NEW vs OLD gp-100's quality

[Squib]

I was told by a local salesman (dale vinson, sedalia mo.) that the newer revolvers are made in a different factory to slightly better standards in regards to lock-up/timing/feel and have better workmanship (meaning that they actually remain consistently up to those new standards).  I've always wanted a gp-100 but while hand-selecting there is always SOME flaw, until today (it happens on most smiths too, I inspect the **** out of any pistol and will buy used with a good feel and lock-up over a new one).

after snapping in all chambers for feel, checking the cylinder lock-up on a depressed trigger and finding ALMOST too little give (my main issue in the past was WAY too much), virtually no endshake, and last no tool-marks (far from critical but it always made me wonder about the internal function due to the possibility of stuff rubbing the frame).  the ONLY thing I actually found to not like was the inside of the crane window being kinda dimpled (like it was made by casting- which it was), not odd to the touch but not glass smooth, and the gun was a bit dry and the fouling wasn't cleared after the factory test-fire. 

so really the INSIDE frame wasn't PERFECT in texture but that was only noticeable in the back where the pawl detent rubs and the case-heads will leave rubs after heavy loads anyways... which is gonna get buffed with a low abrasive scouring pad once it gets burnished after a few seasons anyways (taking care of that polishing problem).  are they really ALL this good now or is just luck that the samples I've handled over the last year have been consistently better and better month to month?  IF SO I NEED THEM!

[Squib]

also frontsights ... my eyes are screwed up from an i.e.d. blast and don't focus well, I need high vis AND pinpoint accurate.

UPDATE: I took it out tonight from 6:30 till about 7:15 in a semi-dark wooded area and I was hitting decent... I could hit at 50yds sitting at a bench with my shooting hand on a roll of duct tape.  Nothing incredible BUT for a first outing with a gun that's not broken in, in my far from infallible hands, bad light, factory ammo, poor rest.... this thing might be sub moa capable.  P.S. I was using magtech ammo:

.357 Magnum 10,24g (158gr.) SJSP (357A)
                                 B00719 L-365

[guzzijohn]

Speaking of Mag-Tech ammo, I have not used much of it but what I have I have been impressed with it.
GuzziJohn

[Squib]

I've shot a few different loads in it and 38 specials with 125gr sierra bullets and magtech manufactured magnums with 140gr bullets hit to about the same point of aim and are equivalent in accuracy.  the sierra 158gr magnums I loaded up cut the groups just under half for me and a buddy, though they did impact higher by an inch or two.

  It likes them bullets heavier and faster 

[Squib]

shooting off a rifle "front bag" on a concrete table: I am getting 5-6'' groups (@ 50yds )with various ammo, 3-4-5 even sometimes in the 3'' zone but I always manage to have a flyer.  it's not a one-off chamber either, because I tried plugging them to test for that.. it's me holding the grip too soft, like a chump, too often.  I've touched up the double action sear a couple times now, and think that's done (there was a "seam" on the middle and right side that bumped up a 1/3 of it away from the corners).  now for (external) hammer shimming for sure (it does tend to rub to the left side just barely), don't know of anything else needing done for mechanical accuracy (the trigger seems tight and smooth enough for now, will disassemble later to verify after more break-in).  (gun is black, grips are black hogue) eventually I want to get a silver colored aluminum mount and (black) steel quick-detach rings for a (black) 1-6 scope. 

still considering changing the mainspring out if it doesn't "ease-up" after another month or two.  I was thinking go to a 12lb main and leave the return at that weight (my finger is prone to following through too hard and I do NOT want a spongy trigger, as this will ruin me).  what are your thoughts on the spring issue ESPECIALLY if the weight gets bumped up another 3/4lb.

[woodsie57]

I am getting 5-6'' groups (@ 50yds )with various ammo, 3-4-5 even sometimes in the 3'' zone but I always manage to have a flyer. 

Sounds like fine shooting,for a real person w/open sights! Be proud!

[Squib]

you know I had it on a bag though right?!  I can't do that standing, not without an eyeball transplant or at least some stem cells from a pro shooter (or a pilot maybe?). 

I DID take the trigger assembly apart yesterday and worked THAT end of the sear engagement.  it was pretty well put together, it actually felt a bit TOO sharp.  the sear was sharp and almost perfectly level, but it was ground in such a way as to be a bit thin and rough on the TIP of the edge.  it wasn't polished out afterwards either (wasn't rough on the flat but not smooth either).  I took that roughness out of the edge, just BARELY rounded it off, it's still sharp but not enough to draw blood if I press it, and that flat is smoothed up good.  the trigger and plunger? (flat chevy symbol?) are a bit looser than I'd like but can be shimmed.  my hammer dog and hammer are loose also so the whole thing is sloppy side to side but the contact points are quite good, I cannot push off with 1/2 effort (whatever poundage that is???).  I am still not sure if I should get them shims in immediately after deer season, or break it in having range time fun after and then shim it, but I know I want to do it.  I'm also going to wrap the grip adapter cylinder/tube in electrical tape to take the slop out of that and tighten up the monogrip a little bit.  I added nail polish to the front site, which will be replaced later. it can still get better in tiny increments, and so can I...  until then, good luck to you all and I hope you get a wall hanger buck.

[Squib]

I forgot to mention that off a bench, supported (on a bag, in a wooden holder for the bag, with carpet glued on underneath) I was able to hit paper at 100yds!!!!!  It shot almost a foot low part of the time, sometimes a bit more than that, and the latereral spread was about nine inches (exposed to wind the 2nd half of the range, maybe 5mph current with gusts of 10 occassionally, nothing bad), but still that's a 1x1 target that usually got hit when I aimed for top and center at that range.  for simplicity sake call it a one foot group, or a torso shot on a man.  my eyes suck, they're screwed up from a bomb blast.  an eagle eyes guy could do a lot better.  my buddy that went with was doing about the same as me and he's an older guy with glasses so his eyes aren't sharp either. 

This gun shoots, I can't wait to scope this beast!

[454Puma]

Squib
I just picked up a GP100 357 Mag today- it's 2012 model - never owned a old version but I've shot them before.  It's been a few years since then but this one seems smoother-definately a better DA pull!    Only put a dozen rounds through it today as it was raining.     My BH 357mag went down the road for this purchase, I wanted a more appropriate gun for Carry.  This is definately lighter then the BH alot more comfortable for CCW/OC.

[Squib]

I still have a low round count on it but have disassembled mine a time or two since my last posting, the parts are still good.  I've had crappy guns before (haven't we all), that couldn't stay looking good internally after a polish job due to weak steel and/or too much slop in the trigger mechanism.  this isn't like that (it isn't mirror still, but I KNEW that wasn't going to happen).  the back to front endshake is the only thing that is noticeable BUT when the cylinder is nuetral OR pushed forward I can barely see light through the non-gap, when it's pushed back it's 2x that clearance.  if I shim this up it'll probably bind, not much smoke on gunbags after shooting either.  the side to side is broke in now to "tight" but not abnormally like before (two chambers opposite one another are real close to that still).  It's just about right, it's killed now, and I've got my gear all picked out... all it needs is more use and this off-season coming up to get the gear on it.

blackhawks are cool... can't say much else good about them though.  being a former owner as well, I think you upgraded!