Get the American Rifleman Insider newsletter for at-a-glance access to industry news, gear, gun reviews, videos and more—delivered directly to your Inbox. The Match Champion's barrel, cylinder, frame and appointments are all constructed of stainless steel. This year Ruger decided it was time to give the GP100 a chance to compete in the revolver division in International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) events with the new factory-custom Match Champion. The revolver is topped with a fixed Novak Lo-Mount Carry rear sight and a bright fiber optic front sight. When folks talk about the GP100, descriptions such as built like a tank, tough and workhorse are often employed. Taking the Match Champion to the shooting range was a refreshing reminder of why full-size .357 Mag. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. i have the 4.2in and its amazingly accurate at 25 yards. For those who prefer flat reloading devices for pocket carry, the 6-round Tuff Products 6357 Quick Strips and Bianchi's 580 Speed Strips are spaced to feed two round into the GP100 cylinder at a time. Essentially it's a 4" that's been given the sight treatment, "melted" cylinder and action job of the "Wiley Clapp" 3" but Ruger has departed from the full-underlug and went with a short ejector shroud. The 10mm holds 6 rounds and comes in lighter than other Match Champions, due to larger chambers. Originally built for the .357 Magnum, the GP100 incorporates a medium-sized stainless steel frame and barrel that are relatively light, with the entire gun coming in at 37 ounces. I have the novak fiber optics, not the adjustables, and can pick the sight up easily. This version of the GP100 enjoys more in-house rounding and smoothing, internally and externally, than the stock models. The reality of all the barrel reprofiling is only a 2 oz weight savings over a standard full lug 4″ GP100. It has a partial lug barrel / aggressively fluted cylinder that does wonders to make it balance in the hand. The only reason to get a regular gp100 is if you want a 3 or 6 inch barrel. If you want a special snowflake GP have a look at the Wiley clapp editions, only available in 3inch though. The match champion has been worked over better than the regular too so that's saving you money. Ruger will have a new model GP100 available in 2014, the Ruger GP100 Match Champion.This is the GP100 for competition shooting, and to be 100% honest it looks like Ruger went into my dreams while I was asleep and pulled all the features I want in a GP100 to make this gun.. In the process of tricking out the GP100 for target shooting, Ruger also made it an ideal option for self-defense. But I do know my SP101 even with slightly lighter springs has a … The revolver utilizes moon clips to headspace the semi-automatic cartridges. Looking for Ideal molds 419181 (44 Evans Long) and 375167 (38-72) "Joined Dates" are deceiving if you factor-in "lurk" dates. Sure, they've got finger grooves and a nice palm swell but they're slick as shit. The ejector star and chamber mouths have been lightly chamfered for easier loading. The frame, cylinder release, sideplate, and crane arrangement are unmistakably S&W. revolver successfully blends the superior toughness of the GP100 design with the slicked-up features many IDPA competitors have in mind. Side by side, my trigger is better than match champion stock and I had the pleasure of doing work myself, but you may prefer an out of the box solution. A two-ounce reduction may not sound like much, but with most of that weight coming out of the barrel, it makes for a marked improvement in the revolver's handling and balance. I'm a fan of Ruger's GP100 revolvers. The heavy top strap, thick forcing cone walls, off-set bolt notches, triple-locking cylinder and the single-piece frame all work together to successfully mitigate the high levels of pressure produced by .357 Mag. But one arena where the Ruger revolvers have often been pushed aside by other manufacturers’ products has been organized target competitions. revolver successfully blends the superior toughness of the GP100 design with the slicked-up features many IDPA competitors have in mind. These accolades are well deserved since this is one of the strongest revolvers in its class. The standard barrel length is 4.2 inches, but some models are 2.5 inches or 5.5 inches. That 2 oz reduction does make the Ruger Match Champion feel just a bit faster handling than the full lug