Davidsons GP 100 4.2" .38 sp.

[Chuck 100 yd]

I just found one of these on Galleryofguns.com Gun Genie. I have been looking for a dedicated 4" or 6" .38 Special for some time. The new Competition GP looks good but I want an adjustable sight model because I like to play with loads.
These are not listed on Rugers web site so must be a Davidson exclusive. It should be a fine shooter. I have several hundred HBWC bullets that should work fine in it. This one will go with my 3",4" and 6" .357 GP`s.
Always seem to be waiting for something to show up.

 

[22/45 Fan]

The 38 Special chambering is unusual for US sale but meets some other country's laws. Also the 4.2" (105 mm) barrel length meets Canada's minimum barrel length law and is the length Ruger's web site currently lists for all GP-100s including the more common .357 mag. versions.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Sweet!! I'm going to talk to my dealer tomorrow about getting one.

 

[Terry T]

Dang! Not on the Ca. 'safe gun' list!
Terry T

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

CA sure has some ninnies in charge of the Sheeple don`t they? When I was 16, I spent a year down there one summer. Have only been back there once to drive a truck home for my boss.

 

[wolfee]

Davidson's seems to be Ruger's dumping ground for any over runs, clean up guns, canceled contract guns etc. I have bought 2 recently, a blued GP 4" with fixed sights, 38 only and a blued 77/22mag in the plastic stock with a short (18.5) barrel. I might have to add the 4" 38 stainless with adjustible sights, but I wanna see the pic first to make sure it actually has adjustibles. Note the 3" gun shows a pic with adjustible, but the description says fixed. hmmm.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

wolfee, Davidsons sale receipt e-mailed to me shows specs. Front:fixed Rear:adjustable, 4.2" heavy barrel.

 

[wolfee]

OK, thanks. The description on my 77/22M showed a 20" barrel, but I actually received a gun with 18.5". Please confirm again when you actually have your paws on it. They showed 97 pieces last night, but these things usually go pretty fast. 38/357 revolvers, and the ammo for them, seem to be red hot commodities now. A lot of new buyers but only 2 high volume suppliers of quality wheel guns, compared to the dozens of makers turning out plastic autoloaders.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

There could be a holdup with the big storm in the east. Lots of flights cancelled so fewer planes to handle cargo. I will post a pic when it comes.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I looked at my finances and there's no way I can afford another gun anytime soon. Do post pics so I can at least admire it!

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

It is in transit now. Problem is my dealer wont open again until Tuesday. What a pain it is to have to wait. BUMMER!!

 

[FergusonTO35]

I say, what a pain it is to have to spend money on things like food, house payment, life saving medication instead of an awesome .38 Special GP-100. :x

 

[Texan650]

Davidson's now has a picture posted.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Texan650 , Those pictures are not always accurate. If you look on their web site at GP 100 item #1751 you see a picture of an adjustable sight 3"GP but the Spec is for a fixed sight gun. I go by the spec sheet and not the picture.

I should be picking mine up today. Waiting for the shop to open now so I can give them a call. :wink:

 

[Texan650]

Looking forward to your report.

 

[NewportNewsMike]

If you look on their web site at GP 100 item #1751 you see a picture of an adjustable sight 3"GP but the Spec is for a fixed sight gun. I go by the spec sheet and not the picture.

This time around, I think the picture is correct, and the spec sheet incorrect. Ruger model #1751 should be a three-inch, adjustable sight model.

Let us know which way it came in.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Well guys, it is finally here, 4.2" .38 special and adjustable sights, just as advertised.


I already have GP100`s ,357 Mag. in 3"-4.2" and 6". this one will complete my GP collection. I have no real desire to own the Competition or any .32`s.
With a couple thousand pieces of .38 brass on hand and more than that in bullets. Now lets go shootin!!!.

 

[wolfee]

Very nice. This must be a production line gun now. Mine (blued) had the "38 Special" scrawled into the lug like an after thought. Letters aren't neatly lined up. And, I don't have the "GP 100" moniker on the barrel. That might just be the diff between ss and blue though.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

This makes for a brand new project. I want to make a square backed Patrige type front sight insert for it. Just another project as if I don`t have enough of them now.

Last week I refinished the stock on a guys Browning BLR,I am in the middle of two pair of grips now for my flat top .45`s made of Claro walnut I have had for 10 years.
The loading bench is covered with things to do. And I like to do my forums also.
It is a good thing I don`t have to work full time. I would be in trouble.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I wonder if the gun is heat treated the same as the magnum version usually is.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Great question, heat-treat.....

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I am sure they are heat treated just the same as any other Ruger.
The box it came in has the caliber designation as .38 Special +P just in case you were wondering. Do I have to shoot +P or can I shoot any regular .38 Sp. bullits in it???

