Ruger GP100 44SPL--New Thread Here to Update My Old One

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I received my replacement grips today and installed them. I can't wait to get this thing to the range.
Is there a serial # range for ones that have the inconsistent throat?, or, Do I have to look forward to sending mine in too?
 
tommy.duncan said:
I received my replacement grips today and installed them. I can't wait to get this thing to the range.
Is there a serial # range for ones that have the inconsistent throat?, or, Do I have to look forward to sending mine in too?
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My impression is that Ruger over sized the cylinder throats inconsistently, and they went with a 1:20 twist rate which I feel is to slow for a short barreled 44 spl.
If the cylinder throats were .430" they could be enlarged to your liking.
It's really to bad they could have hit a home run here.
 
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I sent a note to Ruger in regards to their GP 100 44 spl. about the one I saw at the LGS. My comment was concerning the over sized inconsistent cylinder throats and the slow twist rate.
Here was the response,
"We will pass along your request to our sales and marketing department for future consideration."
They had a chance to hit a home run but they bunted.
 
The 1x20 twist appears to be a pretty standard item. At least in the 44 Mag realm. The anomaly is Charter Arms and the 1x18 twist in the Bulldog. The Bulldog has been around for a very long time in one fashion or another. Has it always had the 18" twist or is this a later development?
 
Are other recent production Rugers this ragged? They supposedly reduced a lot of this sort of variation when the New Vaquero came out.

"Good customer service" = Willingness to sell a defective product + the ability to make you think they are doing you a favor by fixing it.
 
Jim Watson said:
"Good customer service" = Willingness to sell a defective product + the ability to make you think they are doing you a favor by fixing it.
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QC seems to be lacking from the industry as a whole unfortunately.
 
I don't disagree with you, but I do think that lots of manufacturing has taken a page from the software/technology industry. People want to be first, so they rush a product to market in beta, then fix the problems identified by early adopters. In this case, I don't know if Ruger rushed the product to market to beat someone else (maybe there is another .44 special on the way from another company), but they certainly didn't get the kinks worked out beforehand. The practice does seem to be growing, though, and not just in firearms.

Don't get me started on the drive-by press ...
 
Legionnaire said:
I don't disagree with you, but I do think that lots of manufacturing has taken a page from the software/technology industry. People want to be first, so they rush a product to market in beta, then fix the problems identified by early adopters. In this case, I don't know if Ruger rushed the product to market to beat someone else (maybe there is another .44 special on the way from another company), but they certainly didn't get the kinks worked out beforehand. The practice does seem to be growing, though, and not just in firearms.

Don't get me started on the drive-by press ...
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Not another 44 special, but Smith has had pretty good success with their M69's in 44mag in roughly the same size package.
 
gotboostvr said:
Not another 44 special, but Smith has had pretty good success with their M69's in 44mag in roughly the same size package.
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Is the 2.75" Smith shipping yet? I haven't seen one anywhere yet.

If and when this Ruger doesn't work out it will go down the road to be replaced by a snubby 69. I don't necessarily need or want a snubby Magnum but I do like the overall size and will run it on a Special diet.
 
USBP379 said:
Is the 2.75" Smith shipping yet? I haven't seen one anywhere yet.

If and when this Ruger doesn't work out it will go down the road to be replaced by a snubby 69. I don't necessarily need or want a snubby Magnum but I do like the overall size and will run it on a Special diet.
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I haven't personally seen one yet myself. But I'd like to fondle one and pick up either a new snub 66, or 69
 
I still say we're going to see a GP100 in 44Mag at some point even if the frame needs remodeling.
 
USBP379 said:
The 1x20 twist appears to be a pretty standard item. At least in the 44 Mag realm. The anomaly is Charter Arms and the 1x18 twist in the Bulldog. The Bulldog has been around for a very long time in one fashion or another. Has it always had the 18" twist or is this a later development?
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I noticed Ruger has different twist rates for .357 mag. 1:16 and 1:18.75
I think 1:20 would be fine for 6.5 - 8" barrels 1: 18 seems like a better choice for a 3" barreled 44 spl.
 
Let's just say- Pilgrim, holdeth not thy breath uponst a .44 Magnum GP. :)
Denis
 
I like the Special and think the GP and the old cartridge make a good combo. The 3in barrel and compact grip makes for a very nice general purpose firearm.

As mentioned, if and when I get a Model 69 it will be fed Specials. Or some fairly mild loads using Magnum cases. The same will be true of a Magnum GP if such a creature comes to market.

If no Magnum plans exist--and I can get a GP100 that's fairly accurate with most ammo--that's fine with me. I can buy Speer Gold Dot or DoubleTap Barnes 200gr ammo for defense and feel comfortable with those choices. And with handloads I can probably get to within about 90% of what a 3in 44 Mag will do. Even then the gun won't see but the occasional Keith-style load.

Everyone wants Magnum performance. No one wants Magnum recoil...
 
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I've got a S&W Model 69 and use it as my hunting sidearm, and for ridge walking in fall and winter. It is light enough to comfortably carry in a Diamond D Guide's Choice chest rig. I keep it loaded with Buffalo Bore 250 grain hard cast Keith style SWC magnums. It handles well, and recoil is very manageable. The 4-1/4" barrel throws weight forward which aids in curbing muzzle flip. I swapped the factory grips for a pair of the factory 460/500 magnum grips and these really soak up felt recoil. I rarely shoot specials in it so I'm really looking hard at the Ruger GP100 in 44 special.

My concealed carry EDC in fall/winter is a Charter Bulldog 44 loaded with anti-personnel loads, but I would enjoy having the ability to shoot heavy 44 specials in a more compact package than the model 69. Would be a nice fun gun. Told my LGS to Put me on the list. It'll probably fit my 386 Night Guard holster, so savings there. Plus my existing CA44 5-round HKS speedloaders will also work.
 
Crowman said:
I've got a S&W Model 69 and use it as my hunting sidearm, and for ridge walking in fall and winter. It is light enough to comfortably carry in a Diamond D Guide's Choice chest rig. I keep it loaded with Buffalo Bore 250 grain hard cast Keith style SWC magnums. It handles well, and recoil is very manageable. The 4-1/4" barrel throws weight forward which aids in curbing muzzle flip. I swapped the factory grips for a pair of the factory 460/500 magnum grips and these really soak up felt recoil. I rarely shoot specials in it so I'm really looking hard at the Ruger GP100 in 44 special.

My concealed carry EDC in fall/winter is a Charter Bulldog 44 loaded with anti-personnel loads, but I would enjoy having the ability to shoot heavy 44 specials in a more compact package than the model 69. Would be a nice fun gun. Told my LGS to Put me on the list. It'll probably fit my 386 Night Guard holster, so savings there. Plus my existing CA44 5-round HKS speedloaders will also work.
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The CA44 HKS loader is a do all, that is pretty sloppy. So depending on bullet profile reloading could be slow.
 
Yup, and that's why I load my Bulldog's CA44 speedloaders with Hornady 165 grain JSP. They are pointy and feed better. I use Quickstrips to load 200 grain Buffalo Bore Manstopper hard cast wadcutters two at a time.

The Model 69's CA44 speedloaders drop 250 grain SWC easily enough...nose is longer and goes into the chambers quickly.
 
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Why choose the full wadcutter over some of the other bullets available?

The full wadcutter might make sense when compared to the 190gr lead hollowpoint since it has limited expansion potential. But I would think something like the Underwood Bulldog Only 200gr Gold Dot or a couple DoubleTap loads with modern JHP bullets would be better choices for defense.
 
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I have a tracking number for the repaired gun. I should have it Monday. I will post accuracy info and throat measurements ASAP.
 
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