The Perfect Ruger

Model12Win · December 3, 2014, 10:22 PM

Hey everyone! I've had a Ruger GP100 with a 6" barrel and full lug for about two years now, and I have been completely happy with it. In fact, I love the gun except for one thing... that 6" full lug barrel really was too heavy and bulky for my purposes. While it makes a good range gun, I realized I was in the market for a stainless steel .357 revolver that was easier to pack. I was already familiar with and frankly in love with my GP100, so after a good deal of research, I realized I wanted to own the same gun but with a 4" half-lug barrel and fixed sights. This, to me, was the perfect Ruger.

Now I've been wanting this gun for at least a year now, but this particular model (KGPF-340) was not made in particularly large numbers, and those who had them tended to hang on to them or so it seemed. After months of waiting with baited breath, one night a couple weeks ago I spotted this model GP100 on Gun Broker and bought it within a matter of seconds!

Boy, I'm sure glad that I did:

Please forgive the rough picture, but as you can see the gun is in great shape! In fact, it was NIB and was part of a late production model KGPF-340 made in 2012. The gun originally came with a set of the standard Hogue monogrips as most GP100s do nowadays, but last week a member on another forum graciously gave me these old style Ruger OEM compact grips free of charge after I put out a WTB thread on them.

So here I am, my new Ruger is all cleaned up and lubed with frog lube. I plan to spend the rest of the evening working the trigger (with snap caps of course!) and wiping the drool off this gorgeous piece of stainless steel goodness!

Thanks for reading guys!

RodTheWrench · December 3, 2014, 10:27 PM

Nice gun!

I use Hornady One Shot.

jimbob86 · December 3, 2014, 10:32 PM

Have a look at a Security Six- less blocky than the GP100, and for me, anyway, points better. They are not made any more, but are widely available used for really reasonable prices.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/973303724...ag-ss-used.htm

Model12Win · December 3, 2014, 10:36 PM

Jimbob: I like the Six series guns a whole lot, but the fact that Ruger still services the GP100 (obviously) and that more parts should be available for decades, as well as the fact that I was already very used to the GP100, were all contributing factors in my choice of this vs. the Six series guns. I also appreciate the strength of the GP100 as I am a beginning reloader.

In many ways, this particular GP100 is much like a Service Six but with more meat on it's bones.

psalm7 · December 3, 2014, 10:45 PM

Thats a keeper .

Siggy-06 · December 4, 2014, 07:33 PM

Six series for me!

ChiefTJS · December 4, 2014, 10:28 PM

I have the same GP but in blue. Absolutely one of the best configurations of the GP-100. I'd have probably preferred a stainless version but this blued one was available and sometimes that's all it takes.

SARuger · December 4, 2014, 10:34 PM

I want it!!!!

Model12Win · December 4, 2014, 10:43 PM

UPDATE:

Shot the gun at the range today, all I can say is WOW! It is highly accurate and shoots right to POA with 158 grain loads, I shot some full power Double Tap 125 grain .357 magnums and can you say BOOOOOM!? What a hot load, but the KGPF-340 was still very comfortable to fire!

I LOVE this gun, and can't wait to get it out on the range again! It's sitting next to me loaded for bear in case I need it!

Dragline45 · December 4, 2014, 10:52 PM

Great looking gun. I don't only hate the look of full lug revolvers, I hate the balance of them.

Hook686 · December 5, 2014, 12:50 AM

But it's a Ruger. I am glad you are happy with it. How do you plan to carry that 4" revolver ?

Nick_C_S · December 5, 2014, 12:56 AM

Yeah, that Ruger is a beauty. No doubt about it.

Quote:

I don't only hate the look of full lug revolvers, I hate the balance of them.

Heh. I like both the look and the balance of full lug revolvers.

Real Gun · December 5, 2014, 08:04 AM

Quote:

But it's a Ruger.

Smith bigot.

Reminds me of banjo jokes.

giaquir · December 5, 2014, 08:15 AM

There is no perfect gun.
I've gone thru 40 yrs or trading and buying
guns to find the two that 1. will always hit
the bullseye and 2. is a deer magnet.
I can't seem to find them and I know it's
not me.