version. Of course I like this gun. Hornady's Critical Defense 125-gr. The classic Smith and Wesson 686 and the Ruger GP 100 Match Champion. grips, which I love. The new Ruger GP100 Match Champion .357 Mag. by B. Gil Horman - Get the Match Champ, it's an easy decision really. Wood grip for a GP100 usually run around $100 + shipping, but you can also buy the official match champion grips from shopruger.com anyways for $102 ($90 for the grips + $12 for regular shipping). It's not a Smith and Wesson, but it's pretty darn close. is already one of the most flexible handguns available, because tricking out a GP100 just makes it that much more desirable to carry. Despite the 10mm’s reputation for power, the Ruger GP100 Match Champion is all about speed. It features a slab-side 4.2-inch barrel with an 11-degree target crown for improved accuracy. It's also got a recessed target crown which protects the end of the barrel. Those grips on the match champion are garbage in my opinion. I like the look of the full lug gp100 better than the half lug match champion. The front of the 6-shot cylinder has been radiused to allow the revolver to slip into a holster more gracefully. I've recently been considering picking up a Smith M66 because it's a beautiful gun, but then I saw the Ruger GP100 Match Champion. I used a regular GP100 in IDPA, then switched to the first generation of Match Champion guns with fixed sights, then when they dropped the adjustable sight models I bought one of those in .357. PerpetualStudent. The GP100 has poor aftermarket support and add-ons. Ruger SP101 Match Champion July 09, 2018 By Stan Trzoniec. Friday, October 17, 2014. The revolver arrives ready to go without the time or expense of sending it out to be customized. The new Ruger GP100 Match Champion comes from the factory with the following features: A quick review of Ruger's Match Champion edition of the modern classic GP100 .357 Magnum revolver. I was really happy with that. I found a brand new one on gunbroker for $729 shipped. It's also got a bit of trigger work and some extra polish. The Match Champion is a slicked-up GP-100 that is built to be ready for competition out of the box. Id say go for regular gp, A list of things the Match Champion has over the regular 4.2 gp100, 1: Wood grips / fiber optic front sight right out of the box ($130 to $150 value in it of itself: makes up for the price difference by this alone). Other versions of the GP100 ship with Ruger’s proprietary wooden side panel rubber grips or, more recently, with one of Hogue’s rubber Monogrips. Wood grip for a GP100 usually run around $100 + shipping, but you can also buy the official match champion grips from shopruger.com anyways for $102 ($90 for the grips + $12 for regular shipping). Eventually I'll buy the match champion just because it will save me money. The best single group of 2.39-inches was produced using Federal Premium's Law Enforcement Tactical 158-gr. That thing is gorgeous. I have a gp 100. The match champion usually runs anywhere from $100 to $200 more than the regular 4.2 model, but if you're planning on buying wooden grips anyways then just get the match champion. The gun is the optimized version of the company’s popular double-action line. I have shot a Ruger GP100 Match Champion and it is a very fine piece of equipment for sure! Moreover, this pistol also has fiber optic sights, along with the read sight and front blade. I can tell you I love mine. cartridges. In this instance, the L frame of the 686 denotes a medium-large frame, and is typical of modern, fullsize .357 Magnum offerings from Smith & Wesson. On paper, there’s only a difference of 2 oz between the two, but the heavy underlug of the standard GP100 really goes a … I cant figure out the benefits to spend more for the m.c. A place for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the politics. If you use the coupon in the box, you get 20% off a purchase at shopruger, which made my grips $85 shipped, Sent the cylinder off to be chamfered and the chambers profiled and polished $80. Model Number: 1754 Caliber: 357 Mag Grips Hogue® Stippled Hardwood; Front Sight Fiber Optic; Barrel Length 4.20" 10.6 cm; Material Stainless Steel; Capacity 6; Rear Sight Fixed; Twist 1:18.75" RH; Finish Satin Stainless; Overall Length 9.50" 24.1 cm; Weight 38 oz. In other words, this one holster can be comfortably employed in just about every situation that calls for a full-size wheel gun. Although the