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GP100 Match Champion vs 686 SSR, which is better out of the box?

7K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  Jacoby 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm generally more into semi autos (mainly 1911's and striker fired platforms) but revolvers are growing on me recently. I currently own an LCR .38 which is fine as a back up gun but honestly speaking, it gets quite painful to shoot.

For my next revolver purchase, I considering either the GP100 Match Champion with adjustable sights or the 686 SSR. My main reasons are for general range shooting, maybe a HD gun (although I have others for that role), and possibly join competitions later on (which requires a 6 shooter).

Unfortunately, our local dealer do not display their guns and it's impossible to rent also. Plus reselling guns later on is not so simple. So I have to be careful in making a decision.


Between the two, which would you say is better out of the box? Especially if you've handled both, why do you think so?

It's also not convenient for me to visit local gunsmiths so this matters to me. Price wise, the Ruger costs a bit less although guns in general are expensive where I'm from. A few friends into revolvers generally seems to prefer S&W's but I've been reading positive reviews on the GP100 Match Champion so I'm starting to get interested. Plus I actually already have an M&P R8 on order so I'm thinking to try Ruger again.

I understand that this is a Ruger forum but probably some also own S&W's. Thanks to all for your advice!
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Have had both guns and, I promise you, it will come down to the individual guns you pick, out of the box. Yes, Smiths have a good rep for great triggers, but, in my experience, that doesn't always hold true with their current production guns. Have had some of their new guns with great triggers and some with not so great. The SSR I had was one of the not so great. it was noticeably less smooth in its action and noticeably rougher and heavier in DA than the Match Champion and it stacked like the dickens, to boot. Really had to grunt to pull it over the hump. No contest between these two individual examples. Not even close. The MC was a much better gun for my DA shooting and I also preferred the MC grip. Traded off the SSR with no regrets. Strongly suggest you try before you buy or, if that's not doable, have the right to reject if you get either one with a less than decent trigger.
 
#4 ·
Performance center revolvers have a trigger job done on them, plus they have a match barrel. I have the 625, and it is an incredible gun.

That said I have a GP100 fixed sight model with the half lug barrel. It also is an incredible gun with a great trigger. I would expect the same from the Match Champion.
 
#7 ·
Thank you for all the feedback. Sorry for replying just now as I was travelling all week for business.

I was looking at some videos and it seems not so difficult to change the springs to improve the trigger especially for the GP100 Match Champion.

Can you say that trigger feel of either will be as good as the other after the spring change and it is just a personal preference?
 
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