GP100 10mm Match Champion vs 625 Performance Center

[zanders]

So... I got my Redhawk for mixed purposes.

1: Because 45 Colt is a really cool round.

2: Because I wanted to see how I felt about moonclips without potentially getting a gun I would never use.

Anyways, it turns out that I like moonclips. Now I'm doing the pros and cons list in my head between the two of these and was just curious if anyone had experience with either or both.

Thanks in advance for your commentary.

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm assuming your Redhawk is one of the 45LC/ACP versions. Very cool.

I've got a 625JM, it's a more svelte package, the PC version even moreso. The GP100, even lighter and slimmer. The Smiths are very nice guns however.

The way I'd see it, the 625 doesn't do anything new compared to the Redhawk you already have. It'll just be a nicer, slicker package optimized for 45ACP and lack the Full bore 45LC capabilities. The GP100, in conjunction with the Redhawk covers the power spectrum from 40 Short and Weak to Whomper Stomper 45LC's. A big gun for hunting, and a smaller gun for packing around. The 625 while smaller than the Redhawk, is still a big gun. If competition is something you're interested in though, the 625PC (or 989) rules the roost.

 

[mcb]

First up you are clearly a nobleman among nobleman as you have recognize the true greatness that is the most noble of the noble round guns, the moonclip feed round gun.

The S&W 625 is a personal favorite of mine. I have a 5-inch full underlug version and enjoy it greatly. I do not have a GP100 in 10mm but I do have a S&W 610 in 10mm 6.5 inch full underlug and it has a special place in my heart as my first moonclip fed gun.

But I would ask for what purpose or use are you considering buying this revolver for? Would you be considering practical pistol sports or other specific activities or just as a general revolver to own and enjoy?

 

[zanders]

I don't know if we have much of a pistol sports scene around here. It would be cool if we did and I would definitely consider getting into it. Mainly I was thinking for another fun range toy though.

 

[Jonesy814]

I have an older 5 inch 625 . It is really accurate and fun to shoot

 

[mcb]

I don't know if we have much of a pistol sports scene around here. It would be cool if we did and I would definitely consider getting into it. Mainly I was thinking for another fun range toy though.

I am partial to S&W so my first instinct would be to go with the 625. Not to mention it is by far the fastest reloading revolver and most fun revolver I have ever used if that maters to you. Its also why I asked about competition. The 625 was King of UPSPA for many years. Its still good but the 929, 627/327/R8 are now the best choices since 2014 when the rules changed.

That said the GP100 in 10mm is by far the most appealing revolver Ruger has ever release IMHO. If I did not already have a S&W 610 the GP100 would be top of my list, right behind a Webley Mark VI. I think it would make and excellent woods revolver and a good IDPA competition revolver.

In the end either would be good. If you already reload for one or the other you might want to go with the corresponding revolver. If you don't reload then either works well as both have cheap ammo avalable. 45 ACP FMJ in the 625 and 40S&W FMJ in the GP100.

 

[edwardware]

I've handled a couple GPs, and own one, and a whole bunch of S&Ws, and own 6. Not a one of the GPs has been in the same ballpark as the worst modern Smith for trigger quality. There's no comparison.

Unless you intend to handload ammo that will beat the Smith apart, buy the Smith.

 

[golden]

I have given up on moon clips as they are more trouble than they are worth, in my opinion. My 625 is going to get a steady diet of .45 Auto Rim!

Jim

 

[cfullgraf]

I have given up on moon clips as they are more trouble than they are worth, in my opinion. My 625 is going to get a steady diet of .45 Auto Rim!

Jim

BMT Equipped moon clip loaders/unloaders are the cats meow when it comes to moon clip use. A bit pricey for some but once you use one, you will be hooked.

http://www.bmtequipped.com/purchase.php

P.S. I'm not affiliated with BMT Equipped, just a very happy customer. I have BMT loaders for S&W Model 25, S&W M986, and 38 Special J-frames.

 

[zanders]

I am partial to S&W so my first instinct would be to go with the 625. Not to mention it is by far the fastest reloading revolver and most fun revolver I have ever used if that maters to you. Its also why I asked about competition. The 625 was King of UPSPA for many years. Its still good but the 929, 627/327/R8 are now the best choices since 2014 when the rules changed.