 

[FergusonTO35]

That is such a nice revolver. I sure hope it is a regular catalog item so I can save up for it.

 

[wolfee]

Chuck, you can shoot anything you want in it. So far my GP has seen lead wad cutters (chronoed at 752fps), junk 158gr standard pressure lead, a collection of these personal defense hollowpoint +P that the makers would have you believe can drop a charging buffalo in it's tracks, lots of Magtech solid copper +P, solid copper C.O.P. +P, Speer shotgun shells and even Winchester BLANKS! Actually, the blanks are the most fun. Shoot em out of a short barrel at dusk and you light up the whole county. Noise is more like a 357 than a 38. At the range, I fired a round at my chronograph and a piece of something made it thru the screens, clocking 1600 fps.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

wolfee, That question was kind of a tongue in cheek remark return on the heat treating question above. As if Ruger would cut corners on one of their top products!!
You can also shoot what used to be known as the .38-44 loadings. They use pressures in the +P catagory. The cylinder is the same length as the .357 so there is plenty room to load long heavy bullets in Sp. brass.

 

[stantheman86]

That's an animal I thought I'd never see......

I can't imagine they'd be big sellers outside our "Ruger world" where guys like us shoot and collect stuff like this....The general gun buyer would go for a .357, I would assume.

I need one of these!!! I love .38 Special Ruger DA's. I have several fixed sight .38 GP's but obviously no adjustable sight models.

I'm assuming these are for the South American market, where .357's are prohibited. I have seen brand new S&W 686's chambered for .38, I would think these GP's are for the same market.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Wassup Stan! I knew this was something you would like, as I do. My lone complaint about this revolver is that it needs a half lug profile barrel, but I'd still buy one in a second if I had the cash. If you need to part with one of your fixed sight GP's at some point let me know. I'm still kicking myself for not buying a KGPF-840 new for $399.00 back in the day.

 

[stantheman86]

Hey whats up Ferguson I know we share the same love for full size Rugers chambered in .38

Right now I'm going through my collection to see what I can maybe sell so I can get my hands on one of those 4" .38 adjustable sight GP's.....with my luck by the time I get the money together Davidsons will be sold out lol I'm trying to see if maybe I can live without one or two of my S&W's....but I'm at the point where I have already sold everything I'm willing to part with so I may have to just wait and hope I can still get one in a month or so....I think the 3" models will sell out before the 4" GP's.

My other theory is that Ruger is making these 4" GP's, or made them, for security firms or Corrections depts. who are mandated by law to only use .38 Special revolvers. It gives buyers who need a solid .38 an option that's way above a Taurus 82 and lower cost than new S&W 64's or 67's.

If I had deep pockets I would still already have a 3" and 4" .38 on the way. A brand new 3" SP101 in .38 would be a nice companion to one of these too...

My dilemma, if you can call it that is I already have the identical brand new 176 prefix GP in .357. With a set of ISMI springs and the new rosewood Lett style grips its an absolute dream to shoot. I just ran 50 rounds of Winchester 130 gr. .38 through it and it did very well, I have the gun zeroed for 125 gr. .357 and +P but mainly shoot cheap 130 gr .38 through it.

It's only my love of .38 Special chambered GP's that drives me to want the same gun in .38. Unlike many people I would prefer the 4" over the 3" if I had to pick one. I rarely carry my GP's anymore, preferring either my SP or snub Speed Six and so having a 3" with target sights doesnt make much difference to me as a shooter, over the standard 4" model except for cool factor and something different.

I still desperately want one of those 4" S&W 686's chambered for .38....

 

[FergusonTO35]

This year I am planning to add a full size adjustable sights .38 to my stable. My S&W 10-5 and 642 are spot on with 158 grain loads but shoot low with everything else. I cast my own bullets and there's no need to spend my lead pile practicing with 158's when 125's will work just as well if the gun is sighted in for them. Ideally the new GP in this thread or a late model S&W 67 would be what I get but I don't see me being able to afford one anytime soon. I'm thinking the Rossi 85104, which costs about half as much as either of those, might be the best choice for now.

 

[stantheman86]

It's too bad Taurus dropped the 83, its basically the Taurus equivalent of the S&W 15/67. They are around used on Gunbroker, I had an older one but I sold it, and replaced it with a Model 80. I just love the fixed sight guns if they hit high or low I just deal with it.

Is the Rossi 851 the 4" .38 adjustable sight revolver?
I've handled them, they seem solid for the price, a far cry from a Ruger but it should get the job done.
I had an 841 but it was shot loose, too much endshake. it still shot ok, just that i didnt want to repair a $150 gun and it didnt have much life left in it....it was a Brazilian police trade in. I dumped it for a loss. Would buy another one if I could examine it hands on first.