I'm really enjoying the basic "revolver" lately

Road_Clam · October 22, 2016, 05:50 PM

I'm more of a long gun guy, but over the past 5 years or so been getting into revolvers. My first handgun was a Glock G35 , it was ok, really don't shoot it much as it's snappy and unforgiving for a novice shooter. I then purchased a more researched specific Springfield RO 1911 in 9mm and this got me on the right track to more happy and accurate shooting. I then got my first revolver and I jumped right into the deep end by buying a S&W 12" 460XVR . Took me a while to learn to shoot it well. Added a scope and now I can ring a 14x16 steel gong at 200 meters. LOVE that 460 and I always have a crowd gather around after I send a few rounds downrange. I've recently been looking for a more tame plinker and found a super clean used Ruger GP100 in 357 mag. Did some research and seems the GP100's are a rock solid reliable shooter. I shot about 60 rounds a few days ago and I am totally impressed , very fun and accurate shooter. I picked up some Black Hills 158 gr hp's and shot about 3" groups at 25 yds off a rest which is very good for me being a novice with pistols. Safe to say my semi's are moving to the back of the safe in favor of my old skool' 6 shooters

...

The GP100 I recently picked up :

P5 Guy · October 23, 2016, 12:17 PM

Nothing is more fun than a double action revolver for range shooting and plinking.

g.willikers · October 23, 2016, 12:38 PM

How many years did revolvers exist as the primary handgun?
How many more years did they serve as effective civilian use and service issue?
Revolvers have probably proved their mettle many times over.
Every aspiring shootist should have at least one.

ThomasT · October 23, 2016, 01:01 PM

OP my GP-100 looks just like yours. I bought mine back about the middle 1980s. It has been shot many thousands of times mostly with low power lead reloads. It first it would lead the barrel a little but after being shot and smoothed up like it has it never leads now. I won quite a few trophies with that gun in the falling plate matches. Its like a small rifle in my hands.

I prefer revolvers and always have. I rarely ever even look at autos when going to the gun store or the gunshow. You have one of the best.

tallball · October 23, 2016, 04:20 PM

You are entering dangerous territory. Next you will try a Ruger single-action and will truly be doomed.

Pond, James Pond · October 23, 2016, 04:32 PM

I can fully sympathise. The urge to sell my last semi auto pistol (an SP-01 that I genuinely respect and enjoy) and replace it with a GP-100 has already reared its head more than once.

I love the CZ; it's just that I love revolvers even more!!

Model12Win · October 23, 2016, 04:42 PM

The GP100, or any .357 Magnum with a 6" barrel has excellent stopping power due to the increased velocity from the long barrel.

Road_Clam · October 23, 2016, 08:20 PM

I've shot about 120 rounds thus far and as many others comment the trigger is harsh. I always try shooting my newly aquired guns stock first to establish a personal baseline before making changes. I purchased a Hiviz Litewave fiber optic front sight, and the Wolff reduced power spring kit. Thats it for mods. Also got a set of 357 LEE dies for my LCT press, bought 1K of Berry's 158 plated rnfp's so good to go for reloading as well ! Already have about 12#of H110 for loading my S&W 460XVR.

mk70ss · October 23, 2016, 08:22 PM

quality, basic revolvers will do anything any other gun will do. I love them too

tranders · October 24, 2016, 10:52 AM

I also shoot my revolvers quite a bit.Not that I dislike autos, I just hate chasing brass. Lol

rob-c · October 24, 2016, 12:16 PM

Love my revolvers , now you need to get a single action and a compact carry revolver.

Brian48 · October 25, 2016, 10:18 PM

I'm a huge 1911 guy, but the last 3 guns I've bought have been revolvers.

CedarGrove357 · October 25, 2016, 10:29 PM

I've got one of the SP101's in .327 fed mag coming this week. 4.2" barrel, fiber optic sight, etc. Am anxious to get it to the bench for sure.

Will be my second wheel gun along with my Circuit Judge Tuffy. My 11 year old daughter loved to shoot that thing!

