Newbee from MD

[MidLife]

Hello all, newbee from MD. Ruger KGP-141 on order, and should arrive in about a week. Apparently, I could only receive a firearm in this state with an integral lock, but, hopefully, it will not be intrsusive. Will be looking for advice on newbee loads for break-in and training. Hopefully I can provide forum input as I recieve my firearm and post experiences.

 

[psyclone66]

The integral lock for that model is not intrusive at all. Nothing more than an included padlock that you may use or not use at your own discretion. Welcome the forum.

 

[wixedmords]

Howdy MidLife,

Welcome to the forum. That will be a super-strong revolver that will last you for the rest of your life. A great choice.

Enjoy the GP and check in with your progress. We'll be here.

 

[BulkAmmo]

Hello all, newbee from MD. Ruger KGP-141 on order, and should arrive in about a week. Apparently, I could only receive a firearm in this state with an integral lock, but, hopefully, it will not be intrsusive. Will be looking for advice on newbee loads for break-in and training. Hopefully I can provide forum input as I recieve my firearm and post experiences.

As far as training, shoot as much as you can. Becoming comfortable with your handgun is the best training you can do.

Also a cheap way to improve you shooting is to pick up some snap caps and practice trigger control in your home. Just ensure that there is no loaded ammunition anywhere near the snap caps.

Safe Shooting

 

[MidLife]

There is a range nearby that co-workers go to at lunch hour. What is recommened to break-in this revolver with?
I ordered some Special +P rounds to get started. Any recommends appreciated. Will post pics when the stainless arrives. MD has a 7 day waiting period and also requires the intergral lock, with key, but, not sure how that is implemented by Ruger. Also, had to complete the training course, before orderring.
I wanted a heavy frame target and home defense revolver. From my research, this wheel gun are pretty reliable and should suit my needs.
I will post PICs next week!

 

[sfhogman]

Welcome!

You've made an excellent choice. A 4" .357 revolver is one of the most versatile of all handguns. Your GP100 is one of the best, easiest to maintain, accurate revolvers known. And about as reliable as a hammer.

Those +P rounds will be just fine for getting started.

Solid gun. Your great-grandchildren will thank you!

Jeff

 

[M'BOGO]

Welcome.

You can never go wrong with a good DA revolver. It sounds like you are on track.

 

[WESHOOT2]

A bit of Breakfree CLP lubricant and Tetragun grease, when strategically located, will enhance both your enjoyment and the gun's feel and service life.

 

[psyclone66]

If it ships with the gun from the factory it is "intergral".
http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/extras.html

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Hello all, newbee from MD. Ruger KGP-141 on order, and should arrive in about a week. Apparently, I could only receive a firearm in this state with an integral lock, but, hopefully, it will not be intrsusive. Will be looking for advice on newbee loads for break-in and training. Hopefully I can provide forum input as I recieve my firearm and post experiences.

As stated before, the GP-100 ships with a padlock, and a darn good one for your shed or toolbox or whatever. The GP does not have a built-in lock.

Break-in and training. Be sure to read the manual and check-out all the info and videos on the Ruger website. http://ruger.com/

If this is your first handgun, become familiar with all the functions and all the safety rules before ever loading with live ammo. Seek instruction from an experienced person when firing the gun for the first time. I would suggest firing only 38 specials the first time out with maybe a few 357mags thrown in within the first 20 rounds if you want to feel the full power of the gun. When shooting lots of 38's a crud ring will develop in the cylinder holes that can make full length 357mag shells stick and possibly raise the pressure. After shooting a lot of 38's be sure to clean the cylinder holes with gun solvent and a brass brush to get rid of that crud ring.

Speaking of cleaning it is a good idea to get a cleaning kit for cleaning the gun after use. I would also suggest a good cleaning with a good flushing of the internals before doing anything, and lots of dry fire practice and handling before actually shooting the gun.

The GP seems to shoot 158gr bullets real well. I would start with any major brands of jacketed ammo in 38 special and/or 357mag. Don't spend any more than you have to at first on ammo.

...Jimbo

 

[MidLife]

Thanks for all the replies!
Great forum.
I live in Maryland, and, unfortunately, the state requires an integral lock on all new handguns. I haven't received it yet, however, rumor has it that Ruger puts the key slot under the grips, and that you need to remove the grips to actuate the lock? Any MD owners confirm?
"Maryland enacted a handgun law that called for any weapon manufactured after December 31, 2002, would have to have an Internal Gun Lock on each weapon sold in the state of Maryland."
Thanks everyone for the nice welcome!

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Thanks for all the replies!
Great forum.
I live in Maryland, and, unfortunately, the state requires an integral lock on all new handguns. I haven't received it yet, however, rumor has it that Ruger puts the key slot under the grips, and that you need to remove the grips to actuate the lock? Any MD owners confirm?

