New 9MM "Super" GP100 ...Pictures Added

[Kevin]

Aren't there any comments about the new "Super" GP100 in 9mm? Personally, I really like it. The 9mm is cheap, accurate easy to reload with lots of choices for bullets and powder.

Now I just have to start saving my pennies....a whole lot of them.

https://www.ruger.com/products/superGP100/specSheets/5066.html

 

[gunman42782]

To me, the only caliber the Super GP100 makes any sense would be .44 Magnum. If and when they chamber it for that, I might be interested.

 

[recumbent]

Looks funny with the short cylinder, look how far the bullet has to jump to get to riling. That doesn't help accuracy any.
I don't care for it.

 

[eveled]

Not saying it doesn’t look odd with that short cylinder. I think you are looking at it wrong. It’s like that so they can extend the barrel so the bullet gets to the rifling sooner. Function over form in this case.

 

[s4s4u]

Not saying it doesn’t look odd with that short cylinder. I think you are looking at it wrong. It’s like that so they can extend the barrel so the bullet gets to the rifling sooner. Function over form in this case.

I agree! But looks odd? It looks pure ugly.

 

[gramps]

Not saying it doesn’t look odd with that short cylinder. I think you are looking at it wrong. It’s like that so they can extend the barrel so the bullet gets to the rifling sooner. Function over form in this case.

I agree! But looks odd? It looks pure ugly.

Yep, ZERO appeal for me looks wise, much less the auto cartridge in a revolver thing!
gramps

 

[arfmel]

It appears to have a huge amount of end-shake. And to have been designed by the same cartoonist who did the LCR and LCP II.

Shame to ruin the looks of a handsomely designed gun with frippery like those useless angled slots and a post-modern cylinder. Looks like the love-child of an old stainless Redhawk and a LCR. Yuck.

 

[JStacy]

In 70's custom PPC revolvers , set up for 38 wadcutters , often had shortened cylinders to cut down on the "jump" to the rifling.
I shot some of these pistols and they were quite accurate but as you said "UGLY" !
Ruger is a little more proud of these pistols than I would be , too pricy for an old retired guy !!

 

[jack black]

:shock: :shock: :shock: They will be short lived.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

A .38 Spl. would be more to the point, if they just HAD to have another 8-shooter. And more attractive. And easier to manufacture (no new parts or design costs). And I bet it would sell about as well (meaning not very well).

 

[Kevin]

I actually like the two toned look. And as far as the styling goes, Smith and Wesson has some 9mm revolvers which aren’t “traditional.” The are in the same price bracket as well.

Gotta keep in mind, new and younger shooters don’t want the old west single action anymore. I think this style fits more of the poly, striker fired, designs. I hope it does quite well and if the extreme style gets someone new interested in shooting, that’s another benefit.

And yes, a 38 would be nice as well.

 

[contender]

I kinda wondered how the nay-sayers would respond to this thread.
How many of y'all have handled one?
I have.
How many of y'all shoot competition,, where the 9mm revolver in 8 shot is THE gun to use?
I do.
S&W makes a 8 shot 9mm & it is the gun most often used in competition, and lots of shooters love it. How many of us prefer Rugers over S&W?
I do.
As for the short cylinder,, and the "look of it. How many study the design & the costs to produce one?
I have.
How many here have spoken with the actual designer of the Super GP in 9mm?
I have.

Now,, the cylinder was shortened for a few reasons. One,, to reduce the expense of building a whole new frame design. Use the current frame size,, AND use a sleeved barrel to extend through the frame to the cylinder. The bullet jump is no different than any other revolver.
Second,, by using the proven GP platform,, and adding the short cylinder,, it can prevent many folks from trying to "customize & build something it shouldn't be used for,,, creating a dangerous situation."
And while the barrel is actually 6" long,, it appears shorter by the fact the barrel passes inside the frame to the cylinder. Thus,, it give good accuracy,, AND balances quite nicely. The angled slots help the weight issue so it's not TOO muzzle heavy for a competitor.
I didn't feel any excessive endshake in the one I handled. I WILL check the one that we'll be auctioning at my FoNRA event tomorrow night for any issues. I wonder how the comment above was determined? Have you, (arfmel) handled one to determine that?

