Grips: Cushioned Rubber with Hardwood Insert The single action trigger is glass-rod crisp, breaking right at five pounds. Meh. Ths Ruger GP100 22LR was my first purchased gun. I love them all,6 inch being my favorite.All are used at range,there is no concealed carry in New Jersey available to average citizen.Whatever feels the most comfortable but I’m looking at getting my first .22 lr revolver. Any recommendations as to a comparison between the Mk 4 ‘Hunter’ and the ‘Competition’? S&W makes a j-frame, 3″, 22lr, airweight: 317. I’m sure you could swap out the trig ger return spring without any negative effects, but the ham mer spring might come at the price of a few misfires. CDNN Sports has them for $479.99 right now. DA trig ger reach will always be an issue for shooters with small hands. Have a couple of SP101’s in .357 Magnum. I think I will appreciate the size and weight of the SP101 over the extra 2 rounds offered by the GP100. Your email address will not be published. It makes a Nagant M1895’s trigger seem light and crisp. I’m going to spend some time shooting the SP101 next and see which feels better. Your email address will not be published. Wiley Clapp Ruger GP100 This special-edition Ruger GP100, crafted with input from well-known gun writer Wiley Clapp, is loaded with features that make it versatile and easy to use. Overbuilt, heavy and not particularly pretty. It’s far better than my stock Blackhawks, including my Bisley Hunter. the next year came the fluted version. “If you’re used to just flicking your wrist, this revolver requires a little more effort. I like Ruger products and can’t decide between the SP101 and GP100. There’s no crisp “definition” of line and plane, but a rather soft, blobby, blur of metal–especially noticeable in stainless versions. The only tool you’ll need is a basic flathead screw driver. Mine shoots fine. . … Ruger GP 100 Maintenance. 2. The SP101 is also my wife’s absolutely favorite gun and what I rely on for woods carry against unfriendly critters (needed several times). I had a hard time rationalizing that purchase, but I have no regrets. By clicking on a link above, you will leave the Ruger website and be transported to the website of an independent, federally licensed retailer of Ruger ® products. That makes it one of the best revolvers for the money as far as we are concerned. A .22 cal revolver still has many uses even today. I have a 15 plus yr. old Stainless Ruger Mk. Ruger, in my opinion, is the best choice in firearms for most people. In short, the heavy spring serves its intended purpose, which is to ensure that any rimfire round goes off. Required fields are marked *. Capacity: 10 rounds Ruger’s Production Manager, Graham Rockwell, stated, “Our ultimate goal was to provide yet another rugged, reliable firearm to our customers at an affordable rate.”. My $50 used heritage does the same job. This will certainly give me a pause in selecting a suitable range gun. When I think about growing up as a kid, I can’t think of any of the men who owned and worked the farms around us who didn’t have a .22LR revolver. Gun of the month club I reckon more than anything. A well-made rimfire revolver can be a work of art, not only fun and useful, but a source of pride. Style and Customization * * * * We are talking about utility of a .22 cal revolver. The model and caliber marriage Ruger has arranged is intriguing and has the potential to go over big with a wide swath. The front sight is ideal for general use, a green dot fiber optic sight that really pops out in any light. I haven’t actually shot the GP 100 .22 LR, but for something short of $700 I’m willing to give it a chance. Carry on. So this is in keeping with the general applications of the Wrangler. I imagine a GP100 in .44SPL or .357 Magnum is in my future. What you buy and what you are willing to pay is an individual thing. I had a .22 cal Hi-Standard Double Nine, in the 60s, don’t remember what I paid for it, but under $50. You were so right!! It was the firearm to have, farmers, ranchers, 1/4 horse racing bettors at the old dirt and wooden bleachers tracks, revolvers stuck in waistbands. But of course, there are plenty of Taurus, Smith … There’s nothing particularly polished about this revolver. And, everyone has thought about that, right? Anything tangible and made of physical materials is going up in cost because the Fed has a deliberate policy of making the money in your pocket worth less over time. Any recommendations for an old Gezzer? When I got the .22 I expected to use it to teach NRA Basic Pistol but there were a few things I did not like. The more you know about the products you become interested in, the better your overall experience is bound to be. And they are now the biggest firearms manufacturer in America. If you think