Best Combat Revolver- GP100?

calvin in keoma said:
In all honesty I'd rather have a revolver, I have less trouble with them.(I have trouble racking the slide on semi autos, among other issues.)

And as to a combat revolver, It's an old concept;

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You forgot the Prideaux speedloader!

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(BTW: You can make your own by carefully reaming out an HKS)
 

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wayupnorth said:
while i have and love my GP100 when you are talking a battle revolver i think everything ive seen comes 2nd to the S&W TRR8.
my dad has one and wow!
that gun is crazy nice!
designed and made for SWAT team shield carrying guys.
super lite and smooth as butter.
i think the TRR8 is the ultimate combat revolver.
but, like you guys im carrying in my GP100 because that is all my wallet would allow me to have.

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I had one but sold it soon after I got it. I found it way too light and the finish was prone to scratching very easily.
 
The GP100 was my first revolver, and I still have it, as well as a host of S&W and Colt revolvers now. I still enjoy it. The only trigger work I did was to shoot it and practice fire on snap caps thousands of times. Trigger smoothed right out, but it is nothing like my S&W or Colt guns. I also painted the front sight with orange nail polish so I can see it better, used a diamond file to clean up all the sharp edges on the trigger guard, and gave it a bit of a polish. Put on Hogue finger groove grips, and it is a very comfortable gun to shoot. They are pretty rugged, you can run some hot loads through it without harming it. I prefer shooting my K frame Model 66, or N frame 657 by far though, or my Model 27-2 with 5" barrel. Here is pic of the GP100.

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I just bought a Dan Wesson. Very impressed. I have a GP100, several S&W K frames, couple L frames and some S/A Ruger. The Dan Wesson is the best of that lot.
 
Ruger Service Six is my idea of the ideal combat revolver. I’ve got a 6” Security Six barrel, just need to find a Sevice Six.
 
My gp100, 4.2" blued, is my only revolver. Generally just shoot 38s through it but have fired some hot 357s and handles them like a champ. Upgraded with wolf springs and fibre optic sights, believe they are Williams. Is a great revolver and can't see it ever leaving the safe. But I would very much like a smith once funds permit.
 
Thanks for the replies and great info!
I will be getting the GP100 and not a Smith.
98% of the time I plan on only shooting factory magnum rounds and as for the 2%, 38 special shot by my wife.

Does anyone know if the current production GP100 4.2" come with plunger-syle front sights?
I've already settled on the green Hogue G10 Piranha for grips but was wondering if the XS sight system would fit the new production GP100?
XS states that the model should have: Adjustable Sight Models only, with plunger-syle front, not pinned.

Also, does anyone have any input with regards to what weight replacement springs would function 100%?
10lb hammer spring and the 8lb trigger spring alone with shims and internal polishing?
MCARBO vs Wilson Combat vs Wolff springs?

Through my research, I've also discovered the IBOK GP100.
Excellent read and doing a simple google search will bring you to a nice article on the gunner777.wordpress dot com site.
 
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AFAIK the regular GP-100 comes with the plunger front sight. Before you change sights try painting the front sight ramp with orange fluorescent paint you get at hobby shops. I did mine and removed the FO front sight I bought for the revolver. You won't believe how the front sight pops out at you.


Take Care
Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
...Before you change sights try painting the front sight ramp with orange fluorescent paint you get at hobby shops. I did mine and removed the FO front sight I bought for the revolver. You won't believe how the front sight pops out at you.
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And put a coat or two of white on before the orange to provide a bright base coat. You could use a water-based primer like Zinsser 1-2-3 for the base coat. I've also used Scotchlite reflective tape (the stuff they use for stop signs; also available from Canadian Tire etc. for reflective striping) on front sights. A bit tricky if the front sight is serrated, but shows up really bright.Degrease with brake cleaner or alcohol to remove any oil.

Oh, and here's mine, with its little brother.

View attachment 213752

I got it used, and replaced the Hogue grips with Altamonts, which are very comfy.
(The grips on the SP101 I think I got off Amazon or eBay. Made in Thailand.)
 
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josquin how is the trigger pull on your SP-01. Mine has a very heavy DA pull. So heavy decent accuracy is difficult to achieve using the DA pull.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
josquin how is the trigger pull on your SP-01. Mine has a very heavy DA pull. So heavy decent accuracy is difficult to achieve using the DA pull.

