Ruger GP 100

[Tubby Rower]

I'll be getting a Gp100 very soon. I was curious how many of the owners here had the different length barrels and whether the majority had blued or SS. So I went back through the thread and this is what I came up with (some people didn't mention whether or not they were blued or SS so the numbers won't add up)

3" - 16
4" - 62
5" - 1
6" - 25

blued - 21
SS - 65
"target grey" - 4

so it looks like the 4" SS version is the most popular. My question is when I get mine, is there that much of a difference in the 6" barrel and the 4" barrel?

 

[timothy75]

I have one.

 

[Gary A]

My question is when I get mine, is there that much of a difference in the 6" barrel and the 4" barrel?

Tubby Rower - I just traded a full lug 6 inch as part of a deal on a couple of single-action revolvers. I kept a 1/2 lug 6 inch (now only available on the used market). My take is that the full lug 6 inch is a bit muzzle-heavy in the hand but it hangs on target very well and mine was very accurate. The 1/2 lug 6 inch and the 4 inch full lug are closer in weight and feel very similar to me. The 6 inch 1/2 lug is much more muzzle light than the 6 inch full lug. I don't shoot the 1/2 lug 6 inch quite as well but that's partly less rounds downrange with it. The 4 inch is much "handier", IMO, but the six inch gives you somewhat more velocity, more power, and less muzzle blast. Depends on your planned use. For home defense, I would give the nod to the 4 for its handiness, but the 6 inch would serve admirably and with a bit less blast. The 6 inch will wring more out of heavy +P .38 loads also. I usally keep my 1/2 lug six inch loaded at home with 158 +P .38 semi-wadcutter hollow points but on occasion, Winchester 145 grain Silvertips.

 

[2ndamd]

I have all of the above in SP101s and GP100s. I like this design alot.

To answer the question in difference between 6" vs 4". You will notice the difference if you carry the gun. The 6" do NOT conceal well. Th 4" shoot accurately out to 50 yrds (practice practice practice). For me if you are going to have only one (for now ) then get a 4" SS model.

I love the look of the blued guns but, if only one it would be a SS 4" model.

 

[Tubby Rower]

thanks guys... I was pretty intent on getting the 6" model, but I'll only likely get one (I don't think that my wife would tolerate 2). I probably won't carry as it's not legal to carry in alcohol-serving restaurants and church, and those are really the only two places that I normally go. Although taking it on a hike in the mountains would be useful if we run across a bear or something. Anyway, I might get the CCW permit, but not use it. So I'll consider the 4" model for a few days before deciding.

 

[hyphen]

i'm a new owner as of today.

4" blued, adjustable sights, factory grips. i've been eyeing the ivory inserts but i'm more than likely going to pickup the hogues...depending on how i like the factory grips.

haven't fired it yet but i have a box of 130gr .38 and 142gr .357 both are fmj. still undecided but i'm seeing a consistent response about the speer gold dots.

no modifications yet, i'd like some sights for better night visibility and some better grips.

no speedloaders. i was going to purchase some when i picked this jewel up, but i totally forgot.

i'm also not well enough versed in revolvers to request anything differently from ruger. haven't even shot the damn thing yet

 

[grimjaw]

1) Owned a blued GP100 4".

2) Had factory grips on it with some Ruger factory inserts.

3) Shot almost exclusively 158gr out of it.

4) I had a Wolff spring kit in it for awhile, but changed it back to stock.

5) I'd like to see them bring back the 6" half lug.

6) Had an OWB Bianchi leather holster for it.

7) Had Safariland Comp2 speedloaders.

The GP100 was the first centerfire handgun I ever fired, and I was hooked after one cylinder.

jm

 

[Black Adder LXX]

thanks guys... I was pretty intent on getting the 6" model, but I'll only likely get one (I don't think that my wife would tolerate 2). I probably won't carry as it's not legal to carry in alcohol-serving restaurants and church, and those are really the only two places that I normally go. Although taking it on a hike in the mountains would be useful if we run across a bear or something. Anyway, I might get the CCW permit, but not use it. So I'll consider the 4" model for a few days before deciding.

Before I decided on the 4", I looked over the 6" as well. I just didn't like all the extra weight on the front end. I got the 4" and it's my favorite gun. well... one of my favorites...

 

[Viking6]

I have a 4" RCMP resale that has been refitted with SA hammer; it is better than I am.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a 6" SS that i have owned for at least 15 years. I used it in the falling plate matches at the old Ft. Worth Rifle & Pistol Club. I got 2nd place in the club championships in 1992. I used to have several trophies that i won with this gun. I have no idea how many rounds i have fired but probably 3000 or more.

The only changes i have made were to polish the internals and remove 1 or 2 coils off the main spring. One other mod was to thin the front sight and paint an orange backside. The blade had to much lateral coverage. Thinning it made it easier to shoot at long range.

I sold my friends blued 4" for him at the Dallas gun show for $275.00. Thats all i could get. I kick myself in the butt for not buying it every time i think about it.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Count me in as a fan of the GP100. I have but one and it has been a top performer now for several thousand handloaded magnums as well as factory ammunition.

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


This GP100 is stock as it came from the factory. I guess this one is an exception to the "rule" I keep hearing about: poor trigger pulls. Its action was very nice when it I purchased it but it has smoothed up very nicely and is good as any of the S&W revolvers I own (and really like) and better than some! Mine seems to have had the sights regulated for 158-gr. full-power loads though I cannot find any meaningful difference out to about 25 yards when using handloads or factory full-power loads using bullets weighing down to about 140 grains.

Best.

