S&W 686 or Ruger GP100?

F75gunslinger · Jan 12, 2015

I'd say handle both as much as possible. Find out which one feels better to you, and what feels more natural for opening the cylinder.

The Ruger weighs 36oz ( 3" ) , 40oz ( 4" ) or 45oz ( 6" ) .

The Smith weighs 37oz ( 3" ) , 39oz ( 4" ) or 45oz ( 6" ).

The weights for the Smith and Wesson guns are for 686 plus models.The standard models are a bit heavier ( 1-2 oz ).

That would also be a consideration. You can get a 686 in a standard model with 6 round capacity or the 686 PLUS model which holds 7 rounds for a little bit more. The Ruger is a straight 6 shot cylinder.

Gripgrabber · Jan 12, 2015

I say close your eyes, have someone put one in your hand and which ever fells the best go for it!! I have both and like both and as already stated they both have there good and not so good pros and cons. I also think that what type loads you plan on using would make a big difference, on your choice! Good luck on your choice, either way you can't go wrong.

GAPATRIOT · Jan 12, 2015

I wouldn't wait too long OP on a nice used one,they sell QUICK!!!

mountaineer40 · Jan 12, 2015

I had this same problem and the best answer to your question is to get both. Get one, then when you get a chance, pick up the other one. Both are solid guns made right here in America.

raljr1 · Jan 12, 2015

Local pittsburgh dealer had a 4" 686 on the shelf for $575 the other day. I didn't look closely but it seems in good condition. If the 645 hadn't been $500 I might have looked...

S&W1006 · Jan 12, 2015

upstaterebel said:
Definitely buy the Ruger.

No internal lock.

Gun will shoot high pressure rounds that S&W will not.

Customer service superior.

Second Amendment manufacturer that did not bow to Clinton.

Accurate guns that are over-engineered and made in USA.

Ruger may not have internal locks on their revolvers but they do on some of their other guns I own 2 Rugers with internal locks. Also Bill Ruger was for a 15 round magazine limit for civilians. He would not allow 20 mini 14 mags to be sold to the public. It wasn't until he died that Ruger started selling 20 round mags for the mini 14 again. Plus how can you imply S&W isn't a pro 2nd Amendment company they sell firearms to the public. A lock doesn't make a company anti 2nd amendment.

GAPATRIOT · Jan 12, 2015

Better look into Bill Rugers words/actions of the era as well...Doesn't really matter as neither company is the same as they were back then.

LMWIS · Jan 12, 2015

There was a write-up on the Ruger (albeit the Match Champion version) in the latest edition of the American Rifleman that was very complimentary. I had an interest in getting a GP 100, and the new model seemed to address the trigger which was the main sticking point for me.

I had an opportunity to handle a Match Champion recently, and it seems to me that there is still some work to be done on smoothing out the trigger. In defence of the Ruger, it was a new gun and the trigger may smooth out in time, but I still think I prefer the Smith. YMMV.

nebmike · Jan 13, 2015

And there you have it. The choice should be crystal clear now that everyone has weighed in.

steelslaver · Jan 13, 2015

It would be interesting to read the responses if the same question was posed on a Ruger web site.

I had some Rugers long ago and although good guns once I started buying S&W the Rugers went away and I have never looked back. I did handle a 480 Ruger in a pawn shop the other day but then the S&W 460 I had handled came to mind and I will be getting that instead.

Invictus357 · Jan 13, 2015

nebmike said:
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**

Probably the most accurate and true statement ever said on this subject.

I bought both and like both.

It's like choosing between a Camry or an Accord.

Buy whatever which one you like the most.

Northwoods Trader · Jan 14, 2015

I love my 686 pre-locks, and I own many of them...but man, I also love my GP-100 and the SP-101. When members on here refer to the GP-100 as a tank, their not kidding. I often refer to it as the AK-47 of revolvers. It'll feed just about anything you stick in it without a hiccup. The GP and the SP without a doubt are tougher than the 686...but the 686 is sexier. Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I also find that the GP-100 and SP-101 are much easier to disassemble and work on. This is definitely a huge advantage over S&W.

BobR1 · Jan 14, 2015

I am a fan of both Ruger and Smith & Wesson. I have several examples of both.