75218ron · October 25, 2016, 11:25 PM

I have, and prefer the 6" GP100....love it! Most prefer the 4" but I wouldn't trade my 6".

shootniron · October 26, 2016, 01:41 AM

Nice gun and you should enjoy it for years to come. Revolvers are fine firearms...pretty versatile and always timeless.

I prefer the Smith's, but you did good with the Ruger.

shootniron · October 26, 2016, 01:42 AM

duplicate

jwise · October 28, 2016, 07:20 PM

I've found shooting revolvers to be just what I needed to enjoy handgun shooting again (at least on a static range).

Shooting double-action accurately is just the challenge I've been looking for.

Nathan · October 28, 2016, 08:09 PM

Great revolver! When you get bored, hook yourself up with a S &W 19 or 586!

Bongo Boy · November 4, 2016, 01:24 AM

I understand. While I always had a hankerin' for a .357 I saw in a magazine in the 70s, I never thought much of or about revolvers. To me, they were simply obsolete weapons that held an interest to folks who thought auto pistols were unreliable--after being around for 100 years.

But, for whatever reason, I got a real strong urge about a year ago or so, and started looking for the style of revolver I'd seen 4 decades ago and always sort of wanted. Ended up with a Smith 629-4 6", and can't say I enjoy shooting any of my auto pistols more than I do this 44. At the time I bought it, I 'knew' it would probably be the only revolver I'd ever own.

About 3 weeks ago I picked up the super redhawk Alaskan--I really wanted a 629-3 -4 or -5 in 3", and the only one I found was absurdly expensive. The Alaskan looks to be the answer to my dreams for a shorter 44, and I think I may just live long enough to learn to shoot it reasonably well.

But...I know already it will be a lot of fun, and I'm confident you'll enjoy that GP-100.

I now burn thru ammo far slower than I did in the days of Bill Drills and shooting as fast as possible. And for me I think that's a good thing given about the only practical opportunities I have to shoot are at the indoor range, where I'm not moving and neither are the targets.

Enjoy!!

Rock Hammer · November 4, 2016, 06:56 AM

@ Road clam.....................I have tried many powders including H110
CFE Pistol is rapidly becoming my go to powder . In my GP 100's I use 125 gr or 158 gr Extreme bullets for a more enjoyable experience I find the recoil on H110 to violent for plinking , no sense on beating up me or my equipment. Smacking that 200 meter gong won't be a problem . 460 XVR Owner TOO !

jstert · November 5, 2016, 01:23 PM

"You are entering dangerous territory. Next you will try a Ruger single-action and will truly be doomed."

please consider yourself warned, if you happen pick up a ruger blackhawk 357/38/9mm you will want it, and that will lead inexorably to ruger single action revolvers in 45lc and 22lr/wmr, and then there is 45acp, 32h&r, 17hmr as you move towards the dark side... dont ask me how i know this truth.

as obiwan explained to a young luke: "this is the weapon of a jedi knight. not as clumsy or random as a blaster. an elegant weapon... for a more civilized age." enjoy!

IndependenceRanch · November 5, 2016, 01:44 PM

Thanks a great side arm for hog hunting. You always need something to finish em off.

Road_Clam · November 5, 2016, 04:06 PM

Update: stock trigger has proved to be brutally tough to pull. After much research I bought the Wolf optional spring kit. I tried a few combos and I like the 12# main and the 8# trigger. I did some basic polishing to the trigger components and wow what a positive difference is crisp trigger actuation. LOVE my GP100 even more now as shooting DA is much more do-able than stock.

kyguy1 · November 5, 2016, 05:02 PM

I love revolvers, you can't go wrong with them, they're dependable get the job done and well made. It's a reliable weapon for shooting or defense.

franco45 · November 10, 2016, 11:03 PM

I have been on a revolver run myself. The last six handguns I bought have been revolvers.