 

[Tubby Rower]

Well I took delivery of my new 4" SS GP100 last night. I'll likely have a chance to actually fire it over Thanksgiving weekend. I dry fired it a few times last night and it seems stiffer than the used ones that I have handled. Anyhoo, I'm excited about it.

One other thing, the knurled part of the hammer seemed extremely sharp to me so I'll probably get a piece of sandpaper to it to knock down those sharp points in the knurling.

 

[Legionnaire]

I dry fired it a few times last night and it seems stiffer than the used ones that I have handled.

Par for the course. It needs to be dry fired a couple of thousand times ... and shot a lot ... and it will loosen and smooth up considerably. Like a fine wine, gets better with age! Welcome aboard!

 

[2ndamd]

Congratulations to the 2-3 people here that just purchased their first GP100. You're gonna love 'em!

The gentlemen at the ruger forum informed me that 320 grit paper will break the sharp edges then followed-up with 600 grit to blend it back to Ruger's finish.

Even finer sandpaper if you are looking to polish to a high shine.

 

[Tubby Rower]

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't looking for answers, but I'm glad that you gave them

 

[patsue]

I bought a new GP100 Stainless 4 inch a couple of weeks ago. IT is a great looking revolver and the trigger pull is very good. The only bad thing is that sometimes when I push in the ejection rod, the ejector sticks open. It catches a little on the return. I was hoping just working it would smooth it out but it isn't.

I don't want to send this thing back to Ruger. What a hassle.

pat

 

[hyphen]

Have you tried cleaning/oiling the ejector rod? My GP had a similar issue where the ejector rod didn't feel smooth pushing out, but after a scrub with solvent and a little coat of oil it works fine.

 

[KodeFore]

Be nice to see the GP100 get its own sub forum

Great gun
6in SS full lug ( Bought used 400$ )
Tried ruger orange insert front sight, did not care for it
Millett white ramp front sight, like that one alot
Wollff springs
Hogue Wrap around grips
Currently having the play and awful gritty return fixed at a local gunsmith but shot quite well as it was
Considering the CT LG344 laser

Shoot mostly .38 reloads, usually Magtech SPSJ 125 or 148 pushed by IMR700X
Carry in Uncle Mikes holster
Use HK, Safariland comp one and comp 2 speedloaders, like the Comp 2 best

Would like to get one with the 1/2 lug on it
Would like to have one with a 5' blued
Would love to have a 5 in Black GP100 with a removable underlug picatinny rail ( Cant afford the S&W 327TRR )

 

[Seancass]

Sign me up as a new member:

1) What do you own: GP100 - 4" ss with adj sights.

2) What grips do you use? factory grips

3) What loads do you use? factory, hopefully start loading sometime.

4) Any modifications? stock as a rock.

5) What would you like Ruger to do differently to a GP100? i'd pay $25-$50 more for some trigger work

6) Holster(s): odd shoulder/belt rig that it seems to fit in, was given to me before i had a gun to put in it.

7) Speed Loader(s): nope.

pics soon.........

this is my second gun, first DA. hoping to learn some stuff from it.

 

[MotoIdaho]

1) What do you own: GP100 - 6" ss with adj sights.

2) What grips do you use? factory grips but considering Hogue, my mother has a Hogue on her SP-101 and loves it.

3) What loads do you use? factory, will start reloading again in a couple of weeks. 148gr. SWC 38 spc for the indoor range, 158gr. JHP 357 for field carry.

4) Any modifications? Polished trigger mechanism contact surfaces to a mirror finish with dremel cotton buffing wheel and the red polishing compound that came with it. The trigger is soooo smooth! Why wait for 1000 rounds for the trigger to break in.

5) What would you like Ruger to do differently to a GP100? Target Grey! I like my barrels long but I almost bought the Lipsey 4" because of the Target Grey.

6) Holster(s): Idaho Leather Model 77 plain and sewn w/surplus army wide web belt, very comfortable.

7) Speed Loader(s): no but curious about them

 

[Seancass]

too late to edit, but i got an uncle mikes holster, a speedloader, cleaning supplies, and some more ammo.

I'm ready to do some shooting this weekend! hopefully she'll break in a little and get smoother. and hopefully i'll be rining a gong at 100 yds. i'm really excited and i really cant wait.

 

[Lucky Strike]

New Member of the club here! Just got mine earlier this week. Got it used from a guy on rugerforum. First revolver! Will give her a test run tomorrow!


1) What do you own: I own a stainless GP100 in 4 inch with XS Big Dot night sights.

2) What grips do you use? Stock

3) What loads do you use? Nothing yet...haven't shot it yet

4) Any modifications? XS Big Dot sights.

5) What would you like Ruger to do differently to a GP100? Make the target grey finish a standard option. I think it looks great and would have chosen it over stainless if I could have found one.

6) Holster(s): None

7) Speed Loader(s): Mine came with one but I'm not sure what brand it is

 

[Rexster]

That XS sight is interesting! I have thought about putting one on one of my sixguns. Let us know how it shoots for you.

 

[Brasso]

I really like the GP100. I don't know why, but I shoot it better than a 686. It's probably because I'm so used to the GP, but I like the longer trigger pull.

There are a couple of things I think they could do to improve the gun.
1. Spend more time dehorning it. Particularly the trigger. It needs a better, wider, bevel.
2. Replace the hammer with a more "S&W" style. It's too square. Need's more of a beaver tail like geometry.
3. Tighten up the ejector rod. It's a little too wobbly on some specimens and tends to "stick" a bit if not pushed in a straight line.
4. Offer it with wood grips that are the same exact shape as the factory rubber ones.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

I own a 3" SS GP100 and love it. Gotta love no silly internal lock on the Rugers.

Like Mr. Camp's the trigger was surprisingly nice out of the box and only gets better.