Ruger GP100

GP100
Ruger KGP-141 with speed loaders of .357 ammunition.
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Sturm, Ruger & Co.[1]
Produced	1985–present [1]
No. built	734,500[2]
Variants	See Models
Specifications
Mass	35–45 oz (990–1,280 g)[3]
Length	8–11.5 inches (200–290 mm)[3]
Barrel length	2.5 in (64 mm)[3] 3 in (76 mm)[3] 4 in (100 mm)[3] 4.2 in (110 mm)[3] 5 in (130 mm)[4] 6 in (150 mm)[3]
Cartridge	•.357 Magnum •.38 Special •.327 Federal Magnum •.22 Long Rifle •10mm Auto •.44 Special[3]
Action	Double-action revolver
Effective firing range	55–110 yards (50–101 m)
Maximum firing range	+/− 550 yards (500 m)
Feed system	5-shot cylinder (.44 Special) 6-shot cylinder (.357 Magnum, .38 Special, & 10mm Auto) 7-shot cylinder (.357 Magnum & .327 Federal Magnum) 10-shot cylinder (.22 Long Rifle)[3]

The GP100 is a family/line of double action five- (.44 Special), six- (.357 Magnum, .38 Special, & 10mm Auto), seven- (.357 Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum), or ten-shot (.22 Long Rifle) revolvers made by Sturm, Ruger & Co., manufactured in the United States. Since its introduction, it has been produced with a number of variations including various barrel lengths and profiles, fixed or adjustable sights, and in blued carbon steel or stainless steel.

Description and features

The GP100 was an evolution of an earlier Ruger double-action revolver, the Security Six. It was introduced in 1985 as a second generation of the Ruger double-action, exposed-hammer revolvers intended to replace Ruger's Security-/Service-/Speed-Six line. It was made stronger with the intent to fire an unlimited number of full-power .357 Magnum rounds. The first significant change was introduced with the Ruger Redhawk and that involved a new locking mechanism with a lever on the crane rather than using the end of the ejector rod to lock.

Another change was the shape of the frame. Traditional revolver frames had exposed metal at the front and rear of the grips, with the frame determining the shape of the grips. This meant that to have a round butt concealed carry version and a square butt holster or target version of the same gun usually meant having two different frame shapes. The GP100 series, instead, used a small rectangular "peg" grip large enough to enclose the hammer spring and strut. The grips could then be any shape desired, as long as they were large enough to enclose the peg. This was not a new innovation, having been used by Dan Wesson and some High Standard revolvers that predated the GP100. The Dan Wesson patent (U.S. Patent 3,683,535) was granted in 1972 and Ruger's patent (U.S. Patent 4,625,445) was granted in 1986.

The stock grips are made of Santoprene, a soft, chemical resistant elastomer that helps absorb the recoil of firing. Panels on the side, made of black plastic, goncalo alves wood, or rosewood, provide contrast to the flat black of the Santoprene. The grips are now Hogue one piece rubber grips standard.^[3][5]

The GP100 shares the crane lock from the Redhawk that was later used in the small frame SP101 revolver. All of these models use the same thickness on the solid frame and double latching system as used on the heavy .44 Magnum. Because of these features, the GP100 series is widely described as one of the strongest medium frame revolvers ever made.^[5]

The GP100 is manufactured in .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special, .22 Long Rifle, .44 Special, and 10mm Auto calibers. Available barrel lengths are 2.5 inches (64 mm), 3 inches (76 mm), 4 inches (100 mm), 4.2 inches (110 mm), 5 inches (130 mm), and 6 inches (150 mm) with partial or full length underlugs.^[3] Blued steel or stainless steel finishes are available, with stainless model numbers preceded by a "K". The firing pin of the GP100 is mounted inside the frame. The transfer bar of the GP100 is connected directly to the trigger. The transfer bar must be present between the hammer and the firing pin in order for the cartridge to be fired. The transfer bar only assumes the required position when the trigger is pulled completely rearward. GP100 models are available with fixed or adjustable sights. Fixed sight models are designated by a "F" suffix model number. When the cylinder is closed and the gun is at the point of firing, the cylinder crane is locked into the frame at the front and rear of the crane and by the cylinder lock at the bottom of the crane opening. The GP100 disassembles into three major modules with only limited use of tools. This allows the user to easily clean the revolver after shooting. The design of the gun eliminates the need for a frame "sideplate", a feature which contributes to the GP100's reputation for strength.^[5]

Specifications

Major sub units of GP100 (KGP-141)

• Weight: Variable, dependent on barrel and shroud length
• Barrel lengths: 2.5 inches (64 mm), 3 inches (76 mm), 4 inches (100 mm), 4.2 inches (110 mm), 5 inches (130 mm), and 6 inches (150 mm),^[3] the run of 5" GP100 revolvers was made for the distributor, Davidson's.^[4]
• Action: The GP100 may be fired by either cocking the hammer and subsequently pulling the trigger (a.k.a. Single Action), or by merely pulling the trigger when the hammer is not cocked (a.k.a. Double Action).
• Maximum effective range: 55–110 yards (50–101 m), depending on barrel length, cartridge load, and additional optical sights
• 5-Shot: .44 Special
• 6-Shot: .357 Magnum, .38 Special, and 10mm Auto
• 7-Shot: .357 Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum
• 10-Shot: .22 Long Rifle

Models

KGP-141 and KGP-160 .357 Magnum revolvers

Special editions

In 2016, a limited edition National Rifle Association variant of the GP100 was available from the Friends of NRA through a fundraising raffle. The guns were all stainless, chambered in .357 Magnum, had 4 inch barrels, serial numbers with "NRA" prefixes, and rosewood grip inserts engraved with "NRA". Only 1,145 were produced.^[6]

In 2021, Ruger produced 500 GP100s in memory of Jeff Quinn, a YouTuber and founder of the online firearms magazine Gunblast, who died the previous year.^[7]

Users

•  Greece: EKAM counter-terrorist unit of the Hellenic Police^[8]
•  Serbia: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit^[9]

Gallery

• 

  GP100 (mod. KGP-161) revolver

• 

  GP100 (KGP-161) with opened cylinder and .357 Magnum ammunition

• 

  Ruger GP100 revolver adjustable rear sight

References

Further reading

• Wilson, R. L.; G. Allan Brown (2008). Ruger & His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company and Their Firearms. Book Sales, Inc.. ISBN 978-0-7858-2103-8. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ruger GP100 (category)

• Ruger's GP100 page
• Ruger-produced Dissembly video
• Ruger-produced Cleaning video
• Ruger-produced Reassembly video
• Ruger’s .357 GP-100 Revolver Considered a Modern Classic, Gun Week, by Jim Williamson

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