Has GP100 v 686 durability ever been verified?

jtcarm · Aug 21, 2015

So, we've all seen the question "GP100 or 686" question enough to make us all sick.

The part that really annoys me, though, are the myriad of responses making blanket statements about Rugers alleged better durability with zero proof. It seems to be an article of faith.

Mind you, I'm not saying it isn't so, I've just never seen anything approaching sufficient evidence to make such a categorical statement as "the GP100 will keep going long after the 686 is worn out" (ignoring that the average shooter will never come close to wearing out a 686.).

I'm talking about real, objective tests, like taking a new specimen of each, measuring dimensions & accuracy at the start and regular intervals, shooting the same ammo in each and seeing which becomes un-shootable first, not "yeah I had both and the GP100 was better." Anecdotes like that don't support a such blanket statements.

So, anyone heard of such?

johnc486 · Aug 21, 2015

Answer: NO
I own a 686-6 and really like it, however, my next gun purchase will be a GP 100. I like the way the GP 100 breaks down for cleaning compared to the breakdown of the 686. I'm sure I'll never wear either out during my remaining days, just luv revolvers.

Pef · Aug 21, 2015

I think people opine that the Ruger is more durable due to its larger size, which is ill-informed.

I don't know which design would last "longer."

I do know that I won't wear out my 686 in my lifetime, so the question really is of no concern to me.

Rick_A · Aug 21, 2015

Rugers haven't been around long enough to find out. There's plenty of nearly century old Smiths still working fine, many after being put through hell and back.

I'm not impressed with thick cylinder walls and chunky frames. I tried to like the idea of a GP100, but it's no lighter or smaller than my N frame 357, so why bother?

ISCS Yoda · Aug 22, 2015

I have an old Ruger Service Six 4" and an old Ruger Security Six 2.5" - I like my equivalent 686s better but I don't think I'll ever wear any of them out so who cares, anyway?

jstanfield103 · Aug 22, 2015

I think I will keep lips tight on this one. I own 1 S&W revolver and several Ruger Revolvers.

Lou_the_welder · Aug 22, 2015

Wow. Just read this and had to chime in.....i own a kgp -100 6" stainless and owned a gp -100 6" and RECENTLY purchased a 627 performance center! My Ruger outperforms my 627! Especially with hot loads! 110grXTP Hornady fly through and don't seem to bother the frame of the Ruger and seemed to be a problem for the 627! I purchased the 5" 8 shot as a replacement for my 6 shot Ruger.....doesnt seem to be happening any time soon. It didn't even seem to handle my 38 special 158 gr xtreme semi wadcutters! It transferred noticeable recoil even with 3gr titegroup? (I need to check that-going on memory. ..) and the Ruger not only eats them up like 22s but accuracy to boot! ? Take it from me- or ignore me. I own enough smiths to have a credible assessment of either platform and can tell you if you're stuck with those Smiths just because of the price? You got another thing coming. ...Ruger makes a fine tough gun, worthy of any weekend shooter! Ive never had to send it back. And so far ive sent 2 smiths back. (686+,625JM ) . Dont get me wrong- i love my model 66 (which somehow, miraculously im good at 25 yards - i think it has something to do with the weight. .....) and would NEVER dream of selling. And im not bashing. This is an observation. Im going to keep my 8 shot 627 (just going to develope lower powdered loads and figure out why those 8 wont go in snuggly even with the moon clips...) so dont discount the Ruger. If you ever tried one and shot over 10,000 rounds like i have, you would know exactly what i mean.

varmint243 · Aug 22, 2015

I exactly get what the OP is talking about.
I worked for a company that did a lot of scientific testing.
Opinion and anecdotal evidence are not documented scientific test results.
IMO only the military or a manufacturer would have the resources to do a proper scientific test to destruction of the two.

My opinion on the matter based on non-scientific testing is that Smith and Ruger both make fine revolvers.
I suggest picking the one that you prefer.

for me
Smith DA revolvers
Ruger semi auto .22's
Ruger single actions
Ruger SRH for handgun hunting

Jdavis · Aug 22, 2015

ISCS Yoda said:
I have an old Ruger Service Six 4" and an old Ruger Security Six 2.5" - I like my equivalent 686s better but I don't think I'll ever wear any of them out so who cares, anyway?

I agree. The question isn't an issue for any of us. I can't imagine that anyone would take the time and money to perform such a long term test using truly scientific methods to prove that brand X would break after so many thousands of hot rounds. Pick the one you like or both and be happy that you have the option to do so.

Hillbilly77 · Aug 22, 2015

But Rugers are thicker.....

Waywatcher · Aug 22, 2015

I've never seen anything close to a scientific comparison; I would love to.

From a practical standpoint, I prefer S&W DA revolvers mainly due to grip options. There's so few for Ruger; the old standard grip is too small and the hogue shape hurts my thumb.

