Ruger GP-100, Blue ,6" Barrel

[Ben]

I really like my Ruger GP-100 , 6" Blue , 357 Mag. revolver.

While I realize this isn't match winning accuracy, it is ( in my opinion ) credible self defense accuracy.
The more I shoot this revolver, the more I like it !

This is 50 rounds of 38 Specials fired at 15 yards, as fast as I could load, fire, eject and reload.

The load was :

38 Special Brass
3.0 grains of Clays
154 grain , Cramer , Keith Style, SWC
Win. Small pistol primers.
Bullets sized 3575 "
Ben's Red Lube

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/unnamed-2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/unnamed-2.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/009-38.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/haysb/media/009-38.jpg.html)

[Tatume]

That will get the job done!

[GP100man]

Ben , If I shot a target that looked like that it`d have powder burns on it !!!

Good shootin !!!

[Ben]

GP100man

50 rounds fired fast..........didn't take long and it was all over.

I don't know if that target proves much of anything, but it was an exercise in FUN ! !

I'm definitely a BIG GP-100 fan now !

Ben

[Mk42gunner]

I ended up keeping a 4" but I really miss the first 6" GP-100 I had for pure shooting fun.

Robert

[Magana559]

I have one in stainless and all I can say is a 12" plate at 100 yards always dies when I shoot!

Good shooting!

[fecmech]

I bought a 6" blue half lug back in the early 90's. I had thought about a 586 but one wasn't available at the time. The DA on the Ruger is not quite up to the S&W level but with a minor spring change is pretty good and SA is every bit as good. Mine has been shot a lot, maybe 20K+ and is very accurate. With max mag loads of 358429 it will average just under 2"@50 yds, that's average not one magical group. I bought it originally as an HD gun but it shoots too good for that so I put a dot on it. I have never regretted the purchase.

[captaint]

Benl,
You might remember, I have one that looks just like yours, except I don't have the cool front sight. I had mine out once. I shot the 358156's with 12 grs of 2400 and Win primers. My boolits were sized closer to .359. The gun REALLY liked that load. So... I loaded up some more this week and I'm yet to get out and try it again. Lots of fun. Glad I bought the GP100. Mike

[Ben]

A lot of revolver for the money ! !

Ben

[captaint]

The GP100 I got is really fitted & finished better than I expected. And, like you said, Ben, VERY nice for the money. I was actually thinking of getting one in 32 Mag, but I hear that one has been discontinued. Guess I could get one "not new". Bet they will sink nails. Just dreaming. Would be fun, though, wouldn't it ??
Mike

[Petrol & Powder]

The GP100 is an excellent firearm. Some folks just say S&W or nothing, which I feel is their loss. The L-framed Smith's are good guns and plenty strong but the GP is undeniably stronger and a much more advanced design. The early GP's had very heavy mainsprings and trigger return springs, a fact that didn't help their reputation. The current ones have better springs but they are still generally heavier than they need to be.
The trigger on a GP100 can be improved greatly with a spring kit and a little bit of judicious tweaking. The Ruger's shoot very well and they are incredibly durable.
The engineering of the GP100 is outstanding. In my opinion,the S&W L-frames and the GP100 series represented the pinnacle of law enforcement revolver engineering. Unfortunately, both designs were introduced just before the widespread shift to the semi-auto pistol. [1985 for the GP100 and 1980 for the L-frames] The fixed sighted S&W 681 didn't stay in production but the Ruger GP100 and the S&W 686 / 586 did - and civilian shooters reaped the benefits of those excellent designs. If American law enforcement had stayed with the revolver, I suspect the GP100 would have pulled a large share of that market away from S&W.

[c1skout]

That's better shooting than I can manage, at least with the magnum loads I'm always shooting. Mine's an 80's 4" stainless and I put a green Hi-vis sight on. It seems to always come with me when I go to the range, I don't know why I spend less time with my autos as I get older!

[captaint]

c1skout - It's because we get tired of chasing brass - that's why. I should just speak for myself. I know I like just pushing the cases out of the cylinder, instead of playing 52 pickup.HA.... Mike

[Beagle333]

My 6" stainless GP is definitely my #1 gun.

