Ruger’s short-barreled GP 100 well suited to fast combat shooting

By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor

The introduction of the Ruger GP100 Seven Shot revolver is exciting but not only on the basis of that extra ace-in-the-hole shot.

The introduction of a 2.5 inch-barrel concealment and all around packing version should make for a popular handgun. Revolvers still enjoy strong sales in America, and the versatility of the type cannot be ignored. Out of curiosity I looked over the offerings in .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammunition from one of our largest retailers, Cheaperthandirt.com. Despite the popularity of the 9mm and .45 ACP cartridges there are more .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads available than for any other single caliber. These range from light target wadcutters, round nose lead practice loads, jacketed hollow point defense loads mild to wild, shotshells, and heavy loaded numbers well suited to taking medium game. This versatility makes for a go anywhere do anything handgun suited to home defense, concealed carry, hunting small game and for protection against dangerous animals.

Ruger’s GP100 is a credible and effective revolver that has been well received.

The GP100 is the same revolver that has earned an excellent reputation for durability and strength. To recap old news, when most agencies were armed with revolvers the .357 Magnum earned a still unequaled reputation for wound potential. Felons hit with the magnum went down more often than not and the .357 Magnum has outstanding light cover penetration. Wear on the launching platform was the problem. Guns did not blow up but wear on small parts was excessive and they went out of time. The former practice of qualifying and practicing with .38 Special ammunition was abandoned when court decisions and practical considerations dictated that police agencies qualify with the duty load.

Firing from a barricade rest the 2.5-inch barrel Ruger is more accurate than most 4-inch barrel revolvers.

The Ruger GP100 was intended to serve with an unlimited amount of magnum ammunition. While police agencies no longer carry revolvers the GP100 has been a success with outdoorsmen and anyone else wishing to own and use a powerful and accurate revolver. The GP100 is among the most accurate revolvers every manufactured and arguably the most accurate in current production. Only the Colt Python will shade the Ruger by a very small margin and it takes a great shot to demonstrate. The GP100 is the more rugged. My long serving four inch barrel GP 100 will cut a 1 inch 25 yard group with certain loads and is very accurate with others. The Ruger features rugged adjustable sights and a smooth trigger action that aids a trained shooter to deliver their shots.

A good cross section of .38 and .357 loads was fired.

Ruger recently introduced a target version of the GP100 and a .44 Special five-shot revolver. Until now, however, those wishing to own a 7-shot .357 Magnum had to look to Smith and Wesson or Taurus. Ruger introduced the seven shooter in several barrel lengths including 2.5, 4 and 6 inches. My personal revolver is the first to hit my area, a 2.5 inch version found at SCgunco.com. This is a well-balanced revolver that features a concealed carry grip I find well proportioned. The modular design of the GP100 allows a wide range of grip sizes. This revolver uses the transfer bar ignition system. The hammer is blocked from striking the firing pin until the trigger has been fully pressed to the rear. The double action trigger is smooth at about 12.5 pounds and clean. The single action trigger breaks at exactly 5.0 pounds. The rear sight is the sturdy Ruger adjustable model. The front sight is a green fiber optic. Ruger has taken steps to protect this sight from loss by crimping it in place. Also, it isn’t a blob or round as often found in these types. Rather it is a bright green dot set in the front sight. This is a good system for both rapid sight acquisition and accurate fire.  A smooth trigger face is ideal for double action work.

The Ruger rode well in the Wright Leather Works holster for author’s field testing.

As of this writing I have fired the revolver with six hundred .38 Special cartridges and two hundred .357 Magnum loads. I am certain most of us will fire the revolver with the .38 Special on a basis of ten to one and that is a good average. The GP100 will take more rounds than the shooter cares to send down range!

Firing in fast double action work at man sized targets at 7, 10 and 15 yards the revolver shines. It clears my Wright Leather Works holster quickly, is well balanced, and gets on target quickly. The cadence of fire is set not by how quickly you are able to pull the trigger but by how quickly you are able to recover the sights. The GP 100 is plenty fast. The trigger is pressed and allowed to reset as the pistol is recovered from recoil, you recover, and have a hit. The front sight is especially appreciated in rapid fire. I have fired a variety of .38 Special loads. Among these is the Black Hills Ammunition 100-grain Honey Badger. This is a load that doesn’t rely on expansion but on the effect of the sharp edges of the bullet on the target. It solves a lot of worries concerning wound potential. For those wishing to use a conventional JHP Black Hills Ammunition also offers a .38 Special 125-grain JHP +P.

Most of the Magnum loads fired have been my own handloads. I have used the Magnus cast bullets 158-grain SWC at 1,050 fps. This is in magnum territory but controllable in double action pairs without going the full Monte in magnum power. I also favor a versatile load using the Hornady 140-grain XTP and WW 296 powder for 1250 fps from the Ruger’s 2.5 inch barrel. This would be a good choice for field use and defense against feral dogs and the big cats. My favorite load to date is an accurate number using the Hornady 125-grain XTP and Titegroup Power for 1180 fps. I would not kid you there is plenty of recoil with the heavier loads while this load maximizes the caliber with modest recoil.

The GP100 seven-shooter is also available with longer barrel lengths of 4-, 5- and six inches.

When striving for best accuracy I fired the revolver from the standing barricade and fired the piece double action. Using the trigger cocking mode the shooter doesn’t anticipate recoil and I was able to deliver seven full power Magnums into a two inch group at 15 yards with the Black Hill Ammunition 125-grain JHP. This is a very accurate revolver, smooth and with good sights. I have fired most of the 125 grain JHP defense loads. Some use a slower burner powder that maximizes performance in a longer barrel. As an example the Hornady Critical Defense breaks 1383 fps from my four-inch barrel revolver, and loses 160 fps in the 2.5 inch barrel Ruger. But my modest handload using Titegroup powder breaks 1250 fps from the four inch gun and maintains 1180 fps in the short Ruger. A load using fast burning powder is best for the short barrel while H 110 and WW 296 powders are best for longer barrel revolvers. After using the Ruger for some time and firing a wide variety of loads I have gained confidence in the Ruger GP100 7-shooter. Reliability is unquestioned and the handgun is more accurate than I am able to fire, but the accuracy I am able to exhibit is excellent. This is one of the finest defense revolvers available. It is well suited to home defense, concealed carry, and for carry in the wild.