Which is best, old or new GP100?

[minutemen1776]

I've been looking at GP100 revolvers lately. Is there a "best" time period for these? These have been made since 1980s, and getting an older one that's barely used isn't that hard. Are the older ones or the newer ones the better option? Just wondering if there's much difference in fit/finish, accuracy, trigger feel, etc. as time has gone by. Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

In my view Ruger revolvers (and especially the GP100) have always been good. I would go used if I could examine and hand-select, simply because a previous owner might have used it enough to burnish the internal parts. I think any way you go you're going to be happy.

 

[Plan2Live]

My preference would be a used one without the full length underlug purchased through a private sale without the aid of Big Brother.

 

[Deaf Smith]

My preference would be a used one without the full length underlug purchased through a private sale without the aid of Big Brother.

Yes and I can say the huge underlug is a drag.

Makes a heavy gun heavier for no reason.

Hence my two fixed sighted GP100s, my 'Canadians', a 3 and a 4 incher, are 1/2 lugged.

Deaf

 

[Schwing]

My preference would be a used one without the full length underlug

When I bought mine, I was exactly the opposite. I like to shoot heavy loads and like the extra weight.

I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[roaddog28]

For me if I was looking for a GP100 I try to find the one with the best double action trigger. I have seen older GP100s with horrible triggers and newer ones with good triggers. I hate to stir the pot but I would look for a Ruger Security Six. Most the time they will have the better double action trigger.
Good luck

 

[GeoJammy]

I just put a 4-inch stainless GP-100 on layaway at LGS yesterday. I spent quite a bit of time checking it out. To me - it's noticeably better finished than others I have seen in the last few years (it's also very noticeably more expensive - $629!). I could not fault the finish anywhere - in contrast to a (recent) new SP-101 which needed lots of steel-wool Flitzing on the trigger guard. Lock up was very tight, carry-up was (as always with GP-100's) strong and the B/C gap was very tight. I'll take a light with me and check the cylinder/barrel alignment - but the recent SP-101 was spot-on when I checked it. My only complaint, besides the price, is the ugly Hogue-looking grips which I don't care for. It looks like Badger will get 80 bucks or so from me next year when I get out of the doghouse for spending this much on a revolver. Getting back to the finish - and most people probably don't care about this - but it looks like mine was polished by someone who understands that the "grain" of the stainless needs to be consistent all the way around the cylinder.

 

[tomrkba]

Mine is a new model. I like the full underlug. The trigger that came with it is excellent.

 

[LocoGringo]

Don't really know what constitutes "old" and "new", but my stainless '93 looks brand new. The original owner didn't shoot it much. I haven't compared it to a more recent model, but I have no complaints about it at all. I've changed the front sight to a red fiber optic, but that's the only change I've made. Originally bought the gun for $450, so I'd say I did alright.

 

[357 Terms]

I have a blue 4in with the full underlug from 1986 (first year) and I have a stainless 3in from 2012.

Both are well built, accurate, and balance well for me.

The triggers are very similiar, the 4in is a bit slicker, probably from having been used much more, but not drastically different at all.

I did change out the grips on the 3in from the Hogue to the old compacts, much better, for me at least.

I would recommend the gp100 in any configuration, or era, great 357's.

 

[ku4hx]

I bought my GP100 (Stainless 4" full lug) shortly after they were introduced in 1985. It had a fairly decent trigger, but I stoned the surfaces and installed a set of Wolff springs. Many thousands of rounds later it's still one of the smoothest, most comfortable and most accurate double action revolvers I own. My wife liked it so much she bought one in 2013.

Her gun reminds me of mine when I first got it: decent trigger but could use a little work. I've done that and installed a set of Wolff springs. All it needs now is the many thousands of rounds part.

Looking at the two guns and shooting them side by side, I see and feel no significant differences. Her newer model is a fine shooter and performs as expected with all my full power 357 loads as well as 38 loads. Mine came with the wood insert rubber grips; her came with full rubber grips.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Unlike some guns, the GP100 really hasn't changed much. About the only thing of note overall is the Hogues that they come with today, as opposed to the Lett grips of the past.
Most have a full lug, but half lugs can be found. No difference in quality, just preference.

 

[Waveski]

Do all the GP100's have a Novak rear sight , and is that sight non-adjustable?

