Now I'm GP100 gun shy

So after RUGER deemed my new GP100 un repairable I went out shopping for a replacement GP100, So the very first one I picked up had a off set (bent to the right)barrel same issue I had with first one,and this was a 4” this time.Am I the unluckiest guy in the world or just not ment to have a GP100.My next step is to go down to the valley and look at there LGS”s.I would try local gun show but there a joke around here twice the price and half as nice as a new gun.So the search continues.

Consider jumping on GunBroker or Guns International and looking for an early model GP. Just pay attention to serial numbers.

After your initial issues with your GP-100, I went to look at mine.

NEITHER once of mine exhibited any cosmetic issues. And both shoot quite well.

Then I looked at a few my friends GP's,, and again,, I didn't find any issues. And their guns shoot quite well.

I fully agree that any gun model can have a few bad ones escape the factory. And I agree that a company should make it right.

I once had a Ruger SR9 that had barrel peening after use. Ruger replaced it,, at my request. They offered to repair or replace it.

But I've also seen guns from Ruger, Colt, S&W, SIG, Kimber, Canik, Remington, Browning, Beretta & others have cosmetic issues, yet shot like a dream!

I've been known to say; "I'd rather have a lady in my life with a few cosmetic flaws,, that has intelligence, skills & gets along with me over a perfect looking trophy."

A gun can have cosmetic flaws,, yet be very accurate.

Do NOT take this post to say I can accept a cosmetic flaw that has direct bearing on it's performance.
Performance first,, over looks.

Or,, looking at it another way,, how does it shoot?

Your first one,, you said it shot very well when it shot. Apparently it would bind up after a few shots. That was not acceptable. But I disagree that it was not repairable. It may have not been "cost feasable" to repair,, to Ruger. AND,, they may have wanted to give you a new gun to make you happier. Yet,, they didn't have any immediately due to current production.

And I fully understand being a bit "brand & model shy" after having a bad experience. But giving up or discounting something after one bad experience would be like giving up on ladies after one bad break-up.

I once bought a brand new Kimber 1911. It felt super good in my hands, and locked up tight. I was happy to get it. The very first outing,, after the first magazine of ammo,, I started having problems. The hammer would follow the slide to half cock. AND it shot 4" low & 10" left. It had fixed sights.
Back to Kimber.
They replaced the hammer & sear.
It still shot 4" low & 10" left. AND after about 200 rounds,, the hammer started following the slide again. Again,, Kimber offered a bit of a fix. It didn't work.

THEN,, I decided to get a competition quality hammer & sear,, properly mated. AND,, I had the gun milled & installed adjustable sights.

Now,, after well over 25,000 rounds,, that gun has been a highly dependable AND accurate competition gun. In fact,, just yesterday,, at my USPSA match,, a few of us decided that next month,, we'll all bring our single-stack 1911's and competed against each other again.
I was a bit shy about Kimber's because of this. Yet,, I won a Ultra Compact 1911 in .45 acp. I considered shooting it. But following my own advice,, I shot it first. Accurate, easy to carry & I've never regretted keeping it.
And my youngest son just bought a new Kimber 2K11 in 9mm. He shot it & loves it. I've shot a few of them as well, & would quickly buy one if I decided I wanted or needed one.

And I eventually found out WHY my problem Kimber had such issues. It had to do with the fact that the upper management at Kimber had sub-contracted out parts,, that were NOT properly built.

So,, keep looking for a nice GP-100,, and if you find one with a few cosmetic issues,, don't automatically discount it. There are WAY too many GP-s out there that are quite good. There are FEW bad ones.

That’s some yugo luck with two bad GP100s in a row. It’s not unheard of with Ruger QC lately, but two in a row is rough.

Don’t force it. Keep checking LGS in the valley and be picky as hell dry fire them, check the barrel alignment carefully before buying. Or consider a S&W 686/19 as a strong alternative if you just want a solid .357.

Hang in there. The right one is out there.

I did pick up a new 686-6 4” 357,but I realy want a GP100,I have plenty of Ruger pistols & long guns ive always been happy with them.

I don’t know what to say that wasn’t said in your other threads.

Either look for a used or new GP you can check out first.

Or order another new one and hope for the best. I think you will be pleased with it. Lighting can’t hit 3 times.


If it isn’t right, either refuse delivery or return it to Ruger.

I can’t remember ever hearing of bad GP100’s before yours.

Brother, I feel your pain, I’ve been right there with the GP100 frustration. A few years back I bought a new 4" GP100 as my go-to .357, and after a couple range trips it started acting up with timing issues and what looked like a slight barrel cant. Sent it back to Ruger, and they called it unrepairable or something along those lines, offered a replacement or credit. Sound familiar? I was pissed and started wondering if I was cursed too.

I bought new revolvers when I first started shooting handguns. Once I learned how to properly inspect a used revolver I've bought many used and no new online with only photos to go by. My LGS has been a good source for used guns and has the bonus of hands on inspection before paying. I've never had a problematic revolver delivered to my FFL from an online purchase. I've been incredibly lucky and have no desire to buy any new revolvers from any manufacturer. YMMV

OK, sounds like JPG isn't the only one so I'll pile on as well.

