Ruger is the largest firearms manufacture in the United States. They have been in production since the 1980s and the GP100 is one of the best ones the offer. The Magnum GP100 was built to be an all-around revolver capable of duty, hunting, and competition shooting. It is said that when you pick it up you know that you are holding a weapon.
The Magnum GP100 weighs 40oz meaning it lands on the heavier side of the firearm spectrum. The benefit to this aspect is that it handles the recoil better and helps the revolver be used by shooters of any stature. Adding in the 4.2” barrel (medium size) it is a great choice for multi-purpose shooting and contributes to the revolver being very user friendly.
Moving on to the shooting of the revolver. The GP100 uses a double-action trigger pull so it may take a bit longer to actually fire the shot. However, the reason this revolver is considered so popular on the market is because of its classic design and traditional caliber, which is upheld by it’s build. It is purposefully built on a strong gram (.44 magnum) in order to ensure the revolver can stand up to whatever was loaded into the cylinder. This is great given that this revolver can fire all .357mag factory loads and .38 special factory loads.
Additionally, the cylinder locks in three separate locations as compared to other models that only lock in two. Combined with the transfer bar safety that prevents the hammer from hitting the firing pin without the trigger being pulled, means this revolver rarely misfires. It is possible to even drop the gun without fearing it is going to go off. However, there is no manual safety, which could be a downside to this revolver for some.
Another big advantage for hunters and really shooters in general with this revolver is the easiness in which it can be lubricated and cleaned. Since these two actions are very important when taking care of your firearm and ensuring its longevity and functionality, making these processes as easy as possible is a big win. For the GP100, shooters do not need to disassemble the revolver at all to do either process. For lubrication a few drops of oil in the frame openings will be able to get to the internal mechanisms, and for cleaning all that needs to happen is swing the cylinder out and run a patch and bore brush through the barrel and chambers.
The final unique and positively received aspect of the GP100 is their redesign in the way the grip attaches to the gun. They use a one-piece grip unlike other revolvers on the market that have metal back and front straps. Instead, this design allows almost any grip a shooter could want without needing it to be specifically customized.
However, there is not much customization allowed with the GP100 besides swapping out the springs, grips, and sights, But, for those looking for an affordable, unique, and great all-around shooting firearm, than this might be the one to find.
