In this instance Why do you guys specifically recommending the Match Champion over Standard or WC models?
In this instance Why do you guys specifically recommending the Match Champion over Standard or WC models?
David S.
Well, the WC is a 3" gun, and in the way I personally catalog revolvers, full size doesn't start until 4". I don't know there's any real standard, this is just my personal bias.
The MC has several things going for it over the standard GP100. The grip, while fugly to me, is really a good grip. Concealment may suffer, but its certainly easy to shoot. The FO front sight and adjustable or Novak rears is a good set up for general outsoorsy type shooting. IIRC, the MC gets a polish job to the trigger at the factory (someone fact check me on that, pls). The half lug and champhered cylinder may not have much functional difference, but it looks nice.
I like the MC and the WC, just for different reasons. I think of the MC as more of a duty gun, the WC as more of a plain clothes/conceal gun. (Yes, I know, revolvers aren't cool for duty carry these days...but some of us do anyway).
Ruger GP100-in any of its 4" incarnations-full lug blued, half-lug blued, full lug stainless, half lug stainless, fixed sights or adjustable sights, "regular" or Match Champion.
I'd recommend replacing the grips with the original OEM compact grips that were the OEM G100 grips on the fixed-sight GP100; Ruger has recently re-introduced them as an after-market option on their www.shopruger site:
http://shopruger.com/Rubber-Grips-wi...uctinfo/70084/
They're comfortable, superbly concealable, and relatively inexpensive. They're large enough that you get a full-handed grip with them, and even though compact, the revolver is still very controllable with them.
Best, Jon
The last image shows a OEM full-size grip next to the installed compact grip for comparison
Last edited by JonInWA; 09-30-2015 at 03:57 PM.
How about a Ruger New Model Blackhawk? Simple, built like a tank and accurate as all get-out. With the transfer bar safety you can carry six in the cylinder safely and it'll eat any .357 ammo you can stuff in it. Besides, cowboy guns are fun!
I've carried 357s on duty and off since 1971. I've owned close to 100 of them. Today I own 4, a 586 4", a Ruger Match Champion Adjustable sights 4", a GP 100 3" with adjustable sights that is currently with Clements Gunsmithy and a Ruger SP101 Wiley Clapp.
My favorite of 44 years of carrying and shooting 357s, the Match Champion w/Adjustables. That may change when the 3" comes back from Clements. Close second is the 586 but I don't like the front sight, my old eyes don't like orange colored ramps!
Late to the party...
I'd either take Lost River's advice above, or skip all the above mentioned mid bores and go to a 44 or 45.
A 5" barrel is exactly as easy for me to carry/conceal/draw as a 4", and shoots much easier for me (more accurate and more powerful). You mentioned hunting, and if you mean deer when you say midsize critters, then I would much prefer the bigger bores. A 44 magnum or special can be loaded up or down for anything you want to do, even with factory ammo if you don't reload. (S&W 24/624/29/629 - tons of configurations)
A 45 Colt can also be factory loaded up or down, and a few will allow for ACP to be shot as well. (Redhawk, Blackhawk - though it sounds like you really want a DA revolver)
Without spending a lot of money, a 4" 29/629 would be my choice, though if the 45colt/45acp Redhawks start working better, that would be a very strong contender for me.