Can a S&W DA Trigger Ever Equal a Ruger?

[TAROMAN]

I couldn't have imagined it. Shot a GP100 at the range today. That DA trigger action is like warm butter. MUCH better than my Smiths (10, 14, 17, 29 and 60)

Is there anything that can be done to improve these, or is it time to start trading?

 

[kennyb]

you will not have a problem finding trades...a m29 for a gp100??

 

[k22fan]

Dear oh dear, such blasphemy may get you hauled off to the edge of the forum to be stoned by all who read your post.

I have to generalize because individual specimens vary a great deal, but S&W K, L, & N frames can be tuned to have better DA pulls than Rugers are capable of attaining with the possible exception of Ruger's new LCR. The one Ruger LCR I handled had a better factory DA pull than I can recall any tuned S& W J frame having. I have no experience with S&W's enormous X frame so I can't compare them to anything. Admittedly, most new S&Ws, especially those made in the last 20 years do need that action tuning to realize their DA potential but it is unusual for any new Ruger to have a SA pull that is as good as a run of the mill new S&W's.

The GP 100 model that you used to compare brands tends to have the best DA pull of the larger Ruger models. Most of the new Redhawks' DA and SA pulls that I've handled needed gunsmithing. Super Redhawks generally have better as issued DA and SA pulls than Redhawks.

My readers will have experienced different sample revolvers, so as in politics, I don't expect anyone to agree with me. Ruger makes good strong revolvers that neither you nor your heirs are likely to ever wear out, they usually cost less than S&Ws, and there is a Ruger forum where your post would not be called blasphemy. You may indeed be happier with Rugers so feel free to view this as just another dummy's opinion but DA revolver shooting is what I've been specializing in for over 30 years. I suggest you read up on S&W tuning or pay a gunsmith to tune one of your S&W's before dumping them all because you liked the DA pull of a single GP 100 that may have had a better than average DA pull.

Best regards;

Gil

 

[TACC1]

I noticed the same thing when I was looking for a .357.
Got a GP-100, and turned down a Colt Trooper, on the basis of the smoother action. That said, my other Rugers need some help in the smoothness area.
TACC1

 

[murphydog]

I think it depends on what it is about your S & W DA trigger action you find needs improvement. If it is the heaviness of the pull, many install a Wolff spring kit with lighter weight ratings, but with this you can make the action so light that misfires may occur. If it is the pull smoothness or consistency, a light action job may be in order, but personally I find the leaf mainspring (K and N frame) guns to be hard to beat on both these counts...and yes, I have owned and shot DA Rugers.

In any case, congratulations on finding a GP-100 that really clicks with you, pun intended...

 

[tomcatt51]

Unlike the older single spring actions the GP100 trigger can be made pretty nice. There seems to be a wide variance in how they feel stock. First one I took apart surprised me, it looked very much like a S&W inside. Can I make one as good as my S&W's? No. The LCRs are surprisingly good but I did the action on a J frame for a friend to shoot PPC BUG with (Federal primers), 6 1/2 lb trigger. It was hard not to grin shