Thinking of buying a used GP-100, sight unseen, has maybe 5,000 rounds fired. Should this be of any concern? How durable are these? How many rounds can they go? What questions should I ask? Thanks

I've got a GP100 bought new back in the 90's with a six inch barrel in stainless. Has several thousand rounds thru it mostly handloads and a lot of max ones.

The main things to look for is how much cylinder gap you've got with a feeler gauge and cylinder play, front to back. Mine is getting to be a bit much but still shoots great, just keep your hand away when firing as you should anyway. And accuracy will be bad if the barrel hasn't been cleaned out properly using jkt and cast bullets. These are pretty tough guns but they will wear down. I've heard good things about Ruger re-storing them but I would have to change out my springs to put the factory back in and take off the scope it's wearing now to send it back in. Not much help but I've not had any problems with mine except when the barrel needs a good cleaning out. Doesn't foul as much now as it did when it was newer.

Bill

edit- I never shoot mine double action and wonder if I would be better off with a single-action revolver but mine shoots so well I'm afraid to trade it in on another.

There is a post concerning the purchasing of used revolvers. It gives a check list to look at and test on. Is there a way for you to have someone answer some of the questions it asks on the list?

Other than that, I bought a GP100, 6" blued, short lug, used a few years back. I have shot .38 spl, factory .357 and handloads running from moderate to heavy through it and it is still making me quite the happy camper. Ruger builds a very good, solid, heavy revolver. These are a medium frame and weigh about the same as a similar barrel length Smith N frame .357. Did I mention that they are heavy?

With Rugers, you want to also check what they call "Ruger slop". The cylinders on some will rock a little bit even when fully locked up. It can be disconcerting. But, there are always some that come from the factory nice and tight. I mean sweeeet with minimal slop, tight tolerances good alignment of cylinder chamber to bore and a good trigger. I lucked out, when I found one like that I jumped on it. If the one you are looking at is like that, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00, grab it and run!

Ruger does do good work and their warranty is great.

That's just broken in, if it hasn't been used for a sledgehammer.

But Mike, a Ruger will tend to work pretty good as a sledgehammer and still shoot to boot!

I have noticed that 'slop' in about half of Ruger's NIB guns. It isn't much, but is noticable.