Thinking of getting a GP100

[Boberama]

This gun is far superior to current production S&W 686's, with their Hillary Holes and MIM parts, and they are more expensive, and less durable and reliable to boot, especially with those infernal locks.
Is there any danger of gas cutting in the Ruger with full-house Remington 125 gr JHP at 1,450 fps? This is all I will be shooting through it for the most part, but sometime I want to load the 125 to DoubleTap levels, about 1600 fps.
What do you think of the new Hogue grips on the Ruger, compared to the old GP100 grips?
A major plus with the GP100 is that the new 2009 run come with a 4.20" brl, which makes it legal here in Canada. The 6" is too long for me.

 

[Walkalong]

They are good guns. Sounds like, at 4.2", they are just the ticket for you. They will hold up to abuse as well or better than anything out there.

 

[easyrider604]

There is always the possibility of gas cutting, in fact it is almost a certainty if you shoot 125 grain bullets in fullhouse 357 magnum.

The reason is that the shorter 125 grn bullets, compared to 158 grain bullets, need more slow burning powder to reach the muzzle energy befitting a full power magnum round. More powder means more hot gases escaping through the barrel - cylinder gap to flame cut the top strap.

To minimize flame cutting, why not stick to 158 grainers? Its a lot easier on the gun overall as well. If you reload, I suggest loading 158 grainers just below max. Kick is less but still satisfying, if recoil is what floats your boat.

I reload with .38 spl brass, 158 grain LSWC or RN, 4.3 grain 700X or 4.5 Titegroup for 1,000 fps average. No overpressure signs still, with very satisfying recoil and accurate. Brass ejects easily, drops freely when cylinder is held vertical and extractor is tapped lightly. I'd guess this load is like a .38 +P+.

FYI, there is a Canadian gun forum, Canadiangunnutz.com. In case you haven't heard, link below.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/

 

[frankiestoys]

The GP 100 is my favorite range gun , i have a 6 inch ss with the hogue grips very accurate and a joy to shoot.
I wouldn't knock the Smith at all its a prooven revolver as well inspite of the locks.
A 4 inch gp will make an all around good shooter and should out last you.

 

[Rexster]

Full-pressure 125s excel at dropping humans. (Been there when it happened.) I would practice mostly with other bullet weights. 125s seem to accelerate faster than the heavier-bullet loads, and even if the gun is up to it, recoil is not kind, long-term, to the wrist bones. Been there, done THAT, too. My right wrist is not as good as it once was, though I can't blame it all on hot 125s. There were some bigger bores involved, too, with thin wood grips that allowed some real slamming to occur, that probably dd most of it.

I have read credible accounts of GP100s standing up to amazing quantities of magnum loads. The guns can do it.

 

[roaddog28]

I would have too agree with easyrider. The GP100 is probably the strongest medium frame revolver made right now. I have a GP100 and a S&W 686-3 and between the two the GP100 would handle 125G Federal hollowpoint better over a period of time than my 686-3. But as strong as the GP100 is, you would still see some gas cutting which would mean more flame cutting. I shoot mostly 158G ammo because it is easier on the gun and because in most cases it is more accurate. Most 357 revolvers are adjusted to shoot POA with 158G. If the bell rang and you had to save your life I guess then shoot the high power 125G. But here is a suggestion, if you do buy a GP100 (I recommend) why not for defense try a self defense round with a less recoil. There are a lot of lesser recoil rounds that are excellent manstoppers. For example: Remingtons Golder Saber 125G hollow point. Excellent round. Your fps would be in the area of 1300 which is still affective and better than a factory 158G running at 1100 to 1250.

But bottom line, buy the GP100 its a better value than a S&W 686 now.

Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[Dogbite]

The GP100 is an amazing anvil like firearm. I had a slicked up GP, and eventually sold it. Everyone who shot it wanted it. My mistake!!!