 

[Lucky Derby]

Do all the GP100's have a Novak rear sight , and is that sight non-adjustable?

No, most have an adjustable rear. Some have traditional fixed revolver sights, ie a notch cut into the frame.
AFAIK only the Wiley Clapp models and the Match Champion have a Novak rear sight. The Novak is not really an adjustable sight, but it can be drift adjusted for windage.

 

[bannockburn]

I had an early production GP100 and didn't really care much for the added weight of the full underlug barrel; likewise the trigger was a great deal heavier than most of the Security Sixes I had previously owned. If looking for a new GP100 I would probably go with the Match Champion Model.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well to me the GP weighs ENOUGH as-is.

My 3 inch 'Canadian' rides well in a cross draw in the field.

And btw... put lay-away on a 4 inch 'Canadian' (CAI imported police trade in) for $450, tax included. 1/2 lug barrel to. The front sight was filed down (just like my 3 incher.)

I put a S&W front sight on mine and Midway has GP100 front sight blades for $4 now! Gonna get me one of those cause I bet it shoots high with 158s.

It has those icky 'snow tires' grips and it's gonna get the smaller ones in the picuture above and wood grips on my 3 incher.

Deaf

 

[earlthegoat2]

The best older GP100 is its older and smaller brother the Six series guns. They are not as strong as a GP but they will still handle as many 357 rounds as you throw at it so why need the extra weight.

Either get an old Six series or a new GP. There is no advantage in my book to an older GP besides price and they will still be more than a six.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think the GP100s are great both new and old, which I can't say the same about some other company's revolvers. I just bought a NIB late production (2012) KGPF-340 last week, it is a stainless GP100 with 4" half-lug barrel and fixed sights:



I added the old style wood insert grips which this model originally came with back in the day. I do believe I love this gun!

 

[FLNT4EVR]

I purchased an older GP 100 just a couple of months ago , It's a 4in with full lug and Lett grips. I'm here to tell you I love this gun. With my 158grn jsp handloads in 357 I can shoot 2 inch groups at 25 yrds. My 158 grn cast 38 +P loads shoot to the same poa. Took my first deer with a handgun in Nov. with the GP . 1 shot at 22 yds, complete pass thru. I think the weight of the full lug helped to steady the revolver for the shot. The GP100 is definitely a keeper,

 

[funklord12]

Newer GP100s do not have extractor alignment pins. Not a big deal since other manufacturers (S&W for one) have stopped using these pins. Other than that I never noticed any difference between my 1988 GP100 and my brother's newer one.

 

[PO2Hammer]

IIRC, Ruger changed/improved it's method of drilling the charge holes on the GP100 and some other revolvers a couple years ago to improve the consistency of chamber to bore alignment.

I bought one 1-1/2 years ago and it is excellent. Very smooth chambers and bore. Tight B/C gap.

I went to the LGS with the intention of buying a S&W 686 SSR, but ended up buying the GP.

I would recommend new.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^ Yes don't quote me on this but I think Ruger used to use a machine that would bore all six charge holes at one time, and now they just bore each one separately but with the same bit for greater consistency. I could be wrong on that though!

My NIB GP100 shown above locks up really tight, BC gap is .005 which is ideal for a defensive revolver IMHO. It was pretty smooth OTB but it has since smoothed more. There are some blemishes on the gun inside the cylinder window that appear to be marks from casting, almost like tiny spots of shiny metal. There was also a "smudge" on the barrel close in front of the forcing cone, but other the small cosmetic issues I am very happy with the gun.

On another note I purchases a NIB 6" stainless GP100 about 3 years ago and it is tops. That one boasted superb fit and finish... pretty much flawless... and has since gotten so smooth and slick on it's own that it almost feels like it's had an action job. I LOVE it, and got the 4" half lug GP100 because I knew I'd be getting a good gun but with less weight and bulk.

Honestly OP short answer is: you won't go wrong with ANY GP100 made from ANY production year.

JMHO.

 

[Drail]

Buying a Ruger GP is like going to McDonalds's for lunch. You know what yer going to get. Same old thing.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^ Yes but sometimes the fries are soggy and the burger is cold. With a GP, you know what you're going to get and it's going to be good!

 

[MIL-DOT]

^ Yes but sometimes the fries are soggy and the burger is cold. With a GP, you know what you're going to get and it's going to be good!

Yup, agreed !!