Behold! A true champion! The Ruger GP 100 Match Champion chambered in big-boy 10mm.
Got a chance to inspect this new wheel gun at NRAAM. It’s nice. Very, very nice. I’ve never bought a gun without shooting it first. But this lovely specimen might be the exception.
What did I love about it? Pretty much everything, from the ergos and texture of the Hogue hardwood grips to the bright fiber optic front sights to the stainless steel finish. Oh, and did I mention it’s chambered in 10mm?
The trigger is awesome too! Consistent and smooth all the way through in double action.
What can I say? I really liked this gun.
The GP 100 is a big revolver with a six-round capacity. The barrel is a little over 4 inches, it weighs 37 ounces and has an overall length of 9.5 inches. Whether it’s competition or home defense or hunting, this Match Champion has you covered.
MSRP for the GP 100 is $969.00. Given that that’s the same price for the .357 version, one can assume that it should be in the ballpark of $700-800 on GunsAmerica.
One to definitely check out if you’re in the market for a new all-purpose wheel gun.
Specs
- Grips: Hogue Stippled Hardwood
- Front Sight: Fiber Optic
- Barrel Length: 4.20″
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Capacity: 6
- Rear Sight: Adjustable
- Twist: 1:16″ RH
- Finish: Satin Stainless
- Overall Length: 9.50″
- Weight: 37 oz.
- Grooves: 6
- CA Approved: No
- MA Approved & Certified: No
- Suggested Retail: $969.00
Six shots of 10mm ought to be enough. Right?
Features
- Triple-locking contoured cylinder is locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom for more positive alignment and dependable operation shot after shot and enables easy re-holstering. The ejector and chamber mouths have a light chamfer to aid loading.
- Patented grip frame design easily accommodates a wide variety of custom grips.
- Takedown of integrated subassemblies requires no special tools and allows for easy maintenance and assembly.
- Patented transfer bar mechanism provides an unparalleled measure of security against accidental discharge.
- A custom Hogue hardwood grip with stippled sides permits an ideal grip for competition shooting.
- The half-lug 4.2″ barrel delivers lively handling for quick transition between targets and also features an 11° target crown for competitive-level accuracy.
- Polished and optimized internals, a centering boss on the trigger, and centering shims on the hammer produce a smooth double-action trigger pull and a crisp and consistent let-off.
- Ships with three (3) full moon clips that act as both a speed loader for the 10mm rounds and aid in the ejection of the spent cartridges
A look at the rear sight. It’s adjustable.
Nice bright fiber optic front sights. You can swap that out no problem.
I got the Ruger Redhawk in 10MM, i haven’t gave the revolver a chance, after a few rounds i will get back to you, so far, its been worth the Money, if nothing else i will have it in my collection
If they make this in 41 Mag I’d buy two. I can see messing with auto cartridges in a revolver.
When I read the article I thought the same exact thing and the first comment I read was yours Bob
I agree with most posters here when it comes to revolvers. I have a few semi-auto pistols; a sig nine, a Glock .45, and a Colt 1911 .45. I especially favor a .45, but I wanted the simplicity of a wheel gun. I am not familiar with the 10 mm, and never could understand why American gun makers would make guns in millimeters rather than calibers, and the fact that it is rimless is a deal breaker for me. God forbid that you would find yourself in a situation where you needed to reload under duress.
That said, I knew exactly the wheel gun I wanted. Something with the most knockdown power short of a shotgun, so simple a safety is not needed, and concealable. I opted for a S&W Model 629 snub-nose (3″ bbl) in .44 Mag. Statistically, most firefights occur within 7 feet, so a snub nose makes sense. And, if I need to, I can use a speed loader. Could you even do that with a revolver requiring moon clips?
If Ruger made 10 mm. rimmed cartridges, it would enhance its sale (the revolver) immensely. Then no need for those troublesome
one half moon clips. If the person who said the revolver was a reverse of the negative had any knowledge of revolvers,he would have noticed the cylinder release is in view on number 2 and not on number one. Hey Ruger, make a release on both sides and I would buy one.
