Ruger's New 44SPL GP100--Got One!

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USBP379

USBP379

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The GP has been a standard in the Ruger catalog for a good 25 years. Nobody pays it much attention nowadays even though Ruger has probably sold somewhere between a million and a billion of the things. They've always been primarily a 38/357 revolver and have been available in several barrel lengths.

Ruger tried to shake things up over the last few years with GP's like the Match Champion and a nifty 3" gun inspired by Wiley Clapp. Well, continuing with interesting new variants, Ruger is now making a 5shot 44 Special.

I don't consider myself to be a revolver guy and don't have much use for the 357 Magnum. That doesn't mean it isn't an effective cartridge. I just prefer semi-autos for several reasons. But I am a walking contradiction and do have an affinity for big bore revolvers. I love old wheelguns like the Colt and S&W 1917's and guns like the S&W Thunder Ranch. I hate to admit it but I also like guns like the Taurus 431 (NOT the new stuff! :eek:) and the older Charter Arms Bulldog.

This new Ruger variant was announced shortly before Christmas and I placed an order right after seeing the review on Jeff Quinn's website.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-GP100-44.htm

Well, the gun showed up with my dealer today and I eagerly took delivery. Initial impressions are pretty good. I like the fiber optic front sight and the trigger is heavy but workable. There is a strong catch right when the cylinder stop pops into the notches but that can probably be tuned up. Single action is pretty crisp but with a bit of overtravel. Timing seems good and there doesn’t appear to be any excess play or shake in the cylinder.

The Hogue grips felt good but completely looked out of place on the gun. Too long in relation to the barrel! I took these off and replaced with a set of standard GP100 stocks. Much better and these should be a better choice for an "all around" carry gun.

I haven't shot the gun yet but do plan on hitting the range tomorrow. More to follow.

In the meantime, please feel free to ask any questions, etc.

Thanks for reading.

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Galco SUM192B holster

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The GP as it came out of the box

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Very nice revolver! I can't wait to hear the range report.

It isn't a concern of mine personally, but others questioned the thickness of the forcing cone in some of the previous threads about this revolver. Since you have one already, would you mind taking a picture of it?
 
There are a couple of photos in the other threads. It's just about as thin as the S&W 696. But that is not a problem if one sticks with heavy bullets at moderate speeds. Avoid the light weight high velocity stuff and it will hold up fine. If you test any high performance loads shoot 3 or 4 at dusk/night and see if you're getting a large fireball. If you are, then avoid using them in this gun very much. The burning gases producing that fireball will wreak havoc on that thin cone. This is not an opinion - it's been known for many years. Kuhnhausen's Ruger DA Shop Manual has excellent photos of forcing cone damage - even on the .357 models with a thick cone. I agree with the OP on his choice of grips. The stock GP grips are much better for carry and actually do a pretty good job on taming recoil.
 
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That is the standard grip correct, not the compact version listed on Ruger's webstore? You said standard but they look so much shorter than the Hogue that it's making me do a double take.

Nice gun man. I definitely want one.
 
Drail said:
... will wreak havoc on that thin cone..
Click to expand...


True there isn't much here in the way of a cone. But a few custom 'smiths have been converting these guns into Specials for awhile so it is likely mostly a theoretical debate. Plus I doubt too many people will ever shoot that much. At least not with Keith loads.
 
I should be picking up mine tomorrow, I'll wait for a set of Compacts before it gets shot.
Need to get going on the handloads for it.

The rubbers may be more cushion in hand, but the Compacts are my favorite GP grips.
Denis
 
460Shooter said:
Gotcha. Thanks. I'm curious, what size hands do you have? I wear XL gloves and am concerned that grip will not fit me well.
Click to expand...
XL for me too. Depending on the glove.

The compact grip doesn't feel as good but the compact is alright. At least it doesn't print under a shirt like the Hogue.
 
Pretty thin forcing cone, for sure. Almost reminds me of a Charter. Nice gun and the grips are better than stock!
 
