Is the Ruger GP100 the Greatest Double Action Revolver Ever Made?

[Dano4734]

Yes it is but I would say any ruger is. That is just my opinion. I love my super redhawk also. They make superb wheel gun at good prices

[SA1911]

I'd stake my life on my GP100 & I do everytime that I carry it.

I stake my life on avoidance.

[Master Blaster]

The Model 27, 627 and the 686 and 686+ fill that niche. The Ruger is a fine revolver but Some of us prefer further refinement that is lacking in the GP-100.
Ruger can however claim the greatest ever title in the single action category for the Blackhawk in .45 Caliber convertible.

[Gats Italian]

Colt—Mostly defunct.

S&W—Mostly Hillary Holed.

Taurus/Rossi/Charter/Rock Island—Need Not Apply.

Ruger—Making the GP without internal locks since the mid-80s.

If you want a well made American medium framed .357 untouched by gun control concerns, Ruger is the only viable offering left. Good thing it is a really good revolver that can be made pretty great with minimal effort and expense.

To compete with it, you have to either buy a Colt from the 1990s or before, a pre-lock used Smith, or never photograph the left side of a “modern” Smith, due to outright ownership embarrassment over what they have become.

[OzeanJaeger]

If it's just opinion I'd say a Korth is THE BEST double action revolver made.

The Texas Longhorn Arms (Grover's Improved, Texas Flat Top, or really ANY model) is THE BEST single action revolver ever made.

Of course both of these are going to run you North of $5K easy (if you can find a TLA). Silly to buy one of those when you could buy seven or eight Rugers? For most people it's a resounding, yes. But, there are always a lot of people out there who are looking for, "THE BEST", and are willing to pay for it.

I don't think it's ridiculous to say that Ruger's are a very good value, or that for the money many people think they're the best. No mass produced anything is going to be THE BEST. In guns, as with anything else, there are diminishing returns, and a premium paid for a superlative beyond it's reality.

Willi Korth and Bill Grover were engineers/businessmen who both set out to make THE BEST pistols. Not what would be commercially successful, but THE BEST. I think they both found success, but only because they actually achieved THE BEST.

[laytonj1]

Ruger—Making the GP without internal locks since the mid-80s.

True, but since you opened that door, I'll note they have gone to MIM.
And while I really like my 3" version, which serves nightstand duty, I would hardly consider it the "greatest".

Jim

[Gats Italian]

There was MIM in the last jet you flew on. In the engines even.

[bamaranger]

Good guns, but fall a bit short of greatest. As suggested, the Python is a good candidate for the zenith revolver, so too the early Registered Magnum N-frames.

[otasan]

I like my S&W Model 629 revolver. It is accurate, durable, and hard-hitting.

[laytonj1]

There was MIM in the last jet you flew on. In the engines even.

There was also a lot of aluminum and plastic, but you don't see gunmakers using that for barrels or hammers....

Jim

[K_Mac]

MIM is almost always used as a pejorative when discussing firearms. Using manufacturing methods and materials that allow the GP100 to be sold for less than a 686 and others, while maintaining the kind of quality that is being discussed in this thread makes it clear that MIM when done well is not inferior.

Of course there are still folks saying that polymer and the internet won't last.

[JohnKSa]

There was also a lot of aluminum and plastic, but you don't see gunmakers using that for barrels or hammers....

The Beretta CX4 carbine uses a plastic hammer.

[laytonj1]

The Beretta CX4 carbine uses a plastic hammer.

You just had to throw that in there, didn't ya
Ok, no one is making aluminum or plastic barrels... I hope...

Jim

[5whiskey]

Nothing wrong with MIM parts... Properly done and in the right application. There have been low quality mim parts in the past, but its fairly mature technology now and no longer deserves the boogey man status bestowed on it by the internet. How a part is heat treated means way more.

[mavracer]

I don't think anyone makes MIM barrels, I know the GP's barrel and cylinder is forged.

[stormyone]

What’s wrong with MIM parts? I forgot why we hate them.

[Ibmikey]

A Ruger GP 100? Surely you jest? Turn the clock back to pre wonder nines and you would find mostly S&W Model 19 and 66 in Police holster’s throughout the land. I know of no PD that adopted the Ruger during that time period, also in the police shooting competitions that were popular then Ruger was never seen in the hands of a serious competitor.
Am I biased? Sure, I am one who has both a 19 and a 66 that were used as a service pistol and for serious PPC matches. Love the K frame Smith.

[ShootistPRS]

Mikey,
i shot my Ruger Security-Six along side a cop who used the model 19 in competition and he had his gun retuned at 2000 rounds while I have never had to tune my Ruger. The Smith had a better trigger pull but it was no where near as strong or durable as my Ruger. He used 38 wad cutters and I used full house 357 ammo. I guess it depends on whether you want a nice trigger pull or a gun that holds up for tens of thousands of rounds.

[laytonj1]

He used 38 wad cutters and I used full house 357 ammo.

What kind of competition would one competitor shoot full house 357 and another 38 wadcutters?

Jim

[Nathan]

I can't wait to see the first MIM barrels!

[ShootistPRS]

laytonj1,
One competition that would allow it is Hunter's pistol Silhouette but we were only practicing and talking. He was the one who got me to my first Silhouette match and we actually won a final death shoot-off as a team.

Nathan,
I own a 45 Colt with a barrel that is injection molded steel. It's on a derringer that handles 45/410.

[Geezerbiker]

I prefer my model 28 as the double action and my 3 screw Super Blackhawk as the best single action. Well I like mine anyway...

Tony

[Ibmikey]

ShootistPRS, I should think that anything man made can break down, I was referring to multitudes of officers and their handguns, I personally have shot untold revolver rounds with little problem from the weapons. I attended S&W Armorers courses on the revolver and autos, possess all my specialized tools and binders of Smith’s instructions and personal notes, when I perceive a problem is in the making I disassemble the pistol and check every component. Repairing or replacing as needed. Hopefully the pistols will survive long after my demise.
I also have a number of Ruger rifles and pistols, my SP 101 is just no match for my 2 1/2” Model 66 Smith but both go ‘bang’ when requested and both make the steel ring.

[shootniron]

No, it is not.

[Doc TH]

NO