Pef · Aug 22, 2015

Lou_the_welder said:
Wow. Just read this and had to chime in.....i own a kgp -100 6" stainless and owned a gp -100 6" and RECENTLY purchased a 627 performance center! My Ruger outperforms my 627! Especially with hot loads! 110grXTP Hornady fly through and don't seem to bother the frame of the Ruger and seemed to be a problem for the 627! I purchased the 5" 8 shot as a replacement for my 6 shot Ruger.....doesnt seem to be happening any time soon. It didn't even seem to handle my 38 special 158 gr xtreme semi wadcutters! It transferred noticeable recoil even with 3gr titegroup? ....

??? You have a 44 oz N Frame. This doesn't make any sense to me. What does it mean that the loads were a problem for the "frame?"

clayflingythingy · Aug 22, 2015

Waywatcher said:
I've never seen anything close to a scientific comparison; I would love to.

From a practical standpoint, I prefer S&W DA revolvers mainly due to grip options. There's so few for Ruger; the old standard grip is too small and the hogue shape hurts my thumb.

The Ruger Exec who approved the change to the Hogue grips should have been immediately terminated. I prefer the old style grips the GP was introduced with. I have small hands and find the GP with old style grips to be better for my use in DA shooting. Pacmayr Grippers with the open backstrap are close but not quite "right" on the S&W for me.

I have had to return more Ruger firearms to the factory than any other brand.

If I ever buy the 686+ 3 inch I sometimes consider I won't really worry about how it will hold up.

Lou_the_welder · Aug 22, 2015

This didnt make any sense to me either. I assumed the legendary N frame would eat my 16+gr ,2400 powder , 110gr XTP Hornady (with a modest crimp at the cannelure...) with no problems. The 45 oz. Kgp -100 has a steady diet of those btw! The issue being more noticeable recoil which affects accuracy and noticeably different rifling! These are what i mean by "having problems".
I am contemplating trying to acquire a "686 competitor". But its 6 shot capacity only, would make me question that move. Seeing as that my Ruger is also a 6 shot. The 6" 686+ i have handles the loads better but not as good as the Ruger (no where near....) and during 100 rounds only of 2400 powder rounds did the cylinder decide to go out of timing! And that was after having only 3-400 rounds in that gun total after a new purchase!
And I've now recently heard of force cone (nose) issues with the 627 after "hot" loads (not mine tho, we'll see what happens....) which does again question STRENGTH and DURABILITY. Two things i value most highly. Let me be clear. Im not a collector, all my guns are shooters and the ones that arent are sold.

jimbo728 · Aug 22, 2015

Some people like Fords, some people like Chevys.
I just prefer the Smith because of looks and feel. And they just keep going.
The only Ruger d/a Ive owned was a great big Redhawk, back in the `80s. Great gun but at the time did not "need " it.
That being said, my next .44 is going to be a 629. It just looks nicer to me.
The GP`s have there devoted fans and so do the Smith L frame people.
It is all about what one likes.
Jim

johngalt · Aug 22, 2015

I have both, prefer the 686.

I've never seen any reports of anyone testing them to destruction to compare, so I'm guessing the statements that Rugers are stronger come from a few observations:

The ruger has a beefier frame, in particular the top strap area.

The ruger has no side plate, so it both sides of the frame are providing strength vs one side on the smith.

I've seen claims that due to the design, the ruger is less suseptical to end shake.

That said, a 686 will stand up to a lifetime of full power shooting, so I don't care if the ruger has some added strength. The 686 has a far better trigger, better fit and finish, which more than makes up for any irrelevant strength difference.

Doug M. · Aug 22, 2015

I doubt anyone will ever get enough of each model together and shoot them all to failure. Too much time and money. Heck, even doing so with one of each would take a lot of both, and would not be generalizable. I'm pretty sure that durability questions would be about the last factor I would consider in choosing between them.

slickracer · Aug 22, 2015

The way MIM triggers and hammers get criticized, I find it interesting no one ever criticizes the cast frame of the GP100. I like single action Ruger revolvers but when it comes to double action, it's S&W for me.

guy sajer · Aug 22, 2015

Quick story but related .

About 2009 a long time customer stopped in our store with the GP-100 6" stainless he bought from us about 1995 . It was the short lived mirror polish finish . "The forcing cone was cracked , can we help ... "

He had documented approximately 74,000 rounds fired by himself over the approx 15 yrs he had owned it , ALL factory loaded .357 Mag 158 gr JHP . That's the only load he fired . No 38 spl .

We sent it to Ruger telling them the story . Ruger didn't have a hi polish barrel in their parts dept so they polished one up just for his gun . Turn around time was about 8 wks ... No Charge .

No other parts were changed except springs .

Ranger514 · Aug 22, 2015

I doubt either would wear out in a lifetime, unless both were subjected to a steady diet of hot loads. If that were the case, I suspect the Ruger would have fewer issues over time. There's a reason Linebaugh Custom Sixguns of Cody, WY prefers Ruger for their customized work. Maybe they could supply some data from test results that could answer the OP's question.

As for S&W, my 66 snubby is still going strong after 25 years, and it's spit out a large diet of the dreaded 125 gr. defensive loads without any issues. I haven't really put my recently acquired 686+ to the test, but I'm even less concerned with it getting worn out. Now, if I had to choose which of my handguns to use as a club, the Ruger New Vaquero would be my choice.

Has GP100 v 686 durability ever been verified?

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