My Colt Python in .357 Mag./.38 Spcl does the trick…. But it sure is a good looking revolver!
Another niche filled that didn’t need filled.
Have never understood Ruger’s fetish for building revolvers chambered for rounds designed for autofire.
I just don’t get it. Why fool with the 10 when the. 357 is right there and no need for moon clips? Not even thinking about ammo availability… I’m not a 10 hater, I’m lusting for a 10mm 1911… And my 6″ ss .357 has a pretty nice out of the box trigger for the commentor that said stainless Ruger triggers suck. But whatever, if you dig it, get it but it’s way down on my list.
As I already have two 10MM semi-autos and zero .38 Special or .357 Mag wheel guns, this makes sense for me. It will not for others but I already load for 10MM and .40 S&W. I doubt I would shoot .40 S&W in it as 10MM loads can be loaded to .40 S&W velocities in equal weights. I can shoot factory defensive or hunting when needed for sighting in or more serious practice and lighter 10MM loads for normal practice.
I suspect factory .40 S&W could be fired as they would use the same moon-clips as 10MM for those who don’t hand load. The longer bullet to forcing cone jump might affect accuracy some, but for practice loads, who cares. 10MM is economical to load and the brass is easy to resize and prep. No roll crimp required but, one could be used. A Lee Factory Crimp die or good quality taper crimp die would work for any load I can imagine loading.
Interesting as the range of bullets styles and weights is wide and the brass is readily available.
The Late Col. Jeff Cooper said, “If you can’t do it in 6 from a .44 mag or 7 from a .45 ACP, is capacity really the problem?”
I have a .41 Rem Mag Blackhawk and a .45 ACP Kimber. They will get the job done, no questions asked.
It’s interesting to me, people are making a great fuss about Ruger doing things S&W did years ago, 10mm Revolver (S&W Model 610) 10 Shot 22 (S&W Model 617) and no mention of this in the article, I think credit should be given where it is due, Just MHO
I prefer to use ammo in machines its designed for. 10mm Auto is designed for automatics. That’s why it has a rimless cartridge. When I want a wheel gun with that kind of power, I will use my “Dirty Harry”
Other than being a good investment as a collector piece, serves little purpose at an increased expense. But, hey all guns are great in the end. 10mm in a wheelgun serves no niche. I load 357 mag from 110g to 200g cast core with better velocities and i have revolvers with 6-8 rd capacity. 10mm as an auto, with high capacity makes sense. Ill stick to my .357 mag. And 480 ruger if i need a wheel gunwith more punch. Between those two there isn’t much you cant do with regards to activities using a revolver.
Question: can it shoot .40 S&W?
Do the cylinders fit the hottest 10mm loads? As anyone is aware with semi-auto 10mms, not all of the pistols are capable of ramping these hot loads. The Colt Delta Elite, my favorite still, with its revamp did NOT ramp for the hot loads. Can this handle them all? If so, then this is a very formidable entry, and the price is very reasonable, IMHO.
Considering this gun is a Ruger and the same frame as their +P rated .357 Mag gun, I suspect it will handle any 10MM load you can find including Grizzly, Buffalo Bore and any handload within reason. As you can see in the picture, there is plenty of steel between chambers in the cylinder.
The better part of a thousand dollars and *THREE* whole moon clips?
In all honesty, since they are all-but mandatory (and likely very NOT common as well as easy to misplace), I should expect an even dozen.
That sight blade is shameful.
Carrying a revolver that essentially relies upon clips takes MOST of what I pick a revolver over an auto for in the first place, right outa the equation.
Number one or near it on my list for picking a revolver is to not be beholding to a magazine. I’m sure pickers of nits will come back with smaller dimension “speed-load” footprints and “you don’t *really* HAVE to use them…”
Yeah, whatever!
10mm revolver?
The Emperor’s new gat!
