Ruger's new GP100 Match Champion

S

Smug Monkey

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Re-configured topstrap
Slabbed 4.2" barrel
Target crown
Shimmed action
Polished hammer & trigger action surfaces
Polished hammer strut
Fiber-optic front sight,
Novak fixed rear sight
Chamfered chambers
Stippled (not checkered) grips
Taper-contoured cylinder.

I have found my next revolver!
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Wonder how much better it shoots than any of their other revolvers.
Calling something a competition model is one thing......
Fixed sights don't leave much room for the usual competition load development.
Another is the less than ideal triggers on Rugers.
Polishing parts only goes so far to improve on a a trigger design and geometry.
Probably why there's usually not many of them at matches, especially as compared to S&W.
Has anyone had the opportunity to try one?
 
Not a big fan.

I like the full lug of the standard model better. This half lug makes the gun look anemic.

I'm also not a big fan of the novak sights on this or the WC editions. There are a lot of options for 3-dot with the regular sight structure that the original GP100 sports, so I don't see an advantage to cutting away so much top strap for the novacks.

I would rather take a standard GP100 and do all the "slickening up" and modifications on my terms, instead of buying into this model at a premium.
 
I like the gun for what I intend to use it for...shooting holes in paper. I also like the little touches they have made, especially the half underlug, (reminds me of the Security Six) and the changes made to the top strap, cylinder, barrel, and frame. This streamlined the gun quite a bit and makes it look a lot less blocky. The stippled Hogue mono wood grip is also a nice touch.

However, I do agree that having a rear low mount carry sight with a fiber optic front sight on a gun that is described as a "Match Champion" is a bit of a head scratcher? Also, I really do not care for the billboard type lettering on the barrel. The other side of the barrel is also emblazoned with MATCH CHAMPION. :rolleyes:

I like the looks compared to the regular 4.2" stainless GP100 -

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I would like to see a set of snakeskin Altamont's on it! :D

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Intended for IDPA.

I like it, I prefer the short-lugged barrels.

The grip was a bit uncomfortable in shooting heavy loads, may be changed out with something else eventually.
It's a finger-grooveless Hogue, with stippling unique to this model.

Best five-shot group I've done held under an inch at 25 yards off a rest.
The fiber-optic is very visible.
Ruger says they put the Novak rear on it because it was so well-received on the Talo Clapper.
Denis
 
I don't know why some of the changes for a match gun. A match gun needs adjustable sights, a very defined front sight usually flat black, good weight on the muzzle for more stability. It looks like they went the other way on all of those. It may make a better close range, home defense gun??
 
If I were going to use this one for IDPA, I'd need (as I do on carry guns) a very visible front sight, in just about anything BUT black.
The fiber-optic picks up quick, and when shooting for accuracy the front sight's sufficiently defined to allow a very clear sight picture on slow-fire paper.


For IDPA, where guns are not tricked out raceguns & mostly limited to stuff you could actually carry, you don't want a dedicated target gun with heavy barrel & so on.
Denis
 
Denis, I hope you don't mind answering a few questions...

The lettering on the barrel, is it etched into the steel or is it a finish that was applied to the steel? In other words, could it be removed?

Is the stainless more akin to the regular GP100 model or the brushed matte of the Wileys?

How does the gun feel compared to a regular GP100 in 4" in terms of balance?

Do you know what the street price will be?

Thank you
 
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Laser-engraved, fairly deep.
Could be relatively easily removed on the barrel flats by a pro with the right milling machinery, but if you try to file 'em off yourself you'd probably end up with wavy flats.

Warning is limited to four words in tiny letters on the underside of the lug, which is a plus.

Finish is the regular GP stainless.

My first GP from '88 was a half-lugged fixed sight version, still have it.
I've had the lug mostly removed from a later GP.
My newest GP before this MC about 18 months ago was a full-lugged version.

I just prefer the half-lugged feel.

I do not know what the street price will be, apply the usual percentage of reduction in estimating it. :)
Denis
 
You are entirely welcome.
I actually had considered getting the barrel markings removed, but this'll be a backup carry gun held in reserve behind previous working GPs & that may take a while. :)

If I eventually go to town on it, it'll get a full action job, a bead blast, and most likely a Ruger compact rubber/wood grip installed.

It's entirely do-able as it comes, but I view most personal guns as raw material out of the box & fine tune 'em for my preferences.

I'm slowly gravitating back to the .357 caliber as a general purpose outdoor tool, and with 6 (now) GPs & two SPs, I'll be pretty well set up once I get the last three of the GPs in final form.
Denis
 
The grip on both of those factory pictures is at an odd angle…and wins the prize for most fuggly gun handle of the year!

Dave
 
Fixed sight on revolver

Be warned, I recently sent back 2 SR1911 pistols because the sights weren't regulated. I was informed by Ruger that they don't regulate the sights. That they do shoot the pistols for grouping but do care where the gun actually shoots as long as group size meets spec. I sent the second gun back( they scrapped the first one ) to have the bbl fitted and asked for a black front sight so I could file it, I had to take off .030 to make it shoot to the sights. Someone at Ruger is way off on some things. They didn't fit the bbl either, just installed a long link. It shoots good now but I don't know how long it will hold up.
 
My first GP was a half lug as well. found it LNIB late 80s vintage never saw one before so i snatched it up. it is my favorite GP100 as well compact grips are fantastic. not to big not to small.
 
One thing about those half-lug fixed-sight guns is it's hard to have your sights get knocked sideways. :)

Denis
 
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