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Ruger GP-100 vs S&W 686

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shooter07 View Drop Down
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    Posted: December/11/2010 at 19:23
I've been reading up on these 2 revolvers and both seem to be neck and neck with one another as the cream of the crop when it comes to 4-6" wheel guns. I'm starting to familiarize myself with the ins and outs as i've shot plenty of revolvers but never owned one to this point.

I'm hearing a lot of people complaining that the newer S&W's have slipped slightly and of course you hear many people bitching about the lock compared to the Ruger which doesn't have one. Plus there is a rough $150 difference in price, with the 686 costing more. Seems like the S&W still has the trigger to beat and prettier looks (won't argue either of those) but Ruger gets high marks for durability and grips/feel.

I'd appreciate insight on these two models from people who have owned them or shot them extensively (Dale, im sure you have my friend as it seems like you've owned just about every revolver ever made Big Grin) I'm really targeting something in the 357mag boat right now....errr down the road when i have the cash....

Thanks guys.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 308 Sav Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/11/2010 at 19:29
I can't speak for th S&W but as far as the GP100 goes I loved the grip it was tactile and firm. The weight was heavy which I liked when shooting full power loads. It shot well and is a great backpacking gun which is what I had it for. All I can say is it was solid and shot well. No complaints.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tman1965 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 00:06
I had both of those in 4" and liked the Ruger much better. it just "felt" better, carried better and just plain shot better. of course, that is just my opinion and it may well be different for you. the best thing to do is handle them both and see which feels best to you.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 04:27
Thanks gents.....when i go to pick up my Xdm this week i'm going to hopefully have one of each to try  out at the local shop. They have a big selection and it wouldn't surprise me if they had both in stock being as popular as those 2 are.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 09:42
The smoothest trigger action in the world is the python. The fastest trigger (in a gun that has the balance is in the K and L frames). Before the advent of the 586 series guys would take the colt barrel and put them on 19's and they were called Smolts. If your going to do a lot of DA shooting the 586 certainly would be at the top. Also when speed loaders were hot, a smith could be done in about 6 sec. (shot to shot) it is really hard to do a Ruger in this time. Its almost impossible to "stack" a ruger in DA. As I said before it is sad that so much as been forgotten about revolvers.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 10:29
As always, thanks for the insight Dale.

I learned very quickly in the military to not be afraid to ask questions. I am simply weakest when it comes to revolvers when comparing other types of firearms.

Is S&W indeed phasing out the internal locks Dale? Not sure if you would know for sure. Many of revolver enthusiasts are "pre-lock" guys through and through. Not that i think it makes a big difference.


Edited by shooter07 - December/12/2010 at 10:31
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 10:57
Back in the days when Bangor Punta and Thompson machine owned smith, as soon as you bought the gun you would box it up and send it in for warranty. Things like mis-aligned barres, bad timing,  were the biggest issue. And this was on every gun! Current owners are at least trying to change the revolver to offer the consumer something. My biggest complaint is the use of mim parts in alot of the smiths of current manufacture. What locks, mine disappeared within 5 mins, of new purchase and I don't know where they went. I prefer the older smiths with the case harding in the hammer and trigger and am not really interested in alot of their new stuff.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 11:10
Good info Dale.My favorite S&W in .357 is my carry,a 640 air snub!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tjtjwdad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 11:12
I have a 686 that came with Hogue grips.  I really like it a lot and it shoots good.  I don't own a GP100 but I have shot them and I'd take one of them too.  It will come down to personnel preference.  With my experence, the 686 has the better factory trigger of the two. 
 
Pythons...they have a slick action but they have really climbed in price.  Of course, they never were cheap. 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 11:13
Originally posted by Dale Clifford Dale Clifford wrote:

Back in the days when Bangor Punta and Thompson machine owned smith, as soon as you bought the gun you would box it up and send it in for warranty. Things like mis-aligned barres, bad timing,  were the biggest issue. And this was on every gun! Current owners are at least trying to change the revolver to offer the consumer something. My biggest complaint is the use of mim parts in alot of the smiths of current manufacture. What locks, mine disappeared within 5 mins, of new purchase and I don't know where they went. I prefer the older smiths with the case harding in the hammer and trigger and am not really interested in alot of their new stuff.


And that's the biggest hangup i've read about the newer batches of revolvers Smith is putting out there. A pretty big majority say Ruger is the more durable gun in terms of overall build at the present time and takes hotter/more powerful loads. Again, i wouldn't personally make judgments until i handled and shot each one extensively, but i've heard a lot of knowledgeable people touch on the MIM issue.


Edited by shooter07 - December/12/2010 at 11:14
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 11:36
FWIW, my Ruger is the SP101 in. .357 Mag. It's solid, well built and shoots great. Cost-wise is was cheaper than the Smith's I looked at. Whats not to like? Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/12/2010 at 12:53
Hotter loads no --- when compared accross the same calibers. I don't know where those rumours started. The forcing cone goes with about the same number of shots in a 44 629 as a redhawk. It doesn't matter if the cylinder/action timing lasts longer in a ruger because its not satisfacory in the first placde. If you compare guns with the same thickness of forcing cones the answer as an even bigger no. If you compare the mod. 27/28 thickness with a ruger 101 its a biggest no. But a mod. 19 is a yes.   fYou cannot shoot 460 loads in a 454 casuall redhawk. Ruger doesn't make a 500.
Just a moment for a digression-- stacking is a term used in PPC shooting   when using DA the shooter can shoot as accurately as when shooting SA.  It involves stopping the trigger pull at the very last for a realignment of the shot. Then the final pull without disturbing the sight picture. This requires a timing in the gun that gives it a very special feel about where you are in the shot sequence. Usually the hammer is also cut down reducing the hammer wt, for faster lock time. My smiths are timed so that one can literally jerk the trigger and the pawl will through the cyclinder into lock with the hammers about 3/4 of the way back, this allows all of the force from the trigger finger to feel the hammer back for the release. EAch and every time. Try that with a ruger action.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 09:44
I'm heading over the shop tomorrow morning after i get up to see what they have in stock revolver wise. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 09:57
Your on a gun buying frenzy so to speakBig Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 10:25
Got to get them in while i can! Kids will put a very large dent in the funding of firearms Big Grin 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 10:32
If you are going to be shooting DA extensively, get a Smith. I cannot get my Rugers to stack up, as smooth as they are.
They are both well built and balance nicely. The Ruger is a bit beefier, but remember, the S&W is forged and the Ruger is cast. Castings will be a bit bigger for equal strength of a forging.


Edited by tahqua - December/13/2010 at 10:33
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 10:33
Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

Got to get them in while i can! Kids will put a very large dent in the funding of firearms Big Grin 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 10:34
Originally posted by supertool73 supertool73 wrote:

Originally posted by shooter07 shooter07 wrote:

Got to get them in while i can! Kids will put a very large dent in the funding of firearms Big Grin 


Wait til your wife wants you to sell your guns to buy new cabinets for the kitchen.  Loco

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/13/2010 at 10:35
Oh it ain't so, thats just what she wants

By the way, my vote is the 686.  My dad has the 7 shot 6" model, it is a very nice revolver. 


Edited by supertool73 - December/13/2010 at 10:36
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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