As I was browsing through my daily fare of (gun) porn, I stumbled across this beauty:
I used to own a GP100:
For some reason, the grips (as pictured above) didn’t seem to fit my hand properly, and then there was that Ruger trigger — although in mitigation, I was comparing that pull to my Colt Python’s — and the barrel was too short for .357 Mag shooting comfort, so I ended up selling it to buy something else.
All that said, if I look at the stainless model in the first pic, with its Hogue grips and 6″ barrel… hmmm, how much would a Ruger trigger job cost?
Thousands of people love and shoot the GP100, so who am I to argue with them?
And the final comment: I eventually ended up shooting the Python to pieces; I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have done the same with any GP100, using the same number of rounds.
The Ruger GP100 is my favorite revolver ever.
4 in stainless model is my fav
I’d like to add the 4 in blued to my collection at some point though.
I am not a fan of 6 in barrels. Used to have some. Sold them. Too long for me
4 in points well, has plenty of recoil absorbing prowess and accuracy is great.
I actually like the trigger on the GP100. No complaints from me.
Colts are very nice. But they are spendy. And hard to find. Maybe someday I’ll be able to purchase one.
The Rugers are also far tougher than other revolvers. Smith likes to talk about forging. Forged is allegedly better than the cast system Ruger uses. If that’s true, why does ammo company Buffalo Bore warn users of their ammo to not use some of their hotter loads in in Smith Revolvers, namely some of the 44 Mag types.
Ruger is my top choice in. Revolver. Prices have gone up for all, but Ruger still remains one of the most affordable and they last.
Bonus is Rugers service. If you ever have a problem, they fix it fast and they fix it right. And they are nice to deal with.
S&W customer service sucks.
Colt won’t work on many older vintage pythons, but colt is a great company overall.
Also the GP100 has some variants in other calibers available
– 10 MM
– 327 Federal Mag (discontinued I think but used ones available)
– 22 LR
– 44 Special
I’d like to get a hold of the 22 LR and 10 MM models.
Ruger makes some very nice firearms including revolvers. I haven’t had a GP100. I’ve been a Smith & Wesson fan since I got my first model 66 years ago. I haven’t had much interaction with customer service with either company since they both make fine firearms.
I think the only sad time you can have with a quality revolver is when the ammo can runs dry at the range. In fact, that’s the only way I’d get my model 66 back from my missus.
JQ
I have a GP100 just like the SS model pictured.
A trigger job is not difficult – replace mainspring and trigger return spring, polish sliding surfaces and perhaps shim the hammer (if needed). Care should be exercised when working on the sear surfaces.
Smoothing any part that slides on another makes a big difference.
I also added a trigger stop screw. This is more complicated as it requires drilling and tapping the trigger guard. It is not absolutely necessary, but helps overall trigger pull.
I compare the new trigger pull on my GP100 to my vintage S&W revolvers (1950 Target, Mod 48 and M&P) and it does very well.
Weigand makes a nice picatinny rail for the GP100 – remove the iron sights and bolt it on. The drawback is, of course, removal of the iron sights.
“The drawback is, of course, removal of the iron sights.”
It says much about my tolerance that I allow such heresy to be spoken on this website.
Burn the heretic.
Did some research a few years ago and was planning to buy a Ruger. Went into a gun shop and asked to order one, the owner said he could do it, but he had a S&W Model 19 in stock, 4 in barrel. Went ahead and bought it. Have had no problems with it.
Always been a bit of a revolver fan. And love the ruggedness of the GP100. My brother bought one back in the 80’s. Still has it, still works like a champ. I have tried and tried to find one in a 4″ barrel and haven’t had much luck because price vs availability never lined up.
By comparison I find the SP101 to have a lot of the faults listed above.
Love my SW mod 19, and its trigger & handling, but its no where near as tough as the GP. That is always my goto handgun in your “Crossing America” contest.
Have a stainless 4″ barrel GP100. Frankly, don’t shoot it that much; .357 out of it is a little snappy. But It’s reliable as hell, and the trigger is acceptable, and very good running it single action. I take it deer hunting, in case of a target of opportunity within handgun range (for me, with iron sights, about 25 yards).
No, it’s not for sale. Perish the thought. Any gun that works reliably and is reasonably accurate is by definition not for sale. Period.
Hey, Kim
I found a few listings on Gun Broker –
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/951707464
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/953547305
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/953406355
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/954200279
The ones with the Hogue monogrip should shoot beautifully, and if you get a Hogue Tamer, I bet it will be about as soft as a .38. I have shot +p .45 LC in a Super Redhawk and it was easily managed. Shot 4 or so cylinder loads out of it, to warm up for a few .454 rounds. I hope that I have tempted you just a bit…
I bought the 4 inch .357 in blue way back in 1989. I’ve run a LOT of ammo through it too. I like the grips and the trigger. It’s a good looking revolver. It’s been a great gun. I didn’t know they made a seven shot.
I got one last year (after you put the bug in my ear after some correspondence, actually), and being a bit of a tinkerer, I did my own trigger job. No Flitz, no Dremel, just a set of stones and some shims. The shims are a pain in the arse to get in but I figured it out. Wonderful shooter.
I can’t imagine a GP100 trigger job at a smiths would be much though, a pro can do one in half an hour.
JC