So for those who do not compete in pistol competition,, or pay any attention to those games,, I can understand the reluctance at owning one.
But,, thanks to competitions,, (ICORE & USPSA, IPSC, etc.) MORE people are getting into guns. And the 8 shot revolvers are IN DEMAND! In USPSA,, a stage can not require more than 8 shots from one position. Also,, quite often,, a mandatory reload is required between positions,, or during after an 8 shot string. So,, a 6 shot revolver shooter,, (such as myself, currently,) may have to fire 6 shots, reload, fire 2 shots, make a mandatory reload, then continue. The 8 shot revolvers eat us alive on our times due to the more frequent required reloads.
Another good thing is that it will accept & perform using any of the current, several offerings of moon clips by different makers.

Everyday street carry? It's not a good choice.
Hunting,,,? Again,, not a good choice by most hunters.
At home self defense? Very possible. The 9mm is now enjoying an abundance of good quality SD ammo choices. Plus,, practice ammo is also inexpensive & abundant. And for those of us who prefer the reliability of a revolver over a semi-auto,, it can very well be a good home defense gun.
Target shooting, informal? Again, it's built to be accurate & can be quite fun at the range for those who like the 9mm caliber, but do not compete.

But for those of us who want to beat out the S&W revolver shooters by using our beloved Rugers instead,, it's a long awaited gun.

I will own one or two of them before it's over. I have one on order,, and I may also try & win the auction tomorrow night on ours!

Oh,, and BTW; For the competitors,, Hogue is in the design stage of an extended & easier cylinder release latch for it too! It will work in all GP's from what I was told. I do LIKE that feature as well.
And,, I've already been discussing a competition holster designed just for this gun too with one of the serious holster makers.

 

[Kevin]

I don’t shoot in competitions, but I do appreciate competition guns. I have a CZ Tactical Sport in 9mm, which is just incredibly accurate.

Contender: Thanks for the insight into this GP revolver. The barrel being set back into the frame is an interesting feature.

I’ll try to have one before October. I can bring it and the 357 Max to the East Coast Gathering. That would be a lot of fun.

 

[fiasconva]

That's about the ugliest Ruger I've seen them manufacture. Hope it shoots better than it looks.

 

[contender]

Kevin. Get one & bring it to the Gathering,, and we can run them together in competition,,, informally of course!

The pictures may make it look ugly,, but in person,, it's not as bad as you'd think. But,, if it shoots good,,, and improves my scores,, as well as kicking some S&W butt,,, I'll dance with ugly anytime!

 

[gramps]

Thanks Contender. Other than you, I know no one who shoots competitively. I hope Ruger sells a bunch, but I won’t be buying one. My different niche’s are already filled.
gramps

 

[JStacy]

I agree with Contender that it is a gun designed to compete with the 8 shot S&W's . I also agree with your other comments . There are some super GP100 on GB and an actual 9MM . All of the start about 1175 , it will be interesting to see what they sell for.

 

[Onty]

...And to have been designed by the same cartoonist who did the LCR and LCP II.

Shame to ruin the looks of a handsomely designed gun with frippery like those useless angled slots and a post-modern cylinder. Looks like the love-child of an old stainless Redhawk and a LCR. Yuck.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you. I just cannot understand how Ruger, after gracious Security Six, Bisley and GP100 couldn't design other handguns to be appealing to the eye?

I bet that popularity of 1911 is not just it's designed so well, but also it looks very nicely. If handgun is ugly, even if it's better quality than Freedom Arms revolver, I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole. Period!

 

[contender]

My oldest son,, when he was about 16,, went & spent almost $200 on a pair of tennis shoes. It was his money,, and we didn't stop him. But,, about the same time,, I bought a nice OM .357 shooter grade for $175. I told him; "In 6 months,, those shoes will not be worth anything,, while this revolver will still be worth the same I paid for it,, if not more." His reply was; "But I'll look good!"

Looking good & performing a job CAN be accomplished. But often,, more folks are concerned with looks over function.

