GP love, and grip question.

[dayman]

When I turned 21 I went to the local gun shop to buy a handgun. I almost bought a GP100, but decided it was too big so I got a SP101. I'm glad I did, because I think if I had bought the GP I would have liked it so much that I probably never would have bothered to buy another gun. And I've had a lot of fun with a lot of guns.
I shot the first few cylinders in SA, then decided to give the DA a try, and that's when everything really came together. Everything moves so deliberately and smoothly. It's the fist gun I've shot that feels like a machine. I could shoot it all day.
The SP101 I can hit COM @ 10 yards, and I really don't have anything to complain about with regards to the trigger, but for some reason the GP is just so much.... better.

Sadly, I kind of did, and I'm now out of .38spcl. So, all I can do is clean it, but even that's fun. I'll have the cleanest gun in the state.

The one thing I'm not 100% in love with are the stock grips. They're okay, but not great, so I thought I'd replace them with a set of Houges.
I love the monogrip I have on my SP. I know the finger grooves aren't for everyone, but they fit me just about perfect.
My question is whether to get the monogrips for the GP, or the "tamer". The recoil - even with magnums - doesn't bother me whatsoever. I'm just looking for something that will fill my hand better.
I'd look locally, but there aren't any places that both have them and will let me take them out of the packaging to try out.
So, suggestions would be welcome.

Also,does anyone have experience with Gould and Goodrich holsters? I'm fast approaching the level of spending that will cause my wife to get upset, so I'd like to find the cheapest decent leather woods holster I can.

[chewie146]

Why do you need a leather holster? Have you considered something else? Also, I apologize if I missed this, but are you trying to conceal it? If not, a number of cordura holsters work fine for me. How much are you looking to spend?

[Hammerhead]

The Hogue grip is larger in circumference and will increase the trigger reach over the stock grip. With the Hogues I pull the trigger with the pad of my finger, with stock I'm forced to use the first joint to pull the trigger. The Hogue is also much softer.

[Hammerhead]

Oh yeah, the stock grip does get your hand up higher on the gun reducing muzzle flip. The Hogue forces your hand lower.
I think the stock grips have less felt recoil.

[JohnKSa]

...for some reason the GP is just so much.... better.

There are a couple of places in the trigger linkage where the additional size of the gun is translated to better leverage. In addition, the GP cylinder spins on ball bearings while the SP101 has a friction bearing. You can get a nice trigger pull on an SP101, but all else being equal, the GP can be made better yet.

My GP100 was my first gun, and I tried a number of different grips but have always ended up putting the stock grips back on the gun. I do make one small change to the factory grips by shaving the "corner" off the left rear of the upper grip to make it more round. Otherwise a long shooting session chafes my thumb knuckle on my shooting hand a bit.

Of course, your hand may be different--grips are cheap. Keep trying them until you find something you like.

[dayman]

I guess the thing that bothers me about the stock grip is the notch for the thumb is in the wrong spot for my finger and feels weird. Also - though less important - I'm not a huge fan of the look. I like wood, I like rubber, I like them separately.
I don't want the grip a lot bigger though. It's about the rightsize for me now, I could just do with a better shape. I'm going to assume the monogrip is smaller than the tamer (and it's about $10 less), so I'll probably start with those. It appears that Ruger is now putting them on as the stock grips, so they must work for a lot of people anyway.

As far as the holster goes, I just prefer the look of leather, and all my other "outdoor" gear is leather.
I have no plans on concealing it, though not being super obvious under a coat would be a plus. Mostly I'd just be carrying it hiking/camping/fishing/hunting. If I need to hide something I have better options. I guess if I had a hard price limit it would be like $100. $60-70ish would be preferable.

At some point I'd like to get a nice custom chest holster, but that's not going to happen this summer, and mid July I'm going to be spending a few weeks in the deep woods helping to film a wilderness survival documentary, so I'd like to have something by then.

