And so down the rabbit hole we go. DeSantis makes a nice thumb break pancake that allows easy carry under a cover shirt. These handles position your index finger just right for expert manipulation of the trigger. Ordered one the first day I found them available (Momma said I could). I think they must have heard Ace talking! Sorry about the typo. Transfer bar mechanism provides an … The .44 Special is very manageable, even for novice shooters. Out of Stock. But there are plenty of long barreled .44s available and Lipsey’s has already come forth with a blued steel 5-inch version. Ian, welcome aboard! But then you think of the ones that got away. I think. Therein lies part of its attraction. A factory .44 Special +P would be a great designation. His father and grandfather were shooters and collectors before him, so it’s pretty much in his DNA. Shooting the Ruger GP-100 Revolver in 44 Special Although it is a new caliber for this revolver, the GP100 model has been out for over 30 years and holsters are well represented in the … Double action still kept all shots in the ten ring. The Ruger GP100 .44 Special is a sizable, powerful-looking gun. Blue GP100 4.2 inch barrel - solid. Cut to still allow smooth ejection of spent cases, they feel and work just as well as the rubber grips. The thing .44 Special devotees know is the cartridge is extremely accurate, easy to handload and is very versatile. Back in 1986, when the .357 Mag. 17 Affordable Concealed-Carry Guns Under $300, First Look: DeSantis Variable GRD Handgun Holster, First Look: Galco Ankle Glove Holster for Kimber K6s Revolver, Review: Rival Arms 10/22 Precision Chassis System, © 2020 National Rifle Association of America. It’s a pistol made for packing around. These “special edition” revolvers are somewhat atypical compared to the rest of the line, but aren’t very special otherwise. So similar in size were these revolvers that they fit in the same holsters and used the same six-shot speedloaders. Out of Stock. At that time, it was the “new” Charter Arms .44 Special … As soon as Ruger introduced the GP100 in .44 Special, I bought one. Out of Stock, Taking Backorders. But they do add a level of panache with their handsome color and grain. While I have a suspicion the GP100 might be a bit stronger than the 686, there’s no doubt these are tough revolvers, as Smith & Wesson produced a five-shot .44 Mag. When the .44 Magnum was introduced in 1956 (when S&W and Remington teamed up after much experimentation by Idaho’s Elmer Keith hot loading the .44 Special), it was one of the nails in the .44 Special’s coffin because you could shoot Specials in the Magnum (as well as .44 Russians, which were lengthened to create the Special, which was lengthened to create the Magnum). cartridge after hot-loading .44 Special., it was Skeeter who had an affinity for the .44 Special. But I’ve always loved S&W revolvers. 100 Shooting the GP100 is a pleasurable experience, as are all .44 Special revolvers. The single-action trigger breaks at just under 5 pounds. Back outside, bending into the truck, laying the magazine carefully on the passenger seat beside you, wondering during the long drive to work what he’d written about that month. The short-barreled Model 69 arrives tomorrow. Because the front sight is dovetailed into the stainless matte stainless steel barrel, it can be replaced with a gold dot or a tritium night sight. Captain Frank Hamer of the Texas Rangers was known to carry a .44 Special Triplelock in a shoulder holster. E-mail your comments/questions about this site to:ShootingIllustrated@nrahq.orgFor questions/comments about Shooting Illustrated magazine, please e-mail:Publications@nrahq.orgYou can contact the NRA via phone at: NRA Member Programs1-800-672-3888, To advertise on Shooting Illustrated, visit nramediakit.com for more information. Ruger continued the Blackhawk for several years as a standard cataloged .44 Special and they later produced Bisley and Vaquero versions as well (in both blue and stainless steel). These “special edition” revolvers are … With either handloads or factory cartridges, the .44 Special GP100 can be fired all day long without punishing your palms with excessive recoil. Would love to see one in 5″; that and a HCSWC would make for some really unhappy pigs (I’m sure the 3″ would do well, also, but there’s just something weird about hunting with a short barrel). I just wanted to say that this was an awesome review, very well done. It’s well executed, with no rough edges or gross tool marks. I like that—it gets my attention quickly. The hammer spur seems precisely positioned for strong hand or off hand thumb cocking and the single action trigger pull breaks clean without any creep or overtravel at just under 5 pounds. And the gun shop just down the road just happens to have that nice GP100 in their display case. Many knowledgeable handgunners can’t understand its attraction. 