Thinking on a Ruger GP100 in .22LR

[sequins]

Hello gentlemen,

I'm strongly considering buying a couple of Ruger .22LR firearms, chief amongst them the Ruger GP100 chambered in .22LR. I would love to run my thoughts past you all.

I would intend to shoot it mainly single action, and my attraction to it is the star extractor and 10 round capacity. That star extractor seems like a big advantage over the Single Ten, and the capacity combined with the star extractor would seem to blow the Single Six out of the water even with the .22 Magnum cylinder versatility (Which I doubt I'd shoot).

Now, I know that the .22LR triggers are traditionally pretty stout, but if I mostly plan to shoot single action is that even a concern? Also, could anyone attest to the quality of the trigger for the .22LR GP100 in single action? If it's a sweet single action trigger I think I'm going to be in love with this revolver but I'd appreciate the thoughts of the community before I buy.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Buy it.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

I would feel the size and massiveness don't match the cartridge.

 

[MedWheeler]

I selected "something else", but what I would buy is also a Ruger product.

When I was shopping for a DA/SA .22LR revolver, I shopped the Taurus line (I'd had a 94 ages ago, but let my ex keep it when we divorced.)

I found the Tracker, though less expensive, far too heavy for the cartridge. A new stainless 94, though, felt much better, and that's what I ended up with.

Still, I'd like a Ruger SP-101 in .22LR even better.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I did shoot my son's .357 GP100 for a few years but I haven't shot the current production .22 GP100. For what it's worth a few thoughts:

Since the course of fire in bullseye matches is ten rounds per target, a ten round target grade .22 revolver makes perfect sense to me.

If I acquired a .22 revolver as an understudy to my Ruger Security-Six, I would want a six rounder, just because training.

General woods walking, hunting sidearm, leisurely plinking sessions, .22 Ruger Single Six, old Bearcat and New Bearcat have looked very tempting to me also.

 

[Master Blaster]

Look at the SP101 as well it may balance better for general shooting and plinking and is smaller and lighter.

 

[Tallball]

I would buy it. I am a big guy with big hands. In general, the larger the handgun is, the better I shoot it. My shooting buddy has a GP100 in 357 and the trigger is very good. I happen to own a Tracker 22 and like it very much due to its size and weight.

 

[NormH3]

Look at the SP101 as well it may balance better for general shooting and plinking and is smaller and lighter.

It only holds 8 rounds though. Not sure he is willing to give up the extra 2.

 

[Old Fuff]

The GP100 is an excellent .357 Magnum, but extraordinary heavy as a .22 LR. As a hand ejector/star extractor revolver it's faster and easier to load and unload then a Single Six single-action, but for informal range shooting I'm not sure this matters. If you are thinking in terms of formal Bullseye target shooting I'd suggest you go to a tournament or match and see what other competitors are using. You'll find that any revolver is a rare bird.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

S&W model 18, 17, or 617 with a 4" barrel.

 

[bannockburn]

460Kodiak

S&W model 18, 17, or 617 with a 4" barrel.

Maybe add a Model 34 with a 4" barrel to your list and I think you would have all your bases nicely covered.

 

[Paladin7]

A GP100 in 22 lr is ...well, IMHO silly. Seriously, it's a very good revolver but more weight than you need in a 22 lr given the fact that it can only shoot 22 lr in it. Currently, you may be punching targets with it, but eventually, you may want to lug it around in the field and hunt with it. That should be a consideration, unless you are sure you will never do this.

Personally, I have a Ruger Super Single Six in 22lr / 22 magnum and it is a whole lot more versatile than a 22 lr GP 100.

First off, with the Single Six you can use both 22 lr and 22 magnum. With the 22 magnum, it's like having a 22 rifle on your hip in the field. Your range is greatly extended when hunting varmints, etc. when you do your part.

Loading and unloading is slower, but who cares. I find it relaxing and fun. YMMV.

You can get a Single Ten. So, having 10 rounds on tap is equal with either platforms.

Barrel length on the Single Six/Ten goes to 6.5" which is great in the field. I have the 5.5" which is a good combination of sight radius and portability.

As to holsters, I have a Tom Threeperson's Rig from El Paso Saddlery which carries the gun effortlessly in the field.

Suggest you handle both and make a choice. Bottom line, you won't go wrong either way.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

460Kodiak



Maybe add a Model 34 with a 4" barrel to your list and I think you would have all your bases nicely covered.

Yep, a 34 is a good alternative to the GP as well.

 

[herkyguy]

I didn't get my hands on it, but i did see one recently at a gun shop. It's large gun, but looks pretty doggone good to me. Like any Ruger, put a few thousand round through it then start judging the trigger.

There are also some real nice 4" barrel SP101s floating around in .22 if you want a smaller frame.

 

[bearman49709]

S&w 6" 617.

 

[sequins]

Thanks for all the input you guys!

