New GP 100

[Bzcraig]

I just bought a GP100 357 stainless that has never been fired and would appreciate any pearls of wisdom ya'll would like to share. This is my first revolver in many years.

[btroj]

Plan on having lots of brass and bullets on hand. You will be shooting it a bunch.

I size to .359 for mine, no problems. I shoot lots of 158 swc over 4 gr of HP38 in 38 cases. Mild and accurate, what isn't to like?

[williamwaco]

I LOVE it.

For 50 years I have been a died in the wool Smith and Wesson fan.

I now have two of the Rugers double action revolvers, a 100 and a 101 and I actually think they are better than the Smiths.

[theperfessor]

I have a 4" stainless steel GP100 and love it. Years ago I had a 4" SS Security Six and loved it too. Rugged as any DA revolver ever made, decent trigger pull, good sights. A little heavier than some but I've never heard of anyone wearing one out.

[rintinglen]

I preferred the Security Six guns--if I ever come across a stainless speed six for sale I'll buy it if I have to sell my pants--but there are no flies on the GP-100. The double action trigger pull is a little harder to reason with than on a comparable S&W, but not so much that it should put you off. They shoot good.

[John Allen]

They are great guns I run mine with a .359 cast bullet and it shoots great.

[Lefty Red]

Repeating what others have already stated, the GP100 is an awesome weapon and will digest anything you put in it. Loved the one I had, thinking of getting another one. Sp101 is also an awseomw weapon as in the LCR, which I own one of each of.

Lefty

[Harry O]

I have a couple: one with a 4" bbl and fixed sights --and one with a 6" bbl and adjustable sights. They are far stronger than a S&W or Colt, but the trigger pull left a lot to be desired. I got a couple of Wolff reduced weight spring kits for them. From memory, there were three different weight mainsprings in the kit. I tried the lightest one in each and had a few failures to fire with them (3 to 5 failures in 100 rounds). I changed them out to the middle weight and have not had a problem since. The trigger pull is still not quite as nice as the S&W's or Colt's, but they are a lot better than they were and more than adequate for self defense. They are solid, no-nonsense guns and cost less than the S&W's and Colt's.

[Bzcraig]

I have never cast for revolver so this should be fun. I want a mousefart load for the wife to shoot so I was thinking about the Lee 105 swc in 38 bras. Anyone have a load for this? And I have a NOE 358 135 RG2 that drops boolits at .360 and is 128 grn as a HP so I plan on using in .357 brass. BTW, I feel like it was a good buy at $450, what you think?

Thanks for the encouragement, good not to hear any detractors.

[jmort]

"I just bought a GP100..."

How cool is that. I'm a revolver guy. You might convert. Single action revolvers are addicting.

[PS Paul]

Bz, on the subject of mousefart loads with the 105 in .38 brass: you know the usual 2.7 to 3.5 gr. Bullseye/231/HP38 and so on..... Suppose it depends on how much brass you've got, but I prefer to use .357 brass in my Security Six (precursor to the GP) so I don't need to scrub that carbon ring in the cylinder that will inevitably build up. If you have lots of .38 spl. brass, by all means use it. Just sayin'.

One of my most favored light load powders is Red Dot. 5.0 gr. under a 158 gr. boolit in .357. Seems to be super-accurate and not too weak.

So, in .38 spl. with the 105 gr. boolit, try 3.5 to 4.0 gr. Red Dot for a light, fun and accurate load (a proved load published in Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook). Your wife will like the low recoil. ESPECIALLY with the heavy GP revolver!!

Hope that helps.
PSP

[Lefty SRH]

I really enjoy my 4" GP100, I'm about to order new leather for it. I used mine in competition for a while and I settled on 2 loads. 1=being Lyman 358311 with 3.6gr of HP-38 in a .38spl case and 2.8gr CLAYS with the same 358311 boolit. Both were quite accurate and low recoil.
I have retired my GP for competition use and have dedicated her to field/hunting use with heavy .357 mag loads. Its been a great gun, I've had it for about 3 years. Its been a couple gunsmiths hands and they have commented they would be proud to own that GP.

[Mk42gunner]

My best advice is to shoot it a lot and clean it once in a while. It will last a long time given even just a bit of care.

Robert

[daniel lawecki]

Mine is 6'' full underlug put some wolf spring in it 158 SWC 3.8 grs of Clays and shoot the living s*** out of it enjoy your new favorite gun.:cbpour:

[GaryN]

I got one too. It is one of my favorite guns. I don't have to worry about heavy loads loosening things up. It is also quite accurate.

