The finer points of buying a used GP100 on Gunbroker?

[PO2Hammer]

I'm looking for a used 4" stainless GP100 (.357).
Looking around at Gunbroker, I see a few that seem to draw a lot of attention, like this one;
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=212705229
And some unusual ones like this one;
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=212042252
I've had a few Blackhawks, and some were clearly better than others, so I'm a little skeptical of Ruger revolvers to be honest. But the ruggedness of the action and the low recoil has me wanting a GP100.
Are there certain ranges of serial numbers/years that are more desirable or have better quality than others?
Anything else to look for in a used GP100?
Low price is not my highest priority.

 

[hittman]

Skeptical? Wow ~ the one's I'm skeptical of are Taurus, Charter and some others.

You can't go wrong with just about any GP. Personally, I prefer the Security / Service and Speed Six series for a variety of reasons. Either way, you can't go wrong unless you're unfortunate enough (one in a million??) to get that ultra-rare lemon.

 

[roaddog28]

It is hard to get a bad GP100 or a Security Six. I am not a big fan of buying a revolver from a online auction like gunbroker. But if I had to buy one from a online auction a Ruger revolver is about as safe as it gets. Even a used blackhawk are a fairly safe option unless the previous owner did not know how to reload ammo within safe limits and abused the blackhawk. And finually I don't know of any serial number range that is better on a GP100.
Find the best deal.
Good luck,
Howard

 

[EDK]

Your chances of a "bad one" are pretty low. Since a lot of people don't reload their own ammo, chances are the gun has been carried a lot more than it has been shot. There are a lot of guns showing up for sale currently...and the people selling them are PROBABLY not hard core shooters who shoot a lot. I would look the gun over as much as possible and look at the seller's number of sales and feedback.

I have only purchased one gun off internet auctions that I have any questions about...a BISLEY VAQUERO in 357 that is a bit looser than I like, but has a superb action...probably belonged to a Cowboy Action Shooter and possibly used with black powder.

My best experiences have been in rugerforum classifieds, auctionarms and gunbroker. Gunsamerica seems to attract people wanting higher prices for their item than the other forums; GA is also slow about removing items that have been sold.

 

[loiblb]

I have bought two used SS GP100's 4", both are good shooters. One had some hard living shooting hot loads by a guy I know. He started shooting the .500 S&W and .357 was not to his likeing anymore. At $400 I think I got a good deal. Anyway I looked at the forcing cone and any play it could have. It was as good as my almost new GP so I bought it. I see GP's selling for around $450 and up around here.
My much older 6" security six is a very fine gun if you hapen to find one.
I did not think I would like it that much till I started shooting it. Now it's a keeper.

 

[WESHOOT2]

What is available for sale on this site?

I'd look here.

 

[jimd441]

Wow - I didn't realize that the price of used ones is almost that of new ones. I bought a new 6 inch barrel stainless one last Summer and I think it was about $550 before tax. Depending on local tax rates, by the time you add in shipping and FFL transfer, a used one could be as much as a new one.

Of course I do realize that prices on Gunbroker are often asking prices and that doesn't mean actual selling prices.

Jim

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've had very good luck buying off of Gunbroker. I've bought 4 handguns and been very satisfied. Prices aren't as low as from a private party though.
I think one reason used prices are almost as high as new is the general perception that quality has gone down hill in the last few years. Not only with Ruger, but certainly S&W as well.
I like to buy directly from FFL dealers, which is why I haven't looked at the classifieds here.
Maybe I'll take a look.
Thanks all.