Ruger revolver for IDPA?

[Pat Cannon]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a six-gun I can shoot in IDPA matches, and also use for home defense & occasional carry. I love my current carry gun, a Ruger SP101 .357, and shoot it in Backup Gun matches, so I'm leaning toward a GP-100 or a Security Six or Speed Six (I'm leaning more toward the older models 'cause money is a factor.) So what do folks recommend for a revolver -- any reason to rule out the Rugers? It seems like they should be competitive in SSR now that the moonclip wheelguns have their own class, right? Do folks win with Rugers?

As far as caliber, I'm inclined toward .357 for commonality of ammo with my snubby.

And what about good reasonably priced holsters & speedloader carriers that also work for carry?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

I see few Ruger revolvers in IDPA. More than I see Ruger autos, though.
Massad Ayoob was shooting a GP100 fixed sight at the IDPA Nationals.
So it can be done. There is even some information on action honing out there, I have seen claims of DA triggers in the range of what used to be done with S&W, though not up to Randy Lee's work.

 

[Dr.Who]

Seen a few GP-100's as well. They are not a bad choice. I shoot a either a S&W 66 2 inch or a 686 4 inch in SSR class. What is nice it being able to shoot .38 loads as opposed to full house .357 loads.

 

[nyresq]

a plus is the GP-100 is a little on the heavy side, so follow up shots are a little faster. another plus is it uses the same speed loaders as a S&W 586/686 which is about the most common out there.
very simple action with mild improvements will give a nice trigger pull.
I carried one for duty years ago and while not as light as a 686 it was solid and reliable and accurate enough for any idpa match.

used GP-100's are widly available and normally less then a 686 of the same year and usage.

 

[akanotken]

I don't shoot much revolver in IDPA

But when I do it's with a GP100. And I researched it a bit (there are a ton of 686 vs GP100 here and other fora).

686 seems to rule only in the possibility of the trigger that can be obtained, but I don't shoot mine enough to know the diff (Very good trigger with springs swap).

YMMV, IMHO, etc, etc