Is the Ruger GP100 the Greatest Double Action Revolver Ever Made?

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One of the selling features of the Ruger revolvers was that the frame wasn't cut in half, to install the lockwork, like the S&W revolvers, making it extremely strong.
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You have to hollow the frame someplace to house the lockwork. S&W frames are not 'cut in half'. They do have a cavity milled into the frame that houses the lockwork. You have to have a cavity someplace if you are not going to hang the parts on the outside of the gun. Ruger frames have a cavity too, it harkens back to the type of frame that Colt single action revolvers used where the parts dropped out after the three screws were removed. The cavity is a big slot in the middle of the frame. I suppose it could be argued that this style of frame is stronger than the Smith style of frame, with the a separate side cover plate. But this overlooks the other very obvious reasons for the style of frame that Rugers use.

1. It allows the entire trigger assembly to drop out of the gun as a sub assembly, and

2. IT IS CHEAPER TO MAKE!!!

Bill Ruger and his designers were geniuses at driving the cost out of their products. That's why they went to Investment Casting while everybody else was still using machined forgings. That's why they went to coil springs and spring plungers while everybody else was still using leaf springs.

And it is far less expensive to build the style of frame that Ruger uses than it is to produce the precisely fitted side cover that Smith still uses. Take a look sometime at how exactly fitted the side plate is on an old Smith or Colt sometime. That costs money.
 
With all due respect, a GP100 is not even in the same league as a S&W Registered Magnum or Python and also trails the 19, 586, 27, 686, Dan Wesson & King Cobra.

I chuckle at the notion that they are so strong. With all the extra metal and bulk it should be stronger. I'm a big fan of Ruger single action revolvers but for double action there are better choices.
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"With all due respect" usually introduces a lack of respect. When it comes to "extra metal in the GP" you should check the comparative weights of head to head guns. It might surprise you like it did me.
 
Definitely in the top ten . Everyone has a favorite and Rugers are one of the best in the world .. I like a Colt I own a Ruger sp101 Would I choose the
ruger as my favorite Well no but I will carry it with pride . But if We are going shooting I will take the Mk V trooper .. showing off Anaconda . EDC Taurus 44 special . or the SP101 ..
 
I honestly think the GP-100 is a compromise revolver. If you want a good CCW revolver in those calibers, you'll get a LCR or SP101 (or something along those lines from another manufacturer). It's not the biggest .357 revolver out there. If you REALLY want CCW, you'll go for something like a NAA mini, and if you really want big bore there are bigger-bore revolvers.

I will say that if I were to go out and buy a revolver right now, Rugers would be on top of my list, but the Chiappa Rhino certainly is interesting.
 
I have two GP100s as well as an SP101, two KLCRs, two Blackhawks, a Redhawk and a Super Redhawk so clearly I like Ruger revolvers. I also have a Colt Python and S&W 629 and no, the GP100 is not the best double action revolver ever made but it doesn't have to be. It's good for what it is ... an affordable, reasonably well made, reliable, accurate and rugged revolver.
 
Poor guy! I knew when he opened the thread with "Greatest Double Action Revolver EVER Made?" the die was cast and the gauntlet laid down!! LOL! :evil:BUT to be fair, I owned a 6" GP100 and I really liked it. It was rough action though. 5,000 rds later it was pretty smooth. Tough and accurate. I really like how easy it was to field strip. But greatest DA revolver? There are the Pythons and old Smith and Wessons (Registered Magnums anyone?) and Korths. Ive never even SEEN one of those! :D The GP100 is a workhorse, a tough field gun, the AK of the revolver world. I also regret trading it for another gun. Oh well. Get another one. Other than it worked, the thing I like most was how easy it came apart for cleaning and inspection. :D As you have seen, there are alot of opinions on THAT subject LOL!
 
For me it is.

Accurate, reliable, and easy to operate, as other top of the line revolvers.

And, tougher than all of them.

May be with an exception of some extra expensive and hard to fine one like Manurhin, but I still don't see what they can do significantly better.

But, keep in mind, this standard is in regards to using it as a fighting revolver that sends full power 357 down range on a regular basis for training.
 
I honestly think the GP-100 is a compromise revolver. If you want a good CCW revolver in those calibers, you'll get a LCR or SP101 (or something along those lines from another manufacturer). It's not the biggest .357 revolver out there. If you REALLY want CCW, you'll go for something like a NAA mini, and if you really want big bore there are bigger-bore revolvers.
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Do not think what suits your CCW needs suits others.

I carry a full size pistol on a daily basis in a major metropolitan area.

For revolvers, I want 357 Magnum, and I do not want to shoot it out of a gun ligher than my 3 inch barrel GP100, and NAA mini is not something that I'd even consider carrying.
 
"as other top of the line"


You are kidding, right?

They are functional and are well manufactured for their price point, but are not "top of the line" by any means of the imagination.


Willie

.
 
"as other top of the line"


You are kidding, right?

They are functional and are well manufactured for their price point, but are not "top of the line" by any means of the imagination.


