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What to look at before buying a used GP100? **Update w/Pics**
8/31/2011 8:21:06 PM
Local shop has a used GP100 priced at $450 and i figure I can get it out the door for that price or maybe a little less. That was the next gun on my list, but I had planned on buying new, but this will save me around $150. So what shold I look for/at before buying a used revolver? I am pretty new to revolvers. The used one had a much better trigger than the new one, and it had the older grips with the wooden inlay that I think looks much better. Thanks for any advice.
ETA: It is a 6 inch model.
Update. Pics below. Got it for $425 otd
ETA: It is a 6 inch model.
Update. Pics below. Got it for $425 otd
8/31/2011 9:23:50 PM
Not really much to worry about. It has a transfer bar hammer system, but the shop may get nervous if you just start snapping the trigger. Cock the revolver, make sure the cylinder locks up. letting the hammer down slowly while pulling the trigger. If the cylinder locks with only a little play in each of the 6 positions, that is good. Look at the front of the cylinder, as long as it does not look like it has been rubbing on the back of the barrel, that checks out. Buy it and get some ammo, and repost with how much you like it. Good Luck
9/1/2011 3:11:11 PM
You want to check the endshake of the cylinder - I love my GP100 (sounds like the exact model you are looking at, but mine is stainless) but the cylinder has gotten pretty lose in about 23 years and however many thousands of rounds. To check cylinder play - do two things:
1. Cock the hammer, and with thumb on trigger, ease hammer down slowly, all the way to its rest. While still depressing trigger, try to move the cylinder (using your weak hand) - front-to-back, side-to-side, and rotate both directions. You are looking for minimal movement. Repeat on all 6 cylinders.
2. Cock the hammer. With the hammer all the way back - repeat the test above looking for cylinder movement on all six cylinders.
Other things to look for:
1. Look for flame cutting above the forcing cone in the top strap. If it is excessive - be careful. Rugers are pretty ruggede though, so don't expect this to be a problem.
2. Look for the sharpness of the rifling, and examine as much of the forcing cone as possible. It is hard to get much of a read on forcing cone wear w/o a brand new one to compare it too, or a pair of calipers, so you likely want to go on the sharpness of the rifling.
3. Look under the ejector star - a lot of people never clean this. If it is clean, it is a hint that whoever shot it knew how to clean it, or didn't shoot it much.
I would likely buy it, even if the cylinder is a bit loose. My old GP100 has a nicer trigger than anything Ruger has built in 10-15 years. I am also convinced it CAME WITH the nicer trigger, and has broken in to be even more smooth. The newer ones I have shoot tend to have lawyer triggers in my opinion. Also - the old style grips are very comfortable. I have Hogue's on another revolver, and I like them enough, but I don't like them so much I would change what is on the Ruger.
Honestly - an awful lot of six inch revolvers spend more time in the safe than at the range. I think you are pretty safe that the gun doesn't have an excessive number of rounds through it. Also, mine has gotten loose, but is still very accurate. It was also a competition gun for a couple years, so it has definitely been shot a bunch.
I suspect you are about to get a pretty good deal on a nice piece of shootin' iron.
-shooter
1. Cock the hammer, and with thumb on trigger, ease hammer down slowly, all the way to its rest. While still depressing trigger, try to move the cylinder (using your weak hand) - front-to-back, side-to-side, and rotate both directions. You are looking for minimal movement. Repeat on all 6 cylinders.
2. Cock the hammer. With the hammer all the way back - repeat the test above looking for cylinder movement on all six cylinders.
Other things to look for:
1. Look for flame cutting above the forcing cone in the top strap. If it is excessive - be careful. Rugers are pretty ruggede though, so don't expect this to be a problem.
2. Look for the sharpness of the rifling, and examine as much of the forcing cone as possible. It is hard to get much of a read on forcing cone wear w/o a brand new one to compare it too, or a pair of calipers, so you likely want to go on the sharpness of the rifling.
3. Look under the ejector star - a lot of people never clean this. If it is clean, it is a hint that whoever shot it knew how to clean it, or didn't shoot it much.