Bought a ewn early stainless 6" new & both the bore & all the chambers looked like they'd been cut with a chainsaw, the leading was horrible. Sent it back & they replaced the barrel & cylinder, I was a happy man. The front sight was canted a bit but it zero'd OK so no problem. I never shot the gun as well as I thought I should & then I discovered the problem. They'd tightened the new barrel so much they stretched it. Not really noticeable with a bore brush, but using a tight patch it showed up. I sold it for cheap.

Fast forward 20 or more years I wanted the new Match Champion but decided I'd only buy one if I could look it over well before laying down the cash. Spent quite a while inspecting one I found, even holding the gun up to the lite to eyeball the cyl. gap. When I got home I discovered burrs hanging off the front edges of the chamber mouths. Well, angry wasn't the word but I calmed down & decided I could fix that without too much work, but then it hit me. Were the burrs giving a false cyl. gap reading? Yes, found one chamber without the burrs & yep, .014". Sent it to Ruger with my fingers crossed they wouldn't bother the barrel as it had checked out well. They replaced the cylinder producing a decent gap & other than a new scratch on the frame & 3 battered places on the bottom of the grip all was well.

I really like this gun now, but I am GP shy as well. Wouldn't mind trying a 10mm one, but don't think I'll risk it.

I think I've owned 5 Ruger GP100 revolvers, all boughty new. The newest of them all is the 5 inch bbl Davidson's exclusive GP100 made in 2010. I only had a probem with one of them and it was something that I was able to resolve myself once I saw what was going on. I have found on Ruger revolvers, particularly Stainless Steel ones, a lot of the final finish work is done by one person and the quality varies quite a bit accordingly. I only had one that had a mechanical prolem and once I identified the issue I was able to fix it b myself. I've found that on the stainless steel models a lot of finish work is done by one operator and the quality of final finish will vary quite a bit from one revolver to the next one

Dang now you guys have me wondering. I bought one a long time ago to replace an old Red hawk that was stolen. That was a great gun and I loved it dearly. My building burned down along with everything I owned including all my guns. I replaced most of them, well as many as my insurance money would go. I replaced my 10 22 and my GP100. I've only shot it a few times and really never paid any attention to any flaws. Now I heading to the shop where my safe is to look at the ol girl a little closer.

mx842 said:

Dang now you guys have me wondering. I bought one a long time ago to replace an old Red hawk that was stolen. That was a great gun and I loved it dearly. My building burned down along with everything I owned including all my guns. I replaced most of them, well as many as my insurance money would go. I replaced my 10 22 and my GP100. I've only shot it a few times and really never paid any attention to any flaws. Now I heading to the shop where my safe is to look at the ol girl a little closer.

Click to expand...

Don’t get worked up over a few negative comments on the GP100. The squeaky wheel gets all the attention. I have one in 357 and 327. Both have gone bang (the 327 much louder than the 357) every time the trigger is pulled and hits where I aim. Both have slight cosmetic flaws but they are tools, not show pieces.
I might add the 327 is most accurate handgun I have ever fired. And loud, did I mention it was loud.

mx842 said:

Dang now you guys have me wondering. I bought one a long time ago to replace an old Red hawk that was stolen. That was a great gun and I loved it dearly. My building burned down along with everything I owned including all my guns. I replaced most of them, well as many as my insurance money would go. I replaced my 10 22 and my GP100. I've only shot it a few times and really never paid any attention to any flaws. Now I heading to the shop where my safe is to look at the ol girl a little closer.

Click to expand...

If you haven't noticed any flaws by now and it functions properly, why look for cosmetic flaws? Ruger didn't build their reputation on being the best finished revolvers on the market.

I may have missed something but in my limited experience with Ruger, they will replace a gun they can't fix. Why didn't they give you a new GP?

roylt said:

I may have missed something but in my limited experience with Ruger, they will replace a gun they can't fix. Why didn't they give you a new GP?

Click to expand...

I think they told the OP they didn't have any available at the time. Seems odd.

"I think they told the OP they didn't have any available at the time. Seems odd."

Not odd if they don't have any in stock, Or aren't making any currently. MANY companies no longer have big warehouses. They do not keep a a lot of stuff "in stock" anymore. And they don't have dedicated mfg lines for each & every model all the time.

If you read my original post I tell why I didn't get a replacement gun threw Ruger the customer service lady said they were not making any at the moment because the machines were broken down and waiting on backordered parts for the machines and had no idea of when they would start up production again.

JPG115 said:

If you read my original post I tell why I didn't get a replacement gun threw Ruger the customer service lady said they were not making any at the moment because the machines were broken down and waiting on backordered parts for the machines and had no idea of when they would start up production again.

Click to expand...

Believe me when I tell you that it's not just Ruger that is having problems. We're having problems getting basic coated steel sheet at my fabrication company because the steel mill's coating line broke down. And I'm seeing lack of preventative maintenance throughout the supply chain. The result? A delay in order shipment which leads management to push the remaining people and equipment even harder resulting in more rushed product and deferred maintenance further resulting increasing the problem. It's just frustrating for every responsible person involved.