686 7 shot or Gp100 7 shot?

[Doug627]

Always the Smith.

 

[esoldfuzz]

I appreciate all the quick answers I figured that good SW users would point out any negatives of the ruger pistol but I found this very constructive. As I failed to mention in the post, This would be last line of defense not a hunter . Also have looked at 10mm mostly found in auto's more shots but I like revolvers may just go with 44 mag

 

[Benchrest1]

S&W all the way.

 

[white cloud]

I have the 7 shot GP100. I looked at both the 686 and the GP100. It was a hard choice. Both revolvers are excellent but I had trouble with the "hole".

I carry it in a Simply Rugged Sourdough while working around the farm. It works well in that role. The binding issues to date have been limited to WW white box.

 

[Univibe]

I had the same problem about a year ago. I went to the big gun show thinking I was going to walk out with a six-shot, six-inch stainless .357. It would be either a GP-100 or a 686. I still wasn't sure when I walked in.

After examining both, I just like the way the Smith felt in my hand. It just seemed more "refined," somehow. It was about $80 more than the Ruger, which means, for me, that price wasn't an issue. Plus two of my friends who were at the show ran across me, and urged me to go Smith.

So I walked out with the 686, and don't regret it. Not that there's anything wrong with a GP-100.



Same thing happened just a few months ago. I decided I wanted a .44 Mag as a reloading platform. I walked into that show thinking strongly in favor of a Redhawk. Much stronger gun than a 629, heavier. But then I played with a 6.5 inch 629. Again, it just seemed more "refined," somehow, and felt better.

Since I had no intention of loading mega-bomber loads, I chose the 629. Now, if I was going to push loading to the redline, I'd have gone ahead with the Redhawk; no question it's a stronger platform than the 29 series.

So I ended up with two Smiths.

 

[ogso]

Not to heave a stick of dynamite in the discussion but what if you wanted to handload some "zippier" rounds? Would you still stick with the Smith? I got a Ruger so I could build some bomber loads. If it goes boom I didn't destroy my beautiful Smith.

 

[muddocktor]

Not to heave a stick of dynamite in the discussion but what if you wanted to handload some "zippier" rounds? Would you still stick with the Smith? I got a Ruger so I could build some bomber loads. If it goes boom I didn't destroy my beautiful Smith.

If I want bomber loads, I would buy something chambered in 454 Casull, 460 S&W Mag or 500 S&W Mag. No use trying to make a 44 Mag something it isn't. A 29 or 629 with the full Endurance Package will handle any SAAMI spec loads.

 

[gdpolk]

My next gun will be a S&W 627. I think the 8-shot .357 from S&W is one of the most incredible products in their line and for my preferences it is the most attractive .357 on the market.

 

[sodacan]

Why don't you go over to the Ruger forum and ask them? DUH!

 

[Dpris]

I have one of the early 2.5-inch .357 7-shot Ruger GP snubs.
Out of over 70 different .38 & .357 loads I test-loaded from the shelves here, exactly three gave me rimlock.

Two different WW whitebox magnums & the Federal HST .38 Special.

That's less than a 2% "failure" rate in terms of fit.
All three loads did load 7 and allow the cylinder to be closed.
All three needed extra steam to punch rounds back out again, but did punch out.
All three would have fired all 7 rounds.

None of the three would I normally shoot or carry in that gun, which I happen to like very much.
I could have returned it to Ruger for a trade on another 6-shot GP snub, but for me it's simply no issue whatever, and they had no other .357 GP snubs with adjustable sights.

I just don't load it with ammo I'd never use anyway, and check out what I do load it with in advance.

Ruger was working on correcting that slight issue last year, I'd assume it's no longer a problem by now.

I have no slavish brand loyalty to either company.
Both manufacture models I find useful.
Both manufacture items I would not own as gifts.

I own two 3-inch .357 GPs, one 3-inch .44 Special GP, and this 2.5 7-banger GP.
I also own two Smith 2.5-inch vintage 66 snubs, one unfired.
Those I am VERY fond of.

Among all of them, if I could only keep one, it'd be the 2.5 7-shot GP.
The ammo thing is only an issue if you make it an issue.
Denis

 

[Well Armed]

My next gun will be a S&W 627. I think the 8-shot .357 from S&W is one of the most incredible products in their line and for my preferences it is the most attractive .357 on the market.

Im looking to buy the same... What barrel length are you looking to get?

 

[derek45auto]

 

[spad124]

I don't have the 7 shot versions, but I have a 4" GP and a 6" 686-1. Both are 6 shot. I've had the 686 for 30 years but always liked the GP too. I could never quite trade the 686 on a GP. Finally bought a GP about 4 years ago. I like both. The GP has a little bulkier frame, but not that much over the 686. Both balance well and shoot well. I've had no mechanical problems with either. The 686's action is smoother, but its 26 years older and been shot significantly more. That said, the GP has a good out of the box trigger. The 686 has a bit more refined finish. Frankly I'm nit picking to find differences and both are pretty comparable.

Since my GP is newer it came with, IMO, awful Hogue grips. I quickly found and installed the old rubber and walnut insert grips. They give a much nicer grip! Ruger's decision to install Hogues was probably cost driven. I'm not familiar with the newer 686 grips. My 686 has the old square grip frame and worn Davis grips since the early 90s. Good purchase and control. The targets are in the 686's box.

In full disclosure I have one Ruger revolver, the GP, and a mix of several N and K frame Smith's.

 

[Arquebus357]

I own both. As GP100 owner though, I'm a bit concerned with Ruger parts. Go to Ruger's website, look up parts for GP100 and you get holsters. Also no ebay or amazon sources for Ruger parts. Good thing they are "built like tanks" because I'm seeing that finding parts may be a problem. I can find parts for the "Security" series revolvers but virtually nothing for GP's and SP's.

 

[Ashlander]

I own both. As GP100 owner though, I'm a bit concerned with Ruger parts. Go to Ruger's website, look up parts for GP100 and you get holsters. Also no ebay or amazon sources for Ruger parts. Good thing they are "built like tanks" because I'm seeing that finding parts may be a problem. I can find parts for the "Security" series revolvers but virtually nothing for GP's and SP's.

Try Numrich, Brownells and Midway. There are others on line. I have had no problem getting parts for Ruger firearms.

 

[biku324]

I usually carry an older Security Six while on horseback simply because if I end up on the ground, I have only damaged the Ruger. It's 100% functional and fine, but it's not a Smith, as the first look weill tell you.

 

[CH4]

686, especially if you can find a -4 plus.