Question on a GP100

[Wyandot Jim]

Hey Guys,
My SIL who lives in Helana MT is thinking of buying a GP100.357 with 4 inch barrel.
He asked me to post on here to get some feed back from you'll. He said it would be "his sidearm for hunting and around town." He is the Assitant Manager at a Sporting Goods Store so he gets a discount.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Jimbo357mag]

One of the best revolvers on the market. A little heavy but can absorb the recoil of 357 mags. The 4" barrel is just the right size for packing on the hip.

 

[Pat-inCO]

I like the Stainless Steel version, but an excellent hand gun.

I got a Redhawk .357 for my son in the '80s and would sit watching TV one or two
evenings per week with the heal of my off-hand riding in the hammer notch. Cycled
the action that way (the resistance in pulling the trigger is increased and the impact
on the frame is reduced). I'll guess about 1K cycles and a good trigger became
EXCELLENT!

 

[blammer]

They are tanks. Heavy and bulky, so keep that in mind. especially if wanting to carry concealed.

 

[Kevin]

I have a 6 inch, it was already heavy so I mounted a scope on it. Now it’s pretty fun to shoot, occasionally.

This summer I bought a 3 inch version. It’s nice, but I wish I had gotten a four or 5 inch model.

Honestly, probably the 4 inch would be best.

 

[gunzo]

I chose the Match champion his time around for no more reason than the shaved barrel & reduced weight. It's 10% more money claiming action job & such, better, but nothing to brag about. I just liked the barrel contour more, & wanted a robust revolver in 357 without going extreme like N frame Smiths or a Redhawk.

After mine was corrected by the Ruger customer service dept. it's now a gun I trust that shoots as well or better than my 4" S&W M66.

I now consider my GP as a keeper & one that should stand up to anything I'd ask of a 357.

 

[woodsy]

I "packed" a 6 inch when we visited Yellowstone. With .357 Mag. max loads (grizzlies).

 

[wolfsong]

I have a 4 inch stainless and a 6 inch half lug blued. Both are well-made firearms. For carry in the field I prefer the 6 inch half lug for accuracy and balance.

 

[Igor]

I know it's probably sacrilege, but my 3" Wiley Clapp GP100 was just too heavy at 37 oz. So, I replaced it with a 3" Kimber K6s, which weighs 24 oz. Much more comfortable to carry, as well as conceal.

 

[protoolman]

I carried my 4" as a police sidearm for 20 years I think its a great gun. Does he work at Capital Sports? My favorite gun shop?

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I carried my 4" as a police sidearm for 20 years I think its a great gun. Does he work at Capital Sports? My favorite gun shop?

Hey Guys thanks so much for the info.

protoolman, yes he works at Capitol Sports.

 

[Rick Courtright]

This summer I bought a 3 inch version. It’s nice, but I wish I had gotten a four or 5 inch model.

Honestly, probably the 4 inch would be best.

Hi,

Two friends bought the 4 inch after I bought my 3 inch, which is a puddy tat with .38s and tolerable with .357s. About the same time my BIL bought a 3" SP101 in .357 Mag. It's fine with .38 Spl but just downright unpleasant with .357s.

After shooting the various guns, I'd agree the 4 inch is probably the best for most of us.

Rick C

 

[Slyk Willy]

I have a 6" SS and love it. It's more accurate than I am. I put a ton on 38s through it and a bunch of 357. works great!

 

[WendyZXZ]

Have had a 4" GP100 since...many years and love it! It was my first gun that my Dad got me when I was a teen that wasn't one passed down and he asked what I wanted and that was my choice. Never once regretted it.

 

[rugerguy]

G1, agree with the mob, I too had them all and feel the 4 in. stainless GP is the "best" in balance and 'feel" when actually firing it, not that much more to "carry" over the 3 inch, which I kinda liked,BUT, unless you actually "Need" a longer barrel here in Ohio the 357 ,must be at least 5 inches long to legally use to hunt, but just for packin, go 4 inch.............hell we used to use 38 specials that mushroomed out to 60 caliber!!! 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[gunman42782]

I have a 4 inch GP as well. They are hard to beat, one of the best revolvers made, IMHO.

 

[Dave P.]

One more vote on the positive side. I'd personally go to the 6 in for woods/trail
carry. For me in that situation never could tell any difference vs. a 4in.
The gun may, most likely will be, a bit rough around the edges out of the box.
An hour or so with a stone, some hammer shims and a lighter trigger return
spring make a BIG difference with any I've seen. They are very simple to
strip and "tune".
I'd buy one local so it can be looked over vs. an online purchase.
And stainless not blue.....easy to hide scuffs and stuff.
Dave

 

[Pal Val]

I've had a GP100 6"bbl for quite some time. Initial issues with the trigger resulted on it getting a lighter trigger return spring and some careful polishing of the action. It also got a Williams rear sight and a Redhawk front blade. Now it's my go-to gun when camping. It will handle the heaviest loads with no problems, and it shoots better than I can aim.

My usual complaint about Ruger revolvers is the light-duty rear sight. Good news is that you can get a top-class rear sight for a reasonable amount, and it doesn't take an armorer to install one.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I've had a 6" blue half-lug for years and love it for hunting and range. But for carry, it's just too big. So I'd carry a 4" Match Champion or get a standard 4" and have Ahlman's in MN half-lug the barrel for me. Ideal for a Jeep!

(But I still like my Sixes a little better than my Jeeps! A little better.).

 

[roylt]

I think everyone should own one (or two...).

Liked mine so much got the kids a GP in 22lr to learn on.

 

[wolfee]

As good as any da revolver made and (a lot) better than most. Mine is a 4" full lug blued. Interesting how much the trigger smoothed after only a few hundred rounds.