All of us have our wish list for guns, right? In my .357 magnum revolver category, I have the S&W 686. However, I have the chance to buy a Ruger GP100 for $399 in used but very good condition. Is this a good buy? I'm not a revolver guy, so I'm looking for some help here. What do I check when looking at a used wheel gun? I dry fired it and it was very smooth in double and single action. It has the Hogue rubber grips and is quite comfortable in my large mitts. I went to the local range tonight and rented a GP100 and a S&W 686 for comparison. I was initially more accurate with the 686 but I was able to dial in the Ruger quite well. A new 686 sells for $750 in these parts, so I'm really leaning towards this deal on the Ruger. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can give me. --Glenn34 --- now more of a Glenn19
Timing and endshake are the issues to check on a revolver. Endshake is play fore and aft of the cylinder and timing is the lockup of the cylinder as it revolves into position. The good news is that most revolvers nowadays don't get fired all that much so those issues aren't seen that often. Rugers are stout great revolvers. I'm a Smith guy but appreciate all good revolvers. Price seems good.
U can get a sweet .357 sp101 Ruger hammerless. 2.25 inch barrel New for $484 and awsome to carry as well
Thanks for the advice, Danzig. Glocknload, The reviews I've seen say the SP101 is lighter and has more recoil than the GP100, so is harder to handle when shooting hotter loads. I'm also looking for a range gun with an external hammer, not a carry gun. I should have mentioned this in my first post. Thanks, Glenn
I'd go Ruger over Smith all day long. Personal preferce, I just dont' like what Smith did to us during the CLinton Ban, Ruger wasn't any better, but I feel their weapons are far superior to Smith.
I have a friend in the Michigan State Police Forensic Firearms Lab who swears by GP100s. He's told me they are the one revolver that will not go out of time.
Pics, Please. I have a GP100 6" barrel. I had some trigger work and a new spring put in. It is closer to a Colt Python than any of the other revolvers I have.
I have had a 4" GP 100 for 20 years and love it. Great gun, super rugged and accurate. One I would take anywhere.
I have a GP100 that I have had for many years. I carried it for duty and thankfully never had to use it. Other then the stock grips I wouldn't change a thing its my favorite revolver!
That is nice. I like the matte finish because it doesn't scratch. They're built like tanks. Shoot it for a while then consider a trigger job from an experienced gunsmith.
Thank you sir... you have just started my gun lust for the day! I love it and I want one now...looks like a beast of a wheel gun!
It sure is a beast. Heavy and very well put together. The double action trigger is smooth as butter. Now I need to find time to shoot it.
Went to the range today. I think this could be my new favorite. Shot some Herter's brass .357 mag and .38 special. Accuracy was great, recoil very manageable, trigger very smooth. Best double action pull in my collection. Here's a target shot from 15 yards in single action:
