Posted: 3/7/2026 3:11:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: rebel_rifle][Edited]
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Kind of have a hankering for a 4.2” SS model. Been a S&W man about my whole life, but all I have are J frames. Was looking at the K frames but hate the lock and the iffy QA of late. All of that being said, how do you guys that have one like them? |
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I was an early adopter of the 4.2" 7-shot. It was poopy cause some of them they machined the cylinders too close together and rims stuck together. Ruger swapped it out for a 6-shot 4" match champion. The trigger on the base model wasn't bad. But its way better on the MC. Its easily one of my favorite wheel guns. When you're shopping, look at the different sights. The GP-100 has different ways the sights attach. If you're planning on swapping them out for something else, maybe pick the one that works with the sights you'd want. Supposedly ruger fixed the issue with the 7-shot models years ago now. |
| As an owner of a new production Colt Python, a S&W 686, and a GP100, they're. . . OK. Fit and finish wise they're ahead of S&W but the trigger pull is so much more crude. Did a fluff and buff, shimmed the internals and its still leaps and bounds inferior to the 686. For double action revolvers, it's S&W for me. |
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Love mine. Accurate with a good trigger. Mine is a 6 shot Attached File |
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I have a 686 and a GP100 Match Champion and prefer the M.C. more. I prefer the cylinder release on the Ruger, seems to me it is a better design for quickness, (not that I can reload it quicker) but it is easier to use. While both weigh close to the same, the Ruger feels lighter, possibly due to the angle of the grip and the size of the wood grip the M.C. has. The trigger pull is also smoother on the M.C., as it is supposed to from the factory. My son has a standard 6" GP100 that I gave him and it is also a nice shooting gun. I am not knocking the S&W at all, just that people have a preference to certain guns but I wouldn't sell the S&W either. |
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Ruger QC is not that much better to be honest. No matter which, make sure you thoroughly inspect before you purchase. Originally Posted By giantpune: I was an early adopter of the 4.2" 7-shot. It was poopy cause some of them they machined the cylinders too close together and rims stuck together. Ruger swapped it out for a 6-shot 4" match champion. The trigger on the base model wasn't bad. But its way better on the MC. Its easily one of my favorite wheel guns. When you're shopping, look at the different sights. The GP-100 has different ways the sights attach. If you're planning on swapping them out for something else, maybe pick the one that works with the sights you'd want. Supposedly ruger fixed the issue with the 7-shot models years ago now. They have not, and Im pretty sure there is no actual fix. I bought a new GP100 7 shot model that was made almost 1.5 years after the "fix" was implemented. It bound up with rim lock with about 6 different brands of ammo for me. Ruger took it back, and after a week determined it was damaged beyond repair (they would not elaborate how), and asked what GP100 I wanted. The 6 shot I picked has been great to their credit, no MC but my trigger is actually pretty good, barrel wasn't canted and functions great. I really don't think there was a fix. IMO sloppy Ruger QC and tolerance stacking makes some guns run great and others not. Cause there are 7 shot guns out there that run great, my neighbor bought a new one 6 months ago and I tried a few brands in it with him and had zero problems. |
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Own a number of them, and most of the other stuff as well. My Wiley Clapp three inch may be he best revolver I own. Yes, better than a Python or a Smith 27. The line has been around for decades, there are numerous variations. I prefer the half lug barrel, largely for cosmetic reasons. I don't consider the triggers markedly inferior to Smith. Different yes, but not inferior. Likewise different than the traditional Colt trigger, but that's a unique design. I haven't noticed any real difference in accuracy. My one gripe with Ruger, and this is across the line, is they tend not to hold value in the used market. Good for me as I buy almost all of my stuff used, but on resale it can be painful. |
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Originally Posted By dwb1987: I really don't think there was a fix. IMO sloppy Ruger QC and tolerance stacking makes some guns run great and others not. Cause there are 7 shot guns out there that run great, my neighbor bought a new one 6 months ago and I tried a few brands in it with him and had zero problems. I think there is a fix, but they don't want to pay for it. In manufacturing and machining, precision costs money. The issue is very clearly that the holes are sometimes a tad too close together on that one single part. Even if they think it is too expensive to rethink their manufacturing of that single part, they could prevent that from at least making it to the consumer by simply adding a QA step to the 7-round 357 cylinders before they are used to assemble guns. The bean counters at ruger have apparently decided that it is cheaper to replace the gun when people complain than to QA the cylinders and have a big batch of rejects that never get made into guns. |