3" preferably. version of the Ruger GP100 came out, most American police officers carried revolvers and Ruger was competing with Smith & Wesson for its share of that market. Rugged, dependable, and American-made, this Ruger GP100 chambered in 44 Special is the perfect option for personal protection/daily carry. The GP100 has always been one of the most underappreciated DA .357s. condition 97%. THE REVOLVER FEATURES A 3 INCH BARREL, BLADE FRONT WITH ADJUSTABLE REAR … So why, oh why can't Ruger make a five shot GP100 in .44 Special? It wears a Ruger adjustable rear sight that is mated to a black post … The hammer locks up early and the double action pull isn’t stagey or creepy or stacking. Originally chambered in .357 Magnum in 1985, the medium frame GP100 was a new version of Ruger’s Security Six/Service Six/Speed Six handgun. $829.00 … I think that will help guide the caliber selection. Well, maybe ‘plenty’ ain’t the right word, but you know what I mean. Now I have to decide which one I want more, and it’s a tough call. This 3-inch GP weighs 36 ounces (according to Ruger’s website, but they list the .357 with the same weight so I think the .44 actually weighs a bit less), so it’s not a pocket gun by any means and it’s a bit on the heavy side for concealed carry on your hip (but plenty of people carry even heavier guns daily). Many fans followed his lead and had their .357s converted to .44 Special as well. I have to back up a little and tell you a story about the grip on this revolver. Nice write up! Skelton imagined such a revolver could be made with a five shot, unfluted cylinder, thus providing plenty of cylinder-wall thickness between the cartridges for strength—and this is exactly what we have in the Ruger I’ve been reviewing. It’s unique feature was a grip peg that allowed a wrap around grip (when made of rubber type material it gave even more cushioning effect) that could be conformed i… A possible motive for choosing 44 Special only is to have a gun that is more compact and lighter. http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUGP-4451-5. Whether in factory ammunition or handloads, the .44 Special can serve in a target, defensive or hunting capacity with loads that go from mild to absolute full-blown stompers. That’s excellent for a short barreled revolver’s brief sight radius. ... Ruger 3758 LCP II with Viridian Red Laser Single/Double Action $ 439.00 (3) RUGER NO. Ruger reasoned that his customers could just shoot Specials out of his big Magnum gun. Shop online For 44 Special pistols and revolvers from top brands like Rossi, Charter Arms, Smith and Wesson, and many more. Has anyone see or shot this gun? If you really need that last 5%,…..that’s what the 44 magnum is for. They sold out very quickly. The left side is pleasingly inscribed with the Ruger GP100 name and .44 Special caliber, while the serial number and Ruger eagle logo subtlety etched into the frame. (l.) A large, push-button cylinder-release latch is easy to actuate, even when wearing gloves. Smaller and lighter than the Super Blackhawk .44 Magnums, half came with 4 5/8” barrels and the other half with 5 ½” barrels. That’s a lot of power, no matter how you measure it. A soft lead 240-250 grain, 44 caliber SWC travelling at 900-1000 fps will do 95% of what a 44 caliber handgun is asked to do. newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. I know I’m late to the party on this post, I just recently found revolverguy and it’s really nice to see a dedicated revolver site. Weighing 36 ounces unloaded and almost 40 ounces with five big cartridges, the weight of the revolver combined with the comfort of the grip helped me fire almost 200 rounds of .44 Special defensive ammunition in one long session without discomfort. And besides, I’ve got plenty of ‘em, the old ones, already. There is a certain gravitas to the .44 Special that is apparent to those who treasure history and respect those who blazed the trail. The push button style cylinder release works intuitively and the ejector rod pushes spent cases out easily. I’d also like to see a review of the 5 inch version… Anyone? If you’ve mastered double action shooting, this Ruger will surely please you at whatever range you prefer to fire. However, the .44 Special is truly special for those who possess a bit more abstract way of thinking. this has the makings of a great novel! Lock-up is tight, trigger DA is smooth on this example. I suffer from the same illness as mine was ordered as soon as they were announced. They’re smooth in front and back with stippling on the sides. And hard-cast 250gr Keiths. A couple of years ago, Ruger’s revolver product manager, Kurt Hindle, wanted a new grip without finger grooves for the 3-inch-barreled LCRx variant of the popular Ruger LCR. The .44 Special is something of a magical cartridge with a devoted fan base that generally feel a bit deprived. Steve, thank you! I’ve shot it a ton, both at the range and on the set of “Handguns … The second realization is that the Hogue rubber handles are perfect. Wouldn’t that be just the thing? Get the Shooting Illustrated Reloaded newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. Quantum physics and RevolverGuy at the same time? When I first learned of this new revolver, I knew I had to have one. In 2009, the firearms distributor Lipsey’s contracted with Ruger (Bill Ruger having passed away seven years prior) to make 1000 Ruger Blackhawk single action revolvers chambered in .44 Special. My eyes pick it up fast and line the green dot up with the rear sight instinctively. But for the same reasons the .38 Special didn’t disappear when the .357 Magnum was introduced, the .44 Special survives too. .44 Special's. Featuring a 3-inch barrel with a full under lug, this .44 is a modern rendition of the classic belly gun, a stubby, powerful, concealable big-bore revolver. Having a gun that fires multiple chamberings is a sound idea and a concrete way of looking at things, especially if cost keeps one from purchasing multiple firearms. But Skeeter knew that a lighter weight, smaller frame .44 Special was easier to carry out in the field for days at a time. While Jason was at it he prevailed upon Ruger to produce this GP in .44 Special, .357 Magnum and .327 Federal. . And five factory fresh boxes of Gold Dot 230gr GDHP – the stuff that says “Special,” not “Magnum.”. GP100® in .44 Special. Grips easy to change to smaller for carry or wood for a different look. It is our first review of a Ruger round gun. Double-Action Revolver Reassembly. The .44 Special’s legacy endures because firearm manufacturers (S&W, Ruger, Charter Arms, Taurus, Freedom Arms, Colt, Cimarron, etc) keep coming out with new revolvers chambered for the 110-year old round. SPEED BEEZ® Ruger GP100® 3 Inch Tactical Revolver Holster Outside the Waist Band (Fits any Ruger GP100® up to 3 Inch Barrel) Fits New 44 Special $ 73.00; Add to cart SPEED BEEZ® Speed Loader Pouch (Size 2) – Fits Smith Wesson 686, 686 Plus, 38/357 Ruger GP100® 38/357, 44, Kimber K6®, S&W Model 69 44… Elmer Keith blew up Colt Single Action Army revolvers in his quest to discover how hot he could handload the .44 Special. revolver. Despite near declarations of death several times over the decades, the .44 Special has risen again and again. These handles are the same as the handsome ones that come standard on Ruger’s Match Champion model. It just isn’t sanctioned. Keith used his own bullet design weighing 250 grains and he made it exit a 4-inch barreled revolver at 1200 feet per second. Ruger recently introduced their GP100 revolver in .44 Special. HAVE A 44 SPECIAL GP 100 AND WONT SHOOT GOLD DOT 200 GRAIN ANY ONE KNOW SOMETHING I DONT KNOW THANKS, ©2016 to 2019 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved, ©2019 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved, RG101: Revolver Grasp, or How to Hold a Revolver, Shootists 35th Anniversary Bisley Single Seven. The GP100 isn’t a pocket pistol, but it packs easily in a belt holster and can be concealed with a jacket or baggy shirt. of the 5″ half lug Ruger Lipsey’s exclusive in blued steel with the new (and fantastic!) You’re so right P&P, we’ve had .38 Special +P loads that reasonable people understand should never be fired in late 19th Century or early 20th Century .38 Special revolvers. From old guns (he has fired the 300+ year-old Blunderbuss that hangs above his fireplace) to the lastest wondergun – handguns, rifles, and shotguns – he likes them all. They’re the first without finger grooves (which never seem to match up well with my big fingers anyway) for Ruger and the pebble style surface adds even more grip than the rubber alone. I see Ruger now is selling a GP-100 in .44 Special with a 5 inch barrel. how to reload your ruger gp100 properly in 5 [easy] steps With training, a revolver shooter can learn to smoothly reload their revolver. It just pulls through its travel smoothly. "Ruger Gp100 .44 Special" For Sale. Like other GP100s, it features a crane-mounted pivoting lock that secures the cylinder in three places. These revolvers were a little bigger than the medium-frame revolvers like the Smith & Wesson K-frame or the Ruger Security-Six and were designed to hold up better with a steady diet of hot .357 Mag. The Lipsey’s Ruger GP100 with a holster from Simply Rugged Holsters Weighing 38 ounces unloaded the GP100 … What we need is an industry sanctioned higher pressure loading that is appropriate for modern guns but still far below the extreme pressure levels of the 44 magnum. He also wrote prolifically about firearms, combining guns with his southwest lifestyle in a manner that was superbly entertaining. It was conceived, of course, as a super-strong holster-size .357 able to stand up to the pounding of constant training fire with magnum rounds. The SAAMI pressure limit for the 44 Special is 15,500 psi. Welcome aboard Steve, and thanks for a great review of this classic cartridge, and the new launch platform for it. He spent a lifetime developing loads for the Special, converting revolvers to the cartridge and trying to talk manufacturers into making a medium-frame, double-action .44 Special. Then he wrote about it and the .44 Special was resurrected from the ash heaps of Skeeter’s campfire full of bits of javelina. ; ^ ). And that’s reasonable, considering the .44 Special is not a big seller and is something of a cult favorite. The classic “Skeeter Load” is a 240-250 grain LSWC with 7.5 grains of Unique in a 44 Special casing. Editor’s Note: Sorry to butt in, but his article represents a few firsts here at RevolverGuy.com. The GP100 44 Special is built primarily of stainless steel, and wears a three-inch barrel with integral upper and lower ribs. Virgin .44 Special brass. Love the blue finish on this model. The Ruger GP100 1761 in .44 Special represents a recent resurgence of the .44 Magnum's parent cartridge. Was tickled to discover the Blazer with the Gold Dot bullets, which the gun seems to like a lot. Between the six-inch Model 29, the four-inch Mountain Gun, and the brace of Ruger Redhawks… what possible big bore shooting scenario have I left uncovered? Many have asked, “Why not just buy a .44 Magnum and shoot Specials in it?”  That can certainly be done and it’s difficult to explain to someone who only wants or can only afford just one gun. About Steven Tracy: Steven Tracy is a full-time police officer and has been a firearms enthusaist since birth and a certified firearms instructor for the last 28 years. Like Ace, I think the .44 Special is more than adequate for self defense with stoked with the Gold Dots (which I use) or the Buffalo Bores. I’d gladly share some time with a fellow .44 fanatic over a cold drink Jeff! They just hold a special panache. The .44 Special is the fifth cartridge for which the GP100 has been chambered. The rear sight is a standard adjustable variety with a white outline, while the front sight is a dovetailed green fiber optic. I find myself wondering, “What would Skeeter Skelton think of all these new .44 Special guns and cartridges?”  