GP 100

PO2313

Bearcat
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Dec 30, 2013
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A longtime Smith and Wesson fan, I am contemplating the purchase of a new GP 100, 4", stainless. Comments on this gun from current owners? Also, will size 586 HKS speedloaders work with this revolver? Thanks!!!
 
PO2313 said:
A longtime Smith and Wesson fan, I am contemplating the purchase of a new GP 100, 4", stainless. Comments on this gun from current owners? Also, will size 586 HKS speedloaders work with this revolver? Thanks!!!
I have the 4" stainless, adj. sights and full lug. I also have a 4" blue, short lug, fixed sight & 3" stainless short lug, fixed sight. I think they're great. The 586 HKS speed-loaders will work.
 
I too was a die hard Smith guy until they started going downhill with no brakes, I now have a 4" GP and love it. Every bit as nice and accurate as my old 686's plus it's tougher to boot. 586 HKS's do work as do safarilands for the L frames.
 
My first revolver was my grandad's S&W Combat Masterpiece. The GP100 seems to be about the same, but a little heavier and "ruggedized". For a high round count plinker, I don't think there is anything better. Mine is a 4", blued, fixed, 38 only.
 
A while back had both a tuned 686 and a tuned GP100. Now only have the GP.
Just happen to like it better. Seems more rugged. The grip stud allows a
wider latitude in fitting grips of various shapes.
 
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I have a 6" S&W 686-4 and a 6" GP-100 and, yes, the same speedloaders (and most holsters) work for both.

The S&W has a better out-of-the -box trigger pull both DA and SA and their triggers can be made absolutely wonderful with a small amount of tuning. The GP, not so much. Its trigger is OK with a bit of smoothing and a Wolf spring kit but doesn't have the potential to equal the S&W.

The GP seems stronger with simpler internals and should last two lifetimes of full power .357 use and centuries of .38 Special. The S&W is plenty durable but not quite the same level of strength. They weigh within 1/2 oz of each other.

Current S&W's are factory drilled and tapped for scope/red dot bases and bases are widely available. The GP is not drilled and tapped and the only decent no-drill base I'm aware of is from Jack Weigand.

Summary: I like both.
 
I bought my GP100 about a year ago.
I was looking at the GP and a S&W 686 SSR. The Ruger had smoother chambers and a smoother looking bore. The 686 had a slightly better SA trigger, but the DA pull seemed smoother and/or more natural on the GP.
No regrets choosing the GP100, it shoots my handloads beautifully and the SA trigger has gotten really nice.
Of course the grip and recoil control on the GP 100 is superior IMO to S&W's metal back straps.
 
My GP is one of my favorite handguns. Would be in the running for "if I could have only one gun" scenario.
 
I`m not biased I like all Rugers !!!

But really ,I`ve shot all three big makers revolvers , shot em alot !

The Ruger won`t be out of it`s first wind when you`ll be looking on the floor for the others screws !!!

GP
 
I have had one for about eight or nine years now and I doubt I would ever sell it. I was not impressed with the trigger initially, but after cleaning, a little polish, and use, it has smoothed into a nice trigger. It could use maybe a lighter spring. Maybe someday I will do that. Right now as it is, it falls in the middle of my Smiths, a little better than a couple and a little worse than a couple. Buy it, I doubt you will have any regrets. Oh by the way, mine makes pretty tight groups too.
 
Any speed loader for an L Frame S&W work on the Ruger GP 100. They are great guns. I used S&W Revolvers in both the Military and as a duty gun for years (686). I only shoot my DA revolvers DA so the whole trigger criticism's against the Ruger I really didn't get. Just the whole staging the trigger on a DA stroke I was taught as a young Airman faster and just as accurate for me but that's just me!
 
GP100man said:
I`m not biased I like all Rugers !!!

But really ,I`ve shot all three big makers revolvers , shot em alot !

The Ruger won`t be out of it`s first wind when you`ll be looking on the floor for the others screws !!!

GP
I've never owned a Colt revolver but I own and shoot both S&W's and Rugers and, believe me, the S&W's are plenty durable and reliable. The only time the screws come out of my Smiths is when I intentionally remove them for the annual internal cleaning and relubing.
 
Sorry, don't use speed loaders so can't offer any info there. However, I'm mainly a Smith & Wesson revolver guy, but I'm a huge fan of the Ruger GP100. I have one in stainless steel with the 5" bbl and love it. I think that the 4" bbl is a great do-all-things barrel choice. My GP has a great action, crisp trigger, perfectly timed, couldn't ask for better. They do definitely have a different action feel than the Smith & Wesson, not better, not worse, just different. If it became necessary to sell either my 686 or my GP100, I honestly don't know which one would go. I just don't plan to ever have to make that choice, like them both. You will be very happy with a 4" bbl GP100! :D
 
My house gun is a 4" SS GP100. It is kept in the MBR, along with two loaded 586 HKS speedloaders. They do work for the GP100.
 
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