Ruger GP-100 Talo question

[stonebuster]

I was looking on Lipsey's at GP-100's and was wondering exactly what you get with a Talo edition vs. stock GP. The most obvious differences are the 7 shot vs. 6, the wood insert grips and fiber optic sights on the model 1772 4.2" blued version. Are the internals exactly the same as stock GPs? The price difference of the Talo is about $275 more than stock version. You can get the fiber optics and grips for a total of $75-80 so I guess if there aren't any other differences you're paying $200 for an extra shot?

 

[CraigC]

TALO is just a co-op of several distributors (Lipsey's and Davidson's are members) that are able to special order guns from manufacturers because they're able to meet minimum quantities for doing so. Other than the configuration, grips or finish, there's not going to be any difference. The guns are built by Ruger, like any other. So if there is a premium, it's because the configuration is unavailable from any other source. Unless Ruger decides to make it a standard catalog item, which has happened before.

 

[Damon555]

Craig is right. I've had to make similar choices before and chose the slightly more expensive distributor exclusives. The subtle changes that were made to the factory offerings were worth the extra money to me.

 

[Riomouse911]

Texas Arkansas LOuisinana if I'm not mistaken.
They're A group order conglomerate that has the buying power to special order large lots of stuff from manufacturers.

 

[John Joyce]

I believe the O is Oklahoma.

 

[Jonesy814]

Some of the TALO guns seem to be unique enough to warrant the extra cost but many of them appear to be a stock gun with a set of Altamont wood grips on it instead of rubber grips. At least that's what I have noticed with some of the S&W exclusive models. 20 or 30 years ago many distributor exclusives seemed to be much more customized with a different finish, grips and maybe even sights or barrel length than was commonly available

 

[stonebuster]

Thanks for the info. I knew they were distributor exclusives not sold by Ruger but didn't realize Talo was a group of distributors. JJoyce, you're correct Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. I bought a Davidson's exclusive 5" GP-100 357 I was happy with paying a little more for since the full lug 6" GP was too muzzle heavy for my liking. I don't remember it being advertised as "Talo" though.

 

[bannockburn]

stonebuster

Many years I picked up a limited edition Ruger Mk.II that had been special ordered from a distributor. The matching revolver was a Single Six Bisley in .22LR that had a polished stainless grip frame with a blued frame and barrel. Couldn't afford both at the time (they were priced the same), so I went with the MK.II as I really wanted a .22LR for target shooting. But that Bisley was certainly a looker!



When the Ruger Blackhawk Flattop in .44 Special first came out I think it might have been a distributor's exclusive offering, but I couldn't say that for sure. All I know was that I had to have one and I'm glad I got it when I did!

 

[stonebuster]

stonebuster

Many years I picked up a limited edition Ruger Mk.II that had been special ordered from a distributor. The matching revolver was a Single Six Bisley in .22LR that had a polished stainless grip frame with a blued frame and barrel. Couldn't afford both at the time (they were priced the same), so I went with the MK.II as I really wanted a .22LR for target shooting. But that Bisley was certainly a looker!

View attachment 780929

When the Ruger Blackhawk Flattop in .44 Special first came out I think it might have been a distributor's exclusive offering, but I couldn't say that for sure. All I know was that I had to have one and I'm glad I got it when I did!

View attachment 780930

Both very nice looking guns especially that Blackhawk which is a beautiful revolver. I'm partial to blued revolvers and if I keep looking at that one too long I'll want one, so I'm leaving now.

 

[bannockburn]

stonebuster

I'm partial to blued revolvers and if I keep looking at that one too long I'll want one, so I'm leaving now.

I know what you mean; I have typically preferred a blued finish (color case hardened frames are nice too), to the same gun (especially a single action revolver), in stainless steel.