Your first photo is pretty much exactly what I have planned. From the moment I first saw the gun I knew I wanted one right away and that the first thing I would do would be to order a set of compact grips for it to replace the Hogues. Thanks for giving me something to drool over while I wait for the bank account to recover from the Holiday season.
 
USBP379

Thanks for the first look! Just a matter of time (and money), now before I get one!
 
I'll hopefully get out to the range before lunch.

Looking forward to turning some of my factory ammo into brass so I can get to reloading. I have a couple cast hollowpoint bullets I want to try.
 
"so it is most likely a theoretical debate." It is most definitely not a theoretical debate. It has to do with the laws of physics. It is the reason that a oxy-acetylene torch will cut right through a piece of steel. That's not theoretical. I have seen S&W 696 forcing cones that people destroyed with hot loads.
 
Drail said:
"so it is most likely a theoretical debate." It is most definitely not a theoretical debate. It has to do with the laws of physics. It is the reason that a oxy-acetylene torch will cut right through a piece of steel. That's not theoretical. I have seen S&W 696 forcing cones that people destroyed with hot loads.
Click to expand...

I understand that the forcing cone takes a beating as can the top strap and anything else that gets awashed in flaming hot gases each time a round is torched off.

I'm not saying flame cutting doesn't exist. I'm saying I doubt I'll ever shoot the gun enough to see any serious wear.
 
You might be surprised. Flame cutting of the top strap is self limiting and doesn't really harm anything. The problem is shooters today are absolutely convinced that they "need" to buy the hottest fastest ammo they can get their hands on. That trend was started when the main carry gun was a K frame S&W in .357 but the ammo companies have used that marketing strategy for everything they make today. S&W learned the hard way and were forced to redesign the gun - giving us the L frame. That solved the issue for .357 cal. But .44 Spl. in that L frame is a whole other set of problems because it was never designed for a bullet that large. It's like all of the young guys I work with who buy a Jeep and the first thing they want to do is drop a small block V-8 into it. "MORE POWER!!" And then they can't understand why their drive train keeps breaking parts.
 
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Drail said:
Just stick to moderate loads with heavy bullets and it will be fine.
Click to expand...

That's the plan.

With that said, I will play around a bit with H110 and the 200gr Speer Gold Dot. I'm curious what expansion and penetration will be like when a bullet that's meant for the 44SPL is "stepped on" a bit.
 
I have been playing with the Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot for a while - it's a very good bullet. Speer claims that it was designed to open at around 850 fps. I wouldn't push that bullet too fast or it may come apart. They designed a different Gold Dot for .44 Magnum that supposedly holds together at higher speeds. This is just what I have read - I have never tried those bullets for anything other than .44 Spl. loads at 900 fps. Fired into water jugs they all expanded exactly like Speer's photos. Every time.
 
Drail said:
You might be surprised. Flame cutting of the top strap is self limiting and doesn't really harm anything. The problem is shooters today are absolutely convinced that they "need" to buy the hottest fastest ammo they can get their hands on. That trend was started when the main carry gun was a K frame S&W in .357 but the ammo companies have used that marketing strategy for everything they make today. S&W learned the hard way and were forced to redesign the gun - giving us the L frame. That solved the issue for .357 cal. But .44 Spl. in that L frame is a whole other set of problems because it was never designed for a bullet that large. It's like all of the young guys I work with who buy a Jeep and the first thing they want to do is drop a small block V-8 into it. "MORE POWER!!" And then they can't understand why their drive train keeps breaking parts.
Click to expand...

So true!
Over the years I have learned to find a load which works best in the chosen gun and stick with it. Accuracy and follow on shots. The hottest load is not always the best.

Tell me about V-8s. Decades ago, I put a 327 in a Land Rover 109 and lived to regret that decision.
 
Uh oh! I'm getting poor accuracy and/or keyholing at 25 yards. Ammo used was Underwood 245gr FMJ and Underwood 200gr JHP.

The 245 stuff shot a bit better but I still had some evidence of keyholing. The 200gr stuff all pretty much went completely sideways.

So what's the deal? A slight constriction in the barrel where the barrel meets the frame?

Unfortunately it looks like this one's going to have to go back for warranty....

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