Considering a GP 100...

[Big Stu]

I was thinking of buying a GP 100 in .357 magnum. I hate the contoured grips but Shopruger.com has some really nice grips that I'm sure would be to my liking. I would love some opinions about this gun. I am interested in the 4.2" barrel, preferably in SS but blued is an option as well. How does the finish hold up? How smooth is the trigger and action? Please advise me. I have two Ruger semi-autos already so I don't need to be sold on the company.

 

[E]

A 4" blued GP is the handgun I'll never sell or trade.

Used when I bought it -- about a year or two old by the serial number and not shot very much, I don't think, but I have no idea. The trigger and action get smoother the more I shoot it. The blued finish has held up well for me, but I only rarely holster it -- the GP for me is really for the range and home defense. It has the old style grips with the wood inserts, and I have no intention of changing them. Ruger got them right the first time.

 

[Flash]

I have a 4" blue that I love but dead presidents serve me well too.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I've got both Blue and Stainless, prefer stainless but I also like the SP101 and blackhawks. As you can see I'm conflicted. Up here there isn't a lot of use for a 357 except in town and once I get out of town I move into calibers that start with a 4.

 

[gstan1919]

I have a 6" in SS. The trigger in DA. I have seen better. But still nice. The trigger in single action cannot be beat. I love this revolver and would never trade or sell it.
4" in SS would be very nice.

 

[actionflies]

I have 4 GP100 and they are wonderfull revolvers. Except for the 3" fixed front sight model, you can easily change out the front sight for after market sights and different grips. I also like how easy you can take the gun apart. Stock trigger is not as good as a S&W but by changing out the springs is easy to do and improve the trigger pull nicely.

 

[gstan1919]

I've got both Blue and Stainless, prefer stainless but I also like the SP101 and blackhawks. As you can see I'm conflicted. Up here there isn't a lot of use for a 357 except in town and once I get out of town I move into calibers that start with a 4.

In Alaska I can see why.

 

[Big Stu]

Thanks for the input. Seems like folks really like this gun. I'm sure I will too

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Normally I prefer blue to SS, but a stainless 4" GP is still on my wish list. I have its little brother, the 3" in blue, so I guess variety is good?

You'll probably get lots of opinions on GP triggers: should they be worked on, have different springs, etc.? My own experience is the more they're shot, the better they work. Lots of folks, myself included, like to put 'em thru an extended dry fire session to help out. That, too, is an arguable practice!

What I do know is a buddy who's a Smiff guy is always amazed at how good the trigger on my GP feels. "Come on, tell me the truth: you've had it worked on!" Nope... just shot a fair amount, and dry fired more.

On the new grips, two friends have the 4" w/ the new grips. Only concern I have is the HKS speedloaders that work well w/ my "old style grip" 3" hang up a bit on the new grip. One can carefully relieve the grip w/ a sharp blade, or perhaps a different brand speedloader would work better?

Good luck!

Rick C

 

[dakota1911]

I have a 6 inch SS that I have had for years. The DA trigger my not be Python level but is very usable and the SA pull is great. The gun is built like a little tank. I still love mine.

 

[s4s4u]

The trigger in DA. I have seen better.

The reduced power hammer spring will make a world of difference. I installed the 9#er and along with a little light stoning here and there it rivals anything including the vaunted S&W's.

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

Big Stu- being pretty picky and on a learning curve the past years I can tell you that my GP 100 (sst) 4" .357 has remained in inventory.
I liked the fact that the 4 inch barrel is hunt legal in many applications and although I quickly graduated to .44 for hunt applications I found the GP 100 is of excellent balance in the hand and a comfortable and rugged shooter.
The mass of the 100 is definitive.An excellent house,vehicle,boat,camp and some pack applications arm.
Even at a healthy 6' plus,I find myself leaning towards the 101 for above described utility however the 100 remains onhand.

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

Big Stu- being pretty picky and on a learning curve the past years I can tell you that my GP 100 (sst) 4" .357 has remained in inventory.
I liked the fact that the 4 inch barrel is hunt legal in many applications and although I quickly graduated to .44 for hunt applications I found the GP 100 is of excellent balance in the hand and a comfortable and rugged shooter.
The mass of the 100 is definitive.An excellent house,vehicle,boat,camp and some pack applications arm.
Even at a healthy 6' plus,I find myself leaning towards the 101 for above described utility however the 100 remains onhand. 8)

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The GP-100 in my opinion is one of the best values on the revolver market. Other brands can cost twice as much and may not be as good. The gun is extremely sturdy, reliable and well made. The 4" is the perfect size for home defense, fun shooting, woods carry, and all-round general purpose. It is a little big and heavy for CCW, but then they make the SP and LCR for that. The 357 magnum/38 special is a hard to beat combination of fire power unless you want something a little more. The trigger on the GP after break-in and a spring change is as good as any. The trigger pull is smooth and the break is crisp in doth single and double-action. The gun is easy to clean and work on. The finish is almost indestructible and if you should scratch the brushed finish you can touch it up with a Scotch-Bright pad. ...Did I mention accurate, you bet.
This is mine: 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[Big Stu]

Thanks again, this seems to be a very well liked gun. Everything I've read about it says this is the one.

