Smitten with the 3" GP-100's

[xring]

I thought I'd never say this. Even though I have not gotten a chance to fire it yet, I cannot believe how great this revolver feels. I like it so much, I am waiting on a second one to arrive. 2 blue ones. I suspect I will have a 3rd in stainless. The only reason I go on, is that I have a S&W 65 and 13 in 3" which have been regarded as the "ultimate fighting revolver". The GP just balances better, and right out of the box, the trigger on mine is 80% of the 'Smith. I was going for a salt and pepper theme on all of my 3 inchers, but a sweet deal came on another blued one that I could not pass up. If - and that's a big "if" they shoot as well as my S&W's, I will have a new favorite. I don't even want to change the grips even though that's usually the first thing to go. It just feels that right. Very cool looking revolver too.
I sold an unfired 27 year old mdl. 28 to get this. I wish I had another to trade for a stainless one.
Randy

 

[P95Carry]

I sold an unfired 27 year old mdl. 28 to get this

That tho is a pity! I'm sure that gun was still a keeper!

That aside - wait a while - DHart will be along!!

 

[xring]

I can do the square butt in anything but an "N" frame...
Randy

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Here is a range evaluation on the 3" GP100:

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

Best.

 

[xring]

Stephen, Been there - did that - many times. I admire your work.
Randy

 

[Boss Spearman]

I have a blued 3 inch gp100 in layaway at Gander Mt. I can't wait to get mine.

 

[MikeJ]

Xring, I agree with you totally. I bought a stainless 3" GP100 last December with the short shroud and I can't believe how good it feels. Why people don't like the GP100 grips is beyond me, I think that is one of their best features. This is truly one of the best handling revolvers I have ever picked up.

 

[RON in PA]

One more thumbs up for the 3" GP100 with the small grips. Probably the one area that Ruger has it over Smiths.

 

[Big Mike]

Agree with all! Mr. Camp's research reinforced my decision to get a CAI Import repatriated stainless steel 3" GP100. This is one of the few handguns I've held that I feel is an extension of my hand. Nice. Shoots well and is accurate once I figured the sights out. I would like to have the trigger smoothed up. I still need to try the Wolff Spring pac everyone raves about.

So, I hear what you're saying...Mike

 

[fallingblock]

RON in PA beat me to it.....

"One more thumbs up for the 3" GP100 with the small grips. Probably the one area that Ruger has it over Smiths."
*********************************************************

I have owned a number of S&W revolvers and NONE have approached the "extension of hand" sensation delivered by the Ruger compact grips.

The GP100 is a fine and modern medium revolver.

 

[absolute0]

I think I'm going to have to try one of these....it seems like everyone who has one positively gushes about how much they love to shoot them.

They look nice in blue too

 

[DHart]

gush, gush, gush.... small GP grips, 3" barrel, gush, gush, gush... the 3" GP-100 is my absolute most favorite Ruger period. The amazing thing is how well they handle full house loads. And they SEEM smaller and lighter than the 3" 681/686, even if they aren't. Ruger really did it right with the 3" GP-100! Awesome size, shape, weight, and performance.

This is interesting... the other day I picked up a cherry condition Model 28 with 4" barrel and did a side to side shooting comparison with my 3" GP-100, a much smaller and lighter gun. Shooting full house factory 158 gr. Gold Dots and 145 gr. Silvertips, the little 3" GP felt as comfortable, with comparable recoil, as the much beefier 4" model 28! I was amazed! I can only imagine that the GP grips had something to do with it as the M28 just had the stock wood target grips. Ruger did a really good thing with their grips... the stock grips reside on all of my Ruger GP-100's. As for the model 28, I will be getting some Ahrends square butt finger groove grips for that puppy!

 

[fallingblock]

That is a great photo DHart!

Is that a walnut table you've used for the background?

That one has to go in the file of "guns I wish we could own" here in Australia.

As decreed by our petite P.M. Howard - any revolver with a barrel shorter than 4" is now "prohibited" for non-government or security owners.

I can't say enough in praise of the standard Ruger grips -

They absorb more recoil than would be expected.

 

[P95Carry]

Don - something I have been meaning to ask! Is it possible - by any chance - that you have some sort of liking for the GP-100's in 3". ???

 

[DHart]

fallingblock... I don't know what kind of wood it is... just an imported wood table... not expensive, pretty cheap, really... I use it as a work bench in my gunroom (with a green felt workspace mat).

Chris.... who ME???? nah!

 

[rWt]

Calling the kettle black, Chris?

Have you ever seen a handgun that you didn't love?

Dick

 

[P95Carry]

Have you ever seen a handgun that you didn't love?

Errrh - Hi Dick! <Cough> - actually - not that many! Haha - you got me!

Ahh a thought - I am gonna be pedantic here. ''Love'' - in fact not so many that get real love, not all - but ''like''? - now then - that does indeed present problems. The ''exclusion list'' is way too small - thus the ''wanted list'' is never really ever likely to be fulfilled!

 

[Bob F.]

Recon those small grips would fit the old Speed-Six??

 

[fletcher]

The 3" GP-100s seem to be getting very popular. I have absolutely no problems with mine, although I did change the grips to some larger Hogues that fit my hand better. The originals may make their way back on there for CCW.

You'll no doubt enjoy this gun very much.

 

[L-Frame]

The grips on the GP100 fixed sight models are the most comfortable for me of any grips I have ever felt. If I could have that feel on my 686/681's I'd be set for life.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

OK, after lusting over DHart's photos, I decided to get a 3 inch GP100 of my own. I ordered the one typically called short shroud. Davidson's was selling these for about $100 less than the full underlug. I kind of like the character it give the barrel. Now I've got to get out to shoot it.

Kind of strange. I just got into Ruger revolvers and have bought several new. Each has obviously been test-fired, but only one chamber. The other 5 chambers are clean, look like they've never even chambered a round. When I buy S&W stainless guns, looks like every chamber has been fired. Going by the fouling on the cylinder face, of course. So for Ruger it just has to go bang once?

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Me too!

Great gun and the most comfortable .357 I've ever shot. Ruger did an outstanding job designing the grip.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Yeah, I have 2 SP101s (both 3 inch, one .357 and one 9mm). One has the factory grip (and it won't be changed). The other I bought used is currently wearing Houge checkered wood grips (I wanted something a little different and it originally came with Hogue rubbers). As I understand it, the grip on 3 inchers as they come from the factory is the same as with the SP101.

Not planning on changing the grips on my GP anytime soon. Might get a different set of inserts, but that's it.

 

[pezo]

Im planning on getting my 2nd gp100 3" next week. I plan on buying this one used with the semi-lugged barrel. I have the full lug now wich I bought new. I love firing this revolver. Though last time I was at a show I almost walked off with a semi lug fixed sight 4". hmmmm. decisions.

 

[xring]

I was going to get a third in stainless, but that may be overkill. I've decided to carry one of them often, and not worry about the blue wear. When the time comes, I'll send it out for a nice brushed hard chrome finish.
Southpawshootr: My GP also came with only one chamber having been fired. I think Ruger saves money on ammo so that it makes up for the extra labor in stamping the barrels.
By the way, do you mind letting us know just how affordable the short lug one is from Davidson's?
Thanks.