I would likely buy it, even if the cylinder is a bit loose. My old GP100 has a nicer trigger than anything Ruger has built in 10-15 years. I am also convinced it CAME WITH the nicer trigger, and has broken in to be even more smooth. The newer ones I have shoot tend to have lawyer triggers in my opinion. Also - the old style grips are very comfortable. I have Hogue's on another revolver, and I like them enough, but I don't like them so much I would change what is on the Ruger.
Honestly - an awful lot of six inch revolvers spend more time in the safe than at the range. I think you are pretty safe that the gun doesn't have an excessive number of rounds through it. Also, mine has gotten loose, but is still very accurate. It was also a competition gun for a couple years, so it has definitely been shot a bunch.
I suspect you are about to get a pretty good deal on a nice piece of shootin' iron.
-shooter
9/2/2011 7:47:12 PM
Well, I know it looks like everyone else's gp100, but this one is mine. Pretty clean overall and locks up tight on all cylinders. Trigger is much much better than my new model sp101. Got it for $425 out the door. Thanks for the advice Leo and Shooter
9/3/2011 6:13:54 AM
That is a mirror image of mine. Enjoy the heck out of it. That is a pretty good price on it.
-shooter
-shooter
9/4/2011 1:23:01 AM
Dang. That's nice. My Dad has a 4" Blued version but I think I'd like a 6"stainless myself. Enjoy that gun.
9/5/2011 12:46:18 AM
I bought one pretty much identical to that last Sat and took it to the range the next day. I am happy with it.
My only complaint was the fact that the front sight doesn't really stand out against the rear. A little bit of red paint on the ramp surface fixed that real quick.
9/5/2011 1:03:20 AM
Nice 
most factory .357 ammo is weak.
H110 / Winchester 296 and a firm crimp are the way to go.
most factory .357 ammo is weak.
H110 / Winchester 296 and a firm crimp are the way to go.
9/5/2011 11:41:07 AM
Originally Posted By Bassgasm:
I bought one pretty much identical to that last Sat and took it to the range the next day. I am happy with it.
I bought one pretty much identical to that last Sat and took it to the range the next day. I am happy with it.
My only complaint was the fact that the front sight doesn't really stand out against the rear. A little bit of red paint on the ramp surface fixed that real quick.
I noticed that as well. I am going to try deer hunting with it this year, and this could be an issue in low light. I am going to try some paint first, but may end up going with some type of fiber optic front sight.
ETA. Does anyone make a night sight front for the gp100?
9/5/2011 3:16:56 PM
That is the easiest front sight you will ever replace on a handgun, I think the options are pretty much unlimited. I know fiber-optic is easy to find, but don't know about night sights. I will do some searches and report back.
Also - Ruger sells a pack of Redhawk front sights that fit in that grove, but you either need to raise your rear sight some, or grind the replacement front sight down some.
-shooter
Also - Ruger sells a pack of Redhawk front sights that fit in that grove, but you either need to raise your rear sight some, or grind the replacement front sight down some.
-shooter
9/5/2011 5:29:58 PM
I looked and it looks like meprolight makes a set of night sights. I may try and see if I can find just the front.
9/8/2011 10:51:37 PM
The GP100 is a tank, I've had mine for 7 years. Spring kits are available from Wolf to adjust trigger weight and smooth the action. If you manage to break it, Ruger customer service is outstanding. Enjoy the new iron.
9/16/2011 7:51:31 AM
Sharp looking gun thinking of one myself.
9/16/2011 11:30:34 AM
Am I the only one who likes the old style grips better than the new ones? I got one about a year ago, and finally had to order a replacement set for that monstrous rubber thing that comes on the new pistols.
I just couldn't warm to it.
Oh yeah, wonderful pistol you have there. Pass it down to your kids some day!!!!
Doc
I just couldn't warm to it.
Oh yeah, wonderful pistol you have there. Pass it down to your kids some day!!!!
Doc
9/16/2011 11:54:38 AM
brownells carries the old style grips....
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=11921/ttver=1/Product/GRIPS__PAIR__RUBBER__W_WOOD_INSERTS