My #2 Grail Revolver was/is a 686 with 3 Inch Barrel, Pinned Front Sight, and in a 6 Shooter.
I ended up with a lot less money in my 3 Inch Adjustable Sight GP100. The Grips are Pachmayr ComPac which were New Old Stock. They were discontinued for some reason beyond my grasp. The Speed Loader is a Safariland Comp III in a Big Creek Carbon Fiber print Kydex Speed Loader Carrier.
Note: The dark flutes are carbon. I have not cleaned it after the last trip to the range.

The Holster is a Rocky Hill Leather Pancake with inner hammershield.
I changed the front sight to Fiber Optic. It is Quick Change like on a Performance Center S&W. Standard on an adjustable sight GP100.
The Trigger Job included Wolff Springs, a full Shim package, as well as a little polishing.

The 3 Inch, 6 Shot, 686 was my Grail Revolver. This Ruger is doing a very good job replacing it for a lot less money.

Bob

Golgo 13 · Jan 15, 2015

I think everyone has it covered. Ruger is less refined but easy to work on, and is a TANK. S&W is smooth DA trigger and fit/finish.

CH4 · Jan 15, 2015

FWIW, I also vote for the 686 for aesthetics, trigger and resale.

brianb131 · Jan 15, 2015

You will regret it

If you buy the Ruger, the day you buy it you will be happy as a pig in s##t. After a few months, you will be wishing you had bought the 686.

Canuck44 · Jan 15, 2015

Well it seems to me to be a Chevy - Ford thing. I have a GP-100 4.2" and a 686 No Dash marked with the CS or "Customs Service" 4+" - it is 105.14 MM with adjustable sights.

The 686 No Dash with rubber grips weighs one ounce more that the Ruger GP-100. The S&W weighs more...NOT LESS!

The S&W DA trigger pull is as smooth as the Ruger. Both are excellent and pull at almost the identical weight. I can't tell the difference. The SA in both guns is crisp and break like glass.

I have not change the sights on the 686. They are excellent and adjustable. The sights on the Ruger are excellent and adjustable. The front sight is FO.

I would not trade you straight up for a new 686 for either of my two guns. S&W quality today is not what it was when my gun came out of the factory.

Because of the FO front sight the Ruger is my primary IDPA gun with the S&W is a back-up.

The Ruger locks up like a bank vault. The S&W locks up.

Lastly, S&W recently came out with a gun to compete with the GP-100 for IDPA play. Ruger makes the gun with a 4.2" barrel to meet IDPA max. barrel length and coincidentally our gun law restrictions. S&W makes their competition gun with a 4" barrel which makes it illegal for Canadian sales. IDPA is Canada's fastest growing handgun sport.

Ruger listens to shooters and does their homework...S&W apparently does neither. That said they did come out with a "Canadian" version of the 686 with a 4.2" barrel well after Ruger captured a good part of the IDPA revolver market up here.

To me the Ruger is a much better buy.

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Take care

Bob

at_liberty · Jan 15, 2015

Miles2014 said:
OK,

Need some knowing advice here...I'm going to get one of these, but am tring to figure out which one. I know this is a S&W forum, so not totally unbiased, but is the extra $200-300 more for the 686 worth it? I shot the GP 100 today and really liked it. Never shot the S&W. Could current and/or previous owners let me know what you think?

Thanks for the help!

My 686-6 is really nice after hundreds of dollars worth of work, but for a brand new, current production gun, done over again, I would rather have the GP100. I can't actually make a direct comparison, because my GP100 is 5", and the 686 is 4". Looks like I may get a Match Champion, since they can't (won't) rebarrel my Police Service Six. As soon as I can get them to give me the price up front, before letting them scrap my gun, I will decide.

Scuba2do · Jan 15, 2015

I have a 6 inch GP100. I tricked it out with a fluorescent site up front and have Chig's grips on the handle. I love that gun. I bought it used from my lgs for $500. It's accurate as the day is long. I also have a 627. I really like both and I really can't decide which one is better. You can't go wrong with the ruger.

R. G. Amos · Jan 15, 2015

I have a PC 627, 2-7/8" barrel and a Ruger GP 100 Wiley Clapp, 3" barrel. I prefer the Ruger. But I prefer the Smith 629 to the Ruger Redhawk.

S&W 686 or Ruger GP100?

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