Most fun revolver is definitely a solid category. The competition perks are just a bonus.

That said the GP100 in 10mm is by far the most appealing revolver Ruger has ever release IMHO. If I did not already have a S&W 610 the GP100 would be top of my list, right behind a Webley Mark VI. I think it would make and excellent woods revolver and a good IDPA competition revolver.

It is really nice and it would be a fun .40 alternative to my 357 magnum Match Champion.

In the end either would be good. If you already reload for one or the other you might want to go with the corresponding revolver. If you don't reload then either works well as both have cheap ammo avalable. 45 ACP FMJ in the 625 and 40S&W FMJ in the GP100.

I mean I have the dies for the 45 ACP, but I don't have much in the way of brass, and I have no bullets for it (unless I jam some heavier 45 colt bullets in I guess). So either way I'm going to have to drop some money on brass and bullets, a set of dies for 10mm isn't much in comparison to that.

I've handled a couple GPs, and own one, and a whole bunch of S&Ws, and own 6. Not a one of the GPs has been in the same ballpark as the worst modern Smith for trigger quality. There's no comparison.

Unless you intend to handload ammo that will beat the Smith apart, buy the Smith.

Well, up until now I'd never really found a Smith that spoke to me so I might be in the dark ages of trigger-pull but: I don't really mind the Ruger triggers. At least at the range. Dry firing a redhawk is kind of painful.

I have given up on moon clips as they are more trouble than they are worth, in my opinion. My 625 is going to get a steady diet of .45 Auto Rim!

Jim

Yeah this love it or hate it for moonclips was why I bought the 45 Redhawk, it was a nice way to figure out how I felt. The 45 Auto rim is a nice addition to what the 625 offers though.

 

[gotboostvr]

One thing worth noting, moon clips for a 625 are probably the cheapest of any moon clip. I bought over 100 of them for about $20 I think. I've got way more than I'd ever possibly need. I know some are $2-5 each depending on which model you're looking at.

 

[zanders]

One thing worth noting, moon clips for a 625 are probably the cheapest of any moon clip. I bought over 100 of them for about $20 I think. I've got way more than I'd ever possibly need. I know some are $2-5 each depending on which model you're looking at.

Yeah that was in my pros/cons list. Rugers in general have poor third party moonclip support. So I'd be stuck with either the ruger moonclips (I don't like them because they're not very sturdy) or TK Customs which are kind of pricey.

 

[ATLDave]

I don't know if we have much of a pistol sports scene around here. It would be cool if we did and I would definitely consider getting into it. Mainly I was thinking for another fun range toy though.

https://uspsa.org/find-a-club?

Looks like a bunch of USPSA within a 2 hour drive (though, as mcb noted, neither of these guns would be well-suited to being truly competitive under current USPSA rules).

A quick google search also turned up at least one IDPA club in the area: https://www.facebook.com/El-Paso-IDPA-and-Multigun-683970648379138/ While I don't think IDPA is nearly as good a sport as USPSA, it might be a better fit for whichever of those guns you choose.

 

[mcb]

If you get the 625 go direct to Ranch Products website to order your moonclips. They are currently 100 pcs for $50. I don't think you will find a better price. I have used Ranch moonclip almost exclusively in both my 625 and 610. TK custom moonclips are nice but very pricey but I have never found the need for that tight of tolerance on my moonclips in 45 ACP or 10/40. Rimless cartridges are very forgiving on moonclip to cartridge fit unlike many rimmed cartridges. TK Custom might be worth it in an 8-shot 357/38 but even then I have had good luck with Revolver Supply moonclips for my 627.

 

[zanders]

https://uspsa.org/find-a-club?

Looks like a bunch of USPSA within a 2 hour drive (though, as mcb noted, neither of these guns would be well-suited to being truly competitive under current USPSA rules).

A quick google search also turned up at least one IDPA club in the area: https://www.facebook.com/El-Paso-IDPA-and-Multigun-683970648379138/ While I don't think IDPA is nearly as good a sport as USPSA, it might be a better fit for whichever of those guns you choose.