Take Care

Bob
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It's the only gun I've bought new and was kinda heavy. I stripped it down and polished and deburred everything I could safely do, plus installed trigger & hammer shims just to gild the lily. I did this with my GP100, too, as well as a S&W Model 19 that was uncommonly rough. I think I put slightly lighter springs in both Rugers but can't remember the weights now. (10-lb.hammer springs, I think) According to my Timney trigger gauge, it's about 10-11lbs. DA., about the same as the others! But they did improve as far as smoothness goes. My unaltered S&W 14-3, which hs the best trigger of all, also measures about 10-11 lbs. so there must be some "fairy dust" involved that goes beyond just pull weight. I've heard that some gunsmiths can gert a really great trigger on an SP101, but I suspect that there are some limitations due just to the mechanics involved. The Smiths seem to have a "shorter" pull than the Rugers, with fewer bumps, but all are smooth.
 
sixty9santa said:
I've already settled on the green Hogue G10 Piranha for grips....
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You might want to reconsider those grips for magnum loads. I have several sets of G10s, both Piranha and chain link, on my Sigs (9mm 45 ACP 40 S&W) and they are great, then got a set of the VZ grips for my N frame 657 (.41 Magnum, 4" barrel)....I shot a dozen rounds of fairly warm loads through it with those grips on, and then switched to Pachmayr Grippers. The VZ or the G10s are like cheese graters with warm loads. Granted, the .41 is a bit stouter than the .357 to shoot, but it still wasn't really pleasant, particularly if you suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome. The Pachs settle it down nicely. Just my own .2 cents...I don't mind the finger groove wood grips on my GP100, so maybe the G10s would be ok.

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Best Combat Revolver? As mentioned above, medium frame, 4 inch maximum barrel, fixed sighted and I'd prefer stainless.

I'd go with a fix sighted Smith and Wesson Model 65, with 4 inch bull barrel. My family in the US has a pair of Model 65-2 and -3 police trade-ins in great shape. But they are prohib here.

Next best for me would be an Alfa Project 4.5 inch 9mm or 357 magnum, preferably stainless. The AP is not fixed sighted but the adjustable rear sight is not too obtrusive.

I got my AP in 9mm because its the closest thing to a combat revolver style which means its a great all around revolver. My 686 and GP100 both 6 inchers are too heavy and long, just perfect for the range.
 
sixty9santa said:
Thanks for the replies and great info!
I will be getting the GP100 and not a Smith.
98% of the time I plan on only shooting factory magnum rounds and as for the 2%, 38 special shot by my wife.

Does anyone know if the current production GP100 4.2" come with plunger-syle front sights?
I've already settled on the green Hogue G10 Piranha for grips but was wondering if the XS sight system would fit the new production GP100?
XS states that the model should have: Adjustable Sight Models only, with plunger-syle front, not pinned.

Also, does anyone have any input with regards to what weight replacement springs would function 100%?
10lb hammer spring and the 8lb trigger spring alone with shims and internal polishing?
MCARBO vs Wilson Combat vs Wolff springs?

Through my research, I've also discovered the IBOK GP100.
Excellent read and doing a simple google search will bring you to a nice article on the gunner777.wordpress dot com site.
Click to expand...

you might be surprised by your wife.
my wife cant stand shooting poly guns (glocks, M&P's) but she LOVES to shoot my GP100!
and no 38's for her, she blazes away with the 357's.
i think what it is is the combination of the heavy frame and the nice soft hogue grip.

but ya, i was shocked when she picked it up and shot it and loved it.
its my only pistol that she will shoot now.

as for the front site i put a dab of white nail polish on it then a couple coats of orange, works like a charm!
 
Twisted Canuck said:
You might want to reconsider those grips for magnum loads. I have several sets of G10s, both Piranha and chain link, on my Sigs (9mm 45 ACP 40 S&W) and they are great, then got a set of the VZ grips for my N frame 657 (.41 Magnum, 4" barrel)....I shot a dozen rounds of fairly warm loads through it with those grips on, and then switched to Pachmayr Grippers. The VZ or the G10s are like cheese graters with warm loads. Granted, the .41 is a bit stouter than the .357 to shoot, but it still wasn't really pleasant, particularly if you suffer with carpal tunnel syndrome. The Pachs settle it down nicely. Just my own .2 cents...I don't mind the finger groove wood grips on my GP100, so maybe the G10s would be ok.

View attachment 213822

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That is a beauty TC. Definitely the one that got away because i did not act fast enough ;-) but i'm glad it went to a good home. Agree on the grips. For a heavier recoiling revolver, Pachmayr's if you want rubber, or a smooth solid surface wood or G10.
 
Very nice revolvers and please keep the pictures coming!

Would a kydex holster be unfitting for a revolver?

I also had a look at Badger and Altamont grips, too many choices!

I also noticed that Ruger now makes the GP100 in a 7 round configuration.
What do all think?
Stick to the proven 6 round model?
 
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Depends on what you want to do with the revolver. For playing IDPA Revolver Division you are limited to 6 rounds so there is no need for the 7th chamber. For plinking and chasing targets at your range than it really doesn't matter what you settle on. Personally, given the present support for accessories like speed loaders, holsters etc. I would stick to 6 rounds. Not sure what your options are for US Steel or IPSC Revolver Division. I would expect IPSC Revolver Division is about as lonely as it is for IDPA Revolver Division. The Ruger is very competitive in IDPA Rev.Division.

Loaded with 200 gr bullets in .357 the Ruger would be a valid gun for Wilderness Carry if Black Bears were your main concern.

Take Care

Bob
 
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