It is though a reloaders round as its not easy to find and when you do find it, its expensive. walnut handles and brass bead front sight! I bought an inexpensive Fobus paddle holster for strong side range carry and it works well enough. It affords easy purchase with either one hand or two. Steven Tracy is a retired police officer after 30 years of service and has been a firearms enthusiast since birth. I then worked through a 30-round combat course that started with point shooting at 3 yards and ended with barricade shooting at 15 yards. Manufacturer: RugerModel: GP100 Double-ActionSku: 1756Caliber: .357 MagnumCapacity: 6 RoundsBarrel Length: 5" Finish: Blued/BlackOverall Length: 10.38"Weight: 43.5 ozSights: Front - Ram .Click for more info Seller: Elk County Ammo and Arms Area Code: 814 $749.99 Ruger GP-100 Engraved,357 Mag. Its too bad that happened, because the GP100 was reinforced in all the necessary areas to handle a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads, and the medium magnum was a proven fight-stopper. Out of this 3 Ruger GP100, I am comfortable with Hornadys Critical Defense .44 Special load too (specifically designed for use in short barreled revolvers). And it really tames heavy .44 spc loads. Its made of top-grain leather with double stitching at stress areas. The .44 Special GP100 has a good, smooth trigger double action. It was introduced in 1985 as a second generation of the Ruger double-action, exposed-hammer revolvers intended to replace Ruger's Security-/Service-/Speed-Six line. 387. Thats what you get when working a quantum physics problem and blogging at the same time. Its nice having the option of shooting crazy full house magnum loads or tamer/cheaper rounds. Locate FFL Until they come out with the 4 version I will be on the sidelines. The Dan Wesson patent (U.S. Patent 3,683,535) was granted in 1972 and Ruger's patent (U.S. Patent 4,625,445) was granted in 1986. That .30-06 might have 4 times the m.e. Also, Id bet at least a hundred elk have been killed in this country by 9mm pis tols, although I doubt legally. Through the years, Ruger has chambered its single-action Blackhawk revolvers in .44 Special, and any revolver chambered for .44 Magnum can also shoot the lighter .44 Sp ecial. Quote of the Day: The Unintended Consequences of Universal Background Checks? My 357 is now so pretty I almost hate to shoot it. Retired to a log cabin in the Volunteer state of Tennessee (Patron state of shooting stuff, as the character Bob Lee Swagger stated, in the movie, Shooter), he keeps busy shooting cottonmouths, armadillos, and beavers that invade his property. Unfortunately, it would also chamber in a 38 S&W cylinder which produces about a third of the pressure of a 9mm. Their factories have the ability to take an idea to reality quickly. The Hogue Monogrip helped in reducing muzzle flip, and it absorbed whatever felt recoil wasnt soaked up by the GP100s 36-ounce weight. plus if I have the wild hair I can run the .44 special rounds thru the same revolver. No round on their website equals the weights and speeds you have listed. Give him a warm welcome! The GP100 was designed as a six shot, 357 Magnum (also accepts .38 Special) service revolver and .357 remains the most popular caliber. My tightest five-shot cluster, measuring 1.44 inches wide, was produced by the Black Hills 200-grain JHPs. I used new .44 Special brass, Federal No. Still, it was annoying. Walking through the thick woods, driving a tractor around, or just sitting down to sight in a rifle was found to be much easier with a weak side crossdraw instead of a strong side holster. Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co. Model: GP100 5-Shot (#1761) Action: Double-Action Revolver Caliber: .44 Special Finish: Satin Stainless Steel Grip: Hogue Synthetic Monogrip, No Finger. I agree on the .357 Magnum; has to be the most versatile center fire handgun cartridge. Ruger KGP-141 with speed loaders of .357 ammunition. The problem would be someone loading a cylinder of these into an aluminum airweight or 100-year-old revolver. Cross country moose/elk hunting/backpacking goodness. What I and other enthusiasts craved: a modern big-bore revolver dedicated to the cartridge and only that cartridge. Granted, a .44 mag or larger would be preferable but with the full pressure stuff, a 6 GP 100 or 686 packs about the same punch as .44 mag out of a 2-1/2 Redhawk Alaskan for the same weight (less with am mo). Recently, a seven shot version in .327 Federal Magnum has been offered. The same thing dick Casull did with the 45 Colt turning it into the 454 Casull cartridge these were all 45 Colt cartridges before Dick Casull made it into the actual link cartridge that you have today he started with the 45 Colt and by loading it and overloading it he came up with the ballistics he wanted and then either Smith & Wesson or Ruger designed a cylinder for it for him. In addition to new guns, new .44 Special ammunition (by Sig Sauer, Hornady, and the Speer Gold Dot) and expanding bullet weight and design choices are the nitroglycerin pills keeping the old cartridge alive. I agree. The guns were all stainless, chambered in .357 Magnum, had 4 inch barrels, serial numbers with "NRA" prefixes, and rosewood grip inserts engraved with "NRA". And with that loading, I started stepping beyond what I really wanted this revolver to do. Double Action). Was tickled to discover the Blazer with the Gold Dot bullets, which the gun seems to like a lot. All of these models use the same thickness on the solid frame and double latching system as used on the heavy .44 Magnum. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. With a 36-ounce handgun, you need a heavy-duty belt, so I chose one from Versacarry made of double-ply leather. Ruger. The gun loaded, fired and ejected everything I fed it. Ruger GP100 Match Champion Ruger decided to take their best-selling revolver series and kick it up a notch with the Match Champion line. The Hogue grips aid further by positioning your trigger finger in excellent alignment to give outstanding control. One day at the range I laid down my 7 Super Redhawk .44 mag down next to a beautiful blued S&W Model 29. To sheath this new Ruger GP100, I selected an old-timer from Don Hume Leathergoods: the Model 722 No. [3] Blued steel or stainless steel finishes are available, with stainless model numbers preceded by a "K". The finish is mediocre, and the pin coming out of the rear sight during firing was annoying. Im getting 481 ft lbs of energy at the muzzle for these amazing .44spl loads of 240 grains at 950 fps. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Ian, welcome aboard! This meant that to have a round butt concealed carry version and a square butt holster or target version of the same gun usually meant having two different frame shapes. Its comfortable to shoot, not too big and provides plenty of punch with a variety of loads. Steves firearms interests lean toward blued steel and walnut, while nickel-plating, ivory handles, and tasteful engraving make him even happier. The marriage of the GP100 with the .44 Special is a match made in gun heaven, and its been a long time coming. GP100 Features This .44 Special revolvers adjustable rear sight is notch style, with an added white outline along the inside edge. The GP100 delivers OK accuracy with most rounds. Shooting the GP100 is a pleasurable experience, as are all .44 Special revolvers. A frequent repeat cops want a powerful round and then find it kicks and is harder to control than a medium bore handgun. Double action still kept all shots in the ten ring. I think after all these years I may have to purchase a new Ruger GP100 and 44 special. Damn it, Steve. It is a gorgeous revolver, but the .44 special is not screaming past the .45 auto, they are about similar in ballistic signature and when you compare a 5 shot revolver to a double stack auto, the latter wins hands down. I now have about 7 10000 rounds through the gun a lot of 38 special when shooting matches and competitions but it least a third of that 357 Magnum full load 180 grain jacketed hollow-points. Panels on the side, made of black plastic, goncalo alves wood, or rosewood, provide contrast to the flat black of the Santoprene. Small, heavy bullets moving very, very fast work extremely well but there is a price to pay in recoil and wear and tear on the guns. But, then, Ive been dithering. For a practical shooting exercise, I put up a B-27Q red target at 15 yards and loaded the Ruger GP100, cartridge loop slide and Speed Strip with a mix of the .44 Special test cartridges. Address and Phone Number for Bronx Police Department - 44th Precinct, a Police Department, at East 169Th Street, Bronx NY. The GP100 was an evolution of an earlier Ruger double-action revolver, the Security Six. same reason I wont buy a .38 spl. This exclusive version of the Ruger GP100 comes with rubber grips and wood inserts But the cartridge doesnt have to be juiced-up. I would pay for a Ruger rather than accept a free SW if I had to keep it and not sell it. Am I correct in remembering that the reason the 357 and 44 magnums are longer is to prevent chambering them in weak 38 and 44 special pistols, not to gain powder capacity? Adjustable sighted versions of the S&W or the Colt were holy grails. The five-shot GP100 in .44 Special would make a great all-around revolver for a whole lot of people. Its double-action trigger and its ergonomically contoured grip make the GP100 a great choice as a defensive handgun while its 4.2 inch barrel gives the fired rounds plenty of muzzle velocity. The .44 Special GP100 is almost