I'll agree that the Super GP-100 in 9mm looks different,, and even ugly in some folks eyes. You are totally allowed your opinion. I fully respect that. But in my eyes,, if it will allow me to compete in revolver competition against S&W & their 9mm handguns,, I prefer Rugers,, so I'll take an ugly gun & try to whip those S&W butts!
Another thought. My dance partner for many, many years,, was a former teen beauty queen. Yet,, this very, very beautiful lady would easily climb into my butt-ugly chopped up & beat up, primer black VW bug to go anywhere with me. (She owned a nice Camero.) She quickly told me; It's not how the car looks,, it's the person driving it that matters.

So,, if anyone here feels the gun is ugly,, FINE,,, don't buy one. But I prefer to try & support a company that is trying to give those of us who prefer to be brand loyal an option of using their products. I've wanted Ruger to build an 8 shot 9mm ever since S&W introduced theirs,, and it was accepted for USPSA competition.
And for the record,, my personal feelings on the looks or handling of the S&W in 9mm have never been made public on any forum.

To judge this gun on the looks of a picture alone is prejudicial. I have handled a couple now,, and so far,, quite impressed.
The one we had at our FoNRA banquet friday night was quite well received. It sold at auction for $1300 to an FFL dealer who can EASILY order one for less money. And he outbid me, as well as 2 others.

My point is,, I can appreciate how some folks may not like it's looks. Perfectly acceptable. But let's give it a chance to be accepted by those of us who want to try one & compete with it. Why trash it on looks alone?

 

[Kevin]

Contender, thanks for the more insight into this model.

To me it looks like function over form. The slots on the barrel shroud are functional, reduced weight as well as better cooling for the barrel. Same goes with the shape cylinder, reduced weight and more surface area for cooling.

I haven’t seen one in a shop yet. But I told my wife I need one, and showed her a picture. Before showing her, I told her, some people think they are ugly. She didn’t think so. It really makes me think Ruger is just trying something different to try and appeal to a larger, more poly/semi automatic crowd. Such as people who are used to guns with angular shapes, like slide cuts on a semi auto. These people might not have thought about a revolver before.

I do wonder about the grip, why it’s left smooth and doesn't have any texture in it. Either laser etched, or diamond cuts.

And the limited reviews I can find, all say the same thing about basing the trigger off of the Redhawk which mean it can be smoother in double action. I’m glad Ruger is getting it’s Custom Shop more exposure with different models.

I’ve talked with competition shooters before, and some of those people won’t let money stand between them and a higher score. So good job Ruger.

 

[contender]

Kevin, The grips feel just fine. They are the Match Champion ones. And the 9mm isn't a heavy recoiling caliber either.

And you are correct,, function over form. But it really looks better in person over the pics. At least I think that.

 

[Onty]

... It really makes me think Ruger is just trying something different to try and appeal to a larger, more poly/semi automatic crowd. Such as people who are used to guns with angular shapes, like slide cuts on a semi auto. These people might not have thought about a revolver before...

Talking about "poly" (assuming polymer) guns, after seeing one H&K 45 that had a nice chunk gone on the bottom of the grip, thanks, but no thanks for plastic handguns. That wouldn't happen on the cheapest Tokarev.

...And the limited reviews I can find, all say the same thing about basing the trigger off of the Redhawk which mean it can be smoother in double action. I’m glad Ruger is getting it’s Custom Shop more exposure with different models.

I couldn't understand why Ruger keeps two different system for their DA 44 magnum revolvers, Redhawk and Super Redhawk!? I understand that some folks do not like (and do not need) Super Redhawk, and prefer configuration of Redhawk. But, the truth is Super Redhawk has better internal mechanism, and is much easier to fit different grips. Why not something like this; Redhawk configuration with Super Redhawk mechanism, same mechanism on both, just different frames and barrels:

From http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/catalog/ruger_double_action_basic_packages.html

Bowen use to have a picture of 7.5 inch converted Alaskan, with Redhawk barrel, boy, that one I would like to have.

