I've had my Ruger GP100 (six inch barrel) for close to two months, now and
have fired close to five hundred .38 special and three hundred .357 magnum
rounds through it, in various target sessions.

The ranges tested were either 8 yds or 25 yds. The ammo used was Fiocchi
125grain .38 special or 125 grain .357 magnum.

Aesthetically, the firearm is pretty good. Fit and finish are good to very
good, with all parts fitting together smoothly and no visible scratches
and burrs.

Feel is excellent, with a good, smooth DA trigger-pull and a nice, light
SA pull and an excellent grip and heft while in the hand.

Recoil while firing two-handed is easily controllable when firing .357
magnum and hardly noticeable with .38 special. One handed, the .357 does
climb rapidly in double-tap or rapid fire tests, but slow-shooting or
using .38 special makes it a nicely firing weapon.

Accuracy does not leave much to be desired, as the pistol will rip out an
inch hole at 8yds, expanding to a 3 inch hole at 25yds. And I mean hole,
as in my SO and best friend accused me of shooting those groups with a
pair of scissors!

There were no failures to fire, no problems with the cylinder rotating,
etc, that were not directly attributable to user error. [A shooting
companion had a habit of half-pulling the trigger, which would rotate the
cylinder to the next round ...]

Only one round would not go into the cylinder, but that was a
manufacturing fault. [Nasty burr sticking out on the side of the case.]

The Ruger GP100 has quickly become one of the favoured pistols in my small
collection, and being one of the two I would pick up if my life counted on
it.

I give the GP100 a high recommendation for purchase and use, but must note
that I hope to have a S&W 686 sitting next to it by the end of the year.
:-)

--
"Mulder ... where's the body?"
			Dana Scully, X-Files, 1/11/98
-- John E. Jasen  // DNRC Ambassador to Earth \\  jjasen1@umbc.edu --
-- My views are those of the DNRC only. Prepare to be domesticated --