I bought Ruger GP100 now what?

[FullAuto]

I plan to start shooting revolver soon and bought a second-hand GP100. I am interested in recommendations for the following:

Holster
Speedloader and a pouch or carrier
Training on using a revolver in competition
Anything else I failed to think of....At this point, I don't know that I don't know.....

Thanks!
-FullAuto

[MasAyoob]

Hey, Full Auto:

Gun-wise, you're good to go. If your gun has the long-time standard Ruger grips, you might want to do a "Spyderco grip trim" to make sure the speedloaders go in smoothly.

On team pro-arms, the two with the most experience with GP100s are Chris (who I hope will chime in shortly) and me. I won Florida State, Wisconsin State, New England Regional, and Florida/Georgia Regional Championships at various times with out of the box 4" GP100. Chris has won beaucoup matches with his GP100s also. He likes lighter triggers than me, but it's a matter of personal preference for us, as it will be for you. We both agree that double action only is the only way to fly if you want to shoot fast and straight, and we both use one-stage trigger pull techniques.

I use a Blade-Tech holster with my GP100 and if memory serves, so does Chris. We both use Safariland Comp III speedloaders (S&W L-frame size) which I would STRONGLY recommend.


Loader pouch just needs to be tight enough so the loaders won't come out in strenuous activity, yet fast to hand without an extra movement. I use Ben Molina Kydex carriers, Chris uses a leather pouch he modified himself with a knife I think. He's deadly fast with it (see the speed reload videos Gail put up on You Tube on this).  Bottom line, you're in good shape with a good, match-winning gun that's also a lifetime heavy duty .357 Magnum for all around use.

Now, get out there and shoot some matches with it, and listen to whatever Chris says!
Best,
Mas

[Chris]

Fullauto,
+1 to what Mas said. I'll be shooting mine at Jax & Flagler in Jan. Easier to show than tell.
I currently favor the round butt factory grips (available from Ruger) and Comp IIIs fit just fine, no need to modify that grip. Wison Combat makes a spring kit for the GP-100... excellent!!!... I run the 8 pound trogger return spring and the 9 pound main spring (with Federal primers) if I'm using a harder primer I'll put in the 10 pound mainspring (easy to change). That, and doing a bit of polishing on the internal action parts, produce an excellent and SMOOTH trigger pull. A SMOOTH pull is the key to effective DA revolver shooting.
Chris Christian

[FullAuto]

Loader pouch just needs to be tight enough so the loaders won't come out in strenuous activity, yet fast to hand without an extra movement. I use Ben Molina Kydex carriers,

Thanks Mas and Chris for the info. Mas, where can I get the carrier you mentioned in your post? Google did not help...

Thanks!
-FullAuto

[Luggo]

I won Florida State, Wisconsin State, New England Regional, and Florida/Georgia Regional Championships at various times with out of the box 4" GP100. Chris has won beaucoup matches with his GP100s also. He likes lighter triggers than me, but it's a matter of personal preference for us, as it will be for you. We both agree that double action only is the only way to fly if you want to shoot fast and straight, and we both use one-stage trigger pull techniques.

Mas, would you recommend fixed or adjustable sights for someone in IDPA who has been a fixed sight auto shooter in previous IDPA.

Thanks

[Chris]

I'll jump in ahead of Mas here, but I suspect he will agree with me. I'd recommend adjustable sights on any handgun for IDPA. Fixed sights can work... once you adjust them to your chosen load.... and, they will stay working as long as your grip pressure, grips, etc... don't change. Or, if you don't discover a better load and go with it. I have a Ruger GP-100 with fixed sights. I zeroed it for a 158 grain load and won HOA at the first IDPA match I shot with it. I now shoot an adjustable sight model.
Chris Christian

[MasAyoob]

Chris nailed it on the sights.

On the Ben Molina kydex loader pouch, do a Google search under Ben Molina Kydex holsters and accessories, and if you can't find ordering info, get back to me.

happy new year,
Mas

[hobartfloyt]

I have a set of Meprolight sights on order because my tired old eyes need help picking up the front sight under certain conditions. Hopefully they'll help.
Also, the original (faux rosewood panel) grips that came with my GP-100 do interfere with HKS speedloaders, and in fact sometimes I have to shift the cylinder slightly while ejecting to clear a case from the cylinder. So it's either work some Dremel magic or new grips for me.
I usually carry in a Bianchi 7/7L holster.
Art - Florida

[FullAuto]

I got the revolver back from the gunsmith today and it sure looks nice. I had him lighten the trigger (DA ~ 10 lbs/SA ~ 4 lbs), champher the cylinder and give it a really good cleaning. I am pleased at how it has turned out. I added a HI-Viz front sight, which was easy as can be to change.