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I had a stainless 4" 7-shot. It had no problems with case rims but the cylinder would bind when the gun got a little dirty. I sent it back to Ruger and they took care of it. I now have a blue 4". I installed the Super Redhawk grips and the fiber optic front sight. Also installed a Wilson Combat hammer spring. No issues with it and I'd say it's a keeper. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By cb4017: I had a stainless 4" 7-shot. It had no problems with case rims but the cylinder would bind when the gun got a little dirty. I sent it back to Ruger and they took care of it. I now have a blue 4". I installed the Super Redhawk grips and the fiber optic front sight. Also installed a Wilson Combat hammer spring. No issues with it and I'd say it's a keeper. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/45352/20230306_150518__Medium___2__jpg-3727054.JPG I’ve got a 6” stainless 6 shot but I’ve got to say I think the blued look better. Nice revolver..!! |
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3" 7 shot Wiley Clapp owner here. It was made last fall and zero issues with it IMO. A quick polish pass and some springs and it shoots better than my match champion 4" full lug. I do feed it a steady diet of 158gr regular loads and 200gr HCGC bear loads though. Honestly OP, it's hard to go wrong with a GP100. |
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I have a 6" and a 4.2. I like them both, but shoot the 4.2 more. I got the 6in new and had to send it in for light primer strikes. They fixed it up quick. One day, I should play with the trigger. Attached File |
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I have one. Made a poor man's "match champ" by having better sights installed and a trigger job done by a COMPETENT gunsmith (not me or some bubba with a dremel...an actual GUNSMITH with legit parts and fitted proper). It turned a tank with a long/heavy trigger into a tank with a long-ish/medium trigger. It is not and never will be a Smith/Colt/Kimber. But it is 200% better than factory. I also dryfire DA SHIT out of that gun (with A-zoom snap caps, naturally). Seriously, I have probably pulled that trigger 10K+ times by now. Needless to say, that will smooth out any trigger. My favorite past time is taking it to steel challenge matches and smoking guys with their 2011s, Glocks, CZs, M&Ps, whatevers. Because at the end of the day, the revolver you practice a BUNCH with beats the expensive bottom-feeder you hardly ever shoot. |
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Originally Posted By DisposableHero: Bought one a few months ago, I'm a fan. Cylinder gap was very tight out of the box, but 10 minutes with a stone cleaned it up. Been great fun. https://everydaymarksman.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/gp100-mc-l.jpeg That's pretty cool. I didn't realize the Match Champion had a full under lug. |
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Originally Posted By Morne: … I also dryfire DA SHIT out of that gun (with A-zoom snap caps, naturally). Seriously, I have probably pulled that trigger 10K+ times by now. Needless to say, that will smooth out any trigger. My favorite past time is taking it to steel challenge matches and smoking guys with their 2011s, Glocks, CZs, M&Ps, whatevers. Because at the end of the day, the revolver you practice a BUNCH with beats the expensive bottom-feeder you hardly ever shoot. … I bought a GP100 many years ago when my club started having bowling pin matches. I found the pistol at a giun show, like new. At the time, Rugers didn’t carry a premium like S&Ws and I didn’t want to wear out my Model 66. I dryfired the Ruger thousands of times, until the trigger became smooth and manageable. I was pleasantly surprised at the result. |
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I own 2 ea SW 686 . M-1 & M-3 both been great. Owned for years. Bought new back in 87 and early 90’s. I own 3 Ruger’s. MC and a 5” . Also a SP101 bobbbed . They all been great. All purchased new. The 5” I got about a year ago. I honestly can’t say I like my SW’s more so than my Ruger’s. Although they are more refined. The Match Champion is sweet. Probably my favorite shooting revolver. I personally would stick to the 6 shot version. All I have. Good luck sir. WardawgAttached File |
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Originally Posted By rebel_rifle: Kind of have a hankering for a 4.2” SS model. Been a S&W man about my whole life, but all I have are J frames. Was looking at the K frames but hate the lock and the iffy QA of late. All of that being said, how do you guys that have one like them? I have the same 4.2" SS model. Honestly....I love it! It's one of my favorite guns to shoot. It's a tack driver......I don't have a single complaint about it. It's a blast loading up hot .357 rounds and seeing the huge fireballs out of the muzzle 
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Next revolver for me will most likely be a 4" blue 7 shot gp100. I have 20k+ rounds thru my 4" stainless and it is still running strong. I find that I shoot the GP100"s better than my 686's. I have got the revolver hot enough to lock up the cylinder. The barrel / forcing cone expands from heat and will press against the cylinder face. Probably should scrape the lead off of the forcing cone face one of these days. |
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The Wiley Clapp line is where it's at, unsure if there's a 4.2in model? Stock image below, apparently enough full bore .357 loads will eventually separate the front sight insert from the rest of the front sight after several thousand full bore .357 loads. Think mine was 2012 production? Oddly enough, I really liked the sight picture minus the insert, but went ahead and replaced it. 