October 22, 2016, 05:50 PM	#1
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,719	I'm really enjoying the basic "revolver" lately I'm more of a long gun guy, but over the past 5 years or so been getting into revolvers. My first handgun was a Glock G35 , it was ok, really don't shoot it much as it's snappy and unforgiving for a novice shooter. I then purchased a more researched specific Springfield RO 1911 in 9mm and this got me on the right track to more happy and accurate shooting. I then got my first revolver and I jumped right into the deep end by buying a S&W 12" 460XVR . Took me a while to learn to shoot it well. Added a scope and now I can ring a 14x16 steel gong at 200 meters. LOVE that 460 and I always have a crowd gather around after I send a few rounds downrange. I've recently been looking for a more tame plinker and found a super clean used Ruger GP100 in 357 mag. Did some research and seems the GP100's are a rock solid reliable shooter. I shot about 60 rounds a few days ago and I am totally impressed , very fun and accurate shooter. I picked up some Black Hills 158 gr hp's and shot about 3" groups at 25 yds off a rest which is very good for me being a novice with pistols. Safe to say my semi's are moving to the back of the safe in favor of my old skool' 6 shooters ... The GP100 I recently picked up : __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

October 23, 2016, 08:20 PM	#8
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,719	I've shot about 120 rounds thus far and as many others comment the trigger is harsh. I always try shooting my newly aquired guns stock first to establish a personal baseline before making changes. I purchased a Hiviz Litewave fiber optic front sight, and the Wolff reduced power spring kit. Thats it for mods. Also got a set of 357 LEE dies for my LCT press, bought 1K of Berry's 158 plated rnfp's so good to go for reloading as well ! Already have about 12#of H110 for loading my S&W 460XVR. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

October 23, 2016, 08:22 PM	#9
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,642	quality, basic revolvers will do anything any other gun will do. I love them too __________________ Say when.....

October 25, 2016, 10:18 PM	#12
Brian48 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2001 Location: Boston, People's Republic of MA Posts: 1,616	I'm a huge 1911 guy, but the last 3 guns I've bought have been revolvers. __________________ Proud to have served.

October 25, 2016, 10:29 PM	#13
CedarGrove357 Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2016 Location: Southeastern Illinois Posts: 137	.327 Federal Magnum I've got one of the SP101's in .327 fed mag coming this week. 4.2" barrel, fiber optic sight, etc. Am anxious to get it to the bench for sure. Will be my second wheel gun along with my Circuit Judge Tuffy. My 11 year old daughter loved to shoot that thing!

October 23, 2016, 12:17 PM	#2
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	Nothing is more fun than a double action revolver for range shooting and plinking.

October 23, 2016, 12:38 PM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	How many years did revolvers exist as the primary handgun? How many more years did they serve as effective civilian use and service issue? Revolvers have probably proved their mettle many times over. Every aspiring shootist should have at least one.

October 23, 2016, 01:01 PM	#4
ThomasT Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,773	OP my GP-100 looks just like yours. I bought mine back about the middle 1980s. It has been shot many thousands of times mostly with low power lead reloads. It first it would lead the barrel a little but after being shot and smoothed up like it has it never leads now. I won quite a few trophies with that gun in the falling plate matches. Its like a small rifle in my hands. I prefer revolvers and always have. I rarely ever even look at autos when going to the gun store or the gunshow. You have one of the best.

October 23, 2016, 04:20 PM	#5
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	You are entering dangerous territory. Next you will try a Ruger single-action and will truly be doomed.

October 23, 2016, 04:32 PM	#6
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	I can fully sympathise. The urge to sell my last semi auto pistol (an SP-01 that I genuinely respect and enjoy) and replace it with a GP-100 has already reared its head more than once. I love the CZ; it's just that I love revolvers even more!!

October 23, 2016, 04:42 PM	#7
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The GP100, or any .357 Magnum with a 6" barrel has excellent stopping power due to the increased velocity from the long barrel.

October 24, 2016, 10:52 AM	#10
tranders Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 233	I also shoot my revolvers quite a bit.Not that I dislike autos, I just hate chasing brass. Lol

October 24, 2016, 12:16 PM	#11
rob-c Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2013 Posts: 151	Love my revolvers , now you need to get a single action and a compact carry revolver.

October 25, 2016, 11:25 PM	#14
75218ron Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 191	I have, and prefer the 6" GP100....love it! Most prefer the 4" but I wouldn't trade my 6".

