Concealed Carry And Permits
Ruger GP100 .357 Review – The M1 Abrams Of Revolvers
Ruger GP100 .357 Review – The M1 Abrams Of Revolvers
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍United States
When you think of .357 Magnum revolvers, you might be inclined to mentally picture a 6-inch barrel attached to a medium-sized frame. They are usually six-shooters, unless theyre in 5-shot snub-nose form . Hopefully, an adjustable rear sight adorns the frame. The mental image is completed by reflecting in the guns deep, polished blue finish. Well, sometimes our mental images get a bit fractured . Take the gun we have before us today a Ruger GP100 .357. This gun sports a 4.2-inch barrel, a seven-shot cylinder, two-piece rubber and wood grips, and a beautiful satin stainless finish . A finely adjustable rear sight and fiber-optic front sight complete the picture. The gun is built like an Abrams tank, as are many of Rugers products. I know thats a clich that gets used a lot, but its true . Rugers tend to be overbuilt, and the GP100 is no exception. Where did the GP100 come from? Heres a quick backstory. Ruger entered the law enforcement revolver market in the 1970s with their Security Six revolver . Chambered in .357 Magnum, this DA/SA wheelgun was offered in several different barrel lengths . It sold well, but faced competition from S&W and Colt, making it tough to secure sales with law enforcement agencies at a time when they predominately used revolvers. Civilian shooters often bought it, increasing its popularity . Fast forward to 1985. Ruger discontinued the Security/Speed/Service Six and introduced two new models as replacements: the GP100 and the SP-101. These models were designed for specific purposes
. The GP line was eventually offered in various calibers such as .22LR, .327 Federal Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and even 10mm . Depending on the caliber, variations allowed for either 5-, 6-, or 7-shot configurations, with finishes available in either blue or stainless, and sight configurations could include fixed or adjustable. Various barrel lengths ranging from a short 2 .5 to a longer 6 cater to the needs of shooters. This revolver is made for heavy-duty use. Many hunters carry it as either a primary hunting gun or as a backup . Some carry it into bear country, and a number of deer have unfortunately met their fate by this revolver. Additionally, it finds its way into home defense purposes as well . The SP-101 is tailored more toward concealed carry and features a 5-shot design on a slightly smaller frame . Typically, it possesses fixed rear sights and barrel lengths of 2 or 3 inches, but like the GP100, it does have variations. These firearms serve their individual purposes excellently . Specifications Here are the specs from the Ruger website: Grips: Cushioned Rubber with Hardwood Insert Capacity: 7 Barrel Length: 4.20 Overall Length: 9 .50 Material: Stainless Steel Front Sight: Fiber Optic Rear Sight: Adjustable Twist: 1:18.75 RH Finish: Satin Stainless Weight: 40 oz
. Grooves: 5 Available in CA: No Available in MA: No Suggested Retail: $1129
.00 One Gripping Detail Changing the grip on a GP100 is straightforward because it doesnt have a grip frame to deal with; you just have a mainspring housing and a small post that connects to the frame . From there, the grip screws in, allowing for many custom-made grips without interfering with a grip frame as is common with many other wheelguns
. Shooting The GP100 I grabbed three loads to test in this revolver, all from Black Hills they supply quality ammo for my reviews. The selections included their 158-grain JHP, 127-grain Honey Badger, and their .38 Special 147-grain full wadcutter target load, which surprisingly felt akin to firing .22s in this weighty 40-ounce gun. Here are a few 5-shot representative 25-yard targets they speak for themselves . The Honey Badger cartridge delivers a substantial bang but manageable recoil, with velocities around 1450 fps. Beyond self-defense, this could be an effective deer round when used with a long-barreled revolver or carbine . The 148-grain HBWC felt nearly like a .22 in my hand; it was an effective mild target load. The gun performed admirably overall, proving to be a reliable companion to any primary deer hunting rifle
. So, should you consider owning one of these? That's a question I cant answer decisively. However, rhetorically speaking, I certainly would consider it
. In today's environment of pistol craft, the majority of shooters opt for semi-autos, with 9mm being particularly dominant. For younger shooters, many have little to no experience handling revolvers . Being of an older generation, I grew up with revolvers, but rest assured, I own many semi-autos as well. My extensive history includes revolvers in calibers ranging from .22LR through .44 Magnum . My S&W 629 has been instrumental for deer hunting, and smaller caliber revolvers serve well in various scenarios, including protecting a property or hunting small game . Revolvers offer simplicity and reliability; if a shot is missed, an easy pull of the trigger gets another chance. A quality 4-inch .357 revolver combines versatility . It can function as a concealed carry weapon (CCW), a hunting firearm, or even serve well in competitions . In many states, its legal for deer hunting as long as the barrel length is 4 inches, making it an exceptionally useful sidearm. To conclude, I would say a qualified yes, although every individual has different preferences
. Importantly, one point stands out: revolvers are resurging, becoming more popular than they have been in several years . Next time youre visiting your favorite gun shop, you might want to check one out you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find ! The resurgence of the revolver market highlights a significant cultural shift within the firearm community, indicating both nostalgia and practicality are coming back into vogue . Enthusiast chatter suggests that shooters are seeking reliability and simplicity in a world dominated by semi-automatic options . As user preferences evolve, revolvers like the Ruger GP100 exemplify a versatile and trustable choice for various roles, from home defense to hunting
. It's essential to keep an eye on this changing landscape as manufacturers adapt and respond to heightened interest in classic designs.