A S&W snob tries a Ruger GP100

Master-G

Master-G

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Yeah, I must admit that I'm a bit of a S&W revolver snob. I've owned ten over the years (now down to three) and I've always considered them superior to Rugers, although I'd never even shot one. Well, I saw this stainless 4" GP100 on the EE a couple of weeks ago and thought that I should probably give it a try! Since the GP100 model is 25 years or so old many of you have already tried or own one, but for those who haven't here are my thoughts.

Overview
  • The revolver certainly doesn't have the slim, clean lines of a S&W revolver, but it does have a chunky, businesslike appeal. I like the finish more than the older S&W brushed stainless finish but less than their newer bead-blasted finish. There are more pins visible in the frame but I don't consider that a big deal.
  • The grip is just about the perfect size and shape, and is very comfortable. It's better than anything I've ever tried on a square butt K/L frame or N frame S&W. Rubber Hogues and Ahrends Retro Targets come close but the Ruger beats them both. I have always liked the pairing of wood and rubber on the older GP100 grips--it's too bad that Ruger doesn't include them with the GP100 any more.
  • I like the dovetailed-in serrated black front sight a lot better than S&W's older machined-in red ramp sight, although it's set back a little in the barrel reducing the sight radius a bit.
  • The revolver has excellent balance--better than the 4" Model 28-2 I previously owned.

At the range
I had it out the the range today for the first time for a quick shakedown. I had my youngest daughter out for her first time with her new Henry Mini-bolt .22 and wanted to spend most of our range time having her shoot. Here are my initial thoughts.
  • The double-action trigger pull is not bad at all--better than I was expecting. It stacks a little just past the start of the pull but it's smooth after that. It's a little heavier than a typical S&W pull but not by much.
  • The single action pull is also heavier, and there's more trigger movement than with a S&W but not objectionable.
  • The cylinder release takes a little getting used to after 26 years of S&Ws. Not bad but slower than what I'm used to.
  • The cylinder locks up earlier in the DA pull--this was a little distracting at first but easy to get used to.
  • The smooth trigger is just about the perfect width for both DA and SA shooting.
  • It seemed to be certainly accurate enough--a 4" revolver is at a bit of a disadvantage and I'd also not shot a handgun since last October. The first SA group I fired (see below) was six rounds into about 2" at 15m.

Conclusion
I like the chunky little devil a lot! Great balance, nice sights, super grip and not a bad trigger. I'm glad I picked it up--I guess I'm a S&W snob no longer!

It cleans up pretty good, too!

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Cummins4x4 said:
You gotta know your #### will fall off now!!:p From another S&W snob.:D Good review, never shot one either, might have to give one a whirl.
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Nice piece,it took me a couple of seconds to find the 6th round.I had one of similar vintage as well with absolutely no complaints,great revolver and all,but was seduced away by yet another S&W and traded it off. Fortunately before any body parts fell off.:pTotal snob here too.
 
Ruger's answer to the L frame Smith & Wesson's in the 1980's. I have never owned one but i have had a few Security Sixes and I think I would buy one of these over the new S&W revolvers.

Just drop a new mainspring in it and your double action will improve considerably , about $10 for a Wolff spring. Ruger puts in extra strong springs as most manufacturers do.
 
I have to say that I was also impressed with the GP100. I'm still not convinced it's a Smith but it's a much better revolver than I would have guessed prior to handling it!
 
A friend called yesterday and offered me one he has for a decent price. I went and took a look and they're not bad. If it was SS I would've been tempted to get it as a partner to a SS .22 cal SP-101 I acquired a short while ago. They seem to be a pretty good revlover.
 
Cummins4x4 said:
Jeebus even JP is a closet Ruger owner, guess they are like fat girls and mopeds, they are fun to ride but nobody wants to be seen with one:eek:
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;)Guilty as charged:). I picked up the SP-101 in .22 LR from the estate of a shooting buddy that passed away a short while ago.

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I thought if I could pick up a prohib GP-100 in SS and 357 Mag it would make a good match for the SP-101. Not that I 'need' it:redface:, more like just cuz:p.

Although single actions, there's a few more 'in the closet', starting with the most recent acquisition, SS convertable 4 5/8" Blackhawk 45 LC/45 ACP.

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45 LC Vaquero

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44 Mag 'flattop'

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22LR Single Six, flat loading gate

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What can I say, I've been caught;).
 
I love it when you're reading along in a thread, and Revolver #### breaks out! Thanks, Johnn Peterson!

Here's a pic of my Rugers:

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JP, I understand that finding a SP-101 is like finding bags of hen's teeth on sale. So good job on getting such a slick little .22. And given its rarity you'll want to think long and hard before selling that little shooter.

I got to shoot a buddy's 4.2 inch GP100 a while back. Size wise the GP dwarfs a typical K frame S&W. The GP 100 seems to land in size right between an L and N frame. Nice gun to shoot too. The one I got to shoot felt light enough and even enough on the trigger that I suspect it had a spring kit installed.

All in all I'd have no issues with buying one but I've built up a decent collection of Safariland speedloaders for my two K frame guns so I feel like I'm a trifle trapped to the K frame option.
 
BCRider said:
JP, I understand that finding a SP-101 is like finding bags of hen's teeth on sale. So good job on getting such a slick little .22. And given its rarity you'll want to think long and hard before selling that little shooter.

I got to shoot a buddy's 4.2 inch GP100 a while back. Size wise the GP dwarfs a typical K frame S&W. The GP 100 seems to land in size right between an L and N frame. Nice gun to shoot too. The one I got to shoot felt light enough and even enough on the trigger that I suspect it had a spring kit installed.

All in all I'd have no issues with buying one but I've built up a decent collection of Safariland speedloaders for my two K frame guns so I feel like I'm a trifle trapped to the K frame option.
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For the foreseeable future, I don't intend on parting with the SP-101. ;)I haven't 'played' with it near enough yet:D. Similar in size to the S&W Kit Gun, it would handy to have if we were allowed to pack something like that for Grouse.

Again, the only reason I've hesitated in picking up the GP-100 my friend has that I looked at yeaterday is because it's an older blued version. ;)I haven't totally said no to his offer but at this point in time I would perfer a SS model. It's a prohib, 4" blued and from seeing it yesterday I would say size wise, that I thought it to be very comparable in size to a K frame, ie: a model 19 S&W.

I've had a couple of model 66's and 27's but my favorite 357, for size and the manufacturer, is an older early production Colt Python.

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Which goes well with a .22 LR Diamondback I have and this is the kind of matchup I was hoping to get for the SP-101.

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