October 26, 2016, 01:41 AM	#15
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	Nice gun and you should enjoy it for years to come. Revolvers are fine firearms...pretty versatile and always timeless. I prefer the Smith's, but you did good with the Ruger.

October 26, 2016, 01:42 AM	#16
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,599	duplicate Last edited by shootniron; October 28, 2016 at 08:36 PM.

October 28, 2016, 07:20 PM	#17
jwise Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 677	I've found shooting revolvers to be just what I needed to enjoy handgun shooting again (at least on a static range). Shooting double-action accurately is just the challenge I've been looking for.

October 28, 2016, 08:09 PM	#18
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,828	Great revolver! When you get bored, hook yourself up with a S &W 19 or 586!

November 4, 2016, 01:24 AM	#19
Bongo Boy Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: Colo Spgs CO Posts: 517	I understand. While I always had a hankerin' for a .357 I saw in a magazine in the 70s, I never thought much of or about revolvers. To me, they were simply obsolete weapons that held an interest to folks who thought auto pistols were unreliable--after being around for 100 years. But, for whatever reason, I got a real strong urge about a year ago or so, and started looking for the style of revolver I'd seen 4 decades ago and always sort of wanted. Ended up with a Smith 629-4 6", and can't say I enjoy shooting any of my auto pistols more than I do this 44. At the time I bought it, I 'knew' it would probably be the only revolver I'd ever own. About 3 weeks ago I picked up the super redhawk Alaskan--I really wanted a 629-3 -4 or -5 in 3", and the only one I found was absurdly expensive. The Alaskan looks to be the answer to my dreams for a shorter 44, and I think I may just live long enough to learn to shoot it reasonably well. But...I know already it will be a lot of fun, and I'm confident you'll enjoy that GP-100. I now burn thru ammo far slower than I did in the days of Bill Drills and shooting as fast as possible. And for me I think that's a good thing given about the only practical opportunities I have to shoot are at the indoor range, where I'm not moving and neither are the targets. Enjoy!! Last edited by Bongo Boy; November 7, 2016 at 01:12 AM.

November 4, 2016, 06:56 AM	#20
Rock Hammer Member Join Date: October 15, 2016 Posts: 39	@ Road clam.....................I have tried many powders including H110 CFE Pistol is rapidly becoming my go to powder . In my GP 100's I use 125 gr or 158 gr Extreme bullets for a more enjoyable experience I find the recoil on H110 to violent for plinking , no sense on beating up me or my equipment. Smacking that 200 meter gong won't be a problem . 460 XVR Owner TOO !

November 5, 2016, 01:23 PM	#21
jstert Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2013 Posts: 222	"You are entering dangerous territory. Next you will try a Ruger single-action and will truly be doomed." please consider yourself warned, if you happen pick up a ruger blackhawk 357/38/9mm you will want it, and that will lead inexorably to ruger single action revolvers in 45lc and 22lr/wmr, and then there is 45acp, 32h&r, 17hmr as you move towards the dark side... dont ask me how i know this truth. as obiwan explained to a young luke: "this is the weapon of a jedi knight. not as clumsy or random as a blaster. an elegant weapon... for a more civilized age." enjoy!

November 5, 2016, 01:44 PM	#22
IndependenceRanch Junior Member Join Date: November 4, 2016 Location: Waelder, Texas Posts: 7	Thanks a great side arm for hog hunting. You always need something to finish em off.

November 5, 2016, 04:06 PM	#23
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,719	Update: stock trigger has proved to be brutally tough to pull. After much research I bought the Wolf optional spring kit. I tried a few combos and I like the 12# main and the 8# trigger. I did some basic polishing to the trigger components and wow what a positive difference is crisp trigger actuation. LOVE my GP100 even more now as shooting DA is much more do-able than stock. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

November 5, 2016, 05:02 PM	#24
kyguy1 Member Join Date: October 31, 2016 Posts: 80	I love revolvers, you can't go wrong with them, they're dependable get the job done and well made. It's a reliable weapon for shooting or defense.

November 10, 2016, 11:03 PM	#25
franco45 Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2010 Location: Toledo Ohio Posts: 475	I have been on a revolver run myself. The last six handguns I bought have been revolvers.