Question about Ruger GP100

[JMB1911]

I have a GP-100 my dad bought back in 1988. I don't think he did anything to it but the trigger is smooth compared to the new ones I've fondled in the gun stores. Maybe the trigger just gets smoother with time? But if you're willing and able to do the work, you can get the trigger smoothed out by swapping some springs.

[JTROKS]

Ruger GP100s even with trigger jobs will never be as smooth as a S&W trigger, it's in the design. The coil springs for the Ruger just can't provide a trigger that feels like a ball bearing on flat glass. I'm a Ruger revolver fan and yes they are built like a tank. Someone said the S&W are more accurate, I beg to differ. I think they are about the same in terms of accuracy, I have two box stock GP100s that can give a box stock S&W a run for the money in the the accuracy department if we're shooting off the bench. Now if we're shooting offhand double action the S&W's smooth action is conducive to better accuracy. I had a S&W 586 Target that couldn't beat my GP100 in accuracy. If you are going to shoot lots of magnum rounds I vote for the GP100, but if you want to shoot action shooting or PPC style the S&W is better. You can get the GP100 smooth enough by replacing the stock springs to reduced Wolffe spring pack, but reliability in igniting some of the primers out there suffers. Stick with Federal pistol primers and you may not have any problems.

JTROKS

[WallySparx]

I added the Hogue "Tamer" monogrips and now I can fire the hottest "Ruger" loads through it without hurting myself

What is a Ruger load exactly?

Ps-

I love my GP100 too.

[Knauga]

Rugers are built like tanks meaning that they can take very hot loads, hence the term "Ruger Load". I'll have to dig it up, but I found a +P 44mag load commercially available online that recommended usage in Ruger and a couple other manufacturers...

Here is the link to the ammo.

[JTROKS]

The Ruger's chambers are longer than S&W in accordance with specified caliber. Since they are built like a tank many shooters took advantage of this and have loaded above the reloading guidelines. Some of the Buffalo Bore ammo advises the long loaded 44 Magnum Hammerhead loads to be used only in Rugers, I don't think these rounds would fit in S&W 29 or 629 chambers due to their length. Rugers can take the punishment and still keep on ticking while a 29 may start losing timing or lock up. It's not just Rugers that can chamber those Hammerhead rounds, DW, TC Contender can also do it.

JTROKS

[RT13]

It's interesting that I just saw this thread because I have been on the 686 vs GP100 boat for awhile now and thanks to some friends and co workers, I had the pleasure of shooting both guns and then some for true side by side comparison. I went to the range this weekend and shot a S&W 625, Model 19, 629, and pre lock 686 side by side with the Ruger GP100, SP101, and Super Redhawk. My God, these were all fantastic guns and many thanks to my friends and co workers for helping me out by bringing their wheelies for me to try out, dissect, and truly compare. The 625 was mine but I wanted a .357/.38special to add to the stable. I was torn b/ the 686 and GP100. I love the bull barrel look of the Ruger but like the finish of the 686. The trigger wasn't even a big issue as they shot, felt, break, and reset almost identically. The only thing I noted was that on DA pull, the 686 was a tad smoother than the GP100 as you slowly pull the trigger and the cylinder rotates. And the break was a tad crisper. But again, it was so minute of a difference that it is not even considerable. If this is the reason so many say the S&W's trigger is better than the Ruger's, then I just don't get it or maybe I'm missing something. But the two I shot both had about 600 rounds through them each. Both late 90's model. S&W is the #1 legendary revolver maker with Ruger just behind it which maybe a popularity thing in people's minds. Ruger is the easy choice for the money. The recoil, feel, accuracy, and balance was identical. I'm gonna get my GP100 next month. But that new Redhawk .45 has also caught my eye.