Todd.
Along comes a 10mm wheel gun, it certainly makes sense if you load your own… it may not be the best caliber for the availability of store bought shelf ammo, but 10mm is arguably another capable round. Personally, I don’t enjoy seeing the 41mag lose any more ground on the caliber totem pole, but if you like 10mm, at least you control your own preference, it’s one more choice that you have and the liberal politicians do not make for you. How about a 10mm carbine too.
If you’re not satisfied with .357 mag. why not go with .44 mag? Why go with the bother of a rimless round?
I am personally very happy at this new offering. I reload for .40 cal, and will use the same equipment to reload for 10 MM, I only need to buy the new Ruger and another Glock in 10 MM, as everything I use to reload my .40 cal with will do 10 MM, so someone in the back room with the drafting software at Ruger is a reloading enthusiast.
I love wheel guns because when you are done firing a string you just punch out the cases into your open hand and pocket them for reloading.
Guess what? You can shoot .40 S&W in a 10 mm chamber all day long!
You sure can, but you need to use moon clips. If you don’t the 40 will slide down till it hits the shoulder machined in the cylinder bore for the 10. Not to mention the carbon/copper buildup on that shoulder. It might be a little difficult to switch back to shooting 10mm after running a box of 40’s through it. I think only in a pinch/survival situation only. You want plinking rounds, light load some 10mm have fun.
I’ll take 7 of .357. Also why is the 2nd picture reversed?
It’s not reversed! Look at the business card in the photo…
Ruger needs to get rid of the rear blade sight, mine just broke off on the Alaskan. $900-1000 for a revolver and the paper thin sight breaks off!!! Replacing with a solid rear night sight by Meprolight…
If you bought a SS GP 100 with a “smooth” trigger, you are one lucky dude.
I’m a Ruger fan, but will flat out admit their SS guns are complete crap for trigger pull on average.
I’ve owned 2 GP 100’s, both were terrible out of the box and required both stoning and trigger spring kits to be tolerable.
Twas the same for my SP 101, and even my Blackhawk Hunter in SS too.
My Blackhawk Bisley in blued steel was very good, I think the Ruger folks just don’t spend QC on their SS models as they should.
Sounds like you got some lemons. I’ve got a stainless 6″ GP 100 and it’s pretty sweet. I don’t see how the internals on the blue and SS pieces should be different…
I can not add to anyone’s comment. 357 is all that is needed.
GP100 38/357 is the best wheel gun I have ever owned.
Glad to see new “wheel guns” but still stand with Blackhawks, single six and sw mod 28. Oh, forgot, wife carries a Lady Smith. I promote gun safety and simple operation by sticking with revolvers, not fighting a war & first shot counts.
Ah, those “weapons of war, just Sorry, despicable things aren’t they? Nobody should have those.
United we stand decided we fall. Anyone ever heard that
Easy Bill,
I don’t think he’s in that camp…
Wheel guns are simpler, safer,
and statistically 6 rounds is more than enough for a defensive situation.
Agree with Sully. No need for all the political overtones among people who like their guns.
Bill, needs someone to argue with.
I know what you’re sayin’. There are guys who pack for “Armageddon at Seven Eleven.” They won’t go out for a six pack without SWAT level armament. That’s okay. If it happens I hope one of them is around. Other people just carry enough to dispatch the lone scumbag that statistics say you will likely be dealing with IF you ever have to use lethal force. I’m fairly certain 6 rounds of .357 will do the job if I do my part. Wheel guns still work fine for civilians…except when left at home 🙂
Doesn’t the 357 have 7 in the chamber ???
Mine is older and has 7.
Sweet, why the hell wouldn’t you get one in .357? It’s like buying a Torx bit to fit an Allen head. Revolvers like rims.
“Big boy” 10mm is weaker than the .357 Magnum that most of these guns are chambered in. Not by much, but enough that it’s beyond the realm of opinion and hair-splitting.
Blip blop and it don’t stop