I saw a brand new ruger gp100 in a shop marked 38 special.why would they not mark it 38special plus p? I really dont question that the gun can handle it, but someone please give some rational answer why they dont mark it plus p

What does it say on Ruger's site? I always thought that they were +P.

This is in my instruction manual:

RUGER^® GP100^® revolvers will chamber with the .357 Magnum, .38 Special +P, .38 Special +P+, and .38 Special cartridge.

This is in my instruction manual:

Chambering is one thing, being safe to fire is another. .38 Special is all the same physical size regardless of whether it is +P, +P+, or regular. They will all fit in the same chamber. I would be amazed if Ruger says it is OK to fire +P+.

 

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The .38 special GP100s are usually contract orders for security firms and LE agencies that don't allow magnums.
Overruns, reimports and trade-ins are how they find their way into the private market.

 

 

 

The guns themselves are identical to the .357 magnums (even the same cylinder). The only difference is that the chambers on the .38s are bored shorter, not allowing the longer .357 cartridge to fully seat.

 

 

 

TL;DR:

 

 You can shoot .38 +P and +P+ all day with no problem.

 

To the OP's question (why it's stamped .38 Special Cal. & not +P), I don't know.

It's the same with my S&W Model 10 though: can shoot +Ps, barrel says .38 Special CTG.

The gun you saw is identical to a 357 GP100 except for 38 markings and the cylinder is short chambered to 38 special. If you had the cylinder chambered for it you could shoot 357s out of it for a very long time.

 

IIRC the marking of "38 special +P" really only came about the last 15 years or so. Prior to that you checked with the manufacturer.

IIRC the marking of "38 special +P" really only came about the last 15 years or so. Prior to that you checked with the manufacturer.

 

Thanks. That makes sense and explains why .38 special Ruger GPs and SP101s are marked 38 Special Cal. while the .38 LCRs are marked 38 SPL +P. 

Now that that's settled:

 

@gunguy1960:

 

BBL length?

Short or full lug?

Blue or SS?

Price?

And of course, what shop?

I think Ruger has recently come out with the 1750 and 1751 models, which are .38 spl, 3' and 4" barrels. My question is, why not get the .38/357 model so you can shoot both?

I think Ruger has recently come out with the 1750 and 1751 models, which are .38 spl, 3' and 4" barrels. My question is, why not get the .38/357 model so you can shoot both?

 

Those aren't regular catalog items or even distributor specials. They were a few hundred of each that Ruger released to Davidson's and were probably overruns from some prior contracts.

 

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As to why someone would want one when they could get the same gun in .357/.38:

 

A. Collectors. It's a different variation and less common, so valuable to them.

 

B. People who wouldn't (or can't) shoot .357 magnums (arthritis, etc).

 

C. Those 3" .38 GPs have adj. sights. The standard 3" only comes with fixed sights. So if you really want an adj. sight 3" Geep, this is it.

 

D. Someone who will only use it as a dedicated, indoors HD gun. The .38 and .38 +P round will get the job done without leaving everyone in the room deaf and temp. blinded. 

 

E. Some security/LEO buy their own guns for work. If they want a full size wheel gun but aren't allowed to carry magnums, here you go.

 

F. Or someone who has all the .357 magnum revolvers he wants/needs (except for that TRR8!), really likes Rugers and only loads .38 +Ps when it counts anyway (see 'D' above).

 

Of course in some of those scenarios you could still argue that it's better to get the magnum for just-in-case or resale reasons. 

 

But I honestly prefer to shoot the cartridge that the gun is made for, even if a smaller round would also fit. Maybe it's just an aesthetic thing, but I prefer to have dedicated guns for each caliber that I shoot. (not a fan of conversion kits for semi-autos either)

Just like how some people only like blued guns. You can argue all day about the advantages and added value of stainless, but at the end of the day, there are things that trump practicality. 

All of Alpo's reasons are valid the biggest ones are:

 

1. Agency policy restricting handgun to be 38 spl only. I know Ruger made 38 spl only Speed 6s for NYPD and other agencies.

 

2. National law in some foreign country preventing or restricting ownership of a 357.

Alpo and Griz,

Excellent points made and taken, especially C and E. Thanks for the info.

The shop was guns and roses in toms river, sign out front says gun shop, price was approx 800 which is approx retail, my research found this to be a davidsons special retailer deal, online prices run about 600, these are not some super low run mystery guns as some online are suggesting, and thanks to all who addressed my original question.

Forgot to add, 3inch stainless full lug.