Last question. As this is going to be a woods gun I would like to get some sights I'll be able to see at dusk/night. Are the meprolights worth the $100 or so more they cost over firesights?
Also, how rugged are the firesights. I have fiber optics on my target gun, but this one won;t be able to be babied, and I do occasionally spend extended time out in the boonies. Having something break would be no fun at all.

[rrruger]

Also,does anyone have experience with Gould and Goodrich holsters?

I bought one for my GP100 through Amazon and the delivery took three months even though Amazon claimed that they were in stock. Please note here that this was a problem with Amazon and not Gould and Goodrich.
The quality is first rate and well worth the cost. It is nice to see that you can still get value for the dollar.
I did find that the raw leather inside the holster provided an incredible grip on the gun even without the thumb strap. I melted a little Simonize Car wax and 'sealed' the inside surfaces which makes it much quicker to draw but retains the shape and the firm grip.

Why a leather holster?
Why a revolver?

[rrruger]

I have no plans on concealing it, though not being super obvious under a coat would be a plus...

I am 5'5" and 230 with short legs and a long torso. My GP100 is a 4", and rides in a pancake holster outside my jeans and just behind my front pocket. The Gould and Goodrich holster sits high and tight just under the kidney and is reasonably comfortable riding in a car. a short jacket (long enough to cover my hip pockets) is all that is needed to conceal the holster. I ride my bike to the range and the holster is tight enough that even with the weight of the GP it doesn't vibrate or move around, and believe me, with an old 650 thumper you vibrate!

[kahrguy]

Check PM

[Dan-O]

The monogrip that comes stock with the GP's now are not for me. I bought the "Tamer" and its a much better fit for my long skinny fingers. That being said the Lett style grips are the best in my book.

Also, did you buy the gun used, or have you had it for a while? GP100's now ship with Hogue Monogrips.

Here is a comparison pics of the monogrip and the tamer, monogrip on right:

[savit260]

I guess if I had a hard price limit it would be like $100. $60-70ish would be preferable.

At some point I'd like to get a nice custom chest holster, but that's not going to happen this summer, and mid July I'm going to be spending a few weeks in the deep woods helping to film a wilderness survival documentary, so I'd like to have something by then.

Check out Simplyrugged.com They have great custom made holsters in your price range. Take a look at the Sourdough Pancake. THis can be converted later into a "chest rig" with the addition of the "chesty puller straps".

These are high quality leather holsters that conceal well and are extremely versatile. (Iwb, OWB, chest rig.)

All at a very reasonable price for a custom holster. You can get the basic Sourdough Pancake delivered for under your price limit.

[SgtLumpy]

Also,does anyone have experience with Gould and Goodrich holsters? I'm fast approaching the level of spending that will cause my wife to get upset, so I'd like to find the cheapest decent leather woods holster I can.

Too bad your wife isn't in favor of you having stuff that makes you happy. Sure it's not you telegraphing that guilt concept onto her?..


I used G&G holsters for duty carry for several years. I always found them, and Tex Shoemaker to be notably better build/fit/finish than either Bianchi or Safariland. My nylon G&G holster is the best holster I own. If I was carrying on duty, that's the one I'd use.


I have no idea if they are still the same quality. I sent them an email months ago asking about availability of a certain model. Never heard back from them.


Sgt Lumpy

[Hammerhead]

Sounds like you might be a candidate for solid wood grips.

[superspirit]

I have the tamers on my GP100, and wouldnt trade them for any other grip. I tried pachmeyer's and hated them. and really didnt care for the stock grips. as for a holster I use cheapo uncle mikes nothing impressive, just carries the gun.

[s4s4u]

I've used the Lett, the Mono, and the Tamer and the Tamer has the best feel for me.

[foghorn25]

I'll second the suggestion for a Simply Rugged sourdough pancake holster, if you haven't checked them out. I love mine, was great right out of the box for my GP100 4".

[jrhilde]

Dayman, check your messages