Hey guys, what do you think about this pistol? I have a Ruger Blackhawk .45 LC with a 4 5/8" barrel and i would trade it in for the GP 100. I dont like how expensive the .45 LC ammo is in my town, and all i can get is the 255 grain lead round nose cowboy ammo, which isnt what a want. THe GP100 is able to shoot cheap .38 SPL ammo for plinking, and then use the .357 ammo for when i have it on my hip while hunting. I have also been having accuracy problems with the Rugers and have heard rumors about bad headspacing or something like that, but have never heard of them in the other models/calibers. So what do you guys think?

NH_Hunter

NH Hunter, My wife has a GP100 with adjustable sights 4" bbl, and is a crack shot with it, the thing is just as accurate as my Python at 25yds. trigger just as good, and probably a bit tougher, since my Python broke a firing pin after about 700 shots, I guess I highly suggest getting it, I'd buy another one if I needed another 357, Jay

An opinion, and you know what my opinion is worth

Make the trade and never look back. As a reloader I would not do it, but if I had to buy factory ammo I would make the change in a sec.

S&W 686 would also be on my list as something to consider for a trade. A model 66 as well if I was not going to shoot a lot of heavy loads and use ithe gun mostly to plink and play.

LouisB

Following prices in Auction Arms and ome of the other sites will geive you a hint of pricing ratio when you go to trade.

I have both and wouldn't part with either of them. My 4" GP-100 is very accurate. It's a wonderful gun to pack and shoot. I really like the 4 5/8" 45colt Blackhawk. I can load it with light loads and heavy ones. The size and weight is about the same between the two. I'd say keep the blackhawk and come up with the money to buy the GP-100. The wife says don't trade it, you'll regret it later on. Or you could get into reloading and shoot for much less than store bought ammo. If you shoot much, then you could really save a bundle by reloading. You wouldn't have to get the biggest and baddest progressive reloader, you could start with a single stage press and go from there.

I have a KGP141 that I bought in about 90. It has been a great gun and is very accurate.

The trigger pull gets much better after a few thousand rounds. I started handloading after I bought this gun and shot a lot of really hot loads through it, I was young. It is still tight and I trust it will last a very long time.

The only downside is that it is heavy, or heavy duty, for a 357. If you just want to shoot cheap 38's maybe a used K-frame Smith may be better. I bought a used M15 for 175.00 from century arms. I paid the extra 10.00 for the hand select and installed some hogue grips. It is a really nice revolver and well worth the money. You could probably get a M19 for about the same price.

Not trying to talk you out of a GP100. If you get one you will love it/

Well, i am a reloader, but i am just not satisfied with the accuracy and the grip on the Blackhawk. THe barrel is also really short for the .45 LC's full potential in my opinion. It isnt too bad of a carry gun though. I just can't reload during the winter, becuase my reloading stuff isnt in a heated place, so it gets kind of cold, and being shaky isnt exactly the best thing to be when you are dealing with gun powder.

NH_Hunter

I love my GP 100. I have so many rounds through it the forcing cone is showing minor wear. Very accurate. I love the sights. If you like it better than the 45 than do it. YOU have to be happy. Get what you want. This gun was made for the 357 mag cartridge. The gun is robust. It has not had chamber problems. That is just with the chamber of 45 colts be under or over sized. Great gun.


Hcliff

Keep your Ruger Blackhawk 45LC and buy the GP100. Many people hunt with a 45LC and are sucessful taking deer and other large game. Read some of the handgun hunting on this forum and you will find out that the 45LC is not as lacking in power as you might believe. I have kicked myself many times for the great guns I traded just because I had to have another gun and couldn't wait. We all get the trade fever.

My two cents worth.

Swede44mag

I put a Houge Monogrip on my BlackHawk. I really like it, it's comfortable and handles recoil very well. I did have to make a taller front sight for the heavy 300's and 340's. I did shoot a deer with a 357 and it went down withing 40yds. For larger game you could alway shoot a 180gn bullet. If your 45 is not accurate, then I wouldn't see much of an argument for keeping it. You might just need to have the throats opened up to .4525" if they are too tight.

I also put a Houge Monogrip on my .41mag Blackhawk, and found a tremendous difference. The problem I had with the stock grips, my little finger wouldn't fit on the grips unless I scrunched my fingers up and then the trigger guard beat hell out of my middle finger. You just can't go wrong with a Ruger. Jim.

If it was possible I'd keep the Blackhawk and get the GP-100 too. I have a GP-100 with a 6-inch full lugged barrel, and it seems (to me) to recoil differently from my Blackhawks. Instead of rising, it pushes almost straight back because it is so muzzle heavy. Great for target shooting though. I put a Wolff spring kit in mine and it improved the trigger pulls, especially in double action.. Mostly shoot 125gr. JHP's over AA#9 or H110 powder, or shoot 158gr hard cast LSWC's over moderate charges of Unique or AA#2. Great revolver.