New or used GP100?

[harrydog]

My local shop has a new 4" stainless GP100 (serial # 176xxxx) for $509 and a used one (serial # 175xxxx) for $439. I know these aren't the best prices but I like doing business with these guys and don't want to go through the hassle of getting one via the internet.
The used one looks to be in excellent condition but I would have expected more than a $70 difference between new and used.
Which one would you choose?

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
I would offer him $400 for the used one. A good used GP100 to me is just as good as a new one. What I would do is handle both of them and see which one as the better trigger. A lot of times the more a person uses a GP100 the better the trigger becomes.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[harrydog]

Howard (or anyone else) -
Anything in particular I look for when I examine it?

 

[berettapistols]

The action will be smoother on the used one if it's been shot much at all..
I too would think that $70 between the two isn't much..
I'd have to see both and examine them BOTH closely..

Myself I'd offer $400 as roaddog28 suggested..

Prices are fairly high any more for the Rugers..
I remember buying my first SP101/SPNY for $175 about 8-10 years ago..

You can't go wrong with the GP/SPs as their built like tanks..
They can be smoothened up & made to have an action as smooth as a Colt or BETTER..

 

[GP100man]

If the headspace is tite & the timing ok on the used 1 spend the $70 on ammo or reloading supplies !!!

 

[147 Grain]

Go to Davidson's Gallery of Guns and get a few dozen electronic bids immediately from dealers within 100 miles of where you live.

Printout the bid with the lowest fees and use it as leverage to get the new or used one you want. Either revolver will definitely be lower than the regular asking price which nobody wants to pay anyways.

Leverage is the key to a lower price and the more knowledge you have, the less you pay.

 

[roaddog28]

Howard (or anyone else) -
Anything in particular I look for when I examine it?

The trigger should be smooth with no hitch, hang up and creap. As far as how heavy the trigger pull is, if the pull seems heavy that can be fix with a wolf spring kit. If the trigger has the hitch,hang up and creap then the trigger will need some smoothing on the bearing surfaces with a stone. If you don't want to do that most any gunsmith can do this. I was not happy with my GP100. It had that hitch or hangup. A gunsmith fixed the problem and now the trigger is great.
Usually, the used revolver will be broken it and have a better trigger. You just have to try both.
Again, good luck,
Howard

 

[harrydog]

Well, I just picked up the used gun. They came down in price so it was $100 less than the new one. I know I could find one for less if I was patient but I really wanted something now.
The trigger seems quite smooth. The gun is supposed to have only 200 rounds through it. The previous owner buys many guns from this shop and he usually trades them back in when something else catches his fancy. This particular gun was proof fired in April 2010 so he didn't have it very long.
The gun shop also has a policy that they will take the gun back if I discover any problems with it so I feel pretty comfortable buying it.
Unfortunately I won't have a chance to shoot it anytime soon but I can't wait to try it out. I really want to compare it to my SP101 in terms of felt recoil.
Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[maxpress]

I dont think there is much you could do to mess up a GP so I go for the used ones. Trigger is nice then cock it and make sure the cylinder dosnt have much play in it. If thats good then it should be good. Sights arnt canted are they? sorry couldnt resist.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

You got a good gun at a good price. Nothing to be ashamed of there.
Shoot and enjoy one of the best double-action revolvers ever made. Let us know how you like it. :D :D

...Jimbo

 

[bronco45]

You're lucky. Finding a used GP for sale in this neck of the woods in next to impossible. Enjoy your GP. I love the fact that they are so easy to customize.

New front sight no problem, Modify grip, no problem. Rear Sight=Bowen.
Polish internals with new springs= Wolff.

Great, inherently accurate 357.

The full deal meal.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Buy the new one. The price difference of the used one is not, IMO, worth the mystery of its history.

 

[harrydog]

Buy the new one. The price difference of the used one is not, IMO, worth the mystery of its history.

Too late for that.

 

[wixedmords]

What the new, as of the last year or two, GP100's seem to have going for them is a really good trigger. I'd figure that in and go late-model used.

That doesn't mean you are going to get a bad trigger per-say in an older GP100.