[jonp]

Ben , If I shot a target that looked like that it`d have powder burns on it !!!

Good shootin !!!

I'd have to use a shotgun to get a target that looked like that. Good shooting!

[cbriggs57]

I just got a 3" adjustable sighted 38 special ( new, in box) from my local gunshop. Was seriously considering an SP101, but reviews convinced me the GP was what I was looking for. The caliber doesn't bother me. I can ream it to .357 (the gun is identical to the 357 except for the chamber length, and I'm a competent toolmaker) or settle for 38/44 equivalent loads. This will be my go-anywhere gun. 6", even 4", just seemed a bit bulky. Have any of you handled the Wiley Clapp GP100? It's breathtaking, though still basically a fixed-sight gun. Looking forward to shooting this little gem with a church men's group in a couple of weeks.

[Petrol & Powder]

cbriggs57 - please don't ream the chambers on the 38 only GP100. You are correct that the only difference in that Ruger model is the chamber length but the 38 only GP's are a bit hard to come by and an adjustable slighted one is even rarer. You can load hot 38/44 equivalent loads if you wish or just get another GP100 in .357 mag, but the 38 Special ones are kind of cool, IMHO and I'd hate to see one permanently altered. Of course, it is yours and you can do what you wish.
I totally agree with your view of 3" barreled revolvers. I've owned a bunch and have a few now, including a 3" GP100. A 3" barreled revolver sacrifices a little sight radius and a little velocity when compared to a 4" tube but makes for a very handy carry gun.
Years ago the FBI issued the 3", round butt, S&W model 13. It was one of the few things that huge federal organization got right. :-o That combination of 3" barrel, round butt, fixed sighted .357 mag capable K-frame was a very good compromise of firepower & size.
That 3", 38 Special GP100 is a very versatile, very strong and very capable carry gun.

[JSH]

I have started on a Ruger campaign from fooling with SW. The two GP's I have are way ahead of my smiths as far as what they will eat and results on the targets. I have a 6" 357 and a 3" 38 special adjustable sight gun. I have less than 100 rounds through the 38. Yes it is do for a trigger job but shoots well enough I am going to play the summer bullseye league with it.
The 357 has lord only knows how many rounds through it, I am the second owner buddy and I did a swap. I have shot the 357 in years past as a BE gun. 38's shot in it but with 357 brass groups were even better.
I did fall back in a moment of weakness yesterday and bought a 2" 686. Guy threw a price out there as I was looking at it. Put the gun in my pocket and handed him the $$$. His jaw kinda quivered but he took it. I figure it as trade bait towards another Ruger.
Jeff

[robertbank]

c1skout - It's because we get tired of chasing brass - that's why. I should just speak for myself. I know I like just pushing the cases out of the cylinder, instead of playing 52 pickup.HA.... Mike

You sir are a man after my own heart. There are a bunch of us who now have gone with revolvers. Chasing brass in the winter is for another crowd. I think we have five revolver shooters now in our IDPA club.

I have the 4.2" Stainless with a Hi Viz front FO sight on it. I may spring for a 5" to shoot steel with.

To the OP that is a great group. Congrats.

Take Care

Bob

[cbriggs57]

Hm, didn't know there was some premium of either dollars or interest attached to the .38 3" GP. I'm in no hurry to alter it, Petrol, so I'll shoot it for a while before I decide whether I need a "38 special long" (aka .357). Just trying to find 38/44 equivalent loads with the powders available right now, but that shouldn't be an insurmountable challenge. I'm honestly pretty tickled with this little gem.

[Outer Rondacker]

I think we have five revolver shooters now in our IDPA club.

Bob

My IDPA group in my area wont allow reloads. Does yours???

[Petrol & Powder]

cbriggs57 - PM sent

[Petrol & Powder]

BY THE WAY, Ben......NICE SHOOTING!!

[daniel lawecki]

One of my favorite wheel guns I own. Clays and a 158gr SWC go together my load is near max.