I've been going around in circles like a dog getting ready to lie down for some time, trying to decide on a .38/.357 revolver to start with.
Mission: Basically, be The One Revolver To Do It All. Obviously, that's not really possible, but my plan is to have something that's capable of handling much of what a revolver is good for. Plinking and punching groups on paper with WCs, training for defensive use, carrying concealed or open (in back country), traveling in places where revolvers are less scary to locals, etc. It will share ammo supply with an 1894C, which was made many years before Remington fired all the people who knew how to use Marlin's worn-out old equipment to still make good guns.
Finally found a GP100 Match Champion locally, and it seems to be everything I'd hoped it would be. Like it a lot better than the 686 SSR, and it's $100 less. Wood grip fits my hands well, the balance is just right. None of the obvious quality issues I can't seem to avoid finding on new Smiths and standard-grade Rugers. I really like the revolver I handled this afternoon; it was nice enough in every way that I can easily see just shooting and cleaning it, without being tempted to send it out for action smoothing or having to chase grips that fit my hands better. So now I need to decide whether to get the fixed or adjustable rear sight.
Obviously, I have no direct experience, but I've read enough reports, some from eminently trustworthy sources, of Ruger factory adjustable sights not staying where they're left very well. For out of the box configuration, I like the Novak fixed sights better. I have them on some semis, so I do have experience there.
In the event that the end state of this revolver includes having reliable, rugged, adjustable sights, there appear to be two options.
One is to buy the fixed sight MC and, if warranted, upgrade to the Novak adjustable sight, which is available plain or with white dots or a green tritium bar.
https://www.novaksights.com/Detail.a...11282&CAT=9509
Apparently, their standard adjustable is too tall for the GP100 MC front sight, so they made this version that is adjustable only for elevation, and must be drifted for windage changes. It appears to be inherently rugged compared to blade-type adjustables.
The other option is to buy the adjustable sight version, shoot it, and if I start identifying problems with a wandering sight, upgrade to the Bowen Rough Country rear sight.
http://parts.bowenclassicarms.com/in...products_id=35
(That link isn't the part listed for GP100s, but Bowen doesn't include photos on the pages for the GP100 versions.)
My understanding is that, although it is screw-adjustable for both windage and elevation, the Bowen sight is meant to be Loctited and not routinely adjusted, once the desired POA/POI is established.
My expectation is that most ammo fired will be in the 148-158 grain range, but I do expect to take advantage of the full spectrum of power factors at times, from 148-gr HBWCs to full-house .357s. In theory, as far as my understanding of the theory goes, any change in POI with loads should be in elevation, so once windage is dialed in, only elevation adjustments should be needed, if any at all. On that basis, the Novak's screw adjustment for elevation should theoretically be better than the Bowen's Loctited adjustments. But occasionally, it seems other stuff can happen.
Standard answers around here for someone asking about something new to them include lots of advice to focus on software, not hardware. There are a lot of other threads talking about software development for revolvers. I've found those threads, will find more, and am confident in figuring out where to go when I am ready to take those steps. I'm hoping to keep this thread specifically focused on hardware, in particular the GP100, especially the Match Champion, and experience with the different factory and aftermarket sights mentioned (and any others worth discussing if I've missed them), and different uses and loads.
Thanks for all your help and advice!