Ruger GP-100

tyr_shadowblade

tyr_shadowblade

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Jan 3, 2006
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Okay, so I decided I want to get a long barreled magnum revolver and after handling a bunch at the last gun show I decided that I like the GP-100 with 6" barrel the best. Hogue grips fit my hand perfectly and I liked the weight and balance of it quite a bit. I'd originally intended on either a S&W 629 or a Ruger Redhawk but they just didn't feel right to me.

My problem is I have zero experience with the GP-100 and don't know anyone who's ever owned one. Are there any issues with this piece I should be aware of? Also, although these are primarily offered in 357 I've seen a few chambered for some newfangled cartridge called the 327 which I'm guessing is less desirable than the 357 unless recoil is an issue or you own a lot of 32s.

Any thoughts or comments on the GP-100 will be appreciated. I've got a line on a well used one several counties away for what seems to be a fair price and was wondering how durable and reliable this particular model is.

Thanks.
 
Its been said a million times and will be said another million. Its like asking Ford vs Chevy. Personally I like Rugers, the lock is better than the few Smiths I own. They do not cost a metric shitload as so anything with Smiths name on them. They do not have the retarded lock on them that MAY possibly fail and lock up the gun. However as others will soon point out. They warning messages down the side of the Rugers are a down side.

I own both a 6" and 4" GP100. I prefure the 4" since it is lighter, easier to carry (more compact) and fits in my safepacker. I would also opt for the 357 since they are alot more common place, but the 327 does have an extra round available.

Doing a quick google search shows that everyone who has a Ruger all like them and most say they are so strong they will easily pass down to their children. Out of the 8 wheel guns I own, 6 are Rugers.

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Brother, you can't go wrong with a Ruger. The GP100 is built like a tank; super durable, super reliable, and you can verify their track record of success with anyone who ever owned a security six. I have a 4'' GP100 in .357 that I will take to the grave with me. Sure the action might not be as silky as a S&W or a Colt, but consider how much more $$$ you are willing to fork over for a smoother action. Also, the fact that the Ruger is 100% American made is very important to me and I am proud of that fact.

Ruger_GP-100.jpg
 
+1 on the GP100 -- i expect it to be the handgun that outlasts all my other handguns (glocks, rock island armory). I have the 357MAG 6" model in SS. I have the most rounds through this gun than any other that I own. Shoots everything i can throw at it, including all of my reloads, high pressure or lower. mine has a ton of wear/tear on the finish, but internally it is happy as a clam, tight lockup, and reliable.

although it is 357MAG i typically run 38SPL through it. lots of 38SPL. like thousands.

this is a good gun.
 
I too have a GP 100 4 inch that I have had for years. It will out last most any gun made. Also with time the Ruger triggers get very smooth. You cant go wrong with a GP100 :thumbup::thumbup: Kevin
 
I own a Ruger GP100 with a 6in. barrel and hogue monogrip this has to be one of the best bang for your buck firearms out there when compared to the competition I've shot a few S&W and there an excellent gun however I prefer the Ruger's tougher construction with that being said I will agree S&W's have a much better trigger and a slicker action it realy boils down to your own personal preference but for a person like me who likes to reload and shoot stout factory loads on a regular basis I think the Ruger fits ME better.
 
I keep a 3" GP-100 in my vehicle, and a 2.25" SP-101 in my pocket. I carry the latter as I favor reliability over everything else in a carry gun. And with both guns - though more so with the GP-100, the stout recoil is mitigated somewhat by the weight and heft of the Rugers.

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If you contemplate carrying your new revolver in a belt holster in a vehicle..better think high ride holster AND 4" barrel or a cross draw for a 6". You can do a 6" strong side, seated carry but you'll do a lot of adjusting if you're in and out of the car much.

I like Rugers stuff, well not the Mini 14, and all well built or over built. I own a SP101 3 1/16" .327 Federal Magnum..about like all shorty magnums with full house loads..strong twist in the grip and roars..might shoot flame >8" at night but I haven't shot it at night. I wanted the .327 and was willing to have to chase around for ammunition- is more readily available now. I also shoot .32 H & R Magnum and .32 S & W. I also put Hogue Rosewood laminate grips on it..have never cared for the rubber insert OEM look. Carry in a Simply Rugged pancake holster on a Galco contour or beltman.com belt and wear a size larger, unbuttoned,untucked colored short sleeve cotton shirt..does not print or show.
 