Oh, cool they have USPSA at the Rod and Gun club apparently. That's fun because I already have a membership there. And the IDPA I think I had looked at and it didn't look like they really had much in the way of revolver shooters.

If you get the 625 go direct to Ranch Products website to order your moonclips. They are currently 100 pcs for $50. I don't think you will find a better price. I have used Ranch moonclip almost exclusively in both my 625 and 610. TK custom moonclips are nice but very pricey but I have never found the need for that tight of tolerance on my moonclips in 45 ACP or 10/40. Rimless cartridges are very forgiving on moonclip to cartridge fit unlike many rimmed cartridges. TK Custom might be worth it in an 8-shot 357/38 but even then I have had good luck with Revolver Supply moonclips for my 627.

View attachment 827542

Yeah the ranch moonclips are a great deal. They make them for the Redhawk, but it doesn't look like they have them for the 10mm GP100 yet.

Also, are those tackle boxes that you have holding the moonclips? That looks so convenient.

 

[thomas15]

I think, but cannot prove, but I would guess that the best way to settle the issue at hand, do I get a new Ruger or S&W revolver??? That I believe would be best settled by getting both.

 

[thomas15]

Also, are those tackle boxes that you have holding the moonclips? That looks so convenient.

Yes they are, I personally use Plano tackle boxes from WalMart. Depending on the actual load I'm using the capacity varies but for Steel Challenge I can get 52 loaded moons in a box. If I'm shooting a full 8 stage Steel Challenge match and shooting two revolver divisions (OSR and ISR) I can load up 104 moon clips total and run the entire match, two guns, without having to fool around with mooning/demooning and still have some moons unused.

 

[mcb]

Oh, cool they have USPSA at the Rod and Gun club apparently. That's fun because I already have a membership there. And the IDPA I think I had looked at and it didn't look like they really had much in the way of revolver shooters.



Yeah the ranch moonclips are a great deal. They make them for the Redhawk, but it doesn't look like they have them for the 10mm GP100 yet.

Also, are those tackle boxes that you have holding the moonclips? That looks so convenient.

Just regular Plano boxes from the local sporting good store fishing section. I just put a few moonclips in my pocket and go to the fishing section and find the ones that fit and are the size I need. I have deeper ones for my 38 Special/ 357 Mag. Its great for protecting them in my range bag. I load all my moonclips before a match and do a check on them.

Standing facing into the corner of my poured concrete basement every moonclip gets the following check. I drop the loaded moonclip into the gun and make sure it drops in clean with no drag. I then close the cylinder and with my finger OFF THE TRIGGER I thumb the hammer back just enough to unlock the cylinder but before the pawl engages. I then spin the cylinder to ensure there is no drag and it spins freely. I then ease the hammer down, open, and eject the moonclip. I am now sure that the moonclip is flat and that all the rounds are in it correctly and it will chamber cleanly. They then go into the tackle box to be protected until I need them for the match or range session.

 

[zanders]

I think, but cannot prove, but I would guess that the best way to settle the issue at hand, do I get a new Ruger or S&W revolver??? That I believe would be best settled by getting both.

Haha I like the way you think. Unfortunately I'm in top ramen mode until I finish up with school so my firearm purchases tend to be spaced out.

Also thank you both for the moon clip storage tips.

 

[thomas15]

If you want to check your loaded moon clips for fit but don't want to load your gun in the house you can buy a moon clip checker. It is basically a revo cylinder without the rest of the gun. I have one from TK but Revolver Supply Co makes one also. They are also handy for checking moon clips that you load up at a match where checking fit by loading you gun can be a problem.

Those times when I have to load a moon clip but cannot check fit before shooting in a match setting, what I do is take a small hammer, using the wood handle end, lightly tap the brass at the open end of the moon to make sure the round is fully seated. Not perfect but better than nothing.

 

[PapaG]

I bought a 5" 625 for pin shooting thinking about the speedy reloads. Nine out of ten times I'd wind up with three moons on the bench after my three runs, each with a loaded round left. It shot great for me. Now, I pack it around the farm loaded with the same 260 grain swcs.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

The Ruger Redhawk vs The Smith and Wesson 625

OP, you stated you just want a range toy and not something for serious work, with that in mind I'll tell you off the bat your better suited to the 625 smith, if you want more in depth info look below. I am a .44 mag "convert" to the .45 Colt, I have read all about Keith, Linebaugh, Brian Pearce, and men on THR such as Craigc, Bob Wright, and MaxP, far more revolver smart than I but I will try to relay my experience soundly. I first received my Ruger Redhawk in March of 2018, I took the gun to the range with a variety of .45 Colt and .45 ACP, the ACP moon clips would not extract fully, at first I thought It was just a carbon "gunk" issue, but when I transitioned to .45 Colt, one chamber would not accept the cartridge at all. I went ahead and call Ruger pretty upset (just bought an LCP that had to go back to the factory so you can imagine my frustration when I had to send another from the same maker back in the same year) sent it in on their dime, it came back bout a week later and I took it to the range that day, now no more issues. Moon clips eject cleanly and all charging holes accept .45 colt. Now that was just my particular gun but with QC lacking across the gun spectrum lately look it over very carefully, Id even advise bringing snap caps with you and ask the permission of said business to see if everything is to spec.

Things you WILL run into, unless you have small hands the standard magna grips that come on the gun as standard are not great, I cannot get a good hold on the gun, I transitioned to the hogue grip that ruger offers on the non interchangeable .44 mag and .45 Colt Redhawks. Comfort while shooting is definitely improved but now I cannot access the cylinder release for quick reloads if need be. The round butt that ruger introduced is not supported by the major grip makers for "combat" or "target" shooting, they only make different versions of the magna grips (Altamont Co.) or you have the hogue option. The best remedy to this I believe is to either A) get the grips custom made or B) use the stock magnas and buy a Tyler T grip to remedy the situation( B is cheaper but A may be smarter for "serious work"). Moon clips are not nearly as supported as the Smith counterpart, there are a couple of other makers but others and I have found that the proprietary moon clips work best, and they are not considered "cheap" I see them from 13-16 bucks for three (I have 12) so it is an investment to use it in competition. The trigger…. The trigger is HEAVY even for a DA revolver, I estimated it to be around 12 lbs, not much can be done to it that I know of (if anyone knows PLEASE chime in as I want that mod to) besides changing out springs but users have reported light primer strikes with that sort of change. The sights are of course adjustable and are actually quite well supported as many of the GP100 and super redhawk sights will work with this one, I am actually looking to have the rear side transitioned into a fixed one.

The loads used… Unless you're a handloader the .45 Colt is gonna rape your wallet and without lubricant. HOWEVER if you do reload or you can accept the cost, the .45 colt in this revolver is extremely versatile, the 625 cannot match the Redhawk for strength, I have seen and read of people loading up to .460 rowland and .45 Win Mag in their 625s, I cannot comment on the safety factor of that, but you can do that with the redhawk with a large margin of safety since the thing is built to withstand pressures over 50k PSI getting into middle of the road .454 casull territory, even some custom makers like Bowen will put a .454 Super Redhawk Cyliner into the regular Redhawk frame to allow it to be lighter than it's behemoth sister, the super. Holsters shouldn't be an issue, any smith maker is normally going to list Ruger revolvers as well and 4.2 inches is now a standard option from ruger. All in all this is a great gun if you can get around its short comings, I truly believe that this is the most (production gun) versatile handgun EVER offered from the factory, I wish the grip selection was better but that's me, If you want something that you know you wont have any issues getting stuff for or want a revolver for competition then the smith is for you. If you want a revolver that will take the hottest loads and ask for seconds while still being able to swap into a lesser cartridge than the Redhawk beats the 625 by miles.