the .22LR GP100’s trigger is a b!tch, try the .22LR SP101. The model we’re looking at comes in “Matte Silver”, yet you can also get a “Classic Black” or a “Burnt Bronze” finish. My old Smith Kit Gun, the stainless 63 with a 4″ barrel, is audibly laughing in the safe. It also features a cold hammer-forged barrel with a 1:14 inch twist. It was stolen in 2005, burglar while I was at work. We have a 4.20-inch barrel, lugged with a fully adjustable rear sight, elevation and windage, in stainless steel finish with a brushed satin for a … I do just enough to keep reminding myself that if I need fast accurate shots out farther than 15 yards or so I’m better off thumbing the ham mer back. pull heavy at first, then better. As revolvers go, the Ruger Wrangler 22LR really does look the part, harking back to the days of Single Action Army (SAA) revolvers. The idea was to give shooters who wanted to compete with .38 Special revolvers something that was cheaper/easier to shoot, as well as a good, solid pest and plinking gun. I put six different flavors of ammo through it with zero issues. The smart move starting back into active shooting is best managed with a qualified instructor or shooting Pro. And all of these finishes are classed under their “Cerakote” banner. All GP100 revolvers feature a strong triple locking cylinder, a patented transfer bar mechanism, and tool-less takedown. With CCI Quiet-22 rounds, I could avoid ear protection for a cylinder at a time and suffered no ringing or pain in my ears. It’s also an incredibly affordable handgun to own, which is always a plus. don’t know that I can agree with that. Ruger GP100 Revolver 357 Magnum Review – Conclusion. The good thing about maintaining this gun is that it’s pretty easy to do. Just sayin. Although, if you did opt for carrying it, the single-action trigger could potentially give you a split-second advantage in a gunfight or a moment of self-defense. I’d leave it alone, but it’s work that any intelligent adult should be able to accomplish without a professional gunsmith. Also unfailingly reliable and a solid value. The Ruger GP100 in.22LR is a quality revolver at a decent price. All of my Rugers have better triggers (unmodified) than any of the Smiths I’ve used, yet that is supposedly one of their bragging points. The .22LR GP100 isn’t a six-shooter. According to the manual, a few drops of oil in the frame openings will make its way to the internal mechanisms. Again, you people keep venting at gun manufacturing companies, when you should be venting your wrath at the Federal Reserve. I am considering a Ruger GP100 in 22lr. Looking for more superb Revolver options? Overall Length: 11.30″ I took it to a gun smith to lighten the trigger pull. Yes, it is heavy. It also means that the Wrangler is well suited, with the 22LR round, for teaching first time and younger shooters. Photo by Randy Wakeman. Don’t try that at home, kids. It’s also an incredibly affordable handgun to own, which is always a plus. Remember the time that a good number of people had a .22 revolver handy. The Ruger GP-100 .22LR showed excellent 25 yard accuracy with a wide variety of loads. I’m looking very intently at the new Ruger Mk. Still, a decent gun. I would also check out some 617’s, as most I have felt have good triggers. A lot of manufacturers use the .22 Magnum barrel for both .22 Magnum and .22 LR guns. Trigger was horrible. Considering the grips are easily changeable, an aftermarket grip might help a little with that. For a basic takedown to clean the weapon, remove the cylinder by depressing the base pin latch on the frame, and then slide the base pin forward. I bought one for the kids to shoot. It’s a fun gun to add to the collection where you can enjoy a touch of cowboy nostalgia. Never be able to replace it. Ruger GP100 .22 LR 10-shot Revolver By Randy Wakeman. They were beautiful revolvers, the blued versions were a quite nice, very accurate and crisp in their handling. It has a bit less weight, and nicer sights. I have a GP-100 .22LR and I have the .357 Mag GP-100. Front Sight: Fiber Optic Dead on correct. I have shot the GP101 and it was so smooth. There are even cowboy-style shooting competitions where it could be used effectively. I would like some feedback from people who have owned them and shot them enough to know just how accurate they are and what problems to look out for. I’m on the market for a Ruger SP101 .22. Some variants of GP100 consist of a couple that hold 7 of .327 Federal, a few that hold 5 of 44 Special, etc. Fired the .22 long rifle as well as rat shot. A little disappointing since my single action Rugers shoot better in heavier calibers. My hands were plenty large enough to get all the way into the trigger and then some. (After an initial application of RAA’s Gun Oil no additional lubrication or cleaning was performed.) Give me a 4.2″ version with the WC treatment and a polished blue finish for a street price under $1000 and I’ll be expanding my GP 100 collection. What you buy and what you pay is up to you. A full comparison could be a whole article in itself, so we’ll keep it brief. Taking the Ruger GP100 out of the now very familiar grey plastic Ruger case, I discovered an attractive, working class revolver. It is the opposite of a.22 rimfire that looks or feels like a toy: it looks great, the grips fill out the hand nicely and are supremely comfortable. Barrel Length: 5.50″ As there should be. Both guns seem very sturdy and well made. The upside: the gun is a breeze to disassemble and clean, especially for a double action revolver. 4 Competition with the 6 inch slab sides as a range piece. And yet somehow I’ve never owned a GP100. It’s very good at what it does. Ruger ® GP100 ® double-action revolvers are among the most comfortable shooting revolvers. But ultimately, it’s just a great practice firearm. Ruger fans, unclench your pearls. Less expensive and lighter, though still substantial. Too much to droll over. Ruger GP100 22LR Many people laugh at the idea of a .22LR revolver, but they are growing in popularity so it’s no wonder why there’s a Ruger GP100 22 wheel gun. And yes, it has earned its reputation as being heavy in the hand, but it is also light in the kickback. Hell, my cheapo heritage even has a safety on it! One disappointment: the large “Ruger GP 100” billboard across the right side of the barrel. II target (old heavy tapered barrel no longer made) 6 7/8″ and a Smith “Victory” 5.5″ stainless with fiber optic front sight. The factory trigger is listed at 14 lbs. You get what you pay for . Before we get into what makes it his own, a few words are in order about Ruger and the GP100. It weighs in at 30 ounces with a full length of 10.25 inches and has a barrel length of 4.62 inches. Never have had even a single problem with my multitude of Rugers of all kinds. probably be able to find this gp for around six hondo eventually. In spite of owning a bunch of Ruger revolvers over the years and being impressed with their durability, I must confess their DA frames all look like they were molded from a bar of soap. Kind of like having 40+ ounces of silver colored Cheez Whiz on your hip. It killed many a javelina and white tail before I sold it, buying new ones in .41 magnum and .44 magnum, which I still own. Moreover, this pistol also has fiber optic sights, along with the read sight and front blade. by Norman Turner - Last updated December 10, 2020. I would tend to agree. Not really a problem. Same goes for the future .357 and .327 LCRx revolvers. I imagine a GP100 in.44SPL or.357 Magnum is in my future. It is a … Pretty much what you’d expect. The Smith 617 beats the Ruger GP hands down in the hammer pull category. A set of Wolff springs will reduce that to around three pounds. Wiley Clapp Ruger GP100 Some of Wiley Clapp’s enhancements include Novak sights and a special black rubber grip with fingerprint-checkered wooden inserts. Ruger had the superior auto until this new S&W Victory, now the race is closer. Got the SP101 in .22. A good example is that Single-Six holsters can be used with the Wrangler. I had been lusting after a revolver in 22LR for some time and finally gave in. If you’re not comfortable taking this thing apart, don’t. DA shooting is a bit overrated in my book anyway. james69, misread your comment initially , you are correct, in the “old days” $20 was a lot of money. This is not an ideal all-day carry gun by any means. Yeah, but what you are paying for is a plinker/truck gun. I kept thinking the gun was scratched, but it’s just where the two sections meet up. My Ruger Alaskan in .44 is only two ounces more and requires a heavy gun belt or shoulder rig. and my 6” 617 weighs 47 oz. Essentially, the Wrangler is based on the Ruger’s Single-­Six, with the same scaling and many other design aspects and internal components being the same or similar. The new rifle (SKU 31139) is intended to retail for less than $200. It’s where this old Gezzer got his basic education back in the last ‘Ice-Age’. I’m such a sucker for pretty, well made stainless steel American hardware. As revolvers go, the Ruger Wrangler 22LR really does look the part, harking back to the days of Single Action Army (SAA) revolvers. They’ve already presented the concept gun to the press. Let’s not mince words. I find this corporate intrangency baffling, especially as a new 617 six inch barrel costs a whopping $850.00 That may be true but it does not seem to have any impact on the hammer pull. However, a word of caution: the Ruger mechanism is different from a S&W mechanism and the reset is just clicketty-clunky with an annoying