GP100 6 or 7 shot?

buckshot · May 7, 2022

If you were picking a new GP100 would you pick a 6 shot or a 7 shot and why? I prefer a 3" revolver but a 4" may be ok too. I like the idea of that extra round, but don't want reliability issues. This would be used in the field or at the range, too heavy for a CCW in my opinion. What are your thoughts.

NikA · May 7, 2022

I think there were significant teething issues with the 7 shot and variance in ammo rim dimensions, and I'd want evidence that problem was resolved before buying a 7 shot model in today's market.

I didn't see the 6 shot models go away. I haven't seen new 7 shot models come available. I think that speaks to the current (lack of) acceptance of the 7 shot models.

edcknives · May 8, 2022

I'd go with the six shot as well. If the additional round(s) makes a difference I'd go with a Glock 29. I have 3 357 revolvers and a Glock 29. I would feel comfortable with any of the them in the field myself. Staying with a tried and true design with history takes precedence for me.

recumbent · May 8, 2022

6 shot for me too.

45acpskng · May 8, 2022

buckshot said:
If you were picking a new GP100 would you pick a 6 shot or a 7 shot and why? I prefer a 3" revolver but a 4" may be ok too. I like the idea of that extra round, but don't want reliability issues. This would be used in the field or at the range, too heavy for a CCW in my opinion. What are your thoughts.

6 shot and 4"bbl ONLY! Would go 6"bbl if it's strictly for range use.

rotor · May 8, 2022

Many complaints about some ammo not fitting properly in 7 rounders. I have blued 5" GP100, full lug .357, 6 round. Great gun.

Dillon Justice · May 8, 2022

NikA said:
I think there were significant teething issues with the 7 shot and variance in ammo rim dimensions, and I'd want evidence that problem was resolved before buying a 7 shot model in today's market.

I didn't see the 6 shot models go away. I haven't seen new 7 shot models come available. I think that speaks to the current (lack of) acceptance of the 7 shot models.

You are absolutely right. I don't know if Ruger has corrected the "tolerance stacking" issue of different ammo brands not fitting into the 7 shot cylinder.

Dillon Justice · May 8, 2022

buckshot said:
If you were picking a new GP100 would you pick a 6 shot or a 7 shot and why? I prefer a 3" revolver but a 4" may be ok too. I like the idea of that extra round, but don't want reliability issues. This would be used in the field or at the range, too heavy for a CCW in my opinion. What are your thoughts.

Congrats on your correct use of the word "too" Ruger has had problems with different brands of ammo fitting into the 7 shot. Since you are not using the pistol for CCW, you don't need the extra round. There's not a lot of difference between the 3 or 4 inch models. 4" gives a little longer sight radius. Just my 2 cents.

Thel · May 8, 2022

Over on another website a gunsmith claims the problem was solved by moving the rear of the chambers in the cylinder outward about 0.002" from the axis. The front of the chambers remained in the same position so as to line up with the forcing cone of the barrel albeit they are tilted slightly downward towards the front of the cylinder when viewed from the side. Evidently, there were no ill effects on the forcing cone or on accuracy. I would think this must have been implemented as Ruger continues to offer the 7 shot models.

S&W on their 686 models offers both 6 and 7 shot models so they sort of compliment one another not replace one with the other. Over the years I have seen some claim the 7 shot models go out of time quicker and others claim the 7 shot models have a shorter trigger stroke and seem smoother. A 7 shot all other things equal will weigh slightly less than a 6 shot. More brands of speedloaders are offered for the 6 shot vs. the 7 shot models.

Dillon Justice · May 8, 2022

Thel said:
Over on another website a gunsmith claims the problem was solved by moving the rear of the chambers in the cylinder outward about 0.002" from the axis. The front of the chambers remained in the same position so as to line up with the forcing cone of the barrel albeit they are tilted slightly downward towards the front of the cylinder when viewed from the side. Evidently, there were no ill effects on the forcing cone or on accuracy. I would think this must have been implemented as Ruger continues to offer the 7 shot models.

