[jdavis]

While visiting a LGS today, I noticed a shiny GP100 4 inch in the used gun counter. Not ever having seen a GP with this finish, I asked if the finish was factory or did someone just polish it. The response was that they didn't know and that it is the first one they had seen. I am interested in the gun but would like to know if Ruger produced this or not. Any help from the experts here?

 

[gwnorth]

I remember Iowegan once posting pics of a Ruger Factory high polish GP100 - the production numbers I recall him mentioning were very low, like only a few hundred produced.

It's actually not hard to make a stainless high polish look, although it does take care, time and patience to do it well. I have a 3" S&W 65-3 that was polished by the original owner, and he did a very nice job of it.

I would not want too many high polish stainless guns, but I do like my little 65, in part too as it was clearly very, very lightly used and basically LNIB when I got it.

 

[Waveform]

While visiting a LGS today, I noticed a shiny GP100 4 inch in the used gun counter. Not ever having seen a GP with this finish, I asked if the finish was factory or did someone just polish it. The response was that they didn't know and that it is the first one they had seen. I am interested in the gun but would like to know if Ruger produced this or not. Any help from the experts here?

I would hardly claim to be any expert but it seems Ruger has cataloged gloss SS models in the past. One example is a run of Redhawks back in 1996. If you had the box with the label that may explain if it's a production gun from the factory with a polished (or gloss) finish. The catalog number would have a "G" in front, like "GKGP-141", I would think. This is all speculation on my part. The thing with Ruger is you just never know!

Another possibilty is this was an employee gun that the employee had polished out in the factory prior to delivery. I have a gloss 1981 Redhawk that was an employee gun and all evidence points to that being the case. It's obvious the factory has the ability to polish out their SS - just look at the New Vaqueros that are offered in that finish.

The third possibility of course is that it was done after it left the factory. If you had the serial number you could request a letter from the Records Department that MIGHT indicate if the finish is factory or not. Costs $10 and you get your letter in 1 to 2 months.......

If you like the look and the LGS has it priced right then go for it. But I wouldn't pay a premium for it without knowing for sure the back story on the finish. Just my opinion of course......

Wave

 

[kalifornia]

pm sent

 

[exlogger]

Waveform is correct

Here is an auction that is closed. There is a picture of the catalog number.

Item:10016918 Ruger Model GP-100 .357 Magnum Hi-Gloss Stainless Revolv For Sale at GunAuction.com

 

[Iowegan]

Yes, Ruger made about 500 in 4" and another 500 in 6". As noted above, the 4" is a GKGP-141. The factory shiny GP used a slightly different alloy that shines without buffing. You can tell because even the nooks and crannies where a buffing wheel won't reach are shiny. The GKGPs were made in 1995 & 96. Serial number range was 173-3000~173-65232

 

[jdavis]

Thanks for all the good information. I am going back tomorrow to see if it fits in the serial number range. I hope that it is still there.