Ruger GP100

Last updated
GP100
Ruger GP100 .357 Stainless.jpg
Ruger KGP-141 with speed loaders of .357 ammunition.
Type Revolver
Place of originUnited States
Production history
Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. [1]
Produced1985–present [1]
No. built734,500 [2]
VariantsSee Models
Specifications
Mass35–45 oz (990–1,280 g) [3]
Length8–11.5 inches (200–290 mm) [3]
Barrel  length2.5 in (64 mm) [3]
3 in (76 mm) [3]
4 in (100 mm) [3]
4.2 in (110 mm) [3]
5 in (130 mm) [4]
6 in (150 mm) [3]

Cartridge 10mm Auto

.22 Long Rifle

.327 Federal Magnum

.357 Magnum

.38 Special

.44 Special
Action Double-action revolver
Effective firing range55–110 yards (50–101 m)
Maximum firing range+/− 550 yards (500 m)
Feed system5-shot cylinder (.44 Special)
6-shot cylinder (.357 Magnum, .38 Special, & 10mm Auto)
7-shot cylinder (.357 Magnum & .327 Federal Magnum)
10-shot cylinder (.22 Long Rifle) [3]

The GP100 is a family/line of double action five- (.44 Special), six- (.357 Magnum, .38 Special, & 10mm Auto), seven- (.357 Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum), or ten-shot (.22 Long Rifle) revolvers made by Sturm, Ruger & Co., manufactured in the United States. Since its introduction, it has been produced with a number of variations including various barrel lengths and profiles, fixed or adjustable sights, and in blued carbon steel or stainless steel.

Contents

Description and features

The GP100 was an evolution of an earlier Ruger double-action revolver, the Security Six. It was introduced in 1985 as a second generation of the Ruger double-action, exposed-hammer revolvers intended to replace Ruger's Security-/Service-/Speed-Six line. It was made stronger with the intent to fire an unlimited number of full-power .357 Magnum rounds. The first significant change was introduced with the Ruger Redhawk and that involved a new triple-locking cylinder mechanism with a lever on the crane rather than using the end of the ejector rod to lock.

Another change was the use of stronger steels and the redesigned, beefier shape of the frame. Traditional revolver frames had exposed metal at the front and rear of the grips, with the frame determining the shape of the grips. This meant that to have a round butt concealed carry version and a square butt holster or target version of the same gun usually meant having two different frame shapes. The GP100 series, instead, used a small rectangular "peg" grip large enough to enclose the hammer spring and strut. The grips could then be any shape desired, as long as they were large enough to enclose the peg. This was not a new innovation, having been used by Dan Wesson and some High Standard revolvers that predated the GP100. The Dan Wesson patent ( U.S. patent 3,683,535 ) was granted in 1972 and Ruger's patent ( U.S. patent 4,625,445 ) was granted in 1986.

The stock grips are made of Santoprene, a soft, chemical resistant elastomer that helps absorb the recoil of firing. Panels on the side, made of black plastic, goncalo alves wood, or rosewood, provide contrast to the flat black of the Santoprene. The grips are now Hogue one piece rubber grips standard. [3] [5]

The GP100 shares the crane lock from the Redhawk that was later used in the small frame SP101 revolver. All of these models use the same thickness on the solid frame and double latching system as used on the heavy .44 Magnum. Because of these features, the GP100 series is widely described as one of the strongest medium frame revolvers ever made. [5]

The GP100 is manufactured in .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .22 Long Rifle, .44 Special, and 10mm Auto calibers. Available barrel lengths are 2.5 inches (64 mm), 3 inches (76 mm), 4 inches (100 mm), 4.2 inches (110 mm), 5 inches (130 mm), and 6 inches (150 mm) with partial or full length underlugs. [3] Blued steel or stainless steel finishes are available, with stainless model numbers preceded by a "K". The firing pin of the GP100 is mounted inside the frame. The transfer bar of the GP100 is connected directly to the trigger. The transfer bar must be present between the hammer and the firing pin in order for the cartridge to be fired. The transfer bar only assumes the required position when the trigger is pulled completely rearward. GP100 models are available with fixed or adjustable sights. Fixed sight models are designated by a "F" suffix model number. When the cylinder is closed and the gun is at the point of firing, the cylinder crane is locked into the frame at the front and rear of the crane and by the cylinder lock at the bottom of the crane opening. The GP100 disassembles into three major modules with only limited use of tools. This allows the user to easily clean the revolver after shooting. The design of the gun eliminates the need for a frame "sideplate", a feature which contributes to the GP100's reputation for strength. [5]