as versatile as the .327 Magnum as it will not only accept .44 Special loads but .44 Russian and .44 Colt loads as well. I loaded as needed from the loops and speed strip, but this time I used a tree trunk for cover while reloading. The 44 Special is an awesome cartridge but is suffers from one inescapable problem The SAAMI pressure limits for the 44 Special are held ridiculously low. The 3-inch barrel length keeps the Ruger compact for any kind of carry. SOLD !!! is overbuilt. For me standard strength 240 grainers are fine for most things, they are no slouch after all, but knowing you cant shoot the BIG boom stuff without risking damaging or destroying it makes me crazy. Former gun slinger, current gun writer. The Ruger GP100 is a double-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and has a 5 round cylinder. The GP100 is a family/line of double action five-shot (.44 Special), six-shot (.357 Magnum, .38 Special, & 10mm Auto), seven-shot (.357 Magnum & .327 Federal Magnum), or ten-shot (.22 Long Rifle) revolvers made by Sturm, Ruger & Co., manufactured in the United States. As far as bear country, Id carry then the same thing I do today. But .44 Special aficionados always want more. Ruger GP100 44 Special Guns.com (See Price) Specs Model: 1767 Caliber: 44 Special Capacity: 5 Action: Double Barrel Length: 3" Overall Length: 8.5" Finish: Satin Stainless Grips: Hogue Walnut Weight: 36 oz. In beefy revolvers such as the N-Frame S&W Hand Ejectors or Colt New Service, the .44 Specials potential could be realized and loads worked up to handle man or beast. Fair - 30% - 80% condition, parts, and finish may or may not be original. Skeeter really liked 5 barrels on his S&W revolvers. On screen it was shown as a .30-06 handgun. Im not looking for practical hand cannons. Elmer Keith blew up Colt Single Action Army revolvers in his quest to discover how hot he could handload the .44 Special. Throw in a Ruger 77/357 Bolt Action Rifle and you have a combo that is hard to beat. (Hollowpoint at 950 fps). So he asked me why I was ordering a cult snake gun and I gave him the normal quality firearm investment piece something that I could wear to BBQs LOL actually it was going to be at work gun for me when I was at the store. This gun is not. This holster is half pancake and half tunnel loop, and it does a great job of concealing and distributing the weight of a big revolver. 44 spec is such an outstanding round for those who have fired a 44 mag next to a 44 spec, you know what I mean. A soft lead 240-250 grain, 44 caliber SWC travelling at 900-1000 fps will do 95% of what a 44 caliber handgun is asked to do. Gorgeous! In 2009, the firearms distributor Lipseys contracted with Ruger (Bill Ruger having passed away seven years prior) to make 1000 Ruger Blackhawk single action revolvers chambered in .44 Special. To be clear, to be super abundantly clear, just because some redneck loaded a gun well beyond the SAAMI safe specification, it doesnt mean you should. The .44 Special Ruger GP100 is a 5-shot woods gun that can also serve as a concealed carry revolver with serious power. 1) chamber holes may all be different diam's, perhaps all 5 of them. As I hefted the new wheelgun, my first thought was solid. This is a rugged-looking, business-like handgun with nothing on it that doesnt belong. That seems like a reasonable option if you like a lighter bullet. I replied no looks okay to me action on the gun worked cylinder rotated did everything it was supposed to do and then he told me that that empty cartridge was actually fired in that gun with that 3/8 inch bolt in the end of the barrel with a full 357 Magnum charge and it didnt even blow the barrel up didnt bulge it didnt do nothing I was sold on the spot and it was much cheaper. Published Jan. 15, 2021 Updated Oct. 20, 2021. [3][5], The GP100 shares the crane lock from the Redhawk that was later used in the small frame SP101 revolver. And the gun shop just down the road just happens to have that nice GP100 in their display case. The mind reels with the possibilities . New in box - 100% condition in unopened box. I can buy a case (1000 rds) of decent brass new 5.56 for 29 cents a round (I refuse to shoot nasty steel russian crap) with either free shipping or maybe up to $15. mil-sup. Ruger reasoned that his customers could just shoot Specials out of his big Magnum gun. Only 1,145 were produced. That load will usually exceed the SAAMI pressure limits slightly but is perfectly safe in any modern Revolver chambered in 44 Special. The Price for a Ruger GP100 has increased in cost by $10.51 in 2023 compared to 2022. Steve, thank you! Traditional revolver frames had exposed metal at the front and rear of the grips, with the frame determining the shape of the grips. The stock grips are made of Santoprene, a soft, chemical