Willie
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It depends on the purpose. I am not one of those who buys guns to admire the look going "Oooo ahhh... the fit, the lines."

I am strictly speaking in terms of use as a fighting gun.

So, in that sence why would GP100 not be a top of the line?
 
Change the "greatest EVER made" to "greatest CURRENTLY made".......

Would that change the answers of those citing guns that stopped being made 50-75 years ago?
 
"why would GP100 not be a top of the line?"


Seiko to Rolex

Bronica to Hassleblad

Beretta to Holland & Holland

Mazda Miata to Porsche 911

Bayliner to Boston Whaler

Cessna Citation to Falcon 900

See a trend?


Now:

Fill in the blank:

Ruger to _________


See? It's easy. They are second line econo-revolvers, built as cheaply as possible, using investment castings, and mass-marketed to folks who need to be reminded to "Read instruction manual before use, available free by writing Sturm Ruger, Southport CT" and so marked. <gag> ;)



Ruger will always be one step below "top of the line", and all the internet babble in the world won't change it.

(save for the Old Army in modern Cap & Ball revolvers. Pity that they are discontinued).



They are great values, but are not the best by any means.



Willie

(A Rolex wearin', Hassleblad shootin', Porsche drivin', Boston Whaler boatin', Falcon-Jet flyin', old Colt Python-man with just one H&H shotgun in the safe, who happens to earn his living as a real test pilot, notwithstandin' others internet names.......). ;)
 
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Seiko to Rolex

Bronica to Hassleblad

Beretta to Holland & Holland

Mazda Miata to Porsche 911

Bayliner to Boston Whaler

Cessna Citation to Falcon 900

See a trend?

.
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Yes, I see a trend of faulty analogy.

According to your line of reasoning, you would be telling special forces presonnel why their M870 would be inferior to your Holland & Holland. Your Holland & Holland would be "top of the line" for YOU do admire, but it is worthless to me as a fighting shotgun.

I had made it very clear, that my judgment standard is that of a fighting gun. It's the same reason as why Glock would be a top of the line pistol, even when it is not as accurate as a bull's eye pistol, or look gorgeous as some exotic pistols.

Give me an example of your "top of the line" revolver, and I will further explain why your analogy is faulty.

You're the kind of guy who'd argue to soldiers why their G-Shock is not a top of the line watch compared to your Rolex when for the purpose of a watch G-Shock is better in every aspect, if the standard of "top of the line" is based on keeping time and surviving abuse. I don't own a Rolex. And, the reason is not beause I cannot afford one, but that I do not have any particular desire to own one. The G-Shock on my wrist is by choice.
 
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It's comparing excellence in a pleasing combination of aesthetic and technical excellence v/s technically good and functional manufacture, but without a soul....

If you need it explained further, enjoy your Seiko, and your Ruger, and your Mazda, and be happy. It's a less expensive way to be satisfied, and that makes life good for many.


There are others who appreciate finer things. Unfortunately, luxury once tasted becomes necessity, and it's a more expensive place to be. Sadly for my checkbook I'm not a Ruger fan (save for that Old Army).


The fact that folks need to spend time convincing others that Rugers are "great" means that they are not. If they were, they would not need explainin'...


"Change the "greatest EVER made" to "greatest CURRENTLY made"

And they would rate someplace above Taurus and Charter Arms and someplace below S&W and Korth.



Smile,


Willie

.
 
I think that this thread was started for fun, so can I play?:D I have several Smith & Wesson double action revolvers, and have owned a GP100 revolver off & on for over 20 years, and my current one is a stainless 5" bbl model. I will not argue that the GP100 is the "best" revolver, but it sure is a good one. Previous posters have pretty well documented it's strengths. I will never be without one. I traded a very nice used blued steel Colt MKIII Trooper even up for my current GP100, which was NIB, and was very happy to do so. I like them a lot!:)
 
May as well throw in a good word for Dan Wesson revolvers, in my experience they are (were) at least as good as Ruger's GP100, plus you can fiddle with different barrels for fun.
 
The GP100 is excellent, but like many Rugers it's a little soulless for whatever reason.

I tend to agree with W.E.G. that the K-frame S&W revolvers pretty much set the standard and are still tough to beat.
 
I was just looking at a blued Wiley Clapp GP100 this afternoon before I saw this thread. I'm not silly enough to declare any revolver the "the best DA revolver ever made," but that Wiley Clapp was darn sure making a convincing case for itself! It was tough to swallow the extra $200 in price though.
 
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And, tougher than all of them.
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The Redhawk 357 and the Colt MkV's have the GP beat in the "tougher/stronger" department.... and the Colt does it with a MUCH nicer fit finish, better steel and good looks. ;)
 
Bill Ruger replaced the Security/Service/Speed-Six line with the GP line because the GP was cheaper to build, not because it was better.
Give me a Six series Ruger (or a pre-lock S&W or a Colt) any day over a GP.
That said, a GP probably is the best currently produced .357 revolver. It is a good service worthy revolver at a reasonable price. But nothing more.
 
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