Picked up a GP100 Match Champion in .357 magnum over the weekend. Took it to the range and found that, out of the box, it consistently shot about 4 inches high at 7 yards. I was able to adjust the rear sight to the point where it is now spot on, but to get there I had to tighten the rear sight down until it bottomed out on the frame. I talked to Ruger to see if they have a higher front sight for it, but they don't.
Another problem I had was the fit of the grip to the frame. At the top of the grip there is a significant gap (1/8 inch) between the grip and the frame. Not only is this unattractive, it stands to be a significant dirt collector over time. And on the lower side of the grip, where it mates up to the back of the trigger guard, the wood sticks down about 1/4 inch below the frame, with an edge sticking out. The edge digs into my middle finger both when cocking the gun, or when shooting. I know the grip is made by Hogue, and I expected better. Ruger is sending me a new grip, free of charge, to see if I just got a bad one.
Beyond the grip issues, the fit and finish of the gun are outstanding. The seam between the frame and the trigger assembly is barely visible. Good looking gun overall. The slab sided barrel is an added touch. Cylinder lock up is tight, with just the slightest hint of wiggle, and the cylinder alignment is dead on. The gap between the cylinder face and the barrel is really small. It's about as close as you can get without rubbing.
Accuracy is excellent. Once I got the sights adjusted, shooting offhand from a standing position at 7 yards I can make one jagged hole in the paper that you can cover with a half dollar. In future range trips, I plan to shoot at longer ranges, as well as from a bench, to see just how accurate it really is. But I'd have to say at this point that it will out shoot my meager skills.
If I had one true complaint about the gun, it's the trigger. For a gun marketed as a "Match Champion", it should be better. The double action trigger pull is glass smooth. Absolutely no grittiness or catches during the entire travel. But it pegs out my trigger pull gauge at 12+ pounds. You better do some finger exercises if you plan to do much double action shooting with this gun. The single action trigger is also a bit heavier than expected. It breaks clean and sharp with zero creep, but the pull on mine is 4 pounds even. Not terrible, but definite room for improvement. I plan to try a lighter hammer spring from Wolff, which should improve the trigger pull all the way around.
I give it a B+ overall. Very good gun, but room for improvement.
Another problem I had was the fit of the grip to the frame. At the top of the grip there is a significant gap (1/8 inch) between the grip and the frame. Not only is this unattractive, it stands to be a significant dirt collector over time. And on the lower side of the grip, where it mates up to the back of the trigger guard, the wood sticks down about 1/4 inch below the frame, with an edge sticking out. The edge digs into my middle finger both when cocking the gun, or when shooting. I know the grip is made by Hogue, and I expected better. Ruger is sending me a new grip, free of charge, to see if I just got a bad one.
Beyond the grip issues, the fit and finish of the gun are outstanding. The seam between the frame and the trigger assembly is barely visible. Good looking gun overall. The slab sided barrel is an added touch. Cylinder lock up is tight, with just the slightest hint of wiggle, and the cylinder alignment is dead on. The gap between the cylinder face and the barrel is really small. It's about as close as you can get without rubbing.
Accuracy is excellent. Once I got the sights adjusted, shooting offhand from a standing position at 7 yards I can make one jagged hole in the paper that you can cover with a half dollar. In future range trips, I plan to shoot at longer ranges, as well as from a bench, to see just how accurate it really is. But I'd have to say at this point that it will out shoot my meager skills.
If I had one true complaint about the gun, it's the trigger. For a gun marketed as a "Match Champion", it should be better. The double action trigger pull is glass smooth. Absolutely no grittiness or catches during the entire travel. But it pegs out my trigger pull gauge at 12+ pounds. You better do some finger exercises if you plan to do much double action shooting with this gun. The single action trigger is also a bit heavier than expected. It breaks clean and sharp with zero creep, but the pull on mine is 4 pounds even. Not terrible, but definite room for improvement. I plan to try a lighter hammer spring from Wolff, which should improve the trigger pull all the way around.
I give it a B+ overall. Very good gun, but room for improvement.