 

[snooperman]

Get it

They are one of the best handguns on the market. The Ruger revolvers I have will outlast my Colts and S&W guns for sure and will take full house loads without any problems in my lifetime. I can not say that for the Colts and S&W guns. I have several Rugers and will not part with them.

 

[Chuck Perry]

I've been looking for a new 357 off and on for about a year now. I just did I side by side comparison of a new 686 and GP at the dealer two weeks ago. Not only did the GP fit my hand way better than the Smith, but the trigger was a heck of a lot nicer too. Not to mention that the GP was a good bit cheaper than the Smith.

Given the two to pick from, I'd go with the Ruger. My problem is I really like N frames and am sorta stuck on the Smith 627 PRO. The GP is nice as well as affordable, but I love that big 8 shot Smith!

 

[Lone Star]

If you live in Canada, you can't use a firearm in defense, can you? (Not sure.) And you can't carry one, either. Even in bear country?

So, why fire hot 125 grain loads most of the time? All that does is cost more and wear out your gun sooner.

Lone Star

 

[Artiz]

If you live in Canada, you can't use a firearm in defense, can you? (Not sure.) And you can't carry one, either. Even in bear country?

So, why fire hot 125 grain loads most of the time? All that does is cost more and wear out your gun sooner.

Lone Star

Dude, we have shooting ranges up here, too.

You know, canadians don't wear snowshoes and drive around in snowmobiles all year long, we don't all chop down trees for a living neither.

Yes we can use a gun in self defense, on your property you have every bit of right to use lethal force if it's needed. You can carry a shotgun in bear country, and you can get a Wilderness ATC (Authorisation To Carry) with which you can carry a handgun in the "nowhere near man made objects" land, if it's your job to do so, to protect yourself from these nowhere near extinction polar bears. But you'll be better suited with 12ga slugs than any handgun caliber, trust me.

We got pretty big hairy things around here, and some of them are out there to eat your nuts.

I don't want to offend anyone, but apart from escalators to get to the gym and funny laws, Canada is pretty much the same thing, we got homes, buildings, cars and everything...

 

[highlander 5]

If I'm not wrong the SP 101 is in the same family as the GP 100 and the recommended round for the SP is 125gr hp so I would think that thr GP will stand up better than you think. Ruger has always over built their guns to tkae anything and everything you can throw at it and come back for more.

 

[BullsAndClays]

The SP101 is the small frame of the DA Rugers, while the GP100 is the medium frame. I had a GP100 6" that I sold to fund a deal on a S&W 627PC that I could not pass. I have the SP101 DAO for my pocket gun, and will eventually own a GP100 4". They are great guns.

 

[goon]

The GP-100 is a solid revolver. To me, it almost feels like they split the difference on on a L-Frame and an N-Frame S&W when they built the GP-100.
Mine is definitely solid and very smooth. Even with full power .357 loads the recoil is still pretty mild and I'd bet good money that the gun won't fail in my lifetime.
Having said that, I like the SP-101 better. I carry it a lot more and as a result of that, I feel the need to shoot it more than I shoot the GP-100. It's just a more useful gun for my purposes (note that I said for MY purposes, so don't bother trying to convince me that I'm wrong).
But I can't see someone not being pleased with the GP-100.
Just thinking that mine might get sold to buy a stainless SBH .44 magnum at some point.

 

[Sunray]

"...we can use a gun in self defense, on your property you have every bit of right to use lethal force if it's needed..." Only if you feel your life is under immediate threat. You'll still be charged.
"...you can get a Wilderness ATC..." Not everywhere. Only for working trappers and prospectors while 'on the job'. There's no CCW or hunting with handguns.
"...we got..." We have! Geezuz!
"...the old GP100 grips?..." Had my 4"(no 6" then) since they first came to Canada. It's the only revolver I've ever owned that didn't need a change of grips to fit my hand perfectly. Had a 4" Smith 19 for years. It never quite fit my hand properly. Even with multiple grip changes. Frame is a half inch too long for my hand. The GP fits perfectly. Shot Bullseye with it for eons. .357 brass loaded with 148 grain WC's and Bullseye.
The Hogue grips are just different. I seem to recall seeing something about the maker of the original wood panel insert grips going out of business. Might have been a cost thing though. Nothing wrong with Hogue grips.
"...My problem is I really like N frames..." Have a look at a SuperRedhawk. Great big SOB(53 or 57 ozs, depending on barrel length, in .44 Mag or .454 Casull, 7.5 or 9.5 inch barrel) with GP100 sized grips. Far bigger than an 'N' frame. Integral scope mounts. Nearly a grand MSRP though.

