Used GP100 Questions

[buckeyeman]

I'm looking at a used 4" SS GP100 in a local shop. The serial # indicates it was manufactured in 1989. The gun has some holster wear on the front sight and a few, what I would consider, normal wear marks, but other than that is in very good condition. Cylinder & bore look good. Very little cylinder play. I didn't check the gap. Trigger pull is much smoother than other GP100's I've looked at. The gun doesn't look like it's seen a much use. Anyway, they're asking $360. I wondered if, given the age of the gun, this is a reasonable price? I checked around the area and used SS GP100's seem to be going for $360-$400. Anything else I should I check out on the gun before I commit?

 

[REB]

I would say that is a fair price from a shop. You might find them slightly cheaper private sale. The GP100 is a very robust revolver.

 

[PRM]

Handgun Age

Age generally doesn't affect a handgun's price that much. Dealers will do the wholesale/retail value spill - but the prices should be fairly stable. Look on Guns America and see what they are selling for to get an idea. Some of your more modern lines (semi-autos) will have different features as the models progressed. But revolvers are pretty much a constant. Condition is the big factor. How has the gun been taken care of? Is it NIB or close to that? Some of your older guns in excellent condition have a collector attraction that newer guns do not. If the gun is tight and has good mechanics, I would not hesitate to buy an older model revolver. You can always polish a SS gun and bring back the original look.

 

[easyrider604]

Before buying any revolver, new or used, one should give it the outstanding "revolver checkout procedure" by Jim March, seen as a sticky at the top of this revolver sub-forum. If you correctly perform all the steps in this procedure, you will have peace of mind knowing you have done everything, short of bringing a competent gunsmith along and test firing, you possibly can prior to purchase.

Excellent choice of firearm. Good luck.

 

[buckeyeman]

Read the checkout procedure sticky. Thanks.

 

[Matt-J2]

If I found a used 4" SS GP-100 that checked out good and was marked at that price I'd certainly pick it up if I was looking for one.

As a matter of fact, I did just that about a month ago. Same thing, same price, I have it on layaway now. Guess I'm biased, then.

 

[buckeyeman]

Went back shop & checked out the gun using the method described in the sticky. I'd have to say this one is pretty tight. 'Looks like it spent most of it's life in the sock drawer. Anyway, I put it on layaway. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Jim March]

It does sound fair. Guns don't age by "years", nor is their value much affected by same. They age by shooting and "the checkout" is a fairly good way to sort out how much wear has happened. Not 100% accurate of course but in most cases it's better than relying on holster wear! A lot of guns get carried a lot, shot very little.

As a bonus the GP100 is both very stout and very easy to work on if anything does break or some springs need swapping. A few things have to have gunsmith attention if they're off but the action parts are designed to field-strip much more cleanly than in, say, an S&W or esp. a Colt DA revolver.

 

[buckeyeman]

Just picked up my 'new' '89 GP100 this past Friday. First trip to the range was yesterday. Shot about 50 rounds of el-cheapo .38 special 130 Gr. FMJ & a dozen rounds of Hornday .357 140 Gr. FTX. The gun handled like a dream & shot very accurately (at least in my book - 1-2" groups from a rest at 15 yards with both types of ammo.) Sights were centered at dead on. Only had to make a minor tweak to the rear sight elevation to tune it in. The only thing I'll probably do is pick up a Hogue Grip for it one of these days. I couldn't be happier with the purchase! Thanks for the advice! Now to start stocking up on ammo...

 

[HoosierQ]

Good for you. I sold mine when cash was very tight (4 kids in college tight) and I have never gotten over it. Best trigger on any gun I have ever had.

 

[easyrider604]

The gun handled like a dream & shot very accurately

Sounds like a GP100 alright! BTW, in my opinion, another thing that Ruger got right with the GP is the grip (rubber with wood insert). Fits me perfectly. While my SW 686's wear Hogues, I am not a big fan and will switch to Ahrends or similar when cash allows.

Check out the new GP100s, which come with Hogues from the factory, at your local toy store and see if the Hogues fit you. You really gotta fire a couple hundred rounds to find out. Anyways, no biggie. Hogues are inexpensive.

 

[jhansman]

I got the same revolver used about a year ago, made in the late 90's. It has performed flawlessly for me and is a keeper. Have fun!