Any reason I shouldn't get a new GP100 6"

Status
Not open for further replies.

Runningman

Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
1,230
Location
Northwest
Was looking around the local fun store today. He had a new Ruger GP100 6" barrel blue in stock. Thinking about it. Are the newer Ruger GP100 still as good as the older ones were quality wise? Any MIM parts or dumb locks I should know about?
 
I like the look of the old grips much, MUCH better, the new grips look like a pile of .... well, something to me.
They seem to be nearly unbreakable, you can buy a used one with confidence, these revolvers will still be tight and accurate after 10-20 years of regular shooting.

If money is an issue and you don't mind it not being completely clean as if new, get a used one, it will not disappoint you. just check it functions like it should before you buy it and your good to go.

Louis
 
Newer ones tend to have smoother triggers from the factory. I said smoother, not lighter; they are still heavy. Regardless, one should cherry-pick a GP100, old or new, for action smoothness.
 
There is really no reason not to unless you got a thing for stainless. If you want the old grips, just buy a pair from Ruger. I prefer the look and feel of them. As for old vs new with one being smoother or not, I bought mine which was made in 1989 last year and it is smooth as butter. I would cherry pick as stated above.
 
There is absolutely NO REASON WHATSOEVER to not get a new handgun. When you die and get to the gates of heaven St. Peter will hold you accountable for every gun you wanted and did not buy! You just flat DO NOT want to go to hell for failing to purchase a gun you want. And that's the final word on the matter.
 
Runningman said:
He had a new Ruger GP100 6" barrel blue in stock. Thinking about it. Are the newer Ruger GP100 still as good as the older ones were quality wise? Any MIM parts or dumb locks I should know about?
No, the MIM parts are fine and the locks are only a moral issue. And they're only on the S&Ws.

I'd wait for a stainless 4-incher or, better, try to find a really good used Security-Six.

In my opinion, the 6-incher .357s these days are way too heavy. And the advantages of stainless are considerable. Ruger tends to dump unpopular models all over the place and blued GP-100s with 6-inch barrels are about the only ones I can consistently get at local gun stores.

The 4-inchers have better balance and the 6-inchers are too difficult to pick up and stay on moving targets. If you're hunting or shooting targets, fine, but for outdoor use those long underlug barrels take a toll. I have a 6-inch 686 that is one of the finest guns I own, but I wouldn't take it outdoors or camping. I would my 6-inch Security-Six, though.

It's a matter of personal taste, but some Smiths have tapered barrels, and I'd go with one of those over a Ruger GP-100.


RugerSecurity-SixTrio_7.gif
 
Personally I think the 6 inch is a super smooth shooting gun. 38s out of it are like pop-caps. It feels good and stays on target for me. The 4 inch does balance better and is more maneuverable, but I mostly use my GP 100 for target shooting so the 6 inch was the way to go.

I have been wanting a 4 inch 357 revolver for a while now as a backup home or camp gun, and I recently came across an old 686 so I will be picking one of those up, otherwise I would have went for another GP 100. The GP 100 comes in a stainless 3inch version. Might have to pick up one of those as well.
 
I have a nearly new GP-100 4" stainless and a GP-100 6" stainless that I purchased used in 1993. They both have the adjustable sights. Other than the grips (and obviously barrel length) I cannot find a difference. I will attest that they are about the most solidly built, quality firearms you will find and you cannot go wrong with them.

The GP-100 is a bit on the heavy side but I have carried mine all day long boar hunting. One or the other can often be found as the truck gun on a long road trip.

While I have nothing but good to say about the Ruger revolvers I would have to give the smoothness of action to my Smith and Wesson 357's (19 and 66).
 
I bought a GP100 6in heavy when they first came out and loved it. I wanted the 4in but they didn't have any and I had a major itch to scratch so the 6in came home with me. I now no longer have it but did find a 4in GP100 heavy last month and snapped it up. I had forgotten how tank like these fine handguns are built and would not at all pass on a new 6in should it come up for a good price. I have never had anything but fun and trouble free shooting with a GP100 and actually don't know anyone who has been different.

l_ce7b79b2949940fab820c73e0e5ae865.png
 
only reason I wouldnt buy a new one would be the used on sitting next to it... I want one of these something fierce... I currently have a smith 64 (that I have since had blued...) a Smith 686-1, and a Taurus 608.... I need another 357/38 revolver like a hole in the head but I will be getting a GP in the not too distant future! I will go with stainless... not sure of the barrel length.. I Like the looks of the 4inch.
 
Aside from the billboard, the fact that they're really heavy, and the fact that their triggers are often sub-par and kinda gritty, no.
 
I love my GP100. It's a great gun! You won't go amiss with any model, but I prefer a SS version so it doesn't show scratches as much.
 
It's a nearly perfect double action revolver that is also affordable. It is not a carry gun, at least not in that size. However, for HD or the range, it is wonderful.

I saw no need to mess with the trigger, but if you like a silky smooth and light pull, you'll need to send it to a smith or do the job yourself. Notice, I didn't say "buy a Smith."
 
While we're all posting pics...
 

Attachments

  • DSCN1801.jpg
    DSCN1801.jpg
    282.6 KB · Views: 16
  • DSCN1799.jpg
    DSCN1799.jpg
    252 KB · Views: 13
I'd love to get my hands on a SS GP100 6" with the Hogue grips...it's a ways down on my wish list though.
 
Any reason I shouldn't get a new GP100 6"

Only reason I can think of is that you'll pay more money for a new one, versus used.

Just use the revolver checkout procedure if buying used. Rugers may be durable, but interestingly I find about the same, if slightly greater percentage of shot-to-heck Rugers than S&Ws in my area. Maybe it has something to do with that invincible Ruger mystique that encourages more folks to shoot max pressure+ dynamite loads out of them.
 
After waiting 6 weeks for my order - 3 inch stainless GP100, it came last week. Today took to the range for the first time. Excellent all the way around. Fired 75 rounds of Remington 125 grain JHPs, 50 rounds of Blazer 158 grain HPs and 50 rounds of 135 grain 38 special. Used the big Hogue grips that it came with and recoil was VERY manageble even with the 125s. I have always wanted a GP 100 and I am well pleased. This will be my new outdoor - camping, hiking gun as well as my HD nightstand occupant. My dailey carry piece is its little brother, an 2 1/4 SP101. Like others have said, you cant go wrong with these tanks!
 
I can think of several reasons not to buy one.

The main reason is that there are some hard to find guns that are of higher priority than a gun that is still being made.

There is no rush on this one
 
I bought the 4" and wish I had bought the 6".......But I'm still VERY happy with it, GREAT gun....might have to buy the 6" too!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top