[mj2evans]

Hope I am not highjacking thread but I have 3" Willey Clapp GP100 on the way. My 686 6" likes a 158g SWC and 9.5g blue dot but I have read that blue dot might not be soo good in short barrel (muzzle blast and flash). Any thoughts? This is not a max load at all. I have shot a lot of Unique but it meters like **** and smokes more. Trying to come up with a woods/defense load (not a 38 target load in 357 case).

[joesig]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/303418/wolff-shooters-spring-pack-ruger-gp100-reduced-power

[detox]

The 158 gr. Lyman Cowboy boolit will shoot great in this gun. The 158 gr. RCBS Cowboy shoots well also. Match velocity to your alloy. Keep velocity under 1000fps for fun shooting. The Lee loading manual is verygood.

[siamese4570]

I have a 6" gp100 and put a wiegland (?) rail on it an scoped it. scary accurate. this rail uses the dovetail for the front sight and the rear sight screw hole to anchor it. so its no drill/tap installation. just a bit of info for the old guys that can't see anymore (like myself).
siamese4570

[GP100man]

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_0333.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/102_0333.jpg.html)

I`m not Biased , I like all Rugers !!

Good snag , you`ll have a BLAST with it !!

I recommend the 10# trigger & the 12# hammer springs & shim the trigger & hammer for a smoother more consistent
trigger pull

See michiganoutdoors.com for your shim & spring needs .
Tell Lance GP100man sent ya !


http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_1269.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/102_1269.jpg.html)

We need pics!!!! http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/E28I6XCAOI7L3UCAWU62LTCAYY4UJACA616.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/E28I6XCAOI7L3UCAWU62LTCAYY4UJACA616.jpg.html)

[btroj]

Dang man, go shoot those things. Mine is never that clean. Not even after the semi annual scrub down which may be after 1500 rounds.

[detox]

I dislike the GP100 Grips. Does Hogue offer a SOFT FINGER GROOVE grip for the GP100? Like the ones on my 686

[btroj]

I am the opposite. I love the GP grips with the wood insert, I hate finger groove grips. I want the ability to put my fingers where I want them, not where a grip says they should be.

[Lefty SRH]

I dislike the GP100 Grips. Does Hogue offer a SOFT FINGER GROOVE grip for the GP100? Like the ones on my 686

YES, they look almost identical to whats on your 686.

[detox]

YES, they look almost identical to whats on your 686.

Thanks. I need to look them up.

[TCLouis]

Ranch Dog's or Lar45s 180 grain RNFP GC boolit in front of 14.2 grains of 296 will arrive on location with authority!

AND

the Lee GB 160 RNFP with 3.8 of Clays behind it is fun, low recoil and can be loaded up if need be, for social or hunting occasions.

I like the original Ruger grips for the SRH and GP 100, but am happy with the Hogue finger groove grips also. Both are great to me, just different.

I do have t sand the mold casting line off of both, it drives me to distraction.

[Lefty SRH]

I load/shoot something similar, I use a Cast Performance 187gr, and MAN they hit HARD!

[detox]

The 357 is the most logical choice for a good fun gun to shoot and cast for. Anything larger diameter is a big waste of lead. Except maybe the 41 magnum.

[freebullet]

Congrats! I like the Houge on mine very well. I used tye originals till the wood cracked. My favorite bullet is 125gr, you can get them moving real fast. The recoil is light, it makes firing controlled pairs quickly at distance easier.

Couple links useful to a gp 100 owner.
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/handguns/43237-gp-100-five-minute-trigger-job-updated-01-17-10-a.html


http://gunner777.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/ruger-gp100sp101book-of-knowledge/


After using the info in them I didn't need any wolf springs.

83739

83740

I got mine gently used. The dealer dropped it, it crashed through 2 glass shelves. I got purty good Discount because of the scratches. I polished it, not quite done. The holster is going to get a mouth gate yet.

[Harry O]

Hope I am not highjacking thread but I have 3" Willey Clapp GP100 on the way. My 686 6" likes a 158g SWC and 9.5g blue dot but I have read that blue dot might not be soo good in short barrel (muzzle blast and flash). Any thoughts? This is not a max load at all. I have shot a lot of Unique but it meters like **** and smokes more. Trying to come up with a woods/defense load (not a 38 target load in 357 case).