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Originally Posted By rbblrwsr: The Wiley Clapp line is where it's at, unsure if there's a 4.2in model? Stock image below, apparently enough full bore .357 loads will eventually separate the front sight insert from the rest of the front sight after several thousand full bore .357 loads. Think mine was 2012 production? Oddly enough, I really liked the sight picture minus the insert, but went ahead and replaced it. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/124578/GP100-1741090.jpg They don't but Lipsey or Davidsons has an exclusive match champion full lug that (other than the match sights) is pretty much a tuned Wiley Clapp. 
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| I've got a few GP100s. A Match Champion, 4" and a Talo 2.5". I have no complaints out of the Rugers. I also own Smiths, only old ones though. My MC is my favorite though. It already had a decent trigger to begin with it. But I tore it down, slicked it up and did a spring kit. I shimmed it a bit tighter than Ruger did also. It's a bad ass revolver. I used a dot on it for a while. |
| I own two Rutgers: a Mini-14 Ranch I bought in 1996 for $249 USD and recently scored a blued Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum for $425 USD. I always been a S&W and Colt revolver fan, but since buying the Security Six, really want a GP100 Stainless. The stainless revolvers and S&W 3rd Generation guns just are beasts, cleanup is easy, and handles all types of ammo. However the price of revolvers now are just expensive and I can’t find a GP100 in either 2.5” or 3” barrels to save my life. |
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Originally Posted By Dieselman: I have a recent production 7 shot Wiley Clapp GP100. I have shot hundreds of rounds of 357 magnum through it with zero issues. It is my favorite handgun and I replaced carrying my Glock 19 with it as my ccw. Selling my original run Wiley Clapp was one of my biggest gun stupids. I bought the new model as soon as it came out. Btw the SP101 WC is great too. |
| I have a 4” and a 6”, both stainless. Owned both for many years and they’re solid guns, shoot well. Own a mini also, SP101 357 it’s also been a great little pistol. One thing about the Ruger DA pistol is how they disassemble, no side plates. They are very strong. |
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Update on my Match Champion. Fitted two different Dawson front sights (a red fiber and a black serrated), swapped the rear sight to the new Wilson Combat battlesight. Also put in Wilson combat 12 lb mainspring and 10 lb trigger return spring. Feels great. Dropped the double action down to ~9 lb and single action is ~3.5 lb. Continues to be a companion on range days, especially with some pet hand loads. Current favorites are using Starline 38 Spl brass. "General Purpose" load is 4.0 gr of HP38 under a Blue Bullets 158gr coated LWSC. For target rounds, it's 3.1gr of HP38 under a Hornady HBWC. 