 

[Thel]

Onty, I agree that Ruger should use the SRH mechanism in a configuration like a Redhawk. I used to think that there was a cost in modifying the SRH frame into the RH configuration but now that they have done so it would make sense to use this for all the RH models. They would save in production cost due to one standard set of innards and one set of molds for the frame and inventory cost of carrying 2 separate set of frames and internal parts.

This would allow getting a better trigger in terms of pull weight using the new configuration, also.

 

[NikA]

Isn't the "Super GP-100" basically a SRH sized frame with a barrel extension fitted with the new shrouded barrels that current production Redhawks have? You should be asking Ruger for more basic "Super GP" models in the Redhawk calibers, they obviously already have the parts in their supply chain to produce them.

 

[Dave P.]

I see it both ways. As a "race"gun it makes sense and seems pretty
typical.
For anything else though it looks like a movie gun in a cheap
SyFy movie. Anybody remember the first Predator movie, the
one where Arnold Schwarzenegger tells the Predator
"you're one ugly mother ....... "?
Dave

 

[Kevin]

Ok, well, I ordered one on Tuesday and picked it up yesterday afternoon. See what Contender has to say above. He is correct with his impressions on this gun. It handles very well and is balanced. The cuts in the barrel shroud reduce weight and help with the handling and balance. They should also reduce heat when shooting too.

The grips are large and comfortable. They don't have finger grooves, but are contoured. Since I have large hands, the grips do fit nicely. All in all, it is a "race gun" meant for competition. I can see where Ruger came up with this design. It reminds me a whole lot of the Custom Shop 1911, Look at the slide cuts in the 1911 Doug Koenig gun and it's slide sort of mirrors this GP100.

The double action trigger pull is smooth. I don't know how heavy it is, but it's definitely a smooth trigger arc, with a consistent pull the whole length. Again, with large hands, it's comfortable, smaller hands might have to stretch some. I'll have my wife handle it and see. (edited: Just did, it is too large for her to be comfortable.)

And the packaging! Ruger hit a home run with this model. It comes with an SKB hard case and a certificate of authenticity and a Ruger Coin. It's nice and shows they put some thought into how the gun will sell and probably who will buy it.

It's definitely a sharp looking gun. The grips fit perfectly. The whole appearance of this gun is well put together. It's a large gun, but the proportions are just right. Nothing seems out of place. You don't notice the shortened cylinder. And the barrel is set back does indeed mean it's a 6 inch barrel, with a smaller overall length than another gun with a 6inch barrel.

The one thing I wish they'd have done differently is have a different rear sight. I would have loved one in a dovetail cut so I could slide it out and buy a mount for one of those small red dots. That system seems to be very popular on semi autos these days. I wish it would have carried over to this gun as well. BUT! The fiber optic front sight is highly visible and gives the appearance of a red dot on the target.

 

[contender]

I knew you'd like it. They are actually sharp looking guns when you handle one. (At least to me it is!) As for the rear sight,,, and wanting to mount a red dot. Most revolver competitors in USPSA can't use a red dot,, (without being put in the "Open" class of guns,) so open sights it is.
And if a red dot is allowed in other competitions,, such as ICORE,, then a mount can be had to put a red dot on one.

So,, let us know how it shoots!

 

[Kevin]

Yes, it is. Sharp looking gun, your right. I didn’t know that about the open sights for competition, it makes sense.

I’m going shooting on Sunday, so yeah, I’m excited to see how the trigger feels in double action. I’ve got a 357 GP 100 also, I want to bring that for comparison. That one has a rail mounted on it and a scope, which is actually a really neat combination.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

A lot of this was kicked around when the Super GP100 was initially announced.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=278397&hilit=super+gp100

Given the dimensions, I foresee six-shot versions of larger rounds such as the .44 Mag, .480 Ruger and the .45 Colt/.454 Casul. To me, it would look "nicer" than the Super Redhawk and perhaps take the place of the Redhawk itself as well.

In its more-or-less "conventional" form it's not nearly so unusual-looking. I think Ruger combined the better features of a couple other guns and came up with what will be a winner overall. JMHO

:mrgreen: