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

[Legionnaire]

Thanks for the update. They have mine. Haven't talked with them, but they emailed that they are working on it. Looking forward to your report.

 

[USBP379]

I have some 245gr plated bullets that shoot okay (not great just okay) in my 629. These same bullets were mediocre at best in the 44SPL. I had pretty much decided to use these up in the Magnum. I'm hoping they'll shoot well in the new improved Special. If so I will load them up to Skeeter spec and use them for range ammo.

 

[Legionnaire]

Just got back from my first gun show since moving to Texas (I won't express my opinion on this thread). One of the vendors had one of the new .44 Special GP100s. I was pleased to see that it did NOT have the gap under the front sight. In fact, it didn't have any visible gap at all. I didn't try to stick a dollar bill under it. But it looked good!

 

[ROD KLOMP]

I was at my LGS today and asked if he has seen the new Ruger GP100 44 Special, he said he had two in last week and sold them both within hours of each other, but he told me both buyers were going to have to send them back to Ruger, the cylinders were binding up after less than a box of ammo was put through them, both after five reloads, so this is the first I've heard of any problems with this new 44, and it was the first time any one he has sold a GP 100 to has had any kind of a problem, he said the 357 magnum 100's have been great, so I guess I'll wait to see how this goes, it may be just something that was over looked in production, and may be just in a certain batch..I hope anyway, I would like to have one...

 

[USBP379]

Dang. Shipment has been delayed. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[USBP379]

I have the repaired firearm back in my possession. UPS dropped it off about 45 minutes ago.

The cylinder and barrel have been replaced and the gun looks exceptionally nice. It had a small scratch on the top strap when I sent it in but it has been polished out and the gun looks brand new again.

There is still a small gap underneath the front sight but it is only about the thickness of two pieces of paper.

Included is a printed copy of the test target.

Cylinder throat measurements, using my small hole gages, indicate four throats at .431 and one throat at just a smidge over. Probably. 4315 with more precise calipers. Furthermore a cast bullet sized .430 passes easily through while a cast bullet sized .432 does not. I don't have any sized .431 currently.

Here is the gun with some Pachmayr Compacs I scored off eBay. Sorry if I outbid you...

 

[murf]

let us know how your test target turns out.

murf

 

[USBP379]

let us know how your test target turns out.

murf

I'll hopefully shoot a round or two this afternoon.

 

[Legionnaire]

Jealous. Mine was supposed to be delivered today. Just got word it has been weather delayed ... and I'm not available to receive it tomorrow. Hopefully before the weekend ...

 

[Legionnaire]

Mine just arrived back from Ruger. Invoice says, "Replaced barrel, cylinder, refinished. Repair, safety function check proof test and range test firing have been completed. Released for shipping."

The front sight is fixed ... or at least lowered. There is still a slight gap under it; two sheets of 20# paper will fit in it, but not three. Visibly, it is still there, but no longer highly noticeable (it was 0.018"). I'm fine with that.

Best I can measure, chamber throats are now .430. I tried three different style cast bullets, all sized .430. All three slipped into the throats and were held there by friction; easily passed through with minimal pressure. Again, I'm fine with that.

I suspect that they also cleaned up the internals. I found traces of polishing compound in several places, and the double action is noticeably smoother that it was. Pleased with that, too.

There was a photo copy of a test target included; showed a two inch group at 15 yards from a rest using 200 grain Federal ammo. Now I'm looking to get back to the range, hopefully this weekend! Here she is with the compact grip and Chig's Grip inserts.

 

[joneb]

If Ruger gets this figured out I will be all in, but I don't want to buy a gun and send it back

 

[USBP379]

The weather has been pretty lousy but maybe I can get on the indoor range this weekend and try a few loads. I'm pretty anxious to get this gun tested.

 

[zb338]

I have a Ruger Vaquero in .44 magnum caliber (the old Vaquero) I started out shooting
.44 Specials. I tried everything I could get my hands on and the gun would not shoot
worth a damn. One of my friends gave me a can of 255 grain Keith bullets. I loaded them
with a charge of Unique and the gun was shooting clover leaves at 25 yards. Go figure.
Zeke

 

[DPris]

Picked up my replacement sample today.

Gunsmith measured:

.4295
.4295
.430
.430
.430

MUCH better than the first sample in consistency.
Looks like Ruger's on top of it now.
Denis

 

[USBP379]

Picked up my replacement sample today.

Gunsmith measured:

.4295
.4295
.430
.430
.430

MUCH better than the first sample in consistency.
Looks like Ruger's on top of it now.
Denis

Do you have a good sampling of the original test ammo? We'll be interested in how this one performs vs the original.

 

[DPris]

The bulk of the original 500 or so test loads were handloads that I can recreate.
That'll take a while, though, I'm in the middle of other guns.
Denis

 

[Legionnaire]

The saga continues. I'll start my own "range report" thread. Had a good outing today, and really like the gun.

But 7.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain button-nosed wadcutter broke the fiber optic insert in the front sight. Seriously thinking about filling the void with black JB Weld in the short term.

 

[USBP379]

But 7.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain button-nosed wadcutter broke the fiber optic insert in the front sight. Seriously thinking about filling the void with black JB Weld in the short term.

My fiber optic was showing a bit of wear before the gun went back.

I used to change out the rod in my USPSA Limited gun before every big match. All it takes is a fingernail clipper, a new piece of rod, and a cigarette lighter.