Specifications

Major sub units of GP100 (KGP-141) Rugerdis1.jpg
Major sub units of GP100 (KGP-141)

Models

KGP-141 and KGP-160 .357 Magnum revolvers Gpwik.JPG
KGP-141 and KGP-160 .357 Magnum revolvers
Catalog NumberCaliber Barrel Length [3] FinishSightsWeightShroud
GP-141.357 Mag.4"BluedAdjustable41 ozFull
GP-160.357 Mag.6"BluedAdjustable43 ozShort
GP-161.357 Mag.6"BluedAdjustable46 ozFull
GPF-331.357 Mag.3"BluedFixed36 ozFull
GPF-340.357 Mag.4"BluedFixed37 ozShort
GPF-341.357 Mag.4"BluedFixed38 ozFull
KGP-141 .357 Mag.4.2"StainlessAdjustable41 ozFull
KGP-151 .357 Mag.5"StainlessAdjustable42 ozFull
KGP-160.357 Mag.6"StainlessAdjustable43 ozShort
KGP-161.357 Mag.6"StainlessAdjustable46 ozFull
KGPF-330.357 Mag.3"StainlessFixed35 ozShort
KGPF-331.357 Mag.3"StainlessFixed36 ozFull
KGPF-340.357 Mag.4"StainlessFixed37 ozShort
KGPF-341.357 Mag.4"StainlessFixed38 ozFull
KGPF-840.38 Spl.4"BluedFixed37 ozShort
KGPF-841.38 Spl.4"BluedFixed38 ozFull
GPNY .38 Spl.3" & 4"StainlessFixed36~37 ozFull
KGP-4327-7.327 Fed. Mag.4.2"Satin StainlessAdjustable40 ozFull
1757.22 LR.5.5"Satin StainlessAdjustable42 ozShort
1761 .44 Spl.3"Satin StainlessAdjustable36 ozFull

Special editions

In 2016, a limited edition variant of the GP100 was available from the Friends of NRA through a fundraising raffle. The guns were all stainless, chambered in .357 Magnum, had 4 inch barrels, serial numbers with "NRA" prefixes, and rosewood grip inserts engraved with "NRA". Only 1,145 were produced. [6]

In 2021, Ruger produced 500 GP100s in memory of Jeff Quinn, a YouTuber and founder of the online firearms magazine Gunblast, who died the previous year. [7]

Users

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References

  1. 1 2 Peterson, Philip. Gun Digest Book of Modern Gun Values: The Shooter's Guide to Guns 1900 to Present (16th ed.). p. 242.
  2. ""Ruger GP100® Serial Number History"". Archived from the original on 27 March 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Ruger GP100". Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Ruger GP100 Double Action Revolver". Gallery of Guns. Davidson's. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 Sweeney, Patrick (2007). Gun Digest Book of Ruger Pistols and Revolvers. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 172–174. ISBN   978-0-89689-472-3.
  6. "2016 Standard Package Calatog" (PDF). Friends of NRA. 2016. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2016.
  7. C, Luke. "Ruger Releases Jeff Quinn Memorial GP100 Revolver". The Firearm Blog.
  8. "Ruger Super GP100 9mm revolver review". gunsandammo.com. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  9. "Greece Ministry of Public Order Press Office: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit" (PDF). astynomia.gr - Official Website of the Hellenic Police. July 2004. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
  10. "Specijalne-jedinice.com | Special Anti-terrorist Unit-SAU". specijalne-jedinice.com. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  11. "NYPD Duty Weapons For Patrol". leelofland.com. Retrieved 28 August 2024.

Further reading