Blue Dot, Red Dot, and Unique meter like **** for me, too. I have been using more and more HS-6 in place of Unique for medium loads. It seems to be just about as accurate and versatile as Unique, but meters MUCH better. I also have transitioned to Bullseye in place of Red Dot for light loads. I have also transitioned from Blue Dot to 2400 heavy loads. Both Bullseye and 2400 meter much better than the powders they replace.

Actually, I only used Red Dot and Blue Dot in the beginning because I got the powder free from my father. I used it after I left home for several years (call it inertia) until I found Bullseye and 2400. The HS-6 change was more recent (about 15 years ago). In fact, I started using it back when it was called WW540.

Those three powders handle about 95% of my handgun shooting.

[Petrol & Powder]

The Rugers are extremely well made. I've heard all the fuss about the triggers being inferior to S&W and I don't buy it. The GP-100 trigger can be made as good, if not better than current S&W L-frames and almost as good as older S&W's. Then there's that internal lock nonsense on current Smith's that you avoid with the Ruger. The cylinder lock-up on the Ruger at the rear of the cylinder AND the crane is far superior to the S&W design. There's nothing weak about a L-frame S&W but the GP-100 is just better IMHO.
Wolfe Springs coupled with shims for the trigger/hammer/DA sear will yield a DA pull that will out-class 95% of S&W trigger jobs. Add a little judicious stoning/polishing work to the appropriate surfaces and the Ruger action really begins to work better than most Smith's.
The steel used by Ruger is very high quality and the debate about cast vs. forged steel just doesn't hold up in the real world. The Rugers are extremely accurate. And finally, the Rugers are just plain TOUGH. Try to wear one out - it's a fun but futile pursuit.
I own and shoot both Ruger and S&W revolvers. The K-frames will always hold a special place in my heart and the Centennial J-frames with their internal hammers are near perfect self-defense tools. But for L-framed sized new revolvers, the GP-100 gets my vote over the S&W 686/681 design. If American Law Enforcement hadn't converted to semi-auto pistols, I believe the GP-100 design would have become a major competitor to the S&W L-frame .357 magnum revolver.

[bhn22]

83770
Kind of like this?


I have a 6" gp100 and put a wiegland (?) rail on it an scoped it. scary accurate. this rail uses the dovetail for the front sight and the rear sight screw hole to anchor it. so its no drill/tap installation. just a bit of info for the old guys that can't see anymore (like myself).
siamese4570

[siamese4570]

yup. except i went the scope route. that's why there's chocolate and vanilla.
siamese4570

[bhn22]

I already had a red dot needing something to do. My goal was to make an all around game gun, suitable for steel challenge, hunter pistol, bowling pins, and hunting.


yup. except i went the scope route. that's why there's chocolate and vanilla.
siamese4570

[dknight297]

We tried to play a joke on my wife the first time she shot one of these and it backfired. Round 1, 38 special 110 grain target loads, round 2, 38 special 125 grain target loads, round 3, 357 magnum 180 grain hunting loads. First pull of the trigger and we were snickering and she looked back and smiled and hit the target 5 more times! Recoil on this did not bother my 110 pound wife and she wont even shoot a 410 because she is afraid of the recoil! I read an article about how women love the GP-100 and it loves them back! LOL

[robertbank]

One common issue with Rugers and the GP-100 in particular seems to be tight cylinder throats. Three of my GP-100 throats would not allow a .355 bullet to pass through them and the other three would not allow a .357 bullet to pass through them. I had them reamed out to .358 and will; soon have the forcing cone angle changed to 11 degrees.

My trigger pull on my GP-100 has been smooth as glass since new. A little heavier than I would prefer but that should improve with lots of use. I tried the reduced spring kit route and ran into the occasional light strike. I use the gun for IDPA shooting so I decided to stay with the stock main spring and used the a lighter trigger return spring which helped a bit.

I had 'smiths and sold them off to my son. Great guns but I simply found the Ruger to fill my needs completely. I wish Ruger would make a 4.2 gun in .45acp to compete with the Smith 625. The current Redhawk is just to big.

Take Care

Bob

[gray wolf]

My GP100 cylinder throats are .3576 and I size to .358 A nice snug push through fit.
I am wondering why some of you men size to .359 ? are your throats a little bigger ? is a barrel groove thing ?