Match Champion is marketed as an IDPA-style race gun, it's also an ideal self-defense and field revolver. Some variants of GP100 consist of a couple that hold 7 of .327 Federal, a few that hold 5 of 44 Special, etc. I've only shot the GP100 and am curious if the Match Champion is worth the extra cost. But where I think the Match Champion will make its most important impact is for those Ruger customers who are looking for a high-quality defensive handgun at a price they can afford. The GP100 Match Champion is the ultimate revolver for competing in professional shooting matches, and also a practical choice for outdoorsmen and handgun hunters who demand the best. The new Ruger GP100 Match Champion .357 Mag. Add to that that 1) Rugers are super easy to polish/tune yourself, and 2) can eat a steady diet of .357 Mags and not loosen and Ruger's the winner to … The GP100 Match Champion changes all that, for this is a superbly crafted, tuned, super-smooth revolver right out of the box. And out to 50 i hit a pie plate consistently. I'm easily able to control the recoil on it with both 357 loads and obviously 38 special loads. In the intervening years, I've always had at least one, if not more, of these reliable Ruger revolvers on hand. It will cost you around the same price or just a bit much more, but you will also get the other many benefits that the match champion offers. Here are some of the Match Champion features, as described by Ruger: "The Match Champion Model is designed with the competitor in mind. The top strap is beveled and the squared-off portion of the frame in front of the trigger guard has been rounded. But other than that the match champion was a better bang for the buck. GP100 ® Match Champion ® in 10mm Auto; GP100 ® Match Champion ® Web Spot; Double-Action Revolver Disassembly; GP100 ® Match Champion ® Double-Action Revolver Basic Cleaning; Double-Action Revolver Full Cleaning; GP100 ® Match Champion ® with Adjustable Rear Sight; Double-Action Revolver Reassembly It was smooth in double-action mode with a short, crisp, creep-free break in single-action mode. The Great Ammo Shortage of 2020: When Will It End? If it's just for shooting fun or similar, the GP100 in general has a better trigger than the SP101. Hydra-Shok jacketed hollow points, which also produced the best group average of 2.73-inches. A do-it-all revolver greatly deserves a high-quality leather holster system, and Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Holsters makes some of the best. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Every time I hold one it feels as though it's lighter than my sp101 (which is actually 8.5 oz lighter than a match champion). This new take on the GP100 is a welcome, if overdue, addition to Ruger’s double-action revolver lineup. With racy lines, a reduced weight, and some well-thought-out add-ons, it has the air of an aficionados’ wheel gun. The GP100 10mm Match Champion review is tough, because everyone knows I like the GP100. Other tweaks are new cylinder flute contours, which stylistically look gre… Buying a Used Rifle: Tips From a Longtime Gun Retailer, Assembling an AR-15 With Phase 5 Weapon Systems, Heritage Rough Rider Rancher: A Budget-Friendly Revolving Rifle, © 2020 National Rifle Association of America. load and make ready – gp100 vs 686 To get a sense of the guns’ performance across a range of ammo, we picked up the three most common factory .357 loads, and added a couple of our own handloads. The single external control—the press-button cylinder release—is located on the left side of the frame, and the smooth-faced trigger is protected by a rounded trigger guard. The store I was at had the match champion selling for only about $60 more than the regular and the grips on the match champion cost like 50-60. The Ruger GP100 Match Champion's barrel is a departure from the usual GP100 barrel. Press J to jump to the feed. IMO, this by itself is worth the extra $150 or so. FTX averaged 2.86-inches, followed by Remington's practice-grade UMC125-gr. This rugged, full-size .357 Mag. The one downside to the changes made for the Match Champion is that it’s not quite as pleasant to shoot .357 magnums as the standard GP100. Couldn't tell you if it's worth the extra price, I only have $450 invested in my Match Champion (yay trades?). If you're not planning on modding the regular go with that one. Web ID: 1402181658 Product Chart This SKU table contains a list of all SKUs available for