GunAdmirer
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Twin Ruger GP100s Range Report - Updated
Updated - See informal chronograph results further down in the thread!
I went to Red's Indoor Range North in Pflugerville (Austin), Texas tonight to shoot and compare a couple of used 4" and 6" full lug stainless Ruger GP100s I acquired over the last 18 months. Their story is kinda interesting - see below.
I shot the following ammunition:
29 - Sellior & Bellot 158 grain .357 Magnum soft point semi jacketed rounds
25 - Federal Classic 158 gr .357 semi wadcutter lead cast rounds
50 - Ultramax 158 gr .38 Special semi wadcutter cast rounds
8 - Winchester 180 gr. .357 Mangum partitioned hunting rounds
I started out shooting two of each type of rounds in each revolver's cylinder to compare the recoil between the rounds. Then I shot alternating rounds from each to see if I could discern any real differences between the two revolvers. After a few cylinders, I just shot the different rounds for accuracy and fun.
Results: The Revolvers
The 6" was slightly front muzzle heavy. The 4" was well balanced. Both were very accurate. I could not determine any real differences in handling recoil or accuracy. I shot both of them equally well, although the 4" felt better to handle. The 6" has a slightly better trigger pull. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting them both, although I think I would keep the 4" if I had to part with one. I plan to do some dry firing and install the Wolff reduced power springs to smooth and even the trigger pulls a little. The 6" could not be improved much in single action but has a heavy double action pull. The lighting wasn't very good at the indoor range, so the fiber optic sight wasn't very bright.
Results: The Ammo
The Ultramax "remanufactured" .38 Special rounds were REALLY dirty and smoky. The stainless revolvers were filthy from them, but they were accurate. The recoil was very mild in the heavy guns. All the .357 Magnum rounds were clean and potent! The recoil was stout but manageable. I could not discern any real difference in recoil between the 158 and 180 grain .357 Magnum rounds. I don't shoot consistently well, so it would be pointless to give you group sizes. However, I had several groups where several holes were all touching each other. All of the rounds were more accurate than the shooter could produce.
History of the "Twins":
About a year and a half ago I rescued the stainless 4" Ruger GP100 from a local pawn shop. It was pretty dirty but sound. I paid about $315.00 for it. I throughly cleaned it inside and out with lead removal cloths and Flitz and put a new Hogue grip and Marble's green fiber optic front sight on it. I was amazed at how well it cleaned up and shot. It became a favorite.
A week ago I found a stainless 6" GP100 at the same store in the same condition. I debated back and fourth for several days. After all, I already had a 4" just like it. I couldn't resist. This time I paid $300.00. I gave it the same TLC and it also turned out equally nice. Niether looked like it had been shot much.
When I checked the serial numbers at Ruger's website I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were manufactured the same year (1989) and the serial numbers were less than 5,000 apart! Since I had seen several Ruger revolvers over the last couple of years, I asked the pawn shop manager if there was a local Ruger collector that was selling off his stuff. He said it was just a coincidence.
I really like them both. They are strong, accurate and inexpensive. I think they look sharp too. I also like the fact that I do not have to worry about the full magnum loads wearing them out. I will post pictures soon.
Updated - See informal chronograph results further down in the thread!
I went to Red's Indoor Range North in Pflugerville (Austin), Texas tonight to shoot and compare a couple of used 4" and 6" full lug stainless Ruger GP100s I acquired over the last 18 months. Their story is kinda interesting - see below.
I shot the following ammunition:
29 - Sellior & Bellot 158 grain .357 Magnum soft point semi jacketed rounds
25 - Federal Classic 158 gr .357 semi wadcutter lead cast rounds
50 - Ultramax 158 gr .38 Special semi wadcutter cast rounds
8 - Winchester 180 gr. .357 Mangum partitioned hunting rounds
I started out shooting two of each type of rounds in each revolver's cylinder to compare the recoil between the rounds. Then I shot alternating rounds from each to see if I could discern any real differences between the two revolvers. After a few cylinders, I just shot the different rounds for accuracy and fun.
Results: The Revolvers
The 6" was slightly front muzzle heavy. The 4" was well balanced. Both were very accurate. I could not determine any real differences in handling recoil or accuracy. I shot both of them equally well, although the 4" felt better to handle. The 6" has a slightly better trigger pull. I thoroughly enjoyed shooting them both, although I think I would keep the 4" if I had to part with one. I plan to do some dry firing and install the Wolff reduced power springs to smooth and even the trigger pulls a little. The 6" could not be improved much in single action but has a heavy double action pull. The lighting wasn't very good at the indoor range, so the fiber optic sight wasn't very bright.
Results: The Ammo
The Ultramax "remanufactured" .38 Special rounds were REALLY dirty and smoky. The stainless revolvers were filthy from them, but they were accurate. The recoil was very mild in the heavy guns. All the .357 Magnum rounds were clean and potent! The recoil was stout but manageable. I could not discern any real difference in recoil between the 158 and 180 grain .357 Magnum rounds. I don't shoot consistently well, so it would be pointless to give you group sizes. However, I had several groups where several holes were all touching each other. All of the rounds were more accurate than the shooter could produce.
History of the "Twins":
About a year and a half ago I rescued the stainless 4" Ruger GP100 from a local pawn shop. It was pretty dirty but sound. I paid about $315.00 for it. I throughly cleaned it inside and out with lead removal cloths and Flitz and put a new Hogue grip and Marble's green fiber optic front sight on it. I was amazed at how well it cleaned up and shot. It became a favorite.
A week ago I found a stainless 6" GP100 at the same store in the same condition. I debated back and fourth for several days. After all, I already had a 4" just like it. I couldn't resist. This time I paid $300.00. I gave it the same TLC and it also turned out equally nice. Niether looked like it had been shot much.
When I checked the serial numbers at Ruger's website I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they were manufactured the same year (1989) and the serial numbers were less than 5,000 apart! Since I had seen several Ruger revolvers over the last couple of years, I asked the pawn shop manager if there was a local Ruger collector that was selling off his stuff. He said it was just a coincidence.
I really like them both. They are strong, accurate and inexpensive. I think they look sharp too. I also like the fact that I do not have to worry about the full magnum loads wearing them out. I will post pictures soon.
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A guy at the local range offered to sell me his mint 6". If it were a 4 I would snatch it up. I have 6 " Smith at the moment.
