Dovetail in Talo's GP100: some questions

[wrdwrght]

The top strap on a standard GP100 is really beefy, as many here will know. The Talo version, as some may not know, has a dovetail cut rearward into its top strap to accommodate a Novak sight; moreover, the top strap seems a tad thinner under the Novak (thinner even than my 686's top strap!) than on the standard top strap.

My gunsmith's raised eyebrow on seeing this dovetail on mine got me wondering.

What loss of strength and durability (not sure how this would be measured) do you imagine this dovetail has introduced to the top strap? Not only has the top strap been made thinner but also its structural integrity has been compromised.

That said, the dovetail is not a void. It does have the sight installed, after all. Can we assume that the void filled by the sight returns some measure of strength and durability to the top strap?

But even with strength and durability returned, would they equal that of the standard top strap, or even that of the 686's top strap, the latter being forged not cast, like the former.

These uncertainties, notwithstanding, I can't imagine Ruger authorizing Talo's mods (including beveling on the top strap) if these mods undermined a shooter's safety (I say this not because I have Talo GP100 but because of Ruger's potential liabilities). And, so, another question: does the standard GP100 really need to be so beefy, even if it is not of forged steel?

 

[hittman]

Does Talo take delivery of stock, run-of-the-mill GPs and make those modifications or does Ruger produce the gun with agreed-upon changes with Talo? I'd want to know the answer to that question first.

You say the structural integrity has been compromised. Is that something you or your gunsmith know or that's the question you're asking?

Seems it's be a mighty foolish and rookie mistake on Rugers part to compromise integrity and open themselves up for potential lawsuits. In that industry, they're already painfully aware that they're a target for sleazy lawyers and novice shooters with bad intentions.

 

[woodsy]

I don't think that Ruger allows any distributor to modify its guns; therefore, the Talo version left the factory as you got it. The rear sight, no matter how beefy, cannot add ANY strength to the top strap (unless it was welded or silver-brazed into position). I trust that Ruger engineers know just how much metal is really necessary in that postion for the required stresses to be withstood. In other words, stop worrying, as so should your gunsmith. Ever see any post, thread, or entry about a Ruger top strap failing, in any caliber?

 

[Fred C Dobbs]

Novak says it's a different frame. (Hard to believe Ruger would cast special frame for a short run gun)I'm inclined to think it's an adjustable sight frame that is just milled differently to resemble the fixed sight frame. I noticed that the fixed sight frame is rounded on the top strap all the way down but the talo seems to flatten out under the rear (380 Colt I'm told) rear sight. for all I know they only have one cast frame and the fixed sight model is just machined from the one casting with more metal gone.
I was looking at adding adjustable sights to a fixed sight GP100. I thought a better way to do that gun would be to mill out the sight groove wider and add a Smith and Wesson Rear adjustable sight, like the Bowen model. If you remember, this was an old custom mod to fixed sight 1911 pistols years ago. I think Kings may have started that modification.
Found a gunsmith to even do it.

 

[recumbent]

I see what you mean.

 

[clayflingythingy]

Ever see any post, thread, or entry about a Ruger top strap failing, in any caliber?

Ruger topstraps can be blown to hell with overloaded handloads, as I am sure you are aware.

I suppose you mean failure using factory ammo or factory pressure handloads.

 

[Salmoneye]

Thanks for pointing this out...

I do not want one with a dovetail like that...

 

[wolfee]

I don't even like to see iron sights screwed in to barrels or the inside of shotgun barrels threaded for choke tubes. I have a particular curiousity about the gigantic groove machined in to the barrels of the new midget Ruger autoloaders. I have no doubt Ruger metallurgy is top notch, and the engineer who designs these things knows what he is doing, but any cut into a piece of steel which is containing high pressure, must surely be the weak link in the structure.

 

[Fred C Dobbs]

I wish I had a Talo and a fixed sight gun so I could toss a caliper on them and compare to something like a Smith model 19, 686, or a Vaquero 357 top strap. A couple gunsmiths here told me they thought it would weaken the fixed sight gun too much and would not do it. One gunsmith will install the SW rear sight.
If you remember the Security six 2 3/4" gun, it had adjustable sights. Great gun, I owned one thirty years ago. The Speed-Six had the fixed sights. Wish Ruger would make a three inch adjustable sight gun again. Probably won't happen as long as they can sell any every gun they make. Here you can put in an order with Turners and wait up to two months if you don't want to buy from an auction. In this huge metro area of LA and ORange county, I found one blued six inch GP100 for sale and one three inch fixed, that's it. Must be the off cycle GP100 production time.
I also noticed they make a 4.2 inch barrel which I heard was necessary to sell in Canada. I wonder if all the guns from now on will be 4.2" Seems like a logical production simplification to make it for all markets.

 

[s4s4u]

There are revolvers that have no topstrap whatsoever and they function quite well. The standard Ruger rear sight slot removes a lot more material than that little dovetail, albeit in a different direction. All in all I'd say it is a non-issue.

 

[Laserbait]

There are revolvers that have no topstrap whatsoever and they function quite well. The standard Ruger rear sight slot removes a lot more material than that little dovetail, albeit in a different direction. All in all I'd say it is a non-issue.

I totally agree on this.

 

[Fred C Dobbs]

Ive owned a couple of those open top pistols. Can't remember any chambered for a high pressure .357 cartridge.