S&W on their 686 models offers both 6 and 7 shot models so they sort of compliment one another not replace one with the other. Over the years I have seen some claim the 7 shot models go out of time quicker and others claim the 7 shot models have a shorter trigger stroke and seem smoother. A 7 shot all other things equal will weigh slightly less than a 6 shot. More brands of speedloaders are offered for the 6 shot vs. the 7 shot models.

post a link for that website please. Just off the top of my head, the fix doesn't seem plausible to me. From what I've seen, the problem is with the closeness of the chambers in the cylinder. Due to the effects of tolerance stacking, the rim of the 7th round doesn't fit all the way into the chamber due to there not being enough space for the rim. That's the reason that I don't see how canting the cylinder 0.002" from axis would add any space between the chambers that are bored into the cylinder.

JStacy · May 8, 2022

4" GP100 is a classic field and home defense gun. A GP100 with the light contour barrel weighs almost the same thing as a full lug 4" and gives a better sight radius. However, I do like my 4" GP100 6shot and my 4.2" GP100 Match Champion. The match champion is a nice well-tuned gun but so is the price!

Kevin · May 8, 2022

I have a 7 shot GP100. It’s very nice. No problems with ammo.

And very accurate too.

Thel · May 8, 2022

"post a link for that website please. Just off the top of my head, the fix doesn't seem plausible to me. From what I've seen, the problem is with the closeness of the chambers in the cylinder. Due to the effects of tolerance stacking, the rim of the 7th round doesn't fit all the way into the chamber due to there not being enough space for the rim. That's the reason that I don't see how canting the cylinder 0.002" from axis would add any space between the chambers that are bored into the cylinder."

Dillon Justice

https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/gp-100-7-shot-01771.400249/page-2
See comments by Iowegan. The cylinder is not canted but the chambers within the cylinder. Thus, the caseheads are farther apart at the rear of the cylinder the the chamber mouths near the forcing cone are still in the same position, that is, the chambers are at a slight angle to the cylinder axis getting closer near the front of the cylinder next to the forcing cone.

stanley_white · May 8, 2022

The six shot, having more steel in the cylinder, weighs more overall, so while it lacks a 7th round it will be slightly better as an impact weapon.

-Stan

hittman · May 8, 2022

I must be an old stick-in-the-mud. When S&W brought out the 686 with 7 shots, all I thought was “what was wrong with the 6 shot”? But, it was never gonna be a carry gun for me anyway.

If the difference between 6 shots or 7 may save my life, I should be spending a lot more time at the range.

Dillon Justice · May 8, 2022

Thel said:
"post a link for that website please. Just off the top of my head, the fix doesn't seem plausible to me. From what I've seen, the problem is with the closeness of the chambers in the cylinder. Due to the effects of tolerance stacking, the rim of the 7th round doesn't fit all the way into the chamber due to there not being enough space for the rim. That's the reason that I don't see how canting the cylinder 0.002" from axis would add any space between the chambers that are bored into the cylinder."

Dillon Justice

https://www.rugerforum.net/threads/gp-100-7-shot-01771.400249/page-2
See comments by Iowegan. The cylinder is not canted but the chambers within the cylinder. Thus, the caseheads are farther apart at the rear of the cylinder the the chamber mouths near the forcing cone are still in the same position, that is, the chambers are at a slight angle to the cylinder axis getting closer near the front of the cylinder next to the forcing cone.

Thanks for the info, read the entire thread. So I had inferred from your post that Lowegan ( as a gunsmith ) somehow re-bored the cylinder. After I carefully read Lowegan's posts and realized that he claims Ruger started boring the cylinders at a slight (.002 degree cant ) to accommodate the rim diameters on the larger side of tolerances, being a band-aid fix and not a real solution. I found that to be interesting (if true.) If true, I would probably stay away from the 7 shot. I would think, and $5.00 would get you a cup of coffee, that the slight cant of the projectile could possible cause the forcing cone to wear prematurely or cause accuracy issues or both. I'm not sure if Lowegan is saying that he recommends a larger forcing cone or that Ruger is using a larger forcing cone. People commenting on that thread are saying that they have newer 7 shot GP's and are not having any issues. Still, I'm glad that I have the 6 shot. Thanks again for the link

buckshot · May 8, 2022

Thanks for all the info guys. I think that I will stick with the tried and true 6 round GP100. I was leaning pretty hard toward a 3" model, but now you all have me thinking a 4" may be a better way to go for my usage. I do like that idea of the match champion, but not sure it's worth the extra money for a packing revolver.

hittman · May 8, 2022

The 3 inch models are my favorite. Just an excellent balance in the hand.