 

[KJS]

SuperRedhawk. Great big SOB(53 or 57 ozs, depending on barrel length, in .44 Mag or .454 Casull, 7.5 or 9.5 inch barrel) with GP100 sized grips. Far bigger than an 'N' frame. Integral scope mounts. Nearly a grand MSRP though.

A SuperRedhawk .44 Mag in either 7.5 or 9.5" is $720 at Cabela's currently in their ad.

As far as I know, Ruger only makes the .454 in 7.5". I'm guessing there isn't enough demand for that gun in the mega-long size.

 

[Chuck Perry]

Have a look at a SuperRedhawk. Great big SOB(53 or 57 ozs, depending on barrel length, in .44 Mag or .454 Casull, 7.5 or 9.5 inch barrel) with GP100 sized grips. Far bigger than an 'N' frame. Integral scope mounts. Nearly a grand MSRP though.

Already got one, thanks! Had mine slicked up by Weigand Combat years ago when he still did that type of work. SR's are nice guns for sure.

 

[Artiz]

"...you can get a Wilderness ATC..." Not everywhere. Only for working trappers and prospectors while 'on the job'. There's no CCW or hunting with handguns.

Read my post again, you'll be pleased to see you just said an other time what has already been said.

"...we got..." We have! Geezuz!

Oh look, an Internet teacher.

 

[Virginian]

As someone said, all full house 125 grain .357 loadings will cause flame cutting. You can make a little clip on metal shield to protect the frame top strap very easily, and as soon as it gets cut thru, make another. I know a guy who got a small sheet of 400 series stainless and at the rate he is going it will last for 400 years worth of the little shields.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

i bought my GP100 last year new,great shooting wheel gun!
only complaint i had was the ejection rod was a little tight and would sometimes get stuck......so one night i put break free clp on the rod and worked it for about 30min now it operates fine guess it just needed to be broken in

 

[NMGonzo]

I have one.

i call it the "laser gun"

It does not matter if my paddle target is 10 20 40 meters away .... still go spinning!

 

[Boberama]

If you live in Canada, you can't use a firearm in defense, can you? (Not sure.) And you can't carry one, either. Even in bear country?

So, why fire hot 125 grain loads most of the time? All that does is cost more and wear out your gun sooner.

Lone Star

I can't carry a handgun, no, but I can use one in self-defense, for example, in my house ( I have to keep it unloaded and in a GunVault though).

You can carry a firearm for wilderness protection, but only a non-semiautomatic rifle or shotgun, no handguns. I use a Mossberg 500.

As for the 125's, I might soon move to Washington or Oregon so that I can have some rights, and then I would carry the GP100 with Remington 125's, so I may as well practice with them now.

 

[Boberama]

Do you think it's worth the trouble to move down south?

 

[Lone Star]

Yes, if you qualify to emigrate, I think you'd find it well worthwhile, unless you have relatives you need to be near.

I spent a year in Newfoundland once, and felt at times like I was almost living in a police state. Most Canadians whom I've met seem resigned to a large socialist government, and even to prefer that.

Most Americans are less comfortable with that.

Gun laws are certainly better here, if you choose your locale wisely.

Jobs might be an issue, though.

Lone Star

 

[easyrider604]

Do you think it's worth the trouble to move down south?

Are you thinking of moving because of easier access to our toys, or something else?

If it's toys you want, I don't think it is strong enough motivation for me. But of course it's your call.