two-click reset that is more pronounced and far less smooth than those two-click LC9 resets. All this works reliably and simply as you would expect with a revolver. There’s an extremely large array of aftermarket options available. I think it would be better if they were 4 inches, not 3 inches. Considering what I paid for the WC and the Blackhawk that shouldn’t be to hard to do. It was the same frame size, and almost the same size/weight as a .38 target revolver. I put Wil son Com bat spring kits in both of my GP 100s (both .357) and the stock springs were 14# for the ham mer spring and 12# for the trig ger return spring. Therefore, you can see why they can offer quality guns at lower prices – because of their economies of scale advantage over their competitors. Shooting the .22LR version has me re-thinking that gap in my toolbox. As for weight, the weight of the GP is right in line with the S&W 17 and 617. At 50 yards I could place every round inside a 19” silhouette offhand, but the rounds were all over the target. Cusps to ‘Plinkster’ and ‘whooper 333’ on YouTube for pointing out the pro’s and cons. I like the 10 shot As far as reliability, there were no unhappy surprises. Your email address will not be published. I think it was Art Laffer that said ‘Inflation IS taxation’. (Not sure how well that one holds up). The … Grip frame design easily accommodates a wide variety of custom grips. Getting back into shooting after 35 year hiatus. Hopefully, you’ve found this article useful, and maybe you’ll be getting some gun-slinging fun very soon with the Ruger Wrangler 22LR! That can hammer nails if needs be? The rifling is ultra-precise and provides exceptional accuracy and longevity. It wasn’t a 10-shot revolver, however. I had a single six that I could shoot snakes in head with with LR. Shooting from bags at 25 yards in single action, I was getting 1.5” to 1.8” five-round groups, depending on the round used. Now the ’50th anniversary of the .44 magnum’ Blackhawk I’ve got has a polished blue that’s pretty nice – not Colt Python nice, but much more aesthetically pleasing than bead blasted stainless. Ruger's patented grip frame design easily accommodates a wide variety of custom grips. The first semi-auto I ever shot was a Ruger Mk II I still own and my first revolver was a Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. That SP101 in 22 LR sure is nice. It’s a 10-shot revolver. I gave it to my nephew I will ask him. I think the Smith K-Frame handles best for my medium-large hands, but the GP-100 might be the ticket if you want a 10-shot revolver in a heavy frame and have big hands. Works perfectly with all three of them. I have huge paws so weight wasn’t so much a factor. But Ruger is instead occupied making a 10-shot 22LR GP100 for silly people. The GP was too big for my hand and just too much gun. There’s definitely some play in the cylinder even after lockup. The left side is a little more understated, with just the Ruger logo (this time without the copyright mark) on the frame and the name and city roll-mark on the barrel. That’s much appreciated, if not a little time-consuming to load. I think the .38+P was released in a 3 inch barrel because Ruger was still thinking of it as a concealed carry revolver, but with some woods carry or “kit gun” philosophy. 1. There is only so much that can be accomplished in that department. 4 auto are stellar performers, while the venerable For the women shooters who used it, it was almost unusable. But the Wrangler is a fixed size, at a full length of 10.5 inches, while the Heritage does have some different sizes you can opt for. I am considering a Ruger GP100 in 22lr. Don’t even notice it. as it should be. . If you’ve ever reassembled the Rube Goldberg-ish Mark II, this is child’s play. This firearm is not for CCW, but mostly for recreational shooting with inexpensive ammo. Also having to see that annoying, nagging thing for the rest of the ownership is not a way to treat customers. It’s a pain in the ass. To be honest, this is either a range gun or a backyard plinker. Ha! ‘The factory trig ger is listed at 14 lbs and it’s every bit of that.’. I’ve shot the sp101 in .22lr and that trigger is a deal breaker. At 2-5/8 pounds, the GP100.22 is a very substantial, stable revolver that is easy to shoot and shoot well. One of the few “obscure objects of desire” that i did not resist the impulse. The checkering is nice as it does give you a firm grip, plus the zinc alloy grip frame adds to the overall lightweight feel. There are a lot of very similar features, such as the bladed front sights, the aluminum alloy frame, a six-round capacity, and a single-action only set-up. Cummings of Wilmington, De over big with a red dot on some squirrels out! 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