Let me further explain myself here... I think the main use for this gun would be light range duty and specifically for use with new shooters. I recently took a good friend of mine and his girlfriend (never shot before) to the range and even my GP100 in .38spl was a little bit scary and hard to handle for her, and that .38spl is the lightest caliber I own. One other thing I like about having such a big, massive, over-sized / over-weighted gun is that most people think bigger gun = badder gun, but in reality larger guns in undersized cartridges tend to feel like you're firing "mousefart" loads. I think showing a new shooter what size really means with a gun will be helpful, and .22lr in a GP100 should be hard to even tell it went off in terms of comfort shooting.

If I were ever going to be hunting in the field with a .22lr I'd probably be using a 10/22 rather than a handgun, but I guess never say never so that's a potentially valid consideration. I think for hunting I would definitely prefer a single six or single ten, but I've got a Super Blackhawk and I really wouldn't relish trying to work an extractor rod on tiny little .22lr cylinder holes- that's where the star extractor is really appealing to me with the GP100. Is the unloading process perhaps not as tedious as I'm expecting or is it going to be just as bad as I think it will be? I think the classic beauty of a "cowboy gun" and the simple pleasure of a single action operation might be great for new shooters as well but I really, really don't want to tell someone after they're done with a cylinder to essentially thread a needle six times to unload the thing... I bet I'd get tired of that after a couple of cylinders. Whereas on my .44 that process is pure pleasure, of course.

Overall for my purpose I'm liking the GP100 more and more as I re-read this thread and think on it more. Most concerns seemed to be centered around other POU's than light range duty and training new shooters in the basic joys of firearms.

I'm gonna continue to monitor this thread and if my mind is still made up on Friday I'm gonna take one home, but please save me from myself if that's a mistake even with my further thought out POU.

 

[pezo]

.22 gp100 is not silly. If the gun fits good in your hand get it. The gp100 is a solid gun. I have two .357's. In .22lr I'd be partial to the single ten. I'm liking my mid bore defensive guns da and my small bore or large bore rec guns sa. Either way you can't go wrong with the gp. Those ten holes may lighten things up. Isnt it a six incher barrel? Should be a great piece. The quality will be there.

 

[weblance]

It always amazes me when people say a revolver like the GP100 is too big for a 22. I guess they have never seen a S$W 17, 18, or 617. I have a 4" 617, and its the exact size as my 4" GP100-357. If you have the money, and the gun is available, buy it. A large, heavy 22 revolver is a joy to own.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

Tallball makes a great point about hand size

 

[Sav .250]

Possibly buying by "committee " never a good idea. J s/n.

 

[I6turbo]

Possibly buying by "committee " never a good idea. J s/n.

^^ Agree. And to further complicate, this committee member instead recommends the buy something else option, specifically a Smith & Wesson K frame (K-22, 17, 18, or 617).

 

[Legionnaire]

Let me further explain myself here... I think the main use for this gun would be light range duty and specifically for use with new shooters. I recently took a good friend of mine and his girlfriend (never shot before) to the range and even my GP100 in .38spl was a little bit scary and hard to handle for her, and that .38spl is the lightest caliber I own. One other thing I like about having such a big, massive, over-sized / over-weighted gun is that most people think bigger gun = badder gun, but in reality larger guns in undersized cartridges tend to feel like you're firing "mousefart" loads. I think showing a new shooter what size really means with a gun will be helpful, and .22lr in a GP100 should be hard to even tell it went off in terms of comfort shooting.

Given your purpose, consider this. For far less than the cost of a new GP100 in .22, you could set yourself up to reload .357 cases across a full power range from heavy magnum hunting loads to true "mousefart" loads with significantly less recoil than a .38 special. I like to use a GP100 to introduce new shooters, too. And I start with cast lead over Trail Boss.

 

[bearman49709]

It always amazes me when people say a revolver like the GP100 is too big for a 22. I guess they have never seen a S$W 17, 18, or 617. I have a 4" 617, and its the exact size as my 4" GP100-357. If you have the money, and the gun is available, buy it. A large, heavy 22 revolver is a joy to own.

You might want to compare them side by side. The K frame is the size of the six series Rugers, smaller than the GP 100.

 

[Plastikosmd]

SA only, I would go with a 252 or 93, 22lr from FA. Double, different story

 

[22-rimfire]

In single action, the GP100 in 22LR is very good. The trigger is a bit stiff in double action, but honestly I shoot most of my 22 revolvers single action unless I am just blowing ammo away plinking.

The S&W M617 is a better revolver in my opinion. But it is a lot more expensive too. I don't have a M617 but have several M17's and a M18. Great 22 revolvers.

The Single Ten is a nice single action. But I personally mostly plink with 22's anyway and loading the little 22 shells one by one into each cylinder is slow and ejecting is slow as well. This is why I haven't purchased either a Single Six of Single Ten. Have a couple Colt SA 22's however. Seldom if ever shoot them since I have double actions.