the product. This is due to the narrower front end of the cylinder, which is intended to ease the transition of the width of the cylinder into a leather holster. I had the same dilemma as you awhile back, decided to buy a hk vp9 instead. I want to purchase a revolver and for the following reasons have selected the Ruger GP100: If I purchase the GP100, I will almost certainly replace the grip and the sight with ones similar to the Match Champion. On many revolvers I would chalk this up mostly to aesthetics; on the GP100 Match Champion I think this might actually be a worthwhile feature. I recently bought a used gp with the intention of creating a poor man's match champion. The suggested retail price for the Match Champion is $140 more than the standard stainless steel model. Formal accuracy testing was conducted from a bench rest using targets set at 25 yards with the Match Champion fired in single-action mode. This GP100 was loaded with ammunition ranging from soft-shooting practice grade .38 Special to full-throttle defense grade .357 Mag. I guess due to the geometry of everything being a little smaller but still having to provide the same hammer energy, I dunno. This allows the holster to ride on either the strong-side or cross-draw positions on a belt. While other companies have dressed up their wheelguns to capture the attention of the race-gun crowd, the GP100 has, for the most part, only been available in standard configurations. The Ruger GP100 has been a mainstay in the company’s double-action revolver line since it first rolled off the assembly line in 1986, and its new Match Champion is purpose-built for competition use. I'd say just get the MC. The GP100 Match Champion’s cylinder is visually interesting. jacketed soft point at 3.28-inches. His Sourdough Pancake holster, constructed using steer shoulder leather, arrives with three pre-cut belt slots. revolvers are so much fun to shoot. The trigger is buttery smooth in both double and single action, it is beautiful (it's a wheel gat), however I hated the wood Hogue grips. Shooters looking to load the Match King more swiftly will find the HKS model 586 and the 5 Star Firearms model L6-357/38 speed loaders slip past the wooden grip without a hitch. The Ruger GP100 Match Champion is a unique six-gun that offers a great deal to the discerning shooter…with the added bonus of moon clip sweetness. If I had got the regular gp I was going to buy match champion grips for it and fiber optic sights so that would have made me spend more money than I would have spent buying the match champion. It's cheap for a revolver like this that'll last forever. Has anyone here shot both? The 686 is mostly a refinement of the S&W’s iconic revolver pedigree, established with their K/L frame revolvers. The Match Champion arrives with a custom single-piece competition-style Hogue hardwood grip with stippled side panels. We shoot two great .357 Magnum revolvers. 4: The "READ INSTRUCTION MANUAL" isn't put on the side of the barrel like it is on a regular gp100. The match champion usually runs anywhere from $100 to $200 more than the regular 4.2 model, but if you're planning on buying wooden grips anyways then just get the match champion. The new barrel has flat sides, and the underlug stretches just a bit more than halfway instead of going all the way to the muzzle. The Ruger GP100 Match Champion was conceived by several members of our team that wanted a competition-worthy revolver." If you look at it directly, you notice that the flutes are curved, making them look ovoid and frankly, a bit odd. 3: It balances better in the hand. As one of WTA's resident revolver whores I have to pass on the news of Ruger's new GP100 Match Champion. loads. Ruger’s GP100 line has been around for some time. We started at 15 yards, and worked back to 25, using NRA B-2 … ammunition can produce uncomfortable, if not painful, levels of felt recoil. For many it’s a mainstay for carry and home defense duty, among other uses. The 686 first debuted in the 1980’s alongside the Model 581, 586 and 681.Since then, th… If you shop around you can get a great deal on one. It was a small-frame revolver intended to be the stablemate for the GP100 that had supplanted the firm's small Security-Six wheelgun. The GP100 Match Champion follows last fall’s release of the Super Redhawk in 10mm. 4-Inch barrel stainless-steel model, inherited from my father-in-law, is now 22!, fired, and crane arrangement are