Thel · May 8, 2022

"I'm not sure if Lowegan is saying that he recommends a larger forcing cone or that Ruger is using a larger forcing cone. People commenting on that thread are saying that they have newer 7 shot GP's and are not having any issues. Still, I'm glad that I have the 6 shot. Thanks again for the link"

I think he is saying that Ruger is using the larger forcing cone. The overall angle of the tilt of the chambers must be very small, thus, the lack of reported problems with the "fix". With respect to the 686 I don't know if S&W actually changed the frame between the 6 and 7 shot models or just got lucky in having the 6 shot ones originally engineered with a slightly larger diameter cylinder than the GP100. On the N frames when they went to an 8 shot model they did increase the space between the cylinder axis and bore center. So, it must not have been too costly to modify the frames for the 8 shot models.

Jon406 · May 8, 2022

6 shot for me too, because I'm old school with revolvers.

JackAsinus · May 9, 2022

I have no issues with a revolver having 5, 6, 7, 8 etc rounds in the cylinder. I also think the more the merrier.

I do have a large issue with a revolver not being reliable on all major ammunition types and brands.

louiethelump · May 9, 2022

Interesting conversation. As my age continues to march along I have trimmed my GP ownership to one. I have had numerous 6 shots and 7 shots in both 327 and 357 and never a lick of trouble with any of them.

The remaining gun is a 3” with fully adjustable sights with 6 shot cylinder and this one survived as it has the best DA trigger pull of any non modified GP100 I have ever handled (I don’t modify actions on guns I might need for protection) and the 3” barrel is the perfect length for a non hunting gun. So it remains. Alone. Lonely. Triumphant in the competition of who stays.

I find the canted chambers information fascinating.

TacoFrank · May 9, 2022

I am a fan of the 6 shot. Have a friend with a 686 7 shot and it's a nice revolver. I still like the 6 shot.
TacoFrank

Coyote56 · May 9, 2022

Six round revolvers have withstood the test of time for centuries. No reason to become unnecessarily swayed by gimmicks.

wproct · May 9, 2022

I have enjoyed this thread. I too have a preference for the 6 shot GP100 over the 7 shot, and my favorite is my 5 inch bbl stainless steel model. I thought I was just being old fashioned, old school, but I see that at least I am not alone.

Chief 101 · May 10, 2022

I bought a 686 6" recently and in the case was a 6 shot and a 7 shot...I took the 6 shot mostly because all my speedloaders are 6 shot. The 7 shot was 50 bucks more but that didn't even enter into the equation. I think for resale value the 7 shot version may bring more dunno...I already have a 6 shot GP100.

JStacy · May 10, 2022

Most of my revolvers are six shot but I have two seven shots. A Taurus Tracker seven shot and a S&W 686 + and neither one has any problems with loading seven rounds? FBI report on gun fights says that the average gun fight only last 1.7 rounds on the average. So six shots is plenty . The secret is make the first round count and usually the fight is over. A gun shot human will either drop to the ground or run away if they can. Standing shooting it out with multiple rounds down range is not how it usually happens. More like old west gun fights . One well placed round and fight is over. BTW I carry a five shot 44 mag in the car with medium 44 loads in it.

Dillon Justice · May 11, 2022

Thel said:
"I'm not sure if Lowegan is saying that he recommends a larger forcing cone or that Ruger is using a larger forcing cone. People commenting on that thread are saying that they have newer 7 shot GP's and are not having any issues. Still, I'm glad that I have the 6 shot. Thanks again for the link"

I think he is saying that Ruger is using the larger forcing cone. The overall angle of the tilt of the chambers must be very small, thus, the lack of reported problems with the "fix". With respect to the 686 I don't know if S&W actually changed the frame between the 6 and 7 shot models or just got lucky in having the 6 shot ones originally engineered with a slightly larger diameter cylinder than the GP100. On the N frames when they went to an 8 shot model they did increase the space between the cylinder axis and bore center. So, it must not have been too costly to modify the frames for the 8 shot models.

Interesting discussion.

GP100 6 or 7 shot?

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