Wheelgun
I’ve had the revolver bug for a while. Never managed to commit because I don’t really want to take on another caliber. But the 9mm revolvers never particularly appealed to me. In a bit of an impulse purchase, I came across a decent deal on a Ruger GP100 Match Champion:
Basically, Ruger took their GP100 and trimmed some weight and polished up the internals. It’s billed as a custom revolver. I’ve yet to get it to the range but plan on doing so tomorrow.
I may regret not getting the adjustable sight model, but we’ll see.
Any upgrades I absolutely must do? And what ammo should I run?
September 24th, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Ooh, nice!
September 24th, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Excellent! Is that the .357 mag?
September 24th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
As a semi auto guy I think you will like the Novak rear sights. I don’t think you will regret that choice. I handled the MC a lot before jumping onto a deal for the Wiley Clapp GP100. I liked the grips better on the Wiley Clapp. The new rubber hogues seem huge and the wood grips on the MC while good looking were still a bit big for me. If you are happy with the grips, get some ammo and run that thing.
I highly recommend a couple of the safariland comp 2 speed loaders.
Safariland J-GL8C COMP II Speedloader https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LZ5FI0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NxU5xb11J65KC
I had a few that came with my GP100 when I bought it and they are awesome.
September 24th, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Normally, I find the GP100 kind of homely but that is an improvement.
September 24th, 2016 at 11:12 pm
You can run any ammo from .38 wadcutters up to 180 grain .357 Magnum hunting loads through the GP100, and enjoy them all. The big heavy handgun tames recoil, especially with nice grips like the ones you have on your “custom” piece.
I have had 2 GP100s, both used. The second was a replacement for the first, which I regretted selling immediately after pocketing the cash. Enjoy.
September 24th, 2016 at 11:19 pm
As to modifications, just avoid using your GP100 as a hammer when you need one, and everything should be OK.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:46 am
Any ICORE matches in your area? Great fun way to develop wheelgun skills, especially DA trigger use and rapid reloading.
Tip: Wallyworld sells hand strengthers just for DA revolver shooters, 3 for $1.50 last time I got some (for some reason they have them labeled “tennis balls”). Squeeze between finger tips, not in the palm.
September 25th, 2016 at 10:35 am
If you ever have to use it in self defense in a dark, secluded spot where it would be best to not summon LEO’s, you don’t have to pick up brass.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:08 am
I think it is a fine choice.
As for ammo, check out Georgia Arms .38s in 158gr. FP, or Precision Cartridge out of Hobart, Indiana, Total Cooper Jacket 158gr FP.
September 25th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Never had a Match Champion but I predict that you’ll fall completely and totally in love with shooting this gun.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:36 pm
If it’s .357 / .38, once you get set up you can reload for dirt cheap compared to new ammo. Costs me about .10 per round or less for wadcutter target rounds, mainly because I have a stock of bullets I bought on sale at few years ago.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:52 pm
The great thing about revolvers is you can run any ammo thru it.
The great thing about .357 is the fact that you can use 38 special for practice, and it will make the gun a joy to shoot. You can get really light loads of 38 cheap. And it’s still close enough in function to the 357 defense loads you’d use in a defensive use, that your training will still have value, and you won’t develop a flinch from the .357’s recoil.
September 25th, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Check out the web site, http://www.thegunwar.com
It is a book called “The Gun War” and is advertised as a book that gun owners love and gun takers fear.
It is free at that web site.
September 26th, 2016 at 2:04 am
I’m a little out of date on preferred carry ammo. In the day, 125 grain .357s were the gold standard.
September 26th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
I don’t think they’re made anymore but Brownell’s used to sell a tool called the Ruger Popper that made depressing the trigger guard detent ridiculously easy. Well worth the effort to find one.
September 26th, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Here’s what they look like.
http://www.brownells.com/GunTech/Ruger-Popper/detail.htm?lid=10413
September 26th, 2016 at 10:43 pm
I like 125 grain sjhp’s but you can’t go wrong with Speer Gold Dots.
September 26th, 2016 at 11:28 pm
I looove me some revolvers, and you picked up a beauty.
I mean, your gun sucks, it’s the wrong caliber, and you’re holding it wrong.
…but seriously, I’m super jealous.
September 27th, 2016 at 12:49 am
lol, 5
The sights you got are WAY better than the adjustables. You got the best sights ruger puts on a revolver.
September 27th, 2016 at 1:48 am
I guess if you are going to use if for something esoteric, but when I limit myself to a revolver I want something with a bit more energy. (I have 15 9mm rounds in my IMI Jericho 941, but only 5 or 6 rounds in my revolvers.)
And the weight never seemed all that much different. (Of course with my .357 I want some extra weight.)
Be interested in seeing a Ruger LCR in 9mm. Though my revolvers are so much for conceal and carry. (I made a decision a long time ago that if someone wakes me up in the middle of the night I don’t want to have to be dealing with feed problems, though my newer guns running better ammo don’t have that problem. Much.)
Like magazines, you can’t have too many speed loaders. Or does it use moon clips?
September 29th, 2016 at 12:44 pm
LOVE That gun, but you really may be disappointed you didn’t get the adjustable sights. Accuracy is spot on with mine and recently took dad to a friends range in Friendsville and we shot some reloads that had loaded and stored in plastic ammo boxes back in 1979. Not a single squib and the gun had held zero since it was last shot around 1989-90.