Bought a Ruger instead

Cal44 · Aug 18, 2013

I mentioned earlier that I found a 686 SSR Pro in a LGS, but didn't buy it because of a misaligned barrel.

Well, I went back today, and they had a Ruger GP-100 in stock.

After all the discussion about triggers, I figured the DA trigger on the GP-100 would be not so hot.

Wrong. It was very nice. Almost as good as the SSR Pro. As good as most 686's I've tried.

It also had the barrel screwed on straight.

I bought it at almost $400 less than the 686 SSR.

No infernal lock on GP-100's either

It's a 4" blue gun. Now I have to wait to get it while California processes paperwork.

Modified · Aug 18, 2013

The brand new rugers are kind of amazing. I was molesting a new SP101 a few months back and the quality was really fantastic. The lockup was 100%. I've never felt lockup like that on anything short of a colt.

Ruger is really killing it right now honestly. A GP100 is a heck of a gun. Still can't quite beat a properly tuned S&W, but straight out of the factory I think any brand new Ruger will be a better gun then a brand new S&W right now.

00Buck2 · Aug 18, 2013

Ruger makes a good product and I own a few. One happens to be a GP 100.

If your referring to a pre lock smith fit and finish, your comparing apples to oranges.

I can not comment on Smiths made after 1995 because I don't own any.

71firebird400 · Aug 18, 2013

I love my GP100; just got some new stocks for it that are blatant copies of S&W Combat Stocks. Made in Thailand, but they fit great, the wood looks amazing, and they are very comfortable. For $40 I think they are one heck of a deal.

steamloco76 · Aug 18, 2013

I've had four GP-100's over the years and must say the newest one, from the New Hampshire factory, was the best. All were accurate and over-built.

One Ruger advantage is their modular construction which makes home gunsmithing much simpler. I replaced the factory trigger rebound spring with one 2Lbs lighter in my two older GP's which made a remarkable difference in the DA trigger pull.

KLYDE · Aug 18, 2013

The LGS had a new one in stock last week. In hand inspection appeared to be very good quality.

eveled · Aug 18, 2013

I own a fixed sight GP100 and it has been a great gun. You will enjoy yours. Ed

Sixgun100 · Aug 18, 2013

I love both S&W and Rugers. You will be happy with your new GP-100. I have two. Best wishes!

GP-100 3" and S&W Model 65 3"

fishcreekrim · Aug 18, 2013

The last new gp100 I looked at was a nice gun, unfortunately there was noticeable creep in the single action trigger.

Deal killer for me.

Will Carry · Aug 18, 2013

I just sold my Ruger GP-100 ss 4" to a good friend. It is a fine revolver but a safe queen to me. After I bought a Ruger Bisley Vaquero .357, the GP-100 had to take second seat. The Bisley is one of my range guns of choice and it is as accurate as any I own. Loads of fun.

The Ruger GP-100 is built like a tank, but it is also as heavy as a tank. It's like wearing an anvil on you hip.

jmark1651 · Aug 18, 2013

GP100's are solid and dependable. I have never tried to tune one(action job) but I am sure they can be sweetened up! Kinda reminds me of a model 28. No thrills, but all business!

wproct · Aug 18, 2013

Me too!

steamloco76 said:
I've had four GP-100's over the years and must say the newest one, from the New Hampshire factory, was the best. All were accurate and over-built.

One Ruger advantage is their modular construction which makes home gunsmithing much simpler. I replaced the factory trigger rebound spring with one 2Lbs lighter in my two older GP's which made a remarkable difference in the DA trigger pull.

This is the exact same experience that I have had. I had to do a double take and make sure that I didn't write this post and forgot about it!

Modified · Aug 18, 2013

jmark1651 said:
GP100's are solid and dependable. I have never tried to tune one(action job) but I am sure they can be sweetened up! Kinda reminds me of a model 28. No thrills, but all business!

They can certainly be sweetened up a lot. I have an old .41 Magnum Redhawk with an excellent DA trigger.

shawn mccarver · Aug 18, 2013

It is beyond doubt that Ruger makes very high quality firearms. The part I like about both S&W and Ruger is that both represent the highest form of the art of gun making and that both are made in the USA with American labor. S&W and Ruger may have both been a tad behind the curve in semi-auto pistol design and construction, but the M&P and the SR Series Rugers are both excellent pistols. Many agencies prefer hammer fired actions and I note that the HK LEM, the SIG DAK and the new Walther PPX, all of which have hammer fired light DAO mechanisms, are very popular. I hope that S&W has something on the drawing board with a light pull DAO hammer fired mechanism as many of the government and military type people prefer hammer-fired for perceived better reliability and safety, especially when compared to the partially pre-cocked or fully pre-cocked striker mechanisms of many of the current generation of Glock "clones."

357-RevolverGuy · Aug 18, 2013

Ruger makes fine revolvers. If you like their double actions you should also try one of their single actions sometime. I feel they have better finish and nicer grips.

Vaman49 · Aug 18, 2013

I bought a 4 inch GP100 and a little later bought a 3 inch 686 Plus. After handling and shooting both I sold the Ruger to finance a 681. I haven't looked back. The GP100 is a great revolver and I'm not knocking it but my 686 is a little bit better to me.

Now my Ruger SP101 is a whole different matter. It's a perfect little carry gun. I'd let my Model 60 Pro go before that little Ruger.

Redlegvzv · Aug 18, 2013

I am a Smith guy and a Ruger guy. My family owns two GP100s and two 686s. I would be hard-pressed to say which is built better or which shoots better. I can say that the new production GP100s are outrageously well-made, with superb fit-and-finish, great looks, decent triggers and overall stellar quality. Right now Ruger is doing something right. I have not experienced any of the issues with new Smiths that you sometimes read about; all of ours are pretty flawless with no canted barrels or bad stuff like that.

The 686 trigger is shorter and snappier than the Ruger's on double action. The Ruger's is longer, smooth, easy to "stage" if you want to do that. I had a modest trigger job done by my trusted gunsmith on the GP100 and the result is the easiest-to-shoot 357 double action trigger that I have ever had. So you can do a lot with a Ruger.
In my opinion the GP100 is "excellent" for SA, but the Smith is even better.
Bottom line is that you are not going to go wrong with either a 686 or a GP100. For the money the GP100 is an exceptional value in my opinion anyway.

Old cop · Aug 18, 2013

I tried two Ruger LCP .380 pistols but could not get them to run right so off they went. My Ruger Vaquero .357 is an excellent gun, the stainless looks great and it's loads of fun to shoot.

Cal44 · Aug 18, 2013

357-RevolverGuy said:
Ruger makes fine revolvers. If you like their double actions you should also try one of their single actions sometime. I feel they have better finish and nicer grips.

I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag. 5.5" stainless with great fit and finish. It shoots great also.

But I bought a 625JM recently and it was great in fit and finish and shooting also.

One other Ruger I have on my list is a 357 mag convertible. It comes with the 357 mag cylinder and also a 9mm cylinder.

9 mm is a great round, inexpensive, great ballistics, and I've been wanting a revolver for a while. Too bad S&W stopped making them.

Redlegvzv · Aug 18, 2013

Cal44 said:
I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag. 5.5" stainless with great fit and finish. It shoots great also.

But I bought a 625JM recently and it was great in fit an finish and shooting also.

One other Ruger I have on my list is a 357 mag convertible. It comes with the 357 mag cylinder and also a 9mm cylinder.

9 mm is a great round, inexpensive, great ballistics, and I've been wanting a revolver for a while. Too bad S&W stopped making them.

The 625JM in my opinion is an exceptionally fine handgun. What a blast shooting it at the range as others are shooting 1911s. With moon clips I can reload about as quickly as the 1911 guys. What a fun revolver to shoot!

Bought a Ruger instead

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