Seems to me I read somewhere that it is not
the gun , it's the operator.....but you can't
always believe what you read!

Noreaster · December 6, 2014, 12:39 AM

I have the six inch SS and love it. The half lug does look nice though. Chieftjs how is the blued gun holding up? I have a buddy with the 4 inch blued and the finish seems stronger than any other blued gun I've seen. He does not take care of it and it still looks great.

ChiefTJS · December 6, 2014, 09:16 AM

I've had zero issue with the bluing on my GP. I don't treat it rough though, I'd have bought a stainless if it had been available and I've thought a time or two of having this one done up in one of the fancy coatings but the money and desire haven't met at the same time yet.

Rogervzv · December 7, 2014, 10:03 PM

Great revolver, OP.

I picked up this gem used at Turner's and it is a tack driver:

Colt46 · December 10, 2014, 09:52 AM

Great revolvers that are(or were) at a great price. Still a good time to pick one, or more, up.

TimSr · December 10, 2014, 08:32 PM

I sold my Security Six to buy a GP100.

Deaf Smith · December 10, 2014, 10:23 PM

When I'm not hunting but in the field...

And that 3 inch GP, my 'Canadian' (police trade in) is a dandy.

Deaf

bedbugbilly · December 12, 2014, 01:01 PM

Congrats! That's a nice looking revolver and I'm sure you're going to enjoy it!

I think that's one of the reasons I like vintage Smiths - I don't like a lot of iron hanging down out front. Ruger makes a good handgun though - I own a number of them and have never had a bit of trouble with any of them. Ejnoyed looking at the photos - all are nice looking handguns!

Enjoy that Ruger and have fun!

Armybrat · December 12, 2014, 01:32 PM

I'd love to have a GP-100 just like the OP's 4".

Sure miss the Service Six I gave to one of my sons years ago - the frame blueing has turned into that sweet plum color:

jben · December 14, 2014, 02:03 PM

I have the exact same revolver, only in 38 Special. I really like the balance and looks of this one. jben

December 3, 2014, 10:22 PM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The Perfect Ruger Hey everyone! I've had a Ruger GP100 with a 6" barrel and full lug for about two years now, and I have been completely happy with it. In fact, I love the gun except for one thing... that 6" full lug barrel really was too heavy and bulky for my purposes. While it makes a good range gun, I realized I was in the market for a stainless steel .357 revolver that was easier to pack. I was already familiar with and frankly in love with my GP100, so after a good deal of research, I realized I wanted to own the same gun but with a 4" half-lug barrel and fixed sights. This, to me, was the perfect Ruger. Now I've been wanting this gun for at least a year now, but this particular model (KGPF-340) was not made in particularly large numbers, and those who had them tended to hang on to them or so it seemed. After months of waiting with baited breath, one night a couple weeks ago I spotted this model GP100 on Gun Broker and bought it within a matter of seconds! Boy, I'm sure glad that I did: Please forgive the rough picture, but as you can see the gun is in great shape! In fact, it was NIB and was part of a late production model KGPF-340 made in 2012. The gun originally came with a set of the standard Hogue monogrips as most GP100s do nowadays, but last week a member on another forum graciously gave me these old style Ruger OEM compact grips free of charge after I put out a WTB thread on them. So here I am, my new Ruger is all cleaned up and lubed with frog lube. I plan to spend the rest of the evening working the trigger (with snap caps of course!) and wiping the drool off this gorgeous piece of stainless steel goodness! Thanks for reading guys!

December 3, 2014, 10:27 PM	#2
RodTheWrench Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2013 Location: Utah Posts: 365	Nice gun! I use Hornady One Shot. __________________ "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." - Han Solo

December 5, 2014, 12:50 AM	#11
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	But it's a Ruger. I am glad you are happy with it. How do you plan to carry that 4" revolver ? __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.

December 7, 2014, 10:03 PM	#17
Rogervzv Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2011 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,075	Great revolver, OP. I picked up this gem used at Turner's and it is a tack driver: __________________ The difference between a citizen and a civilian is that the citizen makes the safety of the body politic his personal responsibility, protecting it with his life. The civilian does not.