 

[stantheman86]

You can't go wrong with a GP100, period

It's been a favorite of PD's since 1986 and if not for the pretty much universal switch over to semiauto's, the GP100 would still be a LE favorite.

The Security Six took over a large part of the LE market in the early 70's, and was extremely popular over it's entire production period, and is still extremely popular. The GP100 was just an "upgrade" to the Six series and picked up where the Six left off.

 

[CigarGuy]

From a relative newby......
I LOVE my 4" but as stated earlier, it IS heavy. My friend calls it the "boat anchor." Accurate and a smooth trigger.

 

[Chief_10Beers]

Love my 4'' GP100, it will be my Grandson's one of these days (Years!) .......................

DA is a little hard but smooth, getting better with use. SA is a dream! Very accurate with my Handloads..........................

 

[dockerd]

I have a SS 4" and its alot of fun too shoot. I don't think I will ever let this gun go.

 

[twopipe20]

I bought a 6" polished stainless GP100 about 10 years ago and it's my favorite revolver. It's the one I'd keep if I could only have one handgun. Highly recommended. It's extremely accurate, fun to shoot and is easy to disassemble for cleaning. That's important to me for a woods gun in case I go over in a canoe or something. Try taking a S&W apart in a tent.

 

[RonS]

There are .357 revolvers I would rather have. Too bad they don't make them anymore.

S&W model 19. Gone

Colt Python. Gone

 

[patcannon]

I love my stainless 3" GP.

Stainless is awesome. For a carry gun IMHO it's the way to go, 'cause if you do eventually get a little surface rust from leaving it in a sweaty leather holster 24/7, you just buff it out, instead of sending it out to get refinished.

Finish? We don't need no steenkin' finish.

 

[Tony_The_Liger]

4" FTW.

 

[Big Stu]

Nice looking grips. My search is officially on. I will be looking for the 4" SS with the old style grips, not the new Hogue grips that are contoured for the fingers.

 

[willypete]

My favorite gun of all my Rugers. Possibly the best shooting one of them all too.

 

[Fishman777]

It is a much better gun than any of your Ruger autoloaders.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I think that it is one of best all around handgun made. Maybe not the best defense gun, but if you consider defense, plinking, woods carry, and hunting in the lower 48 states, it should serve you pretty well. They are the most durable and reliable .357 magnum revolvers made today. They are also crazy accurate.

 

[gstan1919]

The trigger in DA. I have seen better.

The reduced power hammer spring will make a world of difference. I installed the 9#er and along with a little light stoning here and there it rivals anything including the vaunted S&W's.

I received and installed the 10# spring today. A world of difference is an under statement. What a difference. Why Ruger didn't do this from the factory I do not know.
Thanks again Rod.

 

[gstan1919]

Just a quick pic. Sporting a set of Altamont wood inserts made in the USA.
http://altamontco.com/products/pistol/ruger/gp100.php
I love the way this shoots.

 

[Jake Bauer]

Nice looking grips. My search is officially on. I will be looking for the 4" SS with the old style grips, not the new Hogue grips that are contoured for the fingers.

just saw plenty of exactly what you want over on gunbroker.com I searched "Ruger GP100"

 

[Calthrop]

Big Stu the guns with the older type stocks have pinned ejector stars. That is when you push the ejector rod and look under the ejector star you will see two pins.
The newer production guns have been redesigned and the pins were eliminated. Now when you look closely at the open cylinder ejector star down on the cylinder the edges are not square. They cam into cylinder.
Either way a tooth brush is a item you will need to have when shooting the GP.
As for the older style grips. Ruger used sell them for about thirty dollars a pop for the complete unit including the locator and disassembly pin. If you get a newer model and cannot find a older set of stocks I can set you up.
I am about to go to classifieds with NIB new type 5", 4" and 3" guns. They are safe queens I just have not gotten around to taking photo's yet. Good Luck. Calthrop