Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

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2ndovc
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Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

My lovely wife decided this year that I really wanted small kitchen appliances for Christmas. :shock:
So naturally, no surprise here, I went out and bought my own.

I've been looking at these for a while and came across this barely used one for a little less than they usually go for. Came with everthing except the original grips.
Made time this morning, after two weeks without a break from the storm that crashed through here and a big part of the rest of the country and headed off to the range for a bit. Snow or not.

First group was a Titegroup load that I had made for another revolver. Didn't shoot well in the Ruger w/ an 8" group at 25 yds. Scrap that one.

Second was better. Two five shot strings w/ a 240 LHP and 4.8 grains of Unique.
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That hole at 7:00 was my fault. Anticipated the recoil and dropped the muzzle.

The next load was a pleasant surprise. I had made these for a S&W I had years ago. A Cast Performance 275 grain LFNGC and 5 grains of Unique. Two 5 shot strings, top group was one hand at 20 yds. Adjusted the sight a bit and two hands for the bottom group.
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This was also the most pleasant load to shoot as well.
I like the look of the grips, but they are big. Need to spend more time with it, but that's the fun part.

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by AJMD429 »

.
I didn't even know anyone made a GP100 in 44 Special...!

That's real cool.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by piller »

Glad you got something you like. That final group looks good.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Walt »

I have a 5 shot Smith 696 in .44 Spl that does well with 240 gr machine cast bullets and 7.2 gr of Unique. The thin barrel skirt at the forcing cone gives the 696 a reputation for cracking in that area so heavy loads are not recommended.
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2ndovc
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

piller wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 7:31 pm Glad you got something you like. That final group looks good.
After twenty years of "unusual" gifts, I learned years ago to plan ahead. :D


Walt, this Ruger is an absolute beast of a revolver. I think one would have to intentionally set out to damage it.

Doc,
I don't know when the .44 Spl was released, but it's been a few years I think.

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Ysabel Kid »

I really like mine Jason. Several years ago I was looking at the Charter Arms bulldog revolvers. Always wanted a short-barreled .44. The Ruger GP100 is larger than the Charter Arms revolver for sure; the Ruger is built like a tank. But I read a lot of people commenting on how unpleasant the Charter Arms was to actually shoot. As I know you discovered, the Ruger is a joy to shoot! :D I even carried it one year on duty with the church safety team.

Enjoy!
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Pitchy »

Very nice jb congrats on getting it. 8) :)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by gamekeeper »

I too didn't know it came in .44 spl but I have always admired the design of the Ruger and what's not to like about the.44spl ? :mrgreen:
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by JimT »

Ysabel Kid wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:10 pm I read a lot of people commenting on how unpleasant the Charter Arms was to actually shoot.
Years ago I read that the reason the 'Son of Sam' killer murdered so few people was that he was home soaking his shooting hand in Epsom's Salts after using his Charter Arms .44 Special.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Walt »

Yep, at 19 ounces the Charter Arms is quite a kicker even with standard .44 Spl ammo. To a lesser extent it's like the Smith 329 .44 mag; great to carry, not so great to shoot.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Jason, I replaced the original Ruger grip insert with these fish-scale ones from Altamont. I really like them! :D

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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by piller »

The GP100 frame is strong, and possibly a bit larger than strictly necessary for the .357 Magnum. The 5 shot .44 Special version seems to be a reasonable fit to the frame. I do like the .357 Magnum version, but have never held or fired the .44 Special version. The heavier and slower .429 diameter bullets probably would not be too bad in that frame.
I knew someone back in my early teens who had a 44 Bulldog. After watching my brother get his hand beat up by that Bulldog, I didn't even ask to shoot it.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

Ysabel Kid wrote: Sat Jan 07, 2023 9:40 pm Jason, I replaced the original Ruger grip insert with these fish-scale ones from Altamont. I really like them! :D

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I'm going to have to track down a set of the originals. I like to grips that came with it, but they are really big.

What really grabs my attention in that picture are those speed loaders! The Who, What and Where are questions that need answered! :D


Brian, that doesn't surprise me at all. Every time I've handled a Bulldog, my first thought has been, that's gonna hurt. :shock:

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Ysabel Kid »

2ndovc wrote: Sun Jan 08, 2023 9:36 am What really grabs my attention in that picture are those speed loaders! The Who, What and Where are questions that need answered! :D

jb 8)
Jason, they are really nice!

https://5starfirearms.com/j5-44-45-speed-loader/
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

Thanks Jay!

They even had an 8 shot for my S&W Model 327. Ordered one of each to try out.

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Ysabel Kid »

2ndovc wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:25 am Thanks Jay!

They even had an 8 shot for my S&W Model 327. Ordered one of each to try out.

jb 8)
Jason, let me know what you think! :D
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

Ysabel Kid wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 9:17 pm
2ndovc wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 7:25 am Thanks Jay!

They even had an 8 shot for my S&W Model 327. Ordered one of each to try out.

jb 8)
Jason, let me know what you think! :D
I ordered one for the GP and one for my 327 TRR and they arrived about two days later. Very nice product and super service. I'll have to get a few more. Thanks for the link!
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jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Jason, Jay, cut it out guys!
I run a Bulldog because it is relatively light weight and compact, but the GP100 in .44 Spl has been a temptation for some time.


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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

:lol: :lol: :lol:

The struggle is real! :D

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Ysabel Kid »

Bill in Oregon wrote: Sat Jan 14, 2023 5:42 pm Jason, Jay, cut it out guys!
I run a Bulldog because it is relatively light weight and compact, but the GP100 in .44 Spl has been a temptation for some time.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Bill, I imagine that Bulldog is a lot more fun to carry all day long, but the GP-100 is more fun to shoot. For me and my aging eyes the fiber optic front sight on the GP-100 just jumps out! :D

You know we're a bunch of unrepentant enablers here, don't you? :lol:
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by 2ndovc »

Ysabel Kid wrote: Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:42 pm
Bill in Oregon wrote: Sat Jan 14, 2023 5:42 pm Jason, Jay, cut it out guys!
I run a Bulldog because it is relatively light weight and compact, but the GP100 in .44 Spl has been a temptation for some time.
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Bill, I imagine that Bulldog is a lot more fun to carry all day long, but the GP-100 is more fun to shoot. For me and my aging eyes the fiber optic front sight on the GP-100 just jumps out! :D

You know we're a bunch of unrepentant enablers here, don't you? :lol:
Mine came with a gold bead front sight, which I much prefer. The colored fiber optics, are just a blur for me. Have to have then changed out all the time. :shock:

jb 8)
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by piller »

I like the way that Ruger GP100 and Super Redhawk sights can be changed. They are simple to find a front sight which works for you.
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Re: Ruger GP 100, .44 Special

Post by Walt »

Although the GP100 is a fine gun which can stand up to shooting a steady diet of warmer loads, I think that if I were in the market for a five shot .44 caliber revolver again I would choose a 2 3/4" Smith model 69 which is about the same size and weight as the GP100 but can shoot .44 mags.
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