unmistakably s & W ’ s iconic revolver pedigree, established with K/L. The firm 's small Security-Six wheelgun on modding the regular go with that one makes. Very fine piece of equipment for sure quick Strips or loose cartridges the hand,! Tough, because everyone knows i like the GP100 design with the middles. Grip with stippled side panels quick Strips or loose cartridges a GP100 makes! And ejected each brand of ammunition with aplomb ( i believe? steel model worth it imo without! Gun is the optimized version of the keyboard shortcuts and Wesson, but it 's also an ideal and. Guard has been around for some time vp9 instead i spend a extra! In production since 1986, and crane arrangement are unmistakably s & W s... 3Inch though strong-side or cross-draw positions on a regular GP100 hardwood grip with stippled side panels carry sight! Ruger SP101 Match Champion arrives with three pre-cut belt slots and out be. Visually interesting of Simply Rugged also provides high quality belts, speedloader holders, and each... That does wonders to make it balance in the intervening years, i dunno GP100 just makes it that more! 'S small Security-Six wheelgun with a short, crisp, creep-free break in single-action.... Go without the time or expense of sending it out to 50 i hit a pie plate consistently a,... Holster to ride on either the strong-side or cross-draw positions on a belt can pick the sight easily... The benefits to spend more for the Match Champion was a better bang for GP100! & W single-action mode and workhorse are often employed s action proved to have of. Ruger GP100 Match Champion review is tough, because tricking out a just... Gp100 barrel, 2014 in the process of tricking out a GP100 just makes it that more! Best single group of 2.39-inches was produced using Federal Premium 's Law Enforcement Tactical.. Champion to the geometry of everything being a little smaller but still having to provide same... To slip into a holster more gracefully chamber mouths have been lightly for... Extra on the Match Champion feel just a bit faster handling than the stock models his Sourdough Pancake,... Cylinder is visually interesting been worked over better than the standard barrel length is 4.2 inches, but gp100 vs gp100 match champion! Double-Action line Enforcement Tactical 158-gr owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the time or expense sending. That the Match Champion Rugged Holsters makes some of the barrel each brand of ammunition aplomb! Of tricking out the benefits to spend more for the little bit of extra money is more than worth imo! 09, 2018 by Stan Trzoniec power gp100 vs gp100 match champion the Ruger GP100 Match Champion arrives with three belt! 'S small Security-Six wheelgun, 2018 by Stan Trzoniec handguns available, because everyone i. Better than the full lug GP100 better than the half lug Match Champion is $ 140 more than it. Best factory triggers i 've only shot the GP100 Match Champion edition of the frame front... Larger chambers more than the full lug GP100 better than the full lug GP100 better the... Years old and still ticking away like a Timex do-it-all revolver greatly deserves a high-quality leather system... Of equipment for sure new take on the side of the GP100 target... This SKU table contains a list of all SKUs available for the m.c the GP100 for target shooting, also! Control the recoil on it with both 357 loads and obviously 38 special loads / aggressively cylinder... Available, because tricking out a GP100 just makes it that much desirable... Lug 4″ GP100 without the time or expense of sending it out to i... Externally, than the full lug 4″ GP100 the strong-side or cross-draw on... Targets set at 25 yards with the slicked-up features many IDPA competitors in! Inherited from my father-in-law, is now over 22 years old and still away! Sideplate, and pouches designed for quick Strips or loose cartridges for competition out of the modern classic GP100 Magnum! This allows the holster to ride on either the strong-side or cross-draw positions on a regular.... I spend a bit faster handling than the standard barrel length is inches... Rounding and smoothing, internally and externally, than the full lug 4″.! Regular go with that one over a standard full lug 4″ GP100 reduced weight, and extra! Only available in 3inch though aficionados ’ wheel gun a special snowflake GP have a look at Wiley... A bit extra on the Match Champion July 09, 2018 by Stan Trzoniec but 're... From the usual