Maximum boogy: morphing Ruger's uncommon GP100 into an extraordinary gorilla gun

American Handgunner, Nov-Dec, 2003 by Mike Cumpston

Accept it. In the kingdom of precision target games, the revolver has become passe. But though a cause of remorse for some, this doesn't change the fact there remains something fundamentally satisfying about casual bullseye shooting, and other pursuits that aim for accuracy.

Stalwart, dedicated .38 Special target revolvers have been supplanted by the .357, the preferred caliber for shooters who view their revolver as a multi-purpose tool. So the challenge becomes finding a magnum revolver that shoots pleasant target loads at an accuracy level exceeding the shooter's capabilities.

The .357 failed to impress early researchers as a tack driver. Elmer Keith recorded his .357 Smith hand-ejector never quite equaled his old .38/44 Outdoorsman, even when the same basic components were used. Dean Grinell recorded that while accuracy did happen, he never regarded the .357 as possessing gilt-edged accuracy. Add to this equation that not until recently has the modern target revolver been able to survive extensive shooting of gun-eating magnum rounds.

Enter, stage left, the 6" GP100. Years ago I had one of these, a short-shroud variation, and foolishly traded it off. My personal personnel records indicate at that time I was happy with sub 2" groups at 25 yards--the accuracy level recorded with most loads. The revolver had cycled a considerable number of high-pressure rounds and never did develop any significant signs of wear. XTP 125 grainers over near-maximum charges of 296 rattled teeth on adjacent ranges, making shooters think somebody was working a short 12-gauge on the Combat Range. Heavy loaded 140's were about as bad, shouting large plumes of flame while bombarding the forcing cone with high-temperature vapor. Yet no signs of erosion marred the stainless forcing cone.

The short shroud, round barrel GP weighs plumb 43 oz., which is 2 ounces heavier than a full shroud 4" and 3 oz. lighter than the same 6" gun with a full length under-lug. The 43 oz. weight complements my ergonomic (see Cumpston's pin-up calendar featuring his fine ergonomics. Ed.) and accurate model 617, and is ideal for sustained offhand work. Besides, I like the Victorian-Streamline looks of the skinnier tube, and steadfastly, wholeheartedly, deny that when it comes to handguns looks are only skin deep.

At L.M. Burney Distributing Co., I received yet another sign my feet march to the beat of a different drummer. Everybody else wants the full lugged 46-oz. version of this gun. And why not? You get 3 oz. more metal, for the same money. So Ruger didn't even have any of the round barrels made up. While waiting, I had no choice but to consider the options that wring-out the GP's best accuracy. No new grips for me. The factory slide-on jobs fit my hand better than anything else, virtually nullifying any recoil proceeding from the worst magnum loads.

Trigger reach is not only ideal for single-action control, but so well adapted to the trigger-cocking mode that GPs turn in off-hand double action scores rivaling the single action. On the down side, GP trigger pulls are a liability lawyer's delight, and can stand some reduction. I canvassed other shooters about the Wolff Spring Kits and ordered a set from Dillon.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Ruger supplied sights. The Ziggurat-shaped front sight rivals the Patridge post in its versatility. The sight picture is such that in most lighting conditions I can use them without glasses. Nevertheless, nothing better in this world exists than the custom-made rear sights tediously handmade at Bowen Classic Arms. The amount of light on each side of the front sight is identical to the picture presented with the factory rear and you get a double bonus in the form of steel construction and finely-graduated positive adjustment. The rear aspect of the sight resembles that of the old High Standard match blades and their progeny. They had two in the shop. I ordered one.

Brown-paper Packages

The GP arrived with a 6-lb. single action pull and that stagy double action so well suited to my method of shooting. The absence of end shake and the minimal side-to side wiggle of the cylinder was identical to that of my first 6" GP and my current 4" model. The b/c gap looked suitably small; all chambers fell into perfect alignment with the barrel. Disassembly into several modular substructures is well described in the owner's manual and, once you have become accustomed to the process, the GP virtually falls apart in your hands. Reassembly is equally easy. Likewise, installation of the goodies I had on hand was unproblematic.

Experiences of dedicated Rugerites reveal the lighter Wolff mainsprings will frequently fail to ignite the tougher primers, Double-action reliability kicks in at about the 10-lb, weight. So I installed the 12-lb. number. Wanting positive trigger reset, I chose the 10-lb. trigger return spring in preference to the 8-lb. alternative. While the revolver was in pieces, I took the opportunity to lightly polish some of the bearing surfaces and apply Tetra Gun Grease to appropriate working parts. The immediate result--a reduction in single-action let-off to a few ounces under 4 lbs. Incessant dry firing settled the single action release at 3 lbs., 2 oz. It also smoothed things up as well as you could want.