GP100 .38 Special Half Lug question

[roboink]

Hello, Wondering if I can swap out my .38 special cylinder with a .357 stainless cylinder from Numrich's..It has the cylinder, extractor, crane and ejector rod. If I did the swap, probably try a .38 special round first..?

Any thoughts or concerns..?

 

[roboink]

Test..

 

[roboink]

 

[Galaxiedan]

Should work just fine, just make sure the gap and timing are correct first.

 

[roylt]

Sell and buy a new stainless unit.

 

[J.Johnson]

Sell and buy a new stainless unit.

Good luck finding a half lug in stainless! They are out there but you will hunt for awhile. I say swap the cylinder or have it reamed out for 357!

 

[RoninPA]

Any reason why to swap it out? You can go with .38 +P and be close to magnum power. That said, the swap shouldn't be a big deal. As said, make sure the b/c gap is ok and it times correctly (it should, Ruger parts (within a model) are pretty interchangeable with little to no gunsmithing needed).

However, seeing how litigious things are in the US nowadays, if it were used (with the mag cylinder in place) to defend yourself, and it is examined by the shootees lawyer or a zealous DA, they are going to hammer you with questions like "why did you make this .38 into a .357 Mag? Were you looking for trouble? Etc., etc., etc. Even if you win, then the shootees family takes you to court for unlawful death where the proof does not have to be as much as a criminal case for them to win a bunch of money from you.

 

[Thel]

I would think that it would be cheaper to ream out the .38 cylinder to .357. Otherwise, one must change the cylinder and then have it fit to the gun for timing, headspace, b/c gap and maybe endshake. It may drop in just fine but on the other hand a bit of fitting might be required.

 

[eveled]

.38 special 4 inch revolvers, have a niche market. Some special police, and I think security outfits require that gun specifically, so it is worth more as it is, than as a .357. I would think twice before I reamed it. A second cylinder would be the way to go.

 

[Iglo73]

Just curious here...if this is a dedicated 38 cylinder, isn't it too short for a 357 cartridge?

 

[FergusonTO35]

OP, you do understand there are people on this forum who would gladly pay you the same price as a new .357 for your gun, correct? Some weirdos actually prefer the .38 only GP-100. I'm one of them but have no funding for the program. Put it up for sale in the classifieds section, somebody will buy it.

 

[k22fan]

So I'm a "weirdo?" Hmmm .............. probably so but my dog will still play fetch with me.

roboink,

Reread FergusonTO35's reply several times. Heck, commit it to memory. Sleep on it them report back in the morning. Consider advertising a trade.

To further discourage you consider that your .38's sights were intended to be on target with .38 specials. If you are or plan on practicing enough to be a good shot at distance that matters.

For both aesthetics and weight I would have preferred a half lug blued .38 GP 100 to my full lug but I bought what I found.

 

[eveled]

Just curious here...if this is a dedicated 38 cylinder, isn't it too short for a 357 cartridge?

No. On the GP's same size cylinder, chambers just aren't as deep.

The original .38 special SP101's were smaller, but there are also .38special SP's built on the newer .357 frame.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I can say that 'cause I'm one of them. Currently have four full size .38's. S&W 10-5 and 10-10, Ruger Service Six, and Taurus 82. I will forever regret passing up an NIB KGPF-840 in 2002 for $400.00. Should've forked it over and been happy that I now had my precious.

Another thing to discourage you: If you convert it to .38 Special Ruger probably won't give you any service on it or will make you pay for converting it back to .38 if you send it in. That causes not only a perceived liability problem for them but a legal one as well. In their minds ATF will poop a brick if one of their guns is a .38 in their books but is running around as a .357.

 

[PriseDeFer]

"In their minds ATF will poop a brick if one of their guns is a .38 in their books but is running around as a .357."
Do they create that brick for all re-chambered firearms?

 

[Velvet]

However, seeing how litigious things are in the US nowadays, if it were used (with the mag cylinder in place) to defend yourself, and it is examined by the shootees lawyer or a zealous DA, they are going to hammer you with questions like "why did you make this .38 into a .357 Mag? Were you looking for trouble? Etc., etc., etc. Even if you win, then the shootees family takes you to court for unlawful death where the proof does not have to be as much as a criminal case for them to win a bunch of money from you.

