Gun Review: The Ruger GP100 Revolver

Ruger revolvers are built like tanks. The GP 100 which I used was a 6 inch stainless steel model which is chambered for the .357 magnum / .38 special. It was one of the heavier revolvers I have handled. According to Ruger it has a "triple-locking cylinder which is locked into the frame at the front, rear, and bottom for more positive alignment." The weight of the gun makes recoil (especially when using the .38 special loads) quite tame. It is a medium large revolver (Ruger makes bigger models) which can be used for hunting, self defense, and target/silhouette shooting.

The standard grips are composed of rubber with wood panel inserts. For a time I tried a Hogue rubber grip as a replacement but I went back to the factory grip setup as it felt more comfortable in my hand. The Hogue rubber grips on the S&W revolvers are very comfortable though.

People often compare Ruger revolvers to those made by Smith & Wesson. The finish on the Ruger is not as highly polished as on the S&Ws but the Rugers are sturdier and more carefully processed through CNC equipment. I prefer Rugers as a top choice in my revolver collection.

According to Ruger "all GP100 revolvers feature a strong triple-locking cylinder, and are available in both blued and stainless steel models, and in both square and round-butt variations." I prefer the stainless models over the blued but they are both fine looking pistols. After extensive use of the 6 inch model I am considering changing to the 4 inch one which feels more balanced in my hand.

As mentioned before the 6 inch model is fairly heavy and if one is just looking for a .38 special a lighter model can be found in the Ruger SP101 or by getting a shorter barreled GP100. I just noticed at the time of writing this that Ruger re-introduced the 3 inch model. This would be a fine choice as well.

The factory technical specifications for the model tested are the following: