Ruger GP100 => 6 inch or 4.2 inch?

VA27 said:
4.2 for SD/CC. For a woodsman the 6 is the way to go.......
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Um... you DO live in Canada, right? We aren't allowed to worry about such things around here thanks to our laws.

I've had the chance to shoot both my regular restricted 6 inch Model 19 and a buddy's 4 inch prohib version. There's no doubt that a near 4 inch barrel has a balance in the hand that is almost sinful when compared to the 6 inch versions. I'm not in a rush but I'd like to get a 4.2 inch Ruger in the next year or so due to this observation.

A Ruger 4.2 inch barrel would also be a lovely revolver to use in IDPA shooting matches or any other sort of speed related shooting such as the revolver class in IPSC. But for just shooting holes in paper at a leasurely pace a 6 inch would be the way to go. The longer sight spacing would allow for a little easier accuracy.
 
If you are not 12(6) grandfathered I'd say go for the 4.2 barrel. Likely you will shoot mostly .38 Specials or mild .357 loads in it anyway. You can actually shoot a 4.2 just as accurately as a 6" barrel.

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NAA.
 
gp 100 6''

i got a gp100 6' when i shoot .38 handloads, at about the 80th - 100th round the cylinder, hammer, and trigger jams up anyone have this problem?
 
icelink said:
i got a gp100 6' when i shoot .38 handloads, at about the 80th - 100th round the cylinder, hammer, and trigger jams up anyone have this problem?
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It could be fouling on the front of the cylinder causing the action to bind. If this is the case after only 80-100 rounds, either you have a very tight barrel to cylinder gap or very dirty ammunition or a combination of the two.

Does the cylinder ever drag against the back of the barrel? If the gun has excessive endshake, the cylinder will often rest against the face of the barrel. This will certainly exacerbrate any fouling problems. Brownell's sells bearings to fix this.

As for the matter of 4.2" vs. 6", I would choose the 4.2" for the following reasons:

1. Better balance with a full underlug barrel contour
2. You can't get a S&W in that configuration
3. Thanking Ruger for accommodating the Canadian market
 
icelink said:
i got a gp100 6' when i shoot .38 handloads, at about the 80th - 100th round the cylinder, hammer, and trigger jams up anyone have this problem?
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A fellow shooting a Ruger in our monthly Speed Steel matches found this happened often enough that he carried an old toothbrush in his back pocket. Seems like the powder residue is prone to getting in between the star plate and the cylinder. This makes the assembly longer and it jams. He'd give it a quick brush on the shaft and star recess while holding the ejector back and it would be fine for a few more strings of shots.

Not sure what the answer is as I don't have a Ruger of my own but I'd try keeping it only very lightly oiled or perhaps use a dry lubricant in that area if you find this is the same issue with yours. Also if it is then see if you can modify the angle you hold the gun during ejecting the empties to see if you can get the unburnt powder grains residue to fall away cleaner.
 
thanks

yes i admit the ammo is very light handloads that are 15 years old but i got it for 10$ a box so you cant complain! i have had opinions from several gun smiths and everyone says its the ammo! can afford brand new factory at the moment but will run a test with clean ammo sooner or later
thanks for the info everyone!
 
I am having the same issue, I find that after approx 100 rds, I have to brush the front of the cylinder, and the forcing cone to clean it out.
I have also notice that If I don't ensure she's dry, the cylinder become stiff.
 
Even though my money is burning a hole in my pocket I think I'm going to wait for a 4.2 inch to come in stock somewhere. Maybe later I'll get a single action with a long barrel.

Thanks everyone!
 
TheManInBlack said:
Wouldn't the 6" version have more punch
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If you were pistol-whipping someone? Ya, way better leverage and a longer striking surface before you connected with the frame.

If you mean ballistics-wise... Maybe 100 fps, or to put it another way, about 1 to 1.5" difference at 100 metres

Or what NAA said.
 
I picked up a 4.2" in stainless a few weeks ago. It was my first revolver. I love it with a depraved unholy passion, but unfortunately my wife has claimed it as hers for when the zombies rise and is calling it "Hank".

I was going to call it "Squeaky".

Go for the 4.2"; those three extra millimeters will really chap Wendy's ass.
 
Could the RCMP arbitrarily make 4.2" prohibited just to screw everyone who buys a 4.2" revolver? It's a long shot, but after the recent confiscations, anything is possible.
 
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