Good luck finding that lock in the GP grip stud. :shock: :shock: :roll:

...Jimbo

 

[M'BOGO]

A good tip I picked up for cleaning the .38 ring in a .357 chamber. Take a re-sized .357 hull, and flare it to take a fresh slug. The flare on the case, when inserted into the chamber will scrape out the "ring" around the chamber, quick and easy. I'm sure that even though you don't reload, you will have no trouble coming up with one. If you find yourself at a loss, just ask.

 

[MidLife]

Okay, hopefully the included padlock will count as "integral".
I'll find out next week.

 

[psyclone66]

I admire your skepticism. :shock: I am very familiar with Maryland firearm regulations. Go Ravens!! Your gun is being shipped to you with a seperate padlock and a spent shell casing. The interpretation of the integral lock rule has evolved since its enactment. The shell casing is still collected though the program was defunded years ago. You made a fine choice for a 357 revolver.

 

[MidLife]

Great!

When I purchased the Ruger, they quoted an integral lock and said they had been shipping for years that way!
I had just expected it to come with an integral lock so as to ease my displeasure when it did arrived that way!

I see that they did put the lock on the Blackhawk aniversary model, though: http://www.ruger.com/products/_manuals/blackhawk.pdf

Just hope it's not on the GP100. Just one more thing to go wrong.

 

[DeletedMember275]

Thanks for all the replies!
Great forum.
I live in Maryland, and, unfortunately, the state requires an integral lock on all new handguns. I haven't received it yet, however, rumor has it that Ruger puts the key slot under the grips, and that you need to remove the grips to actuate the lock? Any MD owners confirm?
"Maryland enacted a handgun law that called for any weapon manufactured after December 31, 2002, would have to have an Internal Gun Lock on each weapon sold in the state of Maryland."
Thanks everyone for the nice welcome!

That "integral lock" frequently consists of a $2.99 trigger lock. The big "must-have" in MD is the fired shell casing, even though the MSP have conceded that ballistic fingerprinting doesn't work. Go figure.

What part of the Democratic Peoples Republic are you located in? I still own a house in Harford County, though there's not much chance I'll ever get to live in it again.

 

[ClayinVA]

Also, I received some good advice recently from folks here on a thread titled "GP-100 triggers". They provided some good tips on breaking in a new one. Looking forward to making the actual purchase so I can put the advice to use!

 

[MidLife]

Montgomery County. The Capital of the Republic. :?
It doesn't get much worse than this, at least on this side of the continent.

 

[Snake45]

Montgomery County. The Capital of the Republic. :?
It doesn't get much worse than this, at least on this side of the continent.

Yeah. That's pretty much "Frisco East." :?

 

[MidLife]

it wasn't always this way.
If it comes with a lock, I'll post pics......

 

[bob_k]

Hello all, newbee from MD. Ruger KGP-141 on order, and should arrive in about a week. Apparently, I could only receive a firearm in this state with an integral lock, but, hopefully, it will not be intrsusive. Will be looking for advice on newbee loads for break-in and training. Hopefully I can provide forum input as I recieve my firearm and post experiences.

Welcome to the forum....Great gun there.

Carroll county here. Don't worry, it ships with a padlock I used on my storage shed. :lol: :lol:

 

[MidLife]

Thanks bob_k
know of any good ranges nearby?
The one in Montgomery requires you buy their ammo and charges $300 a year.

 

[psyclone66]

Not sure what info the OP got from his dealer, but convincing him the GP-series ships with a padlock because there is no built-in "integral" lock is mission impossible. :lol:

 

[MidLife]

The Gun Dealer said that the gun can only be ordered with an internal lock from the factory and that it could not be ordered without it and that they have been orderring them that way for several years. So, I naturally thought that that would be the model I would receive.
And, from my limited research on the Internet, it seems the republic of MD was the leading the charge on this requirement! :roll:
Is there a reason why Ruger put the lock on the Blackhawk aniversary edition? :?

 

[psyclone66]

Maryland gun law is confusing to dealers and residents alike. The integral lock rule was lightened up over the years to include a cable locks and padlocks that are included with the handgun at the time of transfer. Ruger does not make or package up models for compliance in any particular state. Unless there has been a very very recent change at Ruger you are getting a padlock AND you will be in compliance with state law. Ehrlich for Governor!!