 

[zanders]

The Ruger Redhawk vs The Smith and Wesson 625

OP, you stated you just want a range toy and not something for serious work, with that in mind I'll tell you off the bat your better suited to the 625 smith, if you want more in depth info look below. I am a .44 mag "convert" to the .45 Colt, I have read all about Keith, Linebaugh, Brian Pearce, and men on THR such as Craigc, Bob Wright, and MaxP, far more revolver smart than I but I will try to relay my experience soundly. I first received my Ruger Redhawk in March of 2018, I took the gun to the range with a variety of .45 Colt and .45 ACP, the ACP moon clips would not extract fully, at first I thought It was just a carbon "gunk" issue, but when I transitioned to .45 Colt, one chamber would not accept the cartridge at all. I went ahead and call Ruger pretty upset (just bought an LCP that had to go back to the factory so you can imagine my frustration when I had to send another from the same maker back in the same year) sent it in on their dime, it came back bout a week later and I took it to the range that day, now no more issues. Moon clips eject cleanly and all charging holes accept .45 colt. Now that was just my particular gun but with QC lacking across the gun spectrum lately look it over very carefully, Id even advise bringing snap caps with you and ask the permission of said business to see if everything is to spec.

Things you WILL run into, unless you have small hands the standard magna grips that come on the gun as standard are not great, I cannot get a good hold on the gun, I transitioned to the hogue grip that ruger offers on the non interchangeable .44 mag and .45 Colt Redhawks. Comfort while shooting is definitely improved but now I cannot access the cylinder release for quick reloads if need be. The round butt that ruger introduced is not supported by the major grip makers for "combat" or "target" shooting, they only make different versions of the magna grips (Altamont Co.) or you have the hogue option. The best remedy to this I believe is to either A) get the grips custom made or B) use the stock magnas and buy a Tyler T grip to remedy the situation( B is cheaper but A may be smarter for "serious work"). Moon clips are not nearly as supported as the Smith counterpart, there are a couple of other makers but others and I have found that the proprietary moon clips work best, and they are not considered "cheap" I see them from 13-16 bucks for three (I have 12) so it is an investment to use it in competition. The trigger…. The trigger is HEAVY even for a DA revolver, I estimated it to be around 12 lbs, not much can be done to it that I know of (if anyone knows PLEASE chime in as I want that mod to) besides changing out springs but users have reported light primer strikes with that sort of change. The sights are of course adjustable and are actually quite well supported as many of the GP100 and super redhawk sights will work with this one, I am actually looking to have the rear side transitioned into a fixed one.

The loads used… Unless you're a handloader the .45 Colt is gonna rape your wallet and without lubricant. HOWEVER if you do reload or you can accept the cost, the .45 colt in this revolver is extremely versatile, the 625 cannot match the Redhawk for strength, I have seen and read of people loading up to .460 rowland and .45 Win Mag in their 625s, I cannot comment on the safety factor of that, but you can do that with the redhawk with a large margin of safety since the thing is built to withstand pressures over 50k PSI getting into middle of the road .454 casull territory, even some custom makers like Bowen will put a .454 Super Redhawk Cyliner into the regular Redhawk frame to allow it to be lighter than it's behemoth sister, the super. Holsters shouldn't be an issue, any smith maker is normally going to list Ruger revolvers as well and 4.2 inches is now a standard option from ruger. All in all this is a great gun if you can get around its short comings, I truly believe that this is the most (production gun) versatile handgun EVER offered from the factory, I wish the grip selection was better but that's me, If you want something that you know you wont have any issues getting stuff for or want a revolver for competition then the smith is for you. If you want a revolver that will take the hottest loads and ask for seconds while still being able to swap into a lesser cartridge than the Redhawk beats the 625 by miles.View attachment 827556

Very detailed thank you. I also feel like the grips are too small (I can't keep a solid grip on them even with lower powered rounds). And as far as the 625 competing with the Redhawk I don't really feel like it would be doing that. It's more along the lines of I'd like to let the Redhawk be primarily 45 Colt and then have a dedicated moonclip revolver.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Very detailed thank you. I also feel like the grips are too small (I can't keep a solid grip on them even with lower powered rounds). And as far as the 625 competing with the Redhawk I don't really feel like it would be doing that. It's more along the lines of I'd like to let the Redhawk be primarily 45 Colt and then have a dedicated moonclip revolver.

You could do that, I would just save the money and spend the rest on getting ready to load .45 Colt.

 

[zanders]

You could do that, I would just save the money and spend the rest on getting ready to load .45 Colt.

I'm already all set up for 45 Colt. Sizing them is my weekly upper body workout.