Ruger GP100 .357 Mag
Model: 1705
Ruger GP100 .357 Mag
Model: 1705
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Ruger builds the GP100 like a piece of industrial equipment. The frame is investment-cast stainless steel with a full-length barrel underlug, and at 40 oz it is the heaviest mainstream 4" .357 revolver in production. That mass is deliberate. The GP100 was designed from the ground up for a steady diet of full-power .357 Magnum loads, and it handles that abuse without complaint. Ruger's triple-locking cylinder and solid frame construction are overbuilt by any reasonable standard.
The trade-off is refinement. Out of the box, the GP100's double-action trigger is noticeably heavier and grittier than the S&W 686's L-Frame action. Owners who put 500+ dry-fire cycles through it, or install a spring kit, report a substantial improvement. The Hogue Monogrip that ships from the factory is one of the best stock revolver grips available, filling the hand and absorbing recoil effectively. The adjustable sights are functional if not elegant.
The GP100 holds 6 rounds in a frame that is dimensionally close to the S&W 686 (9.5" vs 9.56" overall), but it weighs 40 oz to the 686's 40.3 oz. The Colt Python at 42 oz and 4.25" barrel is the premium alternative, but the GP100 is the one most likely to survive being dropped on concrete without a scratch. That is not an exaggeration; the GP100's reputation for indestructibility is one of the few things the revolver community agrees on unanimously.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The most durable .357 Mag revolver in production. The investment-cast frame, triple-locking cylinder, and solid construction handle an indefinite volume of full-power loads. Forum posts from owners past 20,000 rounds show no timing issues.
- The Hogue Monogrip is the best factory revolver grip shipping today. It fills the hand, cushions recoil, and most owners never feel the need to replace it.
- Transfer bar safety with no external lock. Unlike modern S&W revolvers, there is no internal lock mechanism to debate or remove.
- The double-action trigger is rough from the factory. The S&W 686 is smoother out of the box by a wide margin. A spring kit or 500 dry-fire cycles improves the GP100 significantly, but it requires that effort.
- Six-round capacity in 2026 is one round behind the S&W 686 Plus, which holds 7 in a nearly identical frame size. Ruger has not released a 7-shot GP100.
Category Rankings
How the Ruger GP100 .357 Mag ranks among full-size .357 Mag handguns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does the GP100 trigger compare to the Smith & Wesson 686?
The 686 is smoother from the factory. The GP100's DA pull has a gritty, stacking character that most owners notice immediately. After a spring kit (Wilson Combat or Wolff) and several hundred dry-fire cycles, the GP100 smooths out considerably, but it never quite matches the 686's glass-smooth action. The single-action pull on both guns is acceptable.
What breaks first on a Ruger GP100?
Almost nothing. The GP100 has a documented reputation for outlasting its owners. The transfer bar and firing pin are the only parts that eventually wear, typically past 10,000+ rounds of full-power .357 Mag. Ruger replaces them for free under their lifetime service policy. The cylinder, frame, and barrel are essentially lifetime components.