GP100 Competition Model

[anachronism]

It must have been spec'd by somebody who doesn't shoot competition. A fixed, non-adjustable compact rear sight? It should have a target style adjustable rear sight, something akin to the old Millet, or the present day Bowen rear sight. No provision for mounting optics? I guess the ICORE guys will have to keep shooting their S&Ws to be competitive in open class. Handgun hunters are out of the game too. What a disaster this one is.

 

[DPris]

Built for IDPA, not racegun events.
I doubt it'll be a disaster.
Denis

 

[Meeko]

It must have been spec'd by somebody who doesn't shoot competition. A fixed, non-adjustable compact rear sight? It should have a target style adjustable rear sight, something akin to the old Millet, or the present day Bowen rear sight. No provision for mounting optics? I guess the ICORE guys will have to keep shooting their S&Ws to be competitive in open class. Handgun hunters are out of the game too. What a disaster this one is.

Actually for most competition (or carrying) a Novak style rear is pretty near perfect. It gives you a little more to utilize to get fast accurate shots on target but not too sights much that it snags or takes to much time etc. Big difference between an IDPA match or self defense use than a PPC match.

Personally I'd like to see the Novak sight set up on the WC GP 100 become standard issue on their 3" for a carry gun. If not more than comfortable with the fixed version though.

 

[anachronism]

I say again, a "competition" revolver with fixed sights, and no provision for scope mounting. Does anybody at Ruger actually shoot? Novak pattern sights are great for concealed carry, I have them on 1911s. On a revolver it's like returning to the 1800s.

 

[anachronism]

Built for IDPA, not racegun events.
I doubt it'll be a disaster.
Denis

Let those who buy them decide what they want to use them for.

You IPSC guys buy something else... This is an IPDA gun.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I like it and will buy one even though I cant use it in CAS shooting or during the ML Elk season. Not every gun is for every shooter.

 

[Meeko]

I say again, a "competition" revolver with fixed sights, and no provision for scope mounting. Does anybody at Ruger actually shoot? Novak pattern sights are great for concealed carry, I have them on 1911s. On a revolver it's like returning to the 1800s.

Rugers Ken Jorgensen shoots quite frequently. Sales will show if Ruger made a good choice but pretty sure they will sell them. as far as sights, There are pros and cons with both. If the competition is possibly Bianchi cup or Bullseye then sure a good set of BoMars or other adjustable would be in order but for IPSC/ICORE or IDPA not really a major need for adjustable sights (most production IPSC and SSP IDPA shooters don't have anything but fixed and they have some pronominal shooters).

S&W had fixed sighted versions of most of their offerings for years (58,581,681,64,65 and not to mention the good ole Model 10) The military went to the Aimpoint M68 as standard issue because in a quick reactionary type shooting/engagement at closer ranges (to include room clearing distances) it is faster when you are only aligning the one red dot instead of looking through a rear sight lining up the front sight just so perfect.
A fixed sight revolver (say from the 1880's) is not that much different. so we do sort of repat or go back to what works. IMHO but that opinion has been formed with 28 years experience instructing shooters, both as a USAF CATM instructor as well as for a Federal LE agency the last 14 years.

Bottom line though Ruger is providing several choices no matter what you like you can find something they make which is great compared to 35-40 years ago when the only choices were 1911, Browning Hi power S&W 659 or K frame, Colt or Security Six revolvers

 

[anachronism]

Well, the announcement isn't getting rave reviews with the IPSC & ICORE guys. So far the general consenus is "what's it good for?"

 

[DPris]

With a change in grips & a full action job, the one here will be good for standby reserve in case my primary half-lugged GP goes down.

I like the configuration, don't compete, and since Ruger doesn't sell spare parts for the GPs, it doesn't hurt to have a couple spare guns as field tools.

I don't think your assessment of the "general consensus" is entirely correct.
As always, some like a new offering, some don't.
If you don't, don't buy one.

Ruger's intent was to provide an IDPA/Carry Gun, and it's not a bad effort.
They were not going for IPSC.
Denis

 

[anachronism]

And I'm just going to drop it here, and let it be. There's no reason for third parties to beat their individual points to death over a machine. Ruger had a real opportunity here, and with a little more homework could have had a real winner.

 

[Tommyhof]

As a Christmas present the wife gave me money to put towards it.....

 

[DPris]

Anac,
Really, what in your mind would have made it a "winner"?
I'm not beating anything to death, just passing on Ruger's thoughts on the model.
Been working with mine for a week or so & dealing with their project manager on it.
They see the primary markets for it that I mentioned, and they were not trying to meet everybody's idea of a competition model.
Denis

 

[anachronism]

Anac,
Really, what in your mind would have made it a "winner"?
I'm not beating anything to death, just passing on Ruger's thoughts on the model.
Been working with mine for a week or so & dealing with their project manager on it.
They see the primary markets for it that I mentioned, and they were not trying to meet everybody's idea of a competition model.
Denis

If it lives up to it's advertising, it's only missing a couple of things to make it much more appealing to the competition crowd, whom it's supposedly designed for. As I mentioned, the Novak fixed rear sight is a disappointment, and since the frame is machined for it, and only it, the guns not upgradable to a different configuration. This lack of flexibility is especially disappointing. I've talked to people who have already checked it out, Novak apparently doesn't offer a replacement adjustable sight. No scope mount provision is also disappointing. Other manufacturers are able to do it, but Ruger chose to cater to only one real discipline with this configuration. The 4.2 in barrel does pretty much mark this as an IDPA gun, an available six inch version could do well in ICORE (with optics), or handgun silhouette (with adjustable target sights). There are a number of Steel Challenge shooters out there who run optics too. I feel that Ruger would have done much better by basing this gun on the std GP with a short underlug barrel. I saw some disparaging remarks about the grips, but everybody complains about grips, and grips can be changed to whatever you want, and nobody agrees on them anyway.

 

[DPris]

Possibly Ruger might do a version more suited to optics down the road, but in the meantime I think they accomplished their goal on this model.
Yes, they were only going for one discipline, with a side order of daily carry or regular field use.

Never was intended to be a target gun.
Denis

 

[anachronism]

The they should have considered naming it the "IDPA Special", instead of the big ballyhoo of being the "Competition Model".

But I said I was done complaining about it...