GP-100's and the S&W 13/65 sisters are the finest defense revolvers on the planet in my opinion..."

You said it! I would say the 3" Security Sixes are very nice as well.
 
that weapon is cool. I was thinking about getting one just like it but with the half underlug. dumb question for you. is the frame smaller than the adjustable sight 4" models?
 
Same frame as a full size GP-100, but due to the fixed sights (lower profile), smaller grip, and shorter barrel the gun seems and feels significantly smaller than my 4" adjustable sighted blue GP-100. I could concealed carry the KGPF331, but would not consider doing so with my 4" unless I had no other options.
 
That's a fine carry revolver.....

Thanks for posting the photos....

I have the 4" fixed sight GP-100 and agree that the 'fixed sight' grip is a fine design, especially for the hotter .357's.

I would have the 3" barrel if not for Australia's silly legislation. :(
 
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