I have an itch that I'm looking to scratch with a SS 6" .357 (and maybe a scope?). I love my other Ruger wheelguns, so it was the obvious jumping-off point. A quick search at some local shops and a trip to ruger's website revealed that they are now shipping all of the GP100s with a Houge grip on them. Where did the 3 piece rosewood grip go? Nothing against houge, but we seem to disagree on where my sausage fingers should go. Does anyone know if I can still get the old style grips, or am I going to have to sift through one of the auction sites to find a set that someone took off their gun?

This triggered a further search, which got me thinking about the Taurus tracker 6". Any opinions? Obviously I get one more shot in there and a ported barrel, though I'm not sure if I want it. When it comes to ammo, I fire a lot of .357 over .38spl, should I be concerned about durability and longevity?

I have been looking at the S&W 686 as well, but they are going to have the same grip problem. But at least it comes drilled and tapped......



..::Frustrated::..

I can't tell you about the Ruger, but I shoot a Tracker and really like it. Mines in 41 mag though and it's a four inch carry in the woods gun. Plenty accurate for me though and light enough to carry on a belt holster at 34 ounces.

The last big bore Rugers I owned were a Redhawk 5.5 inch and a Super Redhawk 7.5 inch in 44 mag. I've just always like the bigger bores for some reason.

I have an itch that I'm looking to scratch with a SS 6" .357 (and maybe a scope?). I love my other Ruger wheelguns, so it was the obvious jumping-off point.
I have been looking at the S&W 686 as well, but they are going to have the same grip problem. But at least it comes drilled and tapped....

I've owned these two specifically, and if there's an advantage between the two, it's the ease of taking the GP100 apart for cleaning and tuning. Accuracy between the two with stock sights was as good as I can see/shoot, or 1 1/2-2" at 50yds, over a rest. Currently, the only .357 I own is a 4 5/8" BH, with a Brownells birdshead grip. I doubt I'll ever wear it out as I shoot mostly 160-180gr cast bullets in it, over moderate loads of Herco.

I have a NJ handgun permit in progress (for the last 5 months) that will turn into a Tracker .44 when it arrives, so my experience there is zip.

Probably just me, but when I think of a .357 with a 6" bbrl, my mind always conjures up a BH. Not like you can conceal it, except in a backpack, and once you go to the trouble of hauling the hammer back, well......

I don't know much about your other questions but I do know that my neighbor has a lot of handguns and says he buys grips from www.grips4guns.com

Hope that helps.

I have plenty of guns to conceal, 2 of them are ruger .357s (GP100 3" and Sp101 2") and I already have a S&W 29 4" 44 mag. I was considering a 41mag, but don't really want to add yet another caliber, especially since I am on my way to a fairly respectable stock pile (which continues to grow) of 38/357. I have a BH in 45lc and honestly, I love the gun but have no desire for another SA.

I don't think that I would be doing any hunting with it, besides maybe a coyote here and there if I get sick of night sniping them with the 17hmr, but its really just something that I want for fun/target.

Ruger still had some of the old grips when a friend of mine called them 2 weeks ago. He got a pair.

One way or the other you should be able to find the old grips. If I recall correctly, you'll find the 6" GP-100 quite a bit heavier than the Tracker. Depends on what you want. The heavier GP and 686 are rock steady to shoot but you pay a weight cost if that's important. The only one I own is the GP and it's an accurate super tough gun. Typical Ruger.

The ruger will last many lifetimes... they are very well built revovler, but you already know that. I've got a half underlug 6" blued model that is far more accurate than I will ever be. On a recent outing, I put a target at 50 yards, on a bench, with no particularly accurate load, and placed all 6 bullets into just 3/4" with the factory adjustable sights and just some regular handloads.

I've also got a lightweight Taurus Tracker 4" ported. Its an excellent trail gun, and also pretty accurate, but its no where near as strong as the ruger, and its a .44 Mag.

Ruger discontinued the 3 peice grip when the vendor went out of business. I called them recently to order the compact grip for my 6" GP100 and they are all out.