Ruger Gp 100

[jeepster7567]

Just wondering what thought were on the Ruger GP 100 SS with 3 inch barrel. I seems to be ideal barrel length, plus the benefit of 6 rounds. as opposed to the sp 101? My thought is good for CCW more accurate then 2 inch sp101 and one more shot when sh:t hits fan. for minimal size increase?

 

[priv8ter]

hmmm...

I myself have never considered going anything less than a 4-inch barrel in a GP-100.

They are great guns, and yes, the 3 inch would give you a greater sight radius than the 2 inch Sp-101, but...

In my opinon, it's not quite a 'minimal' size increase. Minimal barrel length increase maybe, but...the GP-100 is MUCH heaftier than the SP-101. Heavier and much thicker.

It's nothing I would ever be able to get away carrying IWB. But, I need to lose some weight anyways.

They do make the SP-101 with a 3" barrel. If this is mostly a CCW piece, you might want to think of getting the 3" SP-101. It is a GREAT little gun.

greg

 

[borderguy]

I'll stick with a 4" barrel on a revolver like the GP-100. It seems to be the best compromise between concealabiliy and function. I has a 2" Model 19 for a while and she was a handfull with .357 rounds.

 

[Secmat]

I really like my 3" GP. I knocked the sharp edges off and reshaped the hammer, reshaped and polished the trigger, and did a little polishing of the internals. I kept the shorter factory grip because it works well for me. It's a great shooter with heavy bullets and it's a joy to carry. Almost as smooth as a tuned L-frame at a smaller price.

 

[GrandmasterB]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=115023

 

[RON in PA]

The GP 100 3" is a great gun but it's a belt gun and considerably larger and heavier than a SP101. The latter works well ( at least for me) with an IWB holster.

 

[rblack]

I have both the SP101 and the GP100 with the 3" tube and like both very well.

 

[dairycreek]

Three inch barrels are great.

 

[jeepster7567]

44 special snub.

I wonder why Ruger does not make a 2 1/2 inch .44 special on the GP 100 frame. It would be a great gun.

 

[groessebaer]

Jeepster - the answer probably would be that it would not sell in the volume Ruger wants. Also, the forcing cone probably would not be all that thick to allow for safety margin Ruger builds into their guns. The S&W 696 has problems if used with really HOT loads in the forcing cone (not standard, though). Actually, the answer probably would be if Ruger would make the frame size a bit bigger in certain areas and in the cylinder window they could offer the gun in .44 Sp, .45 ACP or .45 Colt or a 7 shot .357. I wonder on the Tauri that work how they stand up over time (the snubbies) in .44 and .45 in areas such as the forcing cone?

 

[DHart]

For a defense gun that you might want to carry concealed, the GP-100 with 3" tube is much better than the 4".

THe 3" barrel models have fixed sights which are low profile, snag free, look great, and are accurate. The grip on the 3" model looks like the same as on the 4" model, but actually it's smaller... just between the size of the full size GP-100 grip and the very small SP-101 grip. I think the grip on the 3" version is perfect and very comfortable. The 3" tube is short enough to pull quicker from concealment than a 4", yet longer than the "too short" IMHO 2 1/2" models. A .357 round can use the 3" tube a lot better to develop velocity than the 2 1/2. Expect about 35-40 extra fps with the 3" vs. the 2". Lastly, the balanc, pointability, and feel in the hand with the 3" model is awesome. It's my favorite Ruger, period. (I also have an SP-101 3" and a GP-100 4" adj. sight model). In fact I like it as much as my S&W 13's and 65.... and that's saying a lot.

BTW, my understanding is that next year Ruger will be putting internal lock/safety mechanisms in their guns... so if you want to avoid that, you might want to think about buying one of these sooner rather than later.

If you like them blued (I have one of these in blue also, just because I love blued guns) Davidson's has them on sale until January 15th. About $290 plus shipping dealer cost. Expect a dealer to add about $50 for their part. I paid $370 total for mine. My stainless model was about $80 more than the blued model.

This gun is very comfortable for shooting the .357 load. But for extensive shooting of very heavy loads and for target/precision shooting the 4" and 6" models offer more utility in that regard. Just another reason to own more than one of these beauties!