You guys remember last month when I missed out on an auction for a fixed-sight, full underlug, 4″ GP-100? Yeah, that was a bit of a heartbreaker. But, I’m soothing my feelings with this:
It’s from 1995 but is in very nice condition. For those who aren’t familiar with this piece, some background may be in order. Fixed sight variants of the GP-100 are a bit hard to find. Most of them were made for police/security contracts, including a .38 Spl DAO version for the NYPD. They were available in a couple variations – stainless or blued, full or half underlug. Ruger catalogs a 3″ variant these days in stainless, but the 4″ don’t show up much. Century Arms re-imported some stainless half-lug DAO versions a while back and they turn up on GunBroker, but I’d prefer to have the option of single action as well as double action.
Anyway, this gun is gonna get some cleaning and then its time to head to the range and see how it shoots.
This was the first firearm I purchased back around 1989. My old gunners mate Master Chief suggested that my first firearm should be a revolver. I went down to the best gun store in Norfolk VA and rented several to see what was best for me. The GP-100 was what I selected; I still have it today.
Beautiful handgun. That was a great find – glad to hear you and seller came to a price both could live with. The exterior appears to be in great condition.
I hope it shoots better than your expectations.
I own a pair of Security-Sixes but no GP models at all.
Love it! Built like a tank! I work at a gunshop and have seen the quality control of the new S&W’s and Colts go down hill recently! Great pick up!!!
Neat! I’m glad you were able to scratch that itch.
What Ayoob suggests is to get ones self defense revolvers modded to DAO, as he has seen a number of shootings over the years where the DA has charged the shooter with having a negligent discharge from cocking the gun during the preliminary festivities. hard to fight it, and it nails you with liability for the “accident”, even though you pulled the trigger on purpose.
What I have found that works is to have a pocket hammer installed, for those rare occasions you have time to cock a difficult hammer for a really long range shot. The pocket hammer typically still has enough metal to work with a thumb break for retention. It’s certainly not going to be something you are going to absentmindedly thumb-cock, so that charge shouldn’t fly.
I’ve read Ayoob’s stuff and it has changed over the years. Other than changing out sights or grips, I think if a person is really concerned about someone going after them in a courtroom about their gun the best thing to do is leave it as stock as possible…inc the DA/SA capability.
Concur. I worked the risk management/ legal aspect of corporate world as well as qualified and certified the concealed carry range testing of applicants. In this litigious society you have to think like a lawyer to plot out any potential risks (legal realms) or items that can be used against you in litigation lawsuits, as well as prosecution from those district attorneys who play politics on cases. Race guns and modifications for range play is cool and all, it is also an item for unscrupulous attorneys or prosecuters to latch onto to paint you in a bad light even if >you< think it was a good shoot scenario. Keep it stock and simple to defend yourself from those legal threats as well. Can't happen to you? Don't bet on it in this day and age. Stay out of courts and litigation to stay frosty out there.
“leave it as stock as possible” – yep – and even if ya do that, a good attorney can be very creative, and innovative, and they find ways to screen jury selection and convince a jury to see it their way – probably not a perfect solution, but the concealed handgun insurance seems like a good idea, as well as legally screening your assets with instruments like an LLC (or even layers of LLCs), and\or a legal offshore account.
I believe the issue is incidents where the cop cocked the gun and then had a negligent discharge at the individual then tried to say it was a whoopys.
No, that scenario is what the DA wants the jury to believe YOU did. I don’t think ANY cops today are issued a revolver, even as a BUG. They weren’t interested in cop guns, since the cop couldn’t be hit with a ND charge personally. DAs didn’t like civilians being armed, so ruining them financially was a big deal with them.
I should point out that a “pocket hammer” is the term that the gun manufacturers use for their version of a low profile hammer that can retain a double action ability, therefore you are using a factory part, not a modified by owner item.
Following. Good find for that model, rare to see in the wild. F.w.iw. we ran only Ruger gp 100s on our high volume rental range back in the day, as they held up very well to that kind of commercial abuse. (Picture a few Japanese girls “waifus” tourists outshooting all of the other range fuds with them, big fun!) Revolvers for their simpler user end mechanics will always have a place and uses for many scenarios. The reloading anons out there can run basic 38 special loads all day through them and the brass can be reloaded back into ammo circulation many times over, so they can be an economically to feed range or duty training gun. My Dillon press cranks them out like like a cold war assembly line. Put your favorite hollow point bullet component in the recipe, whether 38spl or 357mag loadings and you will be walking dead ready to go. Nothing shouts out “salty bastard” more than being strapped with a revolver when amongst polite company at the barbecues. Stay frosty.
I’m waiting for my April gun to arrive at my local shop, a Tisas 1911 D10 10mm. No MIM parts, Series 70 parts, and should be easy to tweak if it needs it after a reasonable break-in period. I’ve been revolver-heavy the last couple of years, snagging a couple pristine Ruger Lipsey’s special flat top Blackhawks that I had lusted for. But, I carried a 1911 as my 24/7 gun in ‘Nam and load for 10mm, so I’m looking forward to some good shooting. GF
‘”Gun of April”. You made a spelling mistake in the title. You left off the “s” on the end of “Gun”…….. April has 23 more days. Just sayin’.
On another subject, Just wondering your thoughts in the northern parts of Idaho for land? Or east out on the plains? Not as many Cali fruit and nuts in those places. I wonder if the prices are better. Certainly fewer folk about.
I’m reluctant to head any further west than I am now. Although Idaho is very nice, and the demographics jibe with what Im after, it puts me closer to the trouble spots than I am now. Ive come to like Montana and would rather stay here, however, I’m open to a bit more south (WY) or possible east (SD/ND). But, ideally, I’d like to stay somewhere in western, or cenral-western Montana.