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I think I will get a Ruger GP100 3" .44 spl
- Thread starter MJ1
- Start date
Knob Creek
NES Member
On my list too!
Knob Creek
NES Member
How do you get 7 rounds of .44 in there? If that's a L frame then it's only 5.Seven shot...
.44 Special is a great caliber. Plenty of bullet styles (although the 208g WC seems to have been discontinued) and easy to reload (everything is big).
You can run powder-puff loads in the .44 Russian, if you have these hanging around (kind of like a .44 Special Special).
If you have a .44 Magnum handgun, you already know this...
You can run powder-puff loads in the .44 Russian, if you have these hanging around (kind of like a .44 Special Special).
If you have a .44 Magnum handgun, you already know this...
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Parker Duofold
NES Member
S&W Model 69 shoots .44 magnum and .44 special of course.
Why limit yourself to just .44 special? Maybe this is going to be a carry piece for you...?
HorizontalHunter
NES Member
I had a GP 100 in .357 and sold it. One of the few guns I sold that I regretted selling.
Bob
Bob
I have a GP-100 .357 Magnum 4" and really like it. I put reduced power springs in it at first but switched back to factory because the trigger got a lot better over time. I have been tempted by the GP-100 in 44 Special, but I don't know. The forcing cone looks kind of dainty for a Ruger. Yeah, it's only .44 Special, and I'm pretty sure the frame can handle loading specials up to higher pressures if you wanted to, but that forcing cone looks like it's expecting regular old 44 special pressures. I like the versatility of the 69 better, though out of the box the grips on it are not good enough.
MJ1, you haven't stated what you expect from the revolver or caliber. I have a .44 Mag Redhawk and my next purchase would be the .357 for an 8 round capacity.
Ruger® Redhawk® * Double-Action Revolver Model 5059
Description: RUG RDHWK 357 DA REV 4.2SS 8R
Ruger Redhawk .357 Double action revolver, 4.2", stainless steel, 8 rounds.
Ruger® Redhawk® * Double-Action Revolver Model 5059
Description: RUG RDHWK 357 DA REV 4.2SS 8R
Ruger Redhawk .357 Double action revolver, 4.2", stainless steel, 8 rounds.
Knob Creek
NES Member
it's a huge and heavy 44 special. i see no point. this chambering is all but dead. i would go with a S&W model 69. i have the 4.25" model and it's lovely. in 44 special it's pleasant. 44 mag loads are perfectly shootable but recoil gets punishing after ~15 rds.
The S&W 500 grips will transform it, albeit while adding a little bulk. I ordered them the same day as I ordered the gun, and I put them on before I shot it (having shot 629's with the stock grips and read enough reviews of the 69 with them, including Wiley Clapp's). I really like the stock grips on Model 64's and 67's, so much so that I recently did put them back on the 69 and shot some magnums just to see. Fortunately, I took the tools I needed to swap back to the 500's to the range with me. It's not good for the nerves in the hand to direct so much of the recoil into the small little area in the webbing between the thumb and forefinger. I've got enough problems as it is. Maybe someday I'll have some Jordan Trooper grips made for it.
(BTW, I think Jerry Miculek has the 500 grips on the 69 in his video, though I'm not sure if he mentions the change.)
agreed. i bought two of these x-frame grips directly from S&W (couldn't find them anywhere online). the gun shoots better but it just looked odd to me with this thin and nimble frame and these bulky rubber grips. the rubber texture snagged clothing while in holster. anyway i took them off and went back to the stock model 69 grips and am still happy w it. on an N-frame 629 the model 500 grips seem to be a good fit.
Right. Obviously Hogue is under contract and cannot distribute them to any other vendor. The thing I don't like about the S&W store is that they ship it in a way that seems deliberately designed to make it take longer than you ever imagined possible. It's like somebody has to go out of their way to make sure the package doesn't move as fast as regular mail.
fencer
NES Member
Yeah, but it is a Ruger. Ruger is an old German word that translated loosely means shitty gun.
I think that a gun chambered in only 44 special doesn't make any sense, but the right 44 special ammo can be a good defensive round, especially for those who have trouble with recoil do to age or ailment.
Knob Creek
NES Member
Picked up a Ruger today.
1903Collector
NES Member
Bought the Ruger late last year, it's currently my winter carry. Sits in a DeSantis OWB holster. Been stoking it with the 165gr Hornandy Critical Defense loads. I did change the grips when I got it, I really don't like rubbers on a revolver so I put a nice set of Hogue wood grips on it.These five shooters are looking very good to me. Any opinions ?
TIA
fencer German word that translated loosely means arrogant idiot.
I'm up to my eyeballs in custom shop S&W pre-dash 5" and 8" 629's and I like this .44 special and I did buy it and at half the cost of the S&W. It's a bit rough in places that don't contribute to function but it will make a good horseback pack and hiking carry in the Bitterroot this summer. If I decide to leave it with my tack I won't be out spit as it was a gift from my local GF who also bought a GP100 six shooter .357 but she rides a two wheeled horse.
Another up side is I like Ruger product and have several I bought in 1969 and still use.
Listen sweetheart while I try and respect other posters you are a jerk.
have a nice day fencer
Pura Vida
I'm up to my eyeballs in custom shop S&W pre-dash 5" and 8" 629's and I like this .44 special and I did buy it and at half the cost of the S&W. It's a bit rough in places that don't contribute to function but it will make a good horseback pack and hiking carry in the Bitterroot this summer. If I decide to leave it with my tack I won't be out spit as it was a gift from my local GF who also bought a GP100 six shooter .357 but she rides a two wheeled horse.
Another up side is I like Ruger product and have several I bought in 1969 and still use.
Listen sweetheart while I try and respect other posters you are a jerk.
have a nice day fencer
Pura Vida
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Retired-LEO
NES Member
Blackmore
NES Member
My biggest concern having looked one over is the narrowness of the forcing cone walls. Probably best to use standard store bought ammo or limit your reloads to factory ammo power levels.
Retired-LEO
NES Member
The newly revised S&W 69's forcing cone was redesigned. It should hold up fine.
Blackmore
NES Member
Thanks for the info but was talking about the Ruger the OP is interested in.
Great, I'd like to hear how you like the Ruger. Please post some photos are targets...
Ugh. 7 shot revolver is nasty, much rather have a 627 Pro or something. Something about that gun always made me cringe... it was like it was a marketing thing to try to skinflints or something.
686+ makes me think of this...
It's to the point where every time I see one of those things I'm like thinking if smith wants to be taken more seriously they would stop making them, lol.
-Mike
fencer
NES Member
What are you talking about?! That seventh round is the stuff movies are made of. " He's out.. that's six!" BANG
But for the record my 686 is a six shooter