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 I’m just going to say it: 4.2-inch revolver barrels are an affront to proper gun etiquette. Four inches. That’s the civilized standard. Four. A nice, sensible, aesthetically correct number handed down through generations of wheelgun ownership. But then somebody decided revolvers needed 4.2-inch barrels to accommodate Canada. Canada. A country whose existence remains, at best, an unverified rumor. A people supposedly living somewhere beyond the northern border, apparently communicating in kilometers and demanding an additional 0.2 inches of barrel before they'll allow a revolver into their make-believe realm. And here’s the crowning absurdity: after American gunmakers went to the trouble of appeasing this tiny northern market, Canada went and imposed a national freeze on handgun sales, purchases, and transfers anyway. So what exactly did we accomplish here? We desecrated the sacred proportions of the American revolver for a market that subsequently decided it basically didn’t want a handgun market. That isn’t product development. That is heresy. It is false hubris of the highest order: believing you can improve upon the divinely ordained four-inch revolver by adding 0.2 inches of Canadian regulatory compliance. My original Ruger GP100: 4 inches. My S&W Model 686-3: 4 inches. My Colt King Cobra: 4 inches. These revolvers came from an era when manufacturers understood geometry, tradition, and the fundamental moral distinction between 4.0 and 4.2. Then Ruger bent the knee to Big Canada. And soon Colt and S&W followed. And for what? This entire episode violates the most basic principle of America First principles in revolver manufacturing: American revolvers should be designed around what Americans want, not around the regulatory peculiarities of an alleged country whose principal exports are maple syrup, Celine Dion, and increasingly elaborate explanations for why you cannot buy the handgun we redesigned specifically so you could buy it. So no, I will not normalize the 4.2-inch barrel. Every one of them is a tiny stainless-steel monument to international appeasement. Reject decimal-barrel globalism. Reject Canadian regulatory imperialism. Return to four inches. America First. And until somebody produces convincing evidence that Canada actually exists as a real country and not some cast-off neo-colony of the People's Republic of China, it doesn’t get a vote on proper revolver proportions. |
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I only have one GP100 and like it quite a lot. I'm usually a DA Smith purist but, found a great deal about 5yrs ago on a used 3" fixed sight model in stainless for $399. The compact Lett grips are a great option. I bobbed and polished the hammer. It ends up getting more carry time than my 65-5 Ladysmith these days and fits in the same Galco Combat master holster. Attached File |
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I like my 3-in GP100 a lot, and more than my S&W Model 22 (45ACP), which is very nice as well. I like the 3-in bbl, and would not be as happy with a longer bbl. It's handy, and I'm not such a fan of the more complex adjustable rear site. |
But then again, I just need to get my post count up.
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One of my favorite pistols. Attached File |
OK, see you later, Redcoat…
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I recently bought a new 2.5” blued Talo edition and it’s really well built. Timing checked out in the store and gap looked tight but I usually wait until I have some rounds on it before I check gap. It also had one of the nicest factory triggers I’ve ever felt in a GP. I did my usual 400 cycles of dry fire and 300 rounds at the range and cleaned it up. It got even smoother per usual, still no end shake, and a .004” feeler gauge just barely slides in. At the range CCI Blazer brass 158gr JHP was 1180fps which is rated 1150fps from a 4” or 6”, Federal AE 158gr JSP was 1203fps that’s rated 1240fps from a 4”, Barnes 125gr TACXPD was 1297fps that’s rated 1200fps from a 2” and Buffalo Bore 180gr heavy outdoorsman was 1169fps. All averages for 6 shots. Accuracy at 25 yards off a gamechanger over the tripod head was excellent. Overall I’m very happy with it. I went to another store that had the 4” blued version in stock but it wasn’t quite as smooth and tight out of the box so I passed. It was probably still well within spec but I’m in no real need so I’ll wait until I find another primo sample. FWIW I had my mind set on a 386 Nightguard but struck out twice on guns that were defective out of the box and denied both of them. The dealers that ordered them in weren’t happy but I’m not accepting a gun that needs to go in for repair right off the bat, especially when they’re charging me full MSRP and won’t budge despite the gun being jacked up. |
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Originally Posted By HDDAWG: Love my 4" blued ported GP 100 Have had it almost 40 years now. My favorite woods gun Bought a 6" s/s for white tail hunting, and it did the trick every time! Exactly what I have. 4" blued, ported thru gander MTN. That was in the 80's 6" s/s for whitetail in Ct. where I lived at the time |
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Purchased this one somewhere around 1991. Shoots great and very accurate. Definitely one I will never sell. Attached File |
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