 

[MidLife]

I suppose the gun dealer just isn't aware of the lifted restriction. The salesperson was, as listed on their website, "firearms expert". :shock:
Whomever got a restriction like that lifted or relaxed in THIS state must "know someone".... :lol:

 

[psyclone66]

Not so much as lifted just a more generous interpretation of the original statute. All your dealer knows is the Ruger GP-series revolvers are on the list of "approved for sale" in the state and there is a customer at the counter who showed up with money. If the lock was not "integral" the model would not be on the list. Your 7 day wait for the state background check consists of the MSP calling the same phone# your dealer used to do NICS. :shock:

 

[douglas.d.johnson]

The integral lock rule was lightened up over the years to include a cable locks and padlocks that are included with the handgun at the time of transfer. . . All your dealer knows is the Ruger GP-series revolvers are on the list of "approved for sale" in the state . . . If the lock was not "integral" the model would not be on the list.

I'm sorry to say that is seriously erroneous information.

The requirements for transferring handguns in Maryland are spelled out in various statues and are further elaborated in detailed regulations issued by the Maryland State Police, which have legal force. Both the statutes and the regulations are readily available on the Internet. The regulations, although about 40 pages long, are easily for many to navigate than the statutes -- they integrate and interpret the statutes, which are not always models of clarity. See Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 29, Subtitle 03, "Weapons Regulations," here:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/subtitle_chapters/29_Chapters.aspx

To summarize:

Before transferring a handgun in Maryland, one must carefully consider, separately, the Maryland Handgun Roster issue, the fired-casing requirement, and the integrated lock requirement. Each of these three requirement is essentially unrelated to the other two, and it is important not to confuse them.

HANDGUN ROSTER: For a handgun to be transferred in Maryland, if it was manufactured in 1985 or later, it must be on the Handgun Roster, which is a list of specific models (and specific calibers of those models) that have been approved for inclusion on the roster by an entity called the Maryland Handgun Roster Board. The Maryland State Police maintain an always-current web-based version of the Roster, here: http://www.mdsp.org/services/handgun.asp

FIRED-SHELL CASING: When handgun manufactured after September 30, 2000, is transferred "new," the FFL who handles the transfer must send to the state police a fired-shell casing, which must be fired, packaged, and certified by the manufacturer, or in the alternative, by one of a small number of Maryland-based FFLs who have a special license that allows them to fulfill the same function (for an added fee). The fired-casing requirement does NOT apply to a handgun that is no longer "new," which is defined in regulation as a handgun that previously has been owned, however briefly, by a non-dealer.

"APPROVED INTEGRATED MECHANICAL SAFETY DEVICE." If manufactured in 2003 or later, the handgun must have an approved integral lock. The Handgun Roster Board is responsible for deciding what types of locks qualify for the "Approved Integrated Mechanical Safety Devices" list. This list has nothing to do, really, with the Roster of approved handgun models. Inclusion of a Maryland-approved integrated lock is NOT required for a handgun model to be placed on the Roster, and there are many handguns on the Roster -- including new models -- that are not shipped with any such approved integral lock.

Moreover, there are also many handguns that DO have approved types of integral locks, but nevertheless are not on the Handgun Roster, for various reasons -- often, simply because nobody has applied for a particular model to be approved.

In order for a post-2002 handgun transferred to you in Maryland, it either must have a lock from the approved list built in by the manufacturer (for example, the locks built in to modern Smith & Wesson revolvers, and into some Rugar models such as the New Model Blackhawk, are on the approved list), OR ELSE a lock from the approved list must be provided before the transfer can be accomplished. Each of the approved locks works only for certain models and calibers, so the lock must be matched to the specific handgun. It is difficult to find approved locks that fit some models. Some dealers keep a variety of approved locks in stock.

The current list of "Approved Integrated Mechanical Safety Devices," last updated July 18, 2010, is posted here:
http://www.mdsp.org/downloads/safety_devices.pdf

Now, hear this: The simple padlock-cables or trigger locks that are shipped with many handguns are NOT on the Approved Integrated Mechanical Safety Devices list, and they do NOT fulfill the statutory requirement. If someone tries to tell you that such a lock fulfills the requirement, ask them to show you where it says that in the regulations issued by the Maryland State Police. (Remember, however, that if the handgun was manufactured before 2003, then only a simple trigger lock or cable is required.)

I didn't make the laws, but they are what they are. The Maryland State Police regulated firearms transfer application form, MSP 77, contains separate explicit questions on each of the three requirements discussed above: Handgun Roster, fired casing, and approved integrated lock. On this form, you and the dealer (or the FFL who handles the transfer) must certify under felony penalties that these requirements have been fulfilled.

 

[psyclone66]

ddj-no need to be sorry, if it is erroneous I will take the hit.

Any dealer in Maryland would be more than happy to sell me a new Ruger DA revolver that is shipping with a padlock. Are all these folks knowingly (or unknowingly) conducting unlawful transactions?