GP-100 Blues going "plum"?

While I've seen earlier Ruger DAs that have turned plum color to varying degrees, it strikes me that I've never seen a blue GP that is "ripening up."

Anybody got one? Or are they just too new to show this, or has Ruger changed steels for the GP series? I think it would be sad to lose this "variation," but others may not agree.

I have a Finnish Valmet 12 guage O/U shotgun with an entirely plum frame. This gun was made in the early 1960s and I use it for rainy day hunting and situations where I worry about falling down and damaging my Rugers. (I call her "Prunella.). A very solid and reliable (and attractive, if you like prune whip) shotgun.

Slight changes in the "mixture" of the steel alloys prior to casting can and will make a difference in the "colors". I'm not a Metallurgist so I cannot explain what I've "heard".....

flatgate

Ive heard all sorts of theories. Latest is that it has to do with the percentage of manganese in the steel alloy; too much and it reacts with the bluing to make it purple.

Don't really care about the "why"--I sure do like WHAT sometimes happens tho.... (Does that make me just plum nuts?).

Heck, I have a blue P95 that is more plumb than any old model I ever owned.

Plum P95= "Purple People Eater"!

Here's a link to an earlier RF post regarding "plum color" Rugers.

lmd

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=21179&highlight=plum

Happens to S&W also

I have several blackhawks and a P90 that are plumming up. I like it myself.

I have a P89 that is very purple....

Picked up an old Ithaca 22 repeater last weekend that has a beautiful plum dust cover.

This GP100 has a plum frame. I kinda like it 8)

just picked up a 96/44 that is just starting to turn.......

We need to get all these together and have a "prune shoot." (I'll provide the wrinkles....).

flatgate

That's pretty Flatgate! Close to the color of the creation of my Home Town Hero, Luther Burbank, who created the Santa Rosa Plum.

None of mine have that reddish cast. Yet.

Old Model 45 with plum cylinder. Frame is standard blue.