I'm thinking about buying a new Ruger GP100. I handled one at shop yesterday and was impressed with the feel and balance. It was the 6 inch model and the double action pull seemed smooth compared to a 686 S&W I used to own. What should I look for or inspect before I make the purchase? It will be used for informal target and home defense.
Ruger GP100
- Thread starter Deadeye
- Start date
schloss
Single-Sixer
If it's smoother than a Smith, you should buy it. Mine took some work to smooth up, and I'm still not completely happy with it.
If there is nothing wrong with it cosmetically, and the lockup is good, its going to be hard to go wrong with it. The GP was my first handgun. I've still got it, and I still shoot it.
If there is nothing wrong with it cosmetically, and the lockup is good, its going to be hard to go wrong with it. The GP was my first handgun. I've still got it, and I still shoot it.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
Make sure the front sight is absolutely vertical. Check for fit and finish. Look for dents, nicks or voids. Most anything else can be fixed if there is a problem after you shoot it for a while. Ruger is good about that. :D
RGR.44
Bearcat
He did say it was new, right?
22/45 Fan
Hunter
I've owned five S&W K and L-frame revolvers and still have two 686's. I've also owned 3 SP-101's (still have one) and shot several GP-100s. In my experience, Rugers revolvers are fine, strong, reasonably priced and accurate guns but their out-of-the-box trigger pulls are no where near as good as S&W's factory stock triggers and any good gunsmith can make an already good S&W trigger a pure delight.DonD said:
schloss
Single-Sixer
22/45 Fan said:
This has been my experience as well, and I don't even own an S&W - and why I made the comment. You certainly can clean up a trigger, which I have done on my GP. Most of my guns are Rugers. I coun on them, I trust them, and I like them. I just think they could have better triggers.
Anyway, did you buy it or what?
sourdough44
Single-Sixer
Yes, he did seem to infer a new gun. To the O.P., the GP-100 would be a great all around gun, built to last. You could look at the used market too. There are other models that are similar, worth a nod if you find one.
One decision point comes down to barrel length, usually the 4" or the 6". My standard refrain is to lean towards the 4", especially for any woods hiking. 'Home defense' it's about even, for mostly range shooting I'd go 6".
For the most part I usually shoot 38s, at times some milder handloaded 357s.
One decision point comes down to barrel length, usually the 4" or the 6". My standard refrain is to lean towards the 4", especially for any woods hiking. 'Home defense' it's about even, for mostly range shooting I'd go 6".
For the most part I usually shoot 38s, at times some milder handloaded 357s.
Yes it is a new gun which I put a deposit on because of the trigger pull. According to the serial number the gun was made this year. Perhaps they used some of the engineering they use on the LCR triggers, which are pretty decent.