[robertbank]

My GP100 cylinder throats are .3576 and I size to .358 A nice snug push through fit.
I am wondering why some of you men size to .359 ? are your throats a little bigger ? is a barrel groove thing ?

I size to .358 and want my throats the same size or 5/10000th larger. With hobby cutters call it .358/.358

Bob

[freebullet]

.358 here too.

[captaint]

I just got a new GP100 a couple of months ago. It's blue, 6" with the full lug. Love the thing. Trigger is certainly heavy, especially in double action, but I'll get a spring kit and fix that. I was very happy when I was able to fit my .358 minus pin gauge through all 6 throats. Had to do it slowly, patiently, but it politely slipped all the way in. I size to .358+, so that'll work out real well. Very accurate revolver. Mike

[Hammerhead]

Mine is about a year and a half old. Likes .358" best.
The SA trigger had a little creep at first, but that's gone now, very crisp. DA is very smooth. No need for lighter spring in my gun.
I did have a misfire issue at first, turned out to be a burr in the hammer slot. Removed, no more trouble.
I go back and forth between the OEM panel grips and the Hogues, both have their strengths. I think I would pick the Hogues if forced to choose.

[161]

I've had a couple a 6 inch and this one. Just got a new saddle for it today.
102325

[Changeling]

I've had a couple a 6 inch and this one. Just got a new saddle for it today.
102325

Do you mind if I ask, what did you get rid of the other 2 if you like them so much. was there a problem with them?

[161]

I just like guns. I buy sell and trade all the time. The six inch did have a barrel that was indexed just short of straight.

[robertbank]

Bubba check your cartridges for high primers.

Bob

[catboat]

I bought a used 4" barrel stainless GP100 10-12 years ago. I shot commercial cast 172 SWC plain base bullets in it (lyman 358429 style). Several different powder combinations yielded 25 yard groups in the 4-5 inch size. I was dissappointed in it. I measured my throats. They ran tight ane variable at: .355", .356", , .357+" Groups had similar patterns of 3 shots in one cluster, and 2 shots in another.

Sent the cylinder to the cylindersmith for throat reaming to .358". Loaded up the same loads/bullet and got nice round 1.5" groups at 25 yards. BIG difference in accuracy. I don't think he does .358" throats anymore. Not sure who does. I'd recommend measuring your cylinder throats.

Bore is about .357", and the barrel is a bit tight where it is threaded into the frame. I may try to firelap it this summer.

I like the revolver a great deal. I removed the front sight blade and filed / stoned the sides to thin it down a bit. It gave more "spacing" in the rear sight (yes, I could've opened up the rear sight notch, but I like a bit thinner front sight. Worked well.

It has never seen a jacketed bullet (in my ownership). The trigger group was polished, and sear /hammer stoned a bit for a crisp 2.5 lb-ish single action release. It's a stout, heavy pug of a pistol. I like it. Fits my hand well.

148 grain flat base cast bullets shoot great in it, as well as my NOE 145 grain-360" swc mold. Don't tell anyone, but I shoot mostly mid-range 38 special loads in it now. I used the 148 grain flat base wadcutters (Lee 358148 tumble lube mold) over 3.5 grains of Bullseye in a couple matches of our club's winter centerfire league, and did will with it. Not as accurate as my S&W K38 / Model 14 38 special, but pretty good. I didn't embarass myself using it. Fun shooting.

Good pistol. Shoot it and enjoy it.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_0333.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/102_0333.jpg.html)

I`m not Biased , I like all Rugers !!

Good snag , you`ll have a BLAST with it !!

I recommend the 10# trigger & the 12# hammer springs & shim the trigger & hammer for a smoother more consistent
trigger pull

See michiganoutdoors.com for your shim & spring needs .
Tell Lance GP100man sent ya !


http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/102_1269.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/102_1269.jpg.html)

We need pics!!!! http://i746.photobucket.com/albums/xx110/GP100man/E28I6XCAOI7L3UCAWU62LTCAYY4UJACA616.jpg (http://s746.photobucket.com/user/GP100man/media/E28I6XCAOI7L3UCAWU62LTCAYY4UJACA616.jpg.html)


I went looking for the link you posted, and couldn't find anything for the life of me....

Then started looking up other things/ways, and found this.http://triggershims.com/ruger_double_action.html ..I'm assuming you meant this place, as it has the shims, springs, and name that you were talking about.