I have attached some pics....

[Daeglan]

don't ever use it for self defense if you can help it. Since it is DA/SA. Otherwise looks nice.

[MasAyoob]

I'd agree with Daeglan: I've done several cases where the defendant was falsely accused of "cocking the gun, setting the stage for the reckless, hair-trigger accidental discharge that caused the wrongful death in question." That's why so many police departments went double action only.

Wish ya luck with your GP100! Hope you do as well as Chris, who won Stock Service Revolver at the last IDPA match AND beat ALL the auto shooters in the "house of death" tactical event with his GP100! Way to go, bro! We're proud of ya!

[tom]

GP100 has always been a revolver I like and on my list.  Mainly for IDPA, target, maybe some hunting and thinking of that what about the new GP100 in .327 magnum that Ruger just released?  Just watched Bane's new video.  Seems like you get less recoil, very flat shot, and you carry 7 rounds in the cylinder all good things in IDPA?  Hassle, ammo availability but this is down the list of items to buy so that may clear up.

tom

[Chris]

Tom,
Under the current rules the new 7 shot .327 GP-100 is not legal in any IDPA division, because of bullet diameter.
Chris Christian

[Matt G]

I got the revolver back from the gunsmith today and it sure looks nice. I had him lighten the trigger (DA ~ 10 lbs/SA ~ 4 lbs), champher the cylinder and give it a really good cleaning. I am pleased at how it has turned out. I added a HI-Viz front sight, which was easy as can be to change.

I have attached some pics....

The revolver looks great.  I have always likes the tough look of this gun.  Wish you the best with it.

Matt G

[tom]

Tom,
Under the current rules the new 7 shot .327 GP-100 is not legal in any IDPA division, because of bullet diameter.
Chris Christian

thanks, I will stay focused on the traditional calibers then.

tom

[FullAuto]

I'd agree with Daeglan: I've done several cases where the defendant was falsely accused of "cocking the gun, setting the stage for the reckless, hair-trigger accidental discharge that caused the wrongful death in question." That's why so many police departments went double action only.

Wish ya luck with your GP100! Hope you do as well as Chris, who won Stock Service Revolver at the last IDPA match AND beat ALL the auto shooters in the "house of death" tactical event with his GP100! Way to go, bro! We're proud of ya!

Thanks, Mas!

Maybe in 25 years I'll be serious competition to you and Chris!....

The more I handle that gun, the more I like it. It reminds me of the way I feel about my Springfield Operator. I guess we all have those guns that just make a connection with us for some reason or other; kind of like women I guess.....

[MasAyoob]

It'll happen sooner than that, bro, and to continue your analogy of guns n' gals, your GP100 is a good date to bring to the dance. :-)

Next time we're all at a match together, cut Chris or I out of the herd and take us over to the safe area, and we'll be happy to share trigger and reload techniques. (Will need dummy ammo for the latter though, obviously.)

best,
Mas

[Chris]

FullAuto, I should have mentioned this earlier. The GP-100 has far less screws to loosen up and "screw up" than S&W. But there is one screw you need to check everytime you clean the gun... the small screw on the bottom of the cylinder release. It takes a very small flat tip screwdriver (I use a large jewlers screwdriver). I've never had one come out, but I have had them loosen slightly, although it didn't change the gun. That's really the only screw you need to pay attention to on the GP-100. Another good revolver tip is to keep a stainless steel .38 caliber tornado brush, and a .40 caliber soft bristle brush in your range bag. Every few stages run the tornado brush through the chambrs and follow it up with the soft bristle brush. Powder residue can impede empty case ejection, and getting the cases out of the gun is half the reloading process.
As far as practicing... work on the draw/presentation, shoot DA only, and work on your reloads.
Chris Christian

[tom]

Mas I see you say the you have used the 4" is that what  both you and Chris are using or have you guys ever used the 6"  General thoughts about one over the other?  I think I may pick one up tomorrow and start training and get the 1911 later.

tom

[Chris]

Tom,
We both have used longer barrels on revolvers in the past, and still own some (at least I do). But the maximum barrel length allowed in IDPA for a revolver (SSR or ESR) is 4 inches, so that's what we are running for competition.
Chris Christian