Every gun rights advocate should own one stout .22 caliber revolver. Because guns? Because new shooters! A revolver is the best gun for introducing newbies to shooting. Open this, stick the cartridges in the holes (the pointy bits face forwards), close the cylinder, make sure it’s locked, get into a good stance, get a good grip, check out the sight picture, breathe, squeeze the trigger. When they do so, the .22 revolver’s mild recoil keeps things totally chill. I have a Ruger SP101 with a full Hogue grip for the task. Ruger’s new GP100 looks like a very suitable alternative . . .
It’s a ten-round wheel gun with an adjustable rear sight, fiber optic front sight and a 5.5″ half-lug barrel for “improved handing and lighter weight.” Which are the same thing, really. Interestingly, the .22LR model also offers “an improved fire control system that uses a lighter main spring than previous Ruger double-action .22 LR revolvers.” Not that there’s anything wrong with my SP101’s trigger.
I’d like to give the new GP100 a go – but only if Bill’s Boyz send us one for T&E. The new revolver MSRP’s at $829, making it the most expensive GP100 money can buy – other than their Match Champion models (go figure). Still, the “takedown of integrated subassemblies requires no special tools and allows for easy maintenance and assembly.” How great is that? Much greater if it were blued methinks. Sadly unavailable in this model.