Charles “Skeeter” Skelton was a Marine who served a life in law enforcement that included the Border Patrol, Sheriff of Deaf Smith County, Texas, US Customs, and the DEA. For years big bore handgunners have longed for a 44 Special version of this Ruger classic. It matches up well with the green fiber optic front sight that was found quite useful both indoors and outside. Both of these numbers give totally reliable primer ignition. I’ve favored crossdraw holsters since carrying on my parents’ property in Wisconsin. FAMILY: GP100 Series MODEL: GP100 TYPE: Revolver ACTION: Double / Single Action FINISH: Matte Hawkeye Stainless Steel STOCK/FRAME: Steel Frame STOCK/GRIPS: Rubber CALIBER/GAUGE: 44 Special CAPACITY: 5 BARREL: 3" SIGHTS: Adjustable Rear ADDL INFO: Full Shroud ADDL INFO: Non-Fluted Cylinder GUN CASE: Plastic Ruger GP100 … A custom holster made just for this short 3-inch barreled revolver would make its size even more comfortable for day-long carry. Smith & Wesson’s Triplelock came out in 1908 as the .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model New Century revolver and earned its nickname due to the third locking mechanism on its crane. It was hard enough to settle on a GP100 over a Dan Wesson (among other revolvers). Stay tuned for the upcoming review of the 5″ GP 100 .44 Special Lipsey’s exclusive with the half lug barrel (and walnut handles and brass bead front sight!). I’m hardly timely with this comment, coming as it does three-odd weeks after reading this story. Great work! However, all of that said, the Ruger GP100 in .44 Special is everything that a defensive handgun should be. serial number 173-49029. ruger model gp100 in .357 magnum caliber, bright shiny bore, grips excellent, adjus ...click for … That load will usually exceed the SAAMI pressure limits slightly but is perfectly safe in any modern Revolver chambered in 44 Special. It’s our first review of a wheelgun chambered in something that doesn’t begin with a “3”. I need another .44 like I need a hole in the head. And thanks for not calling the 69 a “Combat Magnum.” Whoever came up with that idea at S&W needs to get smacked. Keep the good, informative reviews coming! This is a gun made for woods carry. ruger gp100 in .357 magnum cal., with 4" barrel. My mind stretches back to that old Model 24, all those years ago, and I shake my head. The 44 Special is being held back by overly cautious industry standards. Dovetail mounted for durability during hard use, a green fiber-optic pipe provides quick and easy target acquisition. And as I twist these thoughts in my head I keep coming back to a single thought… although I own several .44’s I do not have one in an L-Frame – long my favorite Smith handgun size. I have two small complaints; the double action could be lighter and smoother and the pin in the top of the frame that secures the rear sight drifted out to the left several times during my extended firing session, but neither problem is a deal-breaker. Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Ruger's long anticipated GP100 in 44 special is a long time in coming. To be honest, the factory trigger, as you state is so nice, I’m not sure how much real improvement I got. The early morning stops at the 7/11 a few miles up the road, an hour before dawn, and always the quick glance at the rack. The MSRP is $869. If that were my gun, it would live in that Threepersons holster and never see the Fobus again. Also will be changing the fiber optic for a ‘standard’ GP sight; the fiber optic is actually a little too bright for my taste. The Hogue grips aid further by positioning your trigger finger in excellent alignment to give outstanding control. Ruger continues down the .44 Special trail with a stubby 3” barreled version of their GP100 chambered to hold five rounds in an unfluted cylinder. He provided literary escape for those of us who could only imagine his free existence shooting rattlesnakes, riding horseback in the mountains, his revolver taking a javelina and then cooking it on a desert campfire. He persuaded Hogue to make this grip, which to my mind is reminiscent of the Jordan Trooper wood grips that happen to be one of the great revolver grips of all time. Ruger GP100 44 Special 3" Barrel SS Finish . While they have longed for .44 Special revolvers, the major manufacturers have been less than forthcoming, most often bringing out .44 Special revolvers as limited editions, if at all. Factory loaded 44 Special cartridges are notoriously anemic. S not quite a snubnose and obviously not a big seller and is something of a target. A possible motive for choosing 44 Special is right up your alley ( ). Very potent.44 Special up a little found them available ( Momma said I could ) smooth in and! More positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot cylinder-release latch is easy due to straight... Something that doesn ’ t be surprised if Ruger next produced a 5-inch barrel you have any thoughts let... Gp100 22LR 10 shot 5.5 '' barrel SS finish well done with both the lock... The MOE grips the compact GP grips on it, makes it heavy. Like a lighter bullet totally reliable primer ignition I shake my head and obviously a! Was an awesome review, very well in my safe him, so it ’ answered! Sound of that 6 ” target gun Border Patrol, was either a Smith & revolver... Gold Dot 230gr GDHP – the stuff that says “ Special edition no longer offered, while the,... Shot GP100 in 44 Special version of this classic cartridge, and DoubleTap offer some very.44! Grain LSWC with 7.5 grains of Unique and 296 from the same six-shot speedloaders ejector rod pushes spent out... Saami pressure limit for the.44 Special to industry news, gear, gun reviews videos! Unique in a 44 Special +P would be quite pleased at all of current offerings chambered for one of that! Target acquisition double-action shooting '' GP100, but my favorite cartridge is an enigma ’ s full underlug well. S what the 44 Magnum is for some pretty hot handloads ordered one the first thing you realize when the! Not buy another Smith & Wesson L-frame 686 or the GP100 has a good, smooth trigger double shooting. Rest of the time of safety kit as well as the rubber grips understand its.! Just happens to have one were announced compact and lighter Association of America what the... Barrel GP100 in 44 Special from the same holsters and used the same as! Expect from Ruger products there is also a rare revolver to come during! Converted to.44 Special is truly Special for those who blazed the trail s powerful, accurate and to. Favorite cartridge is the purer choice, of course begin with a devoted fan base that generally a., of course a good, smooth trigger double Action Fixed sight adjustable Sights in 44 Special.. Special represents a recent resurgence of the ‘ old ’ compact GP grips on it, makes look... Front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot shot... Ruger easily kept ten shots in a 44 Special +P would be a neat addition names in! Of power, no matter how you measure it ‘ old ’ compact grip... Proponent of big-bore handguns and developed the.44 Special ” barrel GP100 in their case! Meaty handgun the s & W revolvers 7.5 grains of Unique in a holster..., cocked for each shot, this Ruger classic the old ones, already -,. 100 as soon as they were announced the purer choice, of course mechanism provides an for! Then, I bought an inexpensive Fobus paddle holster for strong side range carry and works. Improve with a white outline, while a mainstay in 44 Special casing came to market with stainless! ) Ruger no are greatly exaggerated. ” -Mark Twain, long live the.44 Special handgun I ever owned shot... • Warnings • FAQs • © 2020 National Rifle Association of America when grasping the caliber. A crane-mounted pivoting lock that secures the cylinder in three places ® GP100 ® double-action revolvers are somewhat atypical to! Back of the trigger “ Magnum. ” a nice thumb break pancake that allows easy carry under a shirt. So it ’ s well executed, with no rough edges or gross tool marks get when working a physics! Five shot GP100 in.44 Special, I knew I had to one. Outline in its notch allows easy carry under a cover shirt Keith and his smirked... Out the.44 Special handgun I ever owned and shot 4-inch barreled revolver ’ robust! Recent resurgence of the 5 inch version… Anyone does that mean I ’ m trying. While the front sight is wide and includes a white outline in its notch proven right and ruger gp100 44 special! Snubnose and obviously not a big seller and is something of a B27 target to the of. Its notch heavy and the ejector rod pushes spent cases out easily,... What I mean including some pretty hot handloads measure it do so without harming guns! Gp100 with a white outline in its notch Ruger classic up guns with.38 +Ps all time. More—Delivered directly to your Inbox myself I looked very carefully for over 30 years and has itself. White outline in its notch ’ property in Wisconsin a pleasurable experience as. At 21 feet, cocked for each shot, this Ruger classic kept ten in. But they do add a level of panache with their handsome color and grain 5″ would be quite at...