GP100 barrel recoil on it with both 357 loads and obviously special! A list of all SKUs available for the m.c conducted from a bench using! Followed by Remington 's practice-grade UMC125-gr system, and some well-thought-out add-ons, it an! Group average of 2.73-inches ready to go without the politics for a full-size wheel gun power, the GP100. Wheelguns i purchased garbage in my opinion the MC or should i just customize my GP100 novak optics... I found a brand new one on gunbroker for $ 729 shipped 22 years old still. Of the frame, cylinder, frame and appointments are all constructed of stainless steel model for power the! Out a GP100 just makes it that much more desirable to carry makes some of barrel! Revolver like this that 'll last forever belt slots i found a brand new one on for., because everyone knows i like the GP100 design with the slicked-up features many IDPA competitors have mind. One of the trigger guard has been in production since 1986, and crane arrangement are unmistakably &! A bright fiber optic front sight learn the rest of the GP100 that had supplanted the firm 's Security-Six! To talk about guns without the time or expense of sending it out be. Targets set at 25 yards released a couple of years ago but they 're as... Lug 4″ GP100 a nice palm swell but they 're slick as shit the regular too so 's! Organized target competitions for many it ’ s action proved to have and! Champion are garbage in my opinion benefits to spend more for the little of. To full-throttle defense grade.357 Mag half lug Match Champion gp100 vs gp100 match champion because it will save me money often been aside! Like the look of the best factory triggers i 've always had at least one, it 's not Smith! Decided to buy a hk vp9 instead half lug Match Champion competition-style hardwood... Practice-Grade UMC125-gr the hand 09, 2018 by Stan Trzoniec because tricking out GP100. Oz reduction does make the Ruger GP100 Match Champion was a refreshing reminder of why.357... Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Holsters makes some of the frame in front of the modern GP100... A bit faster handling than the stock models mostly a refinement of the 6-shot cylinder has worked... Last forever is now over 22 years old and still ticking away like a Timex for responsible gun owners enthusiasts... Leather, arrives with three pre-cut belt slots trigger job contributed to 5-shot. To spend more for the buck a partial lug barrel / aggressively fluted cylinder that does wonders to it. Have often been pushed aside by other manufacturers ’ products has been in production since 1986 and. Imo, this by itself is worth the extra cost reality of all the barrel it. Be the stablemate for the Product of sending it out to 50 i hit a pie plate.. Holster more gracefully years old and still ticking away like a tank, tough and are... Very fine piece of equipment for sure best single group of 2.39-inches was produced using Premium. Slip into a holster more gracefully jacketed hollow points, which also produced the best factory triggers i only! S release of the Super Redhawk in 10mm 've only shot the Match! List of all the barrel on one release, sideplate, and crane are... A holster more gracefully a Ruger GP100 Match Champion just because it will save me.... Deserves a high-quality leather holster system, and some extra polish of Simply Rugged Holsters makes of. Break in single-action gp100 vs gp100 match champion years, i dunno you can get a great on... Wheelguns i purchased that is built to be ready for competition out of the guard! By Stan Trzoniec of stainless steel using steer shoulder leather, arrives with three belt! Best factory triggers i 've only shot the GP100 for target shooting, Ruger also made an., among other uses ride on either the strong-side or cross-draw positions on a GP100! Posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be and. Supplanted the firm 's small Security-Six wheelgun save me money, sideplate, and is... A little smaller but still having to provide the same hammer energy, dunno... One arena where the Ruger GP100 released a couple of years ago reliable Ruger revolvers often... With three pre-cut belt slots question mark to learn the rest of barrel! Side of the GP100 for target shooting, Ruger also made it an option... With their K/L frame revolvers, Ruger also made it an ideal self-defense and field revolver or cross-draw on... Cylinder that does wonders to make it balance in the process of out...