GP100 spoon, Opinions?

[scottmandue]

Turners (our local chain sporting goods store) has the Ruger GP100 on sale.

I know we have some Ruger fans here... for that matter I can't remember anyone saying much bad about Ruger.

I have been wanting a .357 wheel spoon for a while... I'm so broke right now it is redonkulous... but my tiny brain is thinking I could put it on layaway and pay it off in installments.

Then hide it in my friends garage

Honestly with some .38 rounds I think this would be much more user friendly for my wife than my 9mm.

Anyone here own or have handled a GP100? Opinions?

TIA

[JavaBrewer]

Beefier than the 686. Trigger is not quite as good but that's subjective and can be addressed if needed. Really nice HD weapon.

Edit - yes with .38 the wife will have zero problems...heck with the 4" I'd bet .357 would also work.

[Dana Norris]

Have put many rounds of 38+p through one back in the 80s, heavy duty fairly accurate and the
trigger gets better with use. I am not a real fan of stainless spoons takes longer to brake them
in in my opinion. Than I acquired a mint mid 70s S&W Model 19 six inch from the S&W custom
shop and fell in love, still got the Model 19, Ruger no. But still you can`t go wrong with a GP100.
The wife will like it with 38+Ps she can shoot it all day long, better start reloading if you don`t
all ready. thats my .02cents

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Beefier than the 686.

Not sure how to take that line.
Could one say stronger, but cruder than a 686?
The Ruger is certainly functional but I find them lacking in soul(?) compared to a Smith or Colt. No snicks from them, they clunk.
Jim

[scottmandue]

Despite recommendation to the contrary I would probably save a few bucks and get the blued model... and the 6" is the same price as the 4"... I presume the 4" is better for HD however I would enjoy using a 6" for range duty.

[Flat Six]

Owned both a 686 and a GP100 many moons ago. Personally I preferred the L-frame because it fit my hand better and I think it's much better looking. The GP100 was blockier in appearance, and the trigger reach was a bit too long for me. To be honest, the 686 was a bit long for me too, but not as long as the GP100.

Never had any trigger work done on either spoon; the Smith was pretty smooth w/crisp release right out of the box -- continued to get better over time. The Ruger was rougher and had more creep; got much smoother after 4-5 boxes.

Both shot well for me, though the 686 shot better (probably due to slightly shorter reach and slightly better trigger).

YMMV.

[LSA]

Damn first the 996 now this! I've been wanting a gp100 for a while in 6". I'm thinking that's what part of the christmas bonus is going to turn into. From reading around I haven't heard anything but praise about them.

[Teutonics]

I'll pitch a favorable review for the GP100...

The GP100 in my mind is a good value, solid quality, a workhorse. Having had both the S&W and GP100 in .357 w/ 6" barrel, the SW had a better trigger, but the GP is good too. The mass of the GP tames recoil (more than SW), a pleasure to shoot at the range (SW/GP both are nice range guns). The GP is my designated home defense weapon with 38+P rounds.

My 110 lb. 12 y/o daughter shoots .357 with the GP at the range (has even shot hot hunting loads, but also shoots 9mm for fun), so your wife should be able to handle 38 or 38+P no problem.

[Bill Douglas]

Umm, the 686 is a very fine gun. And second hand ones cleaned and polished are even better...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Umm, the 686 is a very fine gun. And second hand ones cleaned and polished are even better...

Especially when they don't have gaping craters....um... "Safety locks" on the side plate.

[Taz's Master]

The 686's superiority is subjective. The Ruger is simpler, very reliable, accurate, extremely durable, comes with tremendous customer service, and is wonderfully comfortable to shoot. With a steady diet of magnum loads it would likely outlast anyone reading this thread. .38 Specials have very little recoil in that weapon.

What else is there in double-action .357 revolvers besides Smith and Ruger? Basically the other options are wicked expensive and budget firearms. If you want a collector piece, probably a still in production model isn't the best investment. But if you want a functional piece of home/self-defense hardware, you'd be hard pressed to make a better choice than a GP100. If a 686 speaks to you in a way that the GP100 doesn't, the price difference isn't significant enough to justify not buying the Smith. That also is a fantastic revolver that I'd have no reservation about recommending. The Smith'll cost more and likely be worth more, the Ruger is a worker that you'll enjoy shooting. I happen to believe that the GP100's single-action trigger feel is underrated, and the equal of most 686's I've shot, in double-action the Smith's reputation is preserved.

[scottmandue]

Certainly didn't intend for this to be a Ruger Vs S&W thread...

Ironically I was looking at used S&W .357's

The biggest advantage the GP has for me is that it is at a big chain store where I can buy it and they will hold it therefore I can spread the cost out over a few payments and not kill my budget.

And as I said Rugers are famous for being rugged and reliable.

[Taz's Master]

Ask about either a GP100 or a 686 , and it will become a Ruger vs S&W discussion, because they are the standards for current production duty revolvers. And both are great revolvers, worthy of being compared to each other.

A couple of points to consider:
#1 A 4" .357 is a remarkably flexible firearm. It can be carried, concealed, and shot comfortably, and a heavy gun like a GP or L Frame really make .38 Specials mild and controllable.

#2 Save your money, and shop for your gun. Prices have shot up lately, but deals can be found. Keep your eyes open, a Dan Wesson 15, Ruger Security Six, or a Smith M28 could show up, and if you've got cash in hand you might be able to walk away with an awful lot of gun for considerably less than what you'd pay for that GP. It is much easier to make a deal with cash in your pocket.

#3 .357/.38 is a great way to be introduced to reloading, be careful. If you cast your own bullets, a box of 50 .38 Specials can be made for $5-$7.

#4 I've seen with my own eyes how a purchase like that only serves to make you realize that while a 4" is great, now you need a snubby to carry, and a 6" to allow the .357 to reach its velocity potential, and maybe something with fixed sights, and....

[aschen]

I always thought the ruger vs S&W revolver debate was a bit like corvette vs 911.

Corvettes and Ruger are both great values and have great performance, 911s are S&W are a bit cooler to me but arguably don't have any better performance.

I suspect any Ruger revolver will have exactly zero problems for the next 70 years or so. I have a S&W model 29 (44mag) as well as the 357 version (model 27?). They are from the 70s and 80s and work great without issues. My wrist has a love/hate relationship with the 29 however.

[aigel]

Why not just save your money for a few months and then go on calguns to buy a private party pre-lock 686 - it will hold its value better than the brand new, still available Ruger. Just my two cents ...

G

[ledhedsymbols]

I have a S&W 66 that I have owned for about 15 years and put 1000's of rounds through. It's a pussycat with .38s in it, and handles the magnum loads with minimal drama. At 25 feet I can cover my group with a 50c piece, and I am certain that it is me holding back my group not the pistol. I'm not sure what they go for these days, but I can't imagine it is too far out of the realm of reality.