December 10, 2014, 09:52 AM	#18
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	Collectors have figured out the Six series Great revolvers that are(or were) at a great price. Still a good time to pick one, or more, up.

December 3, 2014, 10:32 PM	#3
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Have a look at a Security Six- less blocky than the GP100, and for me, anyway, points better. They are not made any more, but are widely available used for really reasonable prices. http://www.gunsamerica.com/973303724...ag-ss-used.htm

December 3, 2014, 10:36 PM	#4
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Jimbob: I like the Six series guns a whole lot, but the fact that Ruger still services the GP100 (obviously) and that more parts should be available for decades, as well as the fact that I was already very used to the GP100, were all contributing factors in my choice of this vs. the Six series guns. I also appreciate the strength of the GP100 as I am a beginning reloader. In many ways, this particular GP100 is much like a Service Six but with more meat on it's bones.

December 3, 2014, 10:45 PM	#5
psalm7 Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2014 Location: Middle TN Posts: 543	Thats a keeper .

December 4, 2014, 07:33 PM	#6
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Six series for me!

December 4, 2014, 10:28 PM	#7
ChiefTJS Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 96	I have the same GP but in blue. Absolutely one of the best configurations of the GP-100. I'd have probably preferred a stainless version but this blued one was available and sometimes that's all it takes.

December 4, 2014, 10:34 PM	#8
SARuger Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 954	I want it!!!!

December 4, 2014, 10:43 PM	#9
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	UPDATE: Shot the gun at the range today, all I can say is WOW! It is highly accurate and shoots right to POA with 158 grain loads, I shot some full power Double Tap 125 grain .357 magnums and can you say BOOOOOM!? What a hot load, but the KGPF-340 was still very comfortable to fire! I LOVE this gun, and can't wait to get it out on the range again! It's sitting next to me loaded for bear in case I need it!

December 4, 2014, 10:52 PM	#10
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	Great looking gun. I don't only hate the look of full lug revolvers, I hate the balance of them.

December 5, 2014, 08:15 AM	#14
giaquir Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Deerfield,New Hampshire Posts: 512	There is no perfect gun. I've gone thru 40 yrs or trading and buying guns to find the two that 1. will always hit the bullseye and 2. is a deer magnet. I can't seem to find them and I know it's not me. Seems to me I read somewhere that it is not the gun , it's the operator.....but you can't always believe what you read!

December 6, 2014, 12:39 AM	#15
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	I have the six inch SS and love it. The half lug does look nice though. Chieftjs how is the blued gun holding up? I have a buddy with the 4 inch blued and the finish seems stronger than any other blued gun I've seen. He does not take care of it and it still looks great.

December 6, 2014, 09:16 AM	#16
ChiefTJS Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 96	I've had zero issue with the bluing on my GP. I don't treat it rough though, I'd have bought a stainless if it had been available and I've thought a time or two of having this one done up in one of the fancy coatings but the money and desire haven't met at the same time yet.

December 10, 2014, 08:32 PM	#19
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	I sold my Security Six to buy a GP100.

December 10, 2014, 10:23 PM	#20
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 4,453	When I'm not hunting but in the field... And that 3 inch GP, my 'Canadian' (police trade in) is a dandy. Deaf __________________ “To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides

December 12, 2014, 01:01 PM	#21
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Congrats! That's a nice looking revolver and I'm sure you're going to enjoy it! I think that's one of the reasons I like vintage Smiths - I don't like a lot of iron hanging down out front. Ruger makes a good handgun though - I own a number of them and have never had a bit of trouble with any of them. Ejnoyed looking at the photos - all are nice looking handguns! Enjoy that Ruger and have fun! __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

December 12, 2014, 01:32 PM	#22
Armybrat Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 976	I'd love to have a GP-100 just like the OP's 4". Sure miss the Service Six I gave to one of my sons years ago - the frame blueing has turned into that sweet plum color:

December 14, 2014, 02:03 PM	#23
jben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 216	I have the exact same revolver, only in 38 Special. I really like the balance and looks of this one. jben