After being in the L.E. field for 25 years, I agree with this100%. Its a shame we have to think like this but I have personally seen a courtroom situation as above and the civil wrongful death lawsuit that followed. Though it didn't involve a rechambered gun, it actually involved the use of reloaded ammunition, but a rechamber to a hotter cartridge may have a similar effect.

Roboink; if you decide to have the gun rechambered or have a 357 cylinder fitted, DO NOT ever use it for self defense.

 

[FergusonTO35]

"In their minds ATF will poop a brick if one of their guns is a .38 in their books but is running around as a .357."
Do they create that brick for all re-chambered firearms?

I don't know, you'd have to ask them. However most gunmakers do not like allowing guns to leave their service department with aftermarket parts or unauthorized modifications.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I'm with the wierdos. Unless you plan to hunt big game with it, leave it as is.

If you do plan to hunt big game with it, sell it to one of us wierdos, buy a stainless 6" .357, and have Ahlmans make it into a half-lug. You'll find the longer barrel and adjustable sights makes it a much better deer rifle.

 

[k22fan]

If you know before buying a 6" .357 GP that it will have to have most of the full lug removed before you will be happy then it makes more sense to be patient and wait for a factory 6" half lug to turn up. They are not scarce just inconvenient to find in a hurry. Also it is unlikely your LGS would price one as a sought after collectors' item.

I don't mean to bad mouth the gun. In fact they are may favorite of the .357 GPs.

 

[5of7]

However, seeing how litigious things are in the US nowadays, if it were used (with the mag cylinder in place) to defend yourself, and it is examined by the shootees lawyer or a zealous DA, they are going to hammer you with questions like "why did you make this .38 into a .357 Mag? Were you looking for trouble? Etc., etc., etc. Even if you win, then the shootees family takes you to court for unlawful death where the proof does not have to be as much as a criminal case for them to win a bunch of money from you.

Sad, but true.

Always use a strictly stock gun with factory ammo in it as your carry gun. 8)

 

[jjc333]

I couldn't disagree more. I would not hesitate to ream the cylinder. Anyone who is that worried about the hypothetical law suits to follow a shooting based on barrel markings should sell their guns and rely on 911 for help. I have more than 25 yrs in Law Enforcement and the only person I've ever heard this kind of talk from is Mas Ayoob. He's never been a full time police officer and makes his money as a writer and instructor.

 

[Velvet]

I couldn't disagree more. I would not hesitate to ream the cylinder. Anyone who is that worried about the hypothetical law suits to follow a shooting based on barrel markings should sell their guns and rely on 911 for help. I have more than 25 yrs in Law Enforcement and the only person I've ever heard this kind of talk from is Mas Ayoob. He's never been a full time police officer and makes his money as a writer and instructor.

There is nothing hypothetical about it. I don't know when you where a police officer but this isn't the 40's, 50's, or 60's anymore. Times have changed drastically and attorneys are more agressive than ever. If you are still on the job and not patrolling with a desk you should know that.

 

[P89DC]

I'd modify it for maximum gun enjoyment. Have it reamed, it's not as if it has much collector's value,


Is this the oldest/biggest gun myth or is there one even worse/more wrong headed? Maybe barrel break-in?

...if it were used (with the mag cylinder in place) to defend yourself, and it is examined by the shootees lawyer or a zealous DA, they are going to hammer you with questions like "why did you make this .38 into a .357 Mag? Were you looking for trouble? Etc., etc., etc. Even if you win, then the shootees family takes you to court for unlawful death where the proof does not have to be as much as a criminal case for them to win a bunch of money from you.

 

[RoninPA]

I'd modify it for maximum gun enjoyment. Have it reamed, it's not as if it has much collector's value,


Is this the oldest/biggest gun myth or is there one even worse/more wrong headed? Maybe barrel break-in?

...if it were used (with the mag cylinder in place) to defend yourself, and it is examined by the shootees lawyer or a zealous DA, they are going to hammer you with questions like "why did you make this .38 into a .357 Mag? Were you looking for trouble? Etc., etc., etc. Even if you win, then the shootees family takes you to court for unlawful death where the proof does not have to be as much as a criminal case for them to win a bunch of money from you.

Wow, do you not follow any news about shootings? This line of thinking is very prevalent among aggressive liberal DA's looking to make a name for themselves (to move up the political ladder) and especially by lawyers who have prevailed upon the family of the person who got shot to try to get as much money for themselves (oops,I mean for the greaving family) in a wrongful death suit. They will try to use anything, reamed out gun, reloads, hollow point bullets, large capacity magazines, anything, ....anything they can to try to sway a jury to find for them.