resistant elastomer that helps absorb the recoil of firing. Revolvers are still the right gun by the bed. For a handload, I made up a small batch of Skeeter loadsa favorite of the late gun writer Skeeter Skelton. Put one of the old compact GP grips on it, makes it a bit more hideable than the MOE grips. And more importantly, it is the first article by Steve Tracy, a guy who reached out to me out of the blue and offered me this article to run. A smaller, more versatile gun. Not legend, pure myth. One thing Ruger does right with the revolver line is they build a brick shithouse it aint going to blow up the thing is rock solid strong just like theyre Blackhawk line and Super Redhawk line Bulletproof. Location. The .44 Special offers that advantage, and the Ruger GP100 is an excellent vehicle for it. has all of the reliability that Ruger revolver fans have come to expect. -Mark Twain, Long live the .44 Special! I have a fairly large collection of mil-sup bolt guns and absurd pistols. The single-action trigger breaks closer to 4 pounds, with the same grit preset. I just wanted to say that this was an awesome review, very well done. Many have asked, Why not just buy a .44 Magnum and shoot Specials in it? That can certainly be done and its difficult to explain to someone who only wants or can only afford just one gun. Triple-locking cylinder is locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot. My love affair with Ruger's Compact GP100 began in earnest back at the turn of the century with the purchase of a now discontinued model KGPF-330. Action: The GP100 may be fired by either cocking the hammer and subsequently pulling the trigger (a.k.a. The grips could then be any shape desired, as long as they were large enough to enclose the peg. You have entered an incorrect email address! ; ^ ). That included 200- and 240-grain LSWC, LSWCHP and jacketed hollowpoints from several manufacturers, as well as my own home-cast boolits. He goes you know we just came out with the new six shooter built off the security six but kind of rhe modified totally new gun but about the same size as the Security Six in 357 Magnum which what I was looking for he goes let me go out to the car and get a couple things I want to show you. Disassembly of integrated subassemblies requires no special tools and allows for easy maintenance and assembly. There are just too many cartridges in .357 and .38 splyou cant begin to touch that lever of choice in any other rimmed revolver caliber. For the person who reloads and is willing to slightly exceed the SAAMI limits, the 44 Special is capable of both excellent accuracy and excellent terminal performance. And five factory fresh boxes of Gold Dot 230gr GDHP the stuff that says Special, not Magnum.. I usually prefer lighter pulls but the overall mechanics of this GP100 work very well in my hands. The S&W 69 is a good shooter. Maybe another Dobe Grant tale? And hard-cast 250gr Keiths. Why not?). . The early morning stops at the 7/11 a few miles up the road, an hour before dawn, and always the quick glance at the rack. Another change was the shape of the frame. Thanks! Its way cheaper to order it. Given that 10 round mags for .45s isnt uncommon anymore, I think one can safely say that not only does the .45ACP outperform the .44 special, but a gun full of it more than doubles the potential power delivery of this 44 Special. that made me hungry for cheese curds. either way, its not an edc weapon, its for hunting and killing paper for me. Those of you old enough to have read Skeeter Skeltons columns know the old lawman loved the old .44. The five-shot GP100 in .44 Special would make a great all-around revolver for a whole lot of people. Theres a bit of grit, with a little stacking at the back of the pull. Double action measures a little over 11 pounds. Can take months to sell your gun privately, Trusted retailers will pay you for your gun, You don't know who you're selling to, or if they'll rip you off, I'ts totally free to get a cash offer on your gun, It costs money to place ads to sell your gun, and it takes a lot of time, Easy online paperwork and registration process for your safe and legal payout, You have to trust the buyer to pay you, and trust that you're following the law, There are no questions related to Ruger GP100, There are no problems related to Ruger GP100. Only afford just one gun ; has to be the most versatile center fire handgun.. Has increased in cost by $ 10.51 in 2023 compared to 2022 heavy.44 Magnum of these into an airweight. Can only afford just one gun columns know the old lawman loved old! It absorbed whatever felt recoil wasnt soaked up by the GP100s 36-ounce weight grips wood... Reducing muzzle flip, and tasteful engraving make him even happier the gun,! 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