I've had a GP100 4" for about 14 years now and have 10,000+ rounds through it. I mostly feed it 38spc ammo but it handles hot 357 rounds with no problem. Like most here I agree it is built like a tank. I shoot it in IDPA competition and it is my truck gun. It is the blued model and shows some minor wear bur is as mechanically solid as it was on day one. The original stock grips are still in great shape.
Yes, I would highly recommend the Ruger GP100.
 
I've had mine (4 inch stainless) for 21 years, thousands of rounds through it, still just as accurate and tight as ever. Love it! Best $300 I ever spent.
 
I love my 6" stainless .357, had it for over 20yrs. It has even taken a deer for me at 20 yrds.
The trigger action I find to be "roller bearing" smooth and personally I like it much better than the S&W. I also love the transfer bar mechanism for the firing pin much better than that wobbly pin on a S&W, it truly is a work of art.
Dont know if I would carry it as an EDC though, its a big bulky for that, maybe a 4" like other have mentioned. I carry mine as a backup when hunting, carry it onboard when I go offshore fishing, shoot hundreds of rounds of handloads and factory loads and it still looks and shoots as good as the day I bought it.
 
At 5'7", 130# I certainly have no intention of CCWing a 6" magnum revolver. It is difficult enough for me to conceal an airweight J-frame. This would be a house gun for home defense. Not a big fan of shotguns or assault weapons anymore.

Does $400 sound fair for a used one in Very Good condition?
 
You will have no regrets at all with a GP100.

Great gun. Tank strong.

I have an SP101 in .357, and a Smith & Wesson model 66 in .357 with a 6.5 inch barrel. I have shot all makes and models. Colt, Ruger, S&W, Rossi, Tarus, etc.

The Ruger GP100 is always my first recommendation. Ruger Revolver just can't be beat for strength and value!

The .327 is a neat round, but I would stick with the .357 just for availability of ammo and more ommph.

Recoil with a GP100 should be no issue even with the hottest loads.
 
I have the 4" and 6" full lug barreled GP-100's. I carried the 6" for years until work forced me to carry a 4" and then I wished I'd gotten it sooner. No problem with shooting them at all although I prefer the old rosewood and rubber grips of the first picture as opposed to the Hogue grips. My fingers don't fit the fingergrooves.

$400 sounds a little steep but if it is in fact in very good condition and it's what you want go for it. I'm thinking more $375 but I haven't bought one in a while and they are reliable guns. Never had a hang up with either of mine. If the $400 seems to be the going price in your area then by all means pay it.
 
don't have a GP100 but my first handgun was a SecuritySix (pre barrel warning, and still have it)....if you are going to do any precision shooting check out the rear sights by Hamilton Bowen... I prefer solid plastic or wooden grips over rubber textured "spongy" grips...

glue a factory bullet (projectile) to the end of a pencil, and make sure it passes easily through each of the 6 cylinders... a tight cylinder throat will squeeze the bullet before it reaches the forcing cone and rifling, and degrade accuracy

(unload gun warning)

if you buy used, place your hand on the cylinder to provide a little drag and slowly thumb cock to check each chamber and see if the hand rotates it far enough to engage the bolt stop

hold cocked hammer with thumb and pull trigger to see if the bolt holds cylinder without excessive play...check each chamber

pull trigger double action, and very slowly release the trigger to the first "click" and see if you can lock or short stroke (rotate cylinder and not cock hammer) .... you can typically do this on any single/double action revolvers, but should not be easy to find the spot
 
I have a GP100 4" I got a few years ago used and initially the action and trigger pull were pretty rough. I replaced the springs and smoothed out a lot of the trigger mechanism and now it is amazing. Everyone who has shot it has commented on how nice it is. I REALLY want one of the 5" matte limited editions they made...
 
I had a 4" GP100 for years, and it was a great gun. Zero problems, and the trigger smoothed out quite a bit. I only traded it because I lost interest in revolvers.
 
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