And as for Massad Ayoob being a LEO or not (he has served as a part-time police officer in New Hampshire since 1972 and holds the rank of Captain in the Grantham, New Hampshire police department) doesn't matter (to me). He is one of the few expert witnesses who is used in defending people who are being raped by the court system. If I was involved in a shooting and needed an expert witness, I would gladly have him on my side.

 

[jjc333]

I've nothing against Ayoob. I took a class of his way back in '89, own many of his books and have been reading his writings since the late 70's. He has talked both sides of using highly customized guns for self defense. He written about custom guns he's used on duty. The man is a gun writer and needs things to write about. I once read an article of his where the defendant was attacked because of the name Cobra on his Colt. Ayoob went on to state he should have bought an Agent. That's just plain silly. A lawyer who goes after that should be disbarred as well as a lawyer who has no answer for the factory's name for a gun. The simple fact is the GP100 was made as a .357. It was adapted by the factory to .38 for sales to customers , both private and gov't, who for what ever reason could only use .38 Special. The revolver would be much more fun to use as a .357.

 

[P89DC]

DA asking questions? You don't have to testify if you don't want to, it's called the fifth amendment. I do read and follow the news, I've never seen this happen. In any case, most states indemnify the shooter if it's justified, that and castle laws make reaming a 38 to 357 a non issue. Worry away, it's still a myth....

 

[Velvet]

DA asking questions? You don't have to testify if you don't want to, it's called the fifth amendment.

Yes, you are absolutely correct, you don't have to testify on your behalf.

I do read and follow the news, I've never seen this happen.

Only a very small percentage of court cases actually make it to the news

In any case, most states indemnify the shooter if it's justified, that and castle laws make reaming a 38 to 357 a non issue.

Yes, the shooter may be exonerated crminally, but there is still the civil aspect of a case. Remember O.J. Simpson? He was acquitted criminally but he was sued civilly and lost at the tune of 33.5 million or so.

Worry away, it's still a myth..

Yes it is....if you are living in Never Never Land

..

Ream away, but just don't use the gun for self defense.

 

[P89DC]

DA asking questions? You don't have to testify if you don't want to, it's called the fifth amendment.

Yes, you are absolutely correct, you don't have to testify on your behalf.

I do read and follow the news, I've never seen this happen.

Only a very small percentage of court cases actually make it to the news

In any case, most states indemnify the shooter if it's justified, that and castle laws make reaming a 38 to 357 a non issue.

Yes, the shooter may be exonerated crminally, but there is still the civil aspect of a case. Remember O.J. Simpson? He was acquitted criminally but he was sued civilly and lost at the tune of 33.5 million or so.

Worry away, it's still a myth..

Yes it is....if you are living in Never Never Land

..

Ream away, but just don't use the gun for self defense.

Indemnify means they can't sue you, you might be confused with exonerate...OJ never claimed self defense, he claimed he didn't do it. Big difference but why let facts get in the way of an urban myth. Give me a link if you have one....

 

[Velvet]

I know what you are saying and I know the difference between the two. I'm not an attorney but in 25 years of law enforcement I have seen that the law isn't as clear cut as one would think. The legal system in the United States has become very complicated, though I'm sure that it varies from state to state. I have seen a change in the demeanor of attorneys who have largely become very aggressive.

I don't have a link for you to reference on any particular case and you most likely don't have one to prove your "Urban Myth" theory. Don't believe everything you think.

The bottom line is that, if you give an attorney something to run with, no matter how trivial, he/she will take advantage of it, and it wouldn't be hard to paint a person as a killer because he rechambered a gun to a hotter cartridge. Juries are relatively gullible at times.

We can continue to go round and round on this but I have better things to do, so you're going to get the last word as I really don't care and I'm not going to further respond to your wishful thinking.

 

[P89DC]

I did google it, its very clear, if you have a clean shoot, and you are not convicted, most states including Colorado and Illinois (the two states I've lived for the past 20 years) specifically indemnify you against civil cases. The only scenario that is an issue with modified guns is lightning the trigger pull. If you injure or kill someone accidentally with a lightened trigger it's likely to be part of the state's legal case and victim's civil case. Again, if the shoot is clean, you only shot a criminal in the act of self defense, then it's not an issue.

I am not aware of any state that doesn't indemnity a clean shoot but perhaps you do?