S&W 686 or Ruger GP100?
- Thread starter Miles2014
- Start date
This is a very good thread. It has about covered all the pluses and minuses of both models. For me, I have owned over a half dozen of each, and all I have left is 2 GP100's. One is a 5 inch model and the other is a 3 inch model with adjustable sights. I love my Smith & Wesson revolvers, but when it comes to these particular revolvers, I've settled on the GP100 as my favorite.
da gimp
Member
around here, there are very few, if any, stocking dealers that carry after market grips, speed loaders & holsters for the various Ruger revolvers..........
while every dealer carries several types of grips, holsters & probably speed loaders too.........for the S&W & a even some for the Colt Python & Agents/Cobras. This sure makes a difference........ because most dealers will let you try a set of their grips on your gun before you buy, if they are already in stock........ but 100% of non stocked/special order goods must be paid for in advance......... on grips and holsters ,that can & will get derned expensive, very quickly.
while every dealer carries several types of grips, holsters & probably speed loaders too.........for the S&W & a even some for the Colt Python & Agents/Cobras. This sure makes a difference........ because most dealers will let you try a set of their grips on your gun before you buy, if they are already in stock........ but 100% of non stocked/special order goods must be paid for in advance......... on grips and holsters ,that can & will get derned expensive, very quickly.
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one eye joe
US Veteran
I REALLY CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT "HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK" HAD TO BE DONE TO YOUR 686-6 TO MAKE IT "REALLY NICE". WAS IT A BASKET CASE ? ? ? I HAVE HANDLED MANY 686s IN MY YEARS OF SHOOTING--INCLUDING 3 OF MY OWN, ALL PURCHASED USED. NONE OF THEM REQUIRED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF WORK. THE 686 IS BUILT LIKE A TANK, AND UNLESS YOU USE IT AS A SLEDGE HAMMER, OR A CROW BAR, IT WILL STAND UP TO MANY GENERATIONS ON NORMAL USE, W/O NEEDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF WORK…...
Speedloaders and holsters for the 686 are the same ones used for the Ruger GP-100. Your dealers are missing out of a lot if business if they don't stock Ruger stuff.
Take Care
Bob
keithherrington
Member
I've had a couple 686's in the past, but ended up getting rid of them. I currently have 3 different GP-100's. I, for one, much prefer the GP over the 686. I like the looks better and I'm more comfortable with the idea of feeding them the steady diet of hot handloads that I use. The 'push-in' cylinder release is more natural for me to use quickly for speed reloads than the 'slide-forward' style that Smith uses.
The triggers aren't as bad as most would have you believe and they are quite easy to make better if you so choose - with very easy to change springs and a little polishing with a buffing wheel on a dremel. I own several other S&W revolvers, including a couple Performance Center guns, and I'm here to say that I'd put the triggers in my GP's up against any of my Smith triggers.
As a shooters gun, one of the biggest reasons I like the GP's over Smiths is I really like how the Rugers are timed, where the cylinder rotates and locks well before the finish of a double-action trigger stroke - allowing for very easy, and quick, manipulation of fine trigger control for accurate shots. All of my Smiths are timed so that the cylinder locks much later in the cycle, making it (for me) more difficult to get fine control of the DA trigger stroke.
Really you cant go wrong with either one. But the truth is that as far as quality and workmanship of new specimens of either brand - there isn't a hill of beans worth of difference. I think most folks who would really try to convince you otherwise are doing so more out of brand loyalty rather than a legitimate unbiased opinion.
**sorry for the low quality cell phone pic**
I'm a die hard S&W wheelgun fan and have been my entire life, but I had the opportunity to buy a new in box Wiley Clapp GP100 (the middle gun above) and was uber impressed with every aspect of it to include accuracy. If I were looking for one gun that would be my pick. Great carry gun and also perfectly suited to IDPA. What's not to like?
Keith
I'm a new member here and i have to say how impressed i am with the level of this discussion and the civility shown here. On some other sites this would have degenerated into insults and fan-boy ranting long ago.
My sentiments exactly...,
ChicagoZman
Member
I like them both very much but think that they are just a little too much in size and weight for a .357, preferring the discontinued Security Six.
RudyN
Member
I just brought my GP100 home today. I will post pictures of it on a new thread when I dig out the camera. I am tempted to get a 686 when I get the money, just to compare them.
Sent from the Telegraph Office
Sent from the Telegraph Office
LDThornton
Member
I also have owned both. The Ruger GP100 would sometimes jam up tight if the trigger wasn't allowed to return to it's forward position between shots when used in DA. My S&W's always work perfectly. Bottom line, I would not trust my life to a Ruger GP100.
There's a review and video of the Match Champion here for those interested. My LGS had it for $699 but I traded for it. As I mentioned in a previous post, I would not part ways with it. And please, I'm not bashing Smiths as I have a number and am a big fan of them.
Is the Ruger GP100 Match Champion better than a Smith & Wesson? (VIDEO)
edit: Ruger is making it with an adjustable rear site now.
Is the Ruger GP100 Match Champion better than a Smith & Wesson? (VIDEO)
edit: Ruger is making it with an adjustable rear site now.
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one eye joe
US Veteran
I HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM WITH A SECURITY SIX, MANY YEARS AGO. I SOLD IT OFF. AT THE TIME, I ONLY OWNED PYTHONS AND DIAMONDBACKS, AND JUDGED THEM TOO NICE TO BANG AROUND CANOE FISHING IN THE STATE OF MAINE. I PURCHASED THE RUGER FOR THAT PURPOSE…………..
one eye joe
US Veteran
at_liberty
Member
We do well but could still benefit greatly by segregating discussion of the current production and ownership era, a divisive subset of the current forum section.
Stainz
Member
I started with Rugers - owning nearly one, or more, of everything from .22LR to .454 Casull, SA & DA alike. My wife gifted me a 625MG in .45 Colt 9/02 and the conversion started. My only remaining Ruger is an Old Army C&B bp revolver. I buy new and every Ruger I've bought needed TLC to function - my .45 Redhawk was back at Ruger for a month. Only one S&W had to go home - my 351PD needed a better made extractor star. It was back in a lot less time, too.
Looking at Davidson's, their current sale price for a 4" GP-100 is $594 - the 4" 686 is $710 - that's a $116 real difference, not the $300+ some have suggested. Both weigh 40 oz. The S&W is hammer-forged and heat-treated - the Ruger is cast steel. My choice is clear... but what would you expect from an S&W forum??
I only have one 686 family member - a half lugged 5" 686P 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' from '04. I have several 627's (X8!), however.
Stainz
Looking at Davidson's, their current sale price for a 4" GP-100 is $594 - the 4" 686 is $710 - that's a $116 real difference, not the $300+ some have suggested. Both weigh 40 oz. The S&W is hammer-forged and heat-treated - the Ruger is cast steel. My choice is clear... but what would you expect from an S&W forum??
I only have one 686 family member - a half lugged 5" 686P 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' from '04. I have several 627's (X8!), however.
Stainz
dipperdave
Member
Both are excellent revolvers that will provide a lifetime of use by you and continue to work well for those that come after you. Don't let the nit-pickers and infinite detail guys sway you one way or the other. Their arguments are almost useless in real world use.
I favor Smith & Wesson double action revolvers. Best triggers of any brand I have ever felt, and that is across the board for their frame sizes, with the possible exception of the J frames which I don't use.
The Ruger is built like a tank but it's trigger is not a good as the 686 and it is plain butt ugly. Okay, that last is a personal opinion but one you hear often about Ruger double action revolvers.
Either is good choice for actual use but I would, and have, voted with my dollars for the 686.
Good luck with your choice.
I favor Smith & Wesson double action revolvers. Best triggers of any brand I have ever felt, and that is across the board for their frame sizes, with the possible exception of the J frames which I don't use.
The Ruger is built like a tank but it's trigger is not a good as the 686 and it is plain butt ugly. Okay, that last is a personal opinion but one you hear often about Ruger double action revolvers.
Either is good choice for actual use but I would, and have, voted with my dollars for the 686.
Good luck with your choice.
