Better known in this country as the PPC, the Target Champion was an early Smith & Wesson Performance Center pistol built exclusively for the European market and never sold in the States. The very few in the country now were all privately imported, as is the case here. It differs from the PPC in a couple minor ways, one being the sights and the other being the roll markings. I actually much prefer the more traditional target sights on the Target Champion to the Aristocrat sights on the PPC pistols. 
As some of you will probably determine from the plain box with the gold sticker, this is a very early PC pistol. Guns like the PPC and 845 were among the first to come out of this amazing custom shop in the 1990’s. They weren’t beautiful or flashy like later offerings such the 952 or 945, but among the very best shooting guns Smith & Wesson ever produced at any time in their long and illustrious history. We’re talking many incredible firearms going back several decades, but that’s just how good these particular pistols are. Strangely enough, these fantastic firearms were not available to regular guys like me when they were new. Obviously, the Target Champion was only shipped abroad, but the domestic PPC version was only available to law enforcement back then. :sad:
The gun itself is based on the 5906 service pistol, but meticulously tightened and accurized into something on an entirely different level. Its an incredible level, quite frankly, and they rank at the very top of my collection in terms of performance and accuracy. I have a few that can match them, but absolutely nothing beats them. As with all the old PC autos, the Target Champion is equipped with a gold Briley bushing which locks in the business end of the pistol. Further aiding the accuracy to a lesser degree, is the outstanding slide to frame fit. Finally, one of the absolute best triggers in the centerfire target pistol world helps the shooter match the Target Champion’s precise inherent accuracy. Other features include a large magwell, and extended mag release button, and fine checkering on the front strap.
I would rate condition at about 95%. It has a few light handling marks that it gained over the last 20+ years, but its very clean overall. In fact, its in better shape than either of my PPC pistols. It came with the box and owners manual, as shown.
I’m certainly thrilled to add this one to the collection. I’ve made it clear how highly I regard these old Performance Center handguns from Smith & Wesson. I own a number of them these days and I never get tired of shooting them. They are a real pleasure at the range. I think this one needs to makes its debute at the GT range day posted in the sticky section.
Who here owns a PPC or even a Target Champion? Who here owns an old PC pistol of any kind? :dunno:
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts. One note is that its certainly interesting to see Euro proofing on a Smith & Wesson.
Thanks for reading! :supergrin:
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As some of you will probably determine from the plain box with the gold sticker, this is a very early PC pistol. Guns like the PPC and 845 were among the first to come out of this amazing custom shop in the 1990’s. They weren’t beautiful or flashy like later offerings such the 952 or 945, but among the very best shooting guns Smith & Wesson ever produced at any time in their long and illustrious history. We’re talking many incredible firearms going back several decades, but that’s just how good these particular pistols are. Strangely enough, these fantastic firearms were not available to regular guys like me when they were new. Obviously, the Target Champion was only shipped abroad, but the domestic PPC version was only available to law enforcement back then. :sad:
The gun itself is based on the 5906 service pistol, but meticulously tightened and accurized into something on an entirely different level. Its an incredible level, quite frankly, and they rank at the very top of my collection in terms of performance and accuracy. I have a few that can match them, but absolutely nothing beats them. As with all the old PC autos, the Target Champion is equipped with a gold Briley bushing which locks in the business end of the pistol. Further aiding the accuracy to a lesser degree, is the outstanding slide to frame fit. Finally, one of the absolute best triggers in the centerfire target pistol world helps the shooter match the Target Champion’s precise inherent accuracy. Other features include a large magwell, and extended mag release button, and fine checkering on the front strap.
I would rate condition at about 95%. It has a few light handling marks that it gained over the last 20+ years, but its very clean overall. In fact, its in better shape than either of my PPC pistols. It came with the box and owners manual, as shown.
I’m certainly thrilled to add this one to the collection. I’ve made it clear how highly I regard these old Performance Center handguns from Smith & Wesson. I own a number of them these days and I never get tired of shooting them. They are a real pleasure at the range. I think this one needs to makes its debute at the GT range day posted in the sticky section.
Who here owns a PPC or even a Target Champion? Who here owns an old PC pistol of any kind? :dunno:
As always, please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts. One note is that its certainly interesting to see Euro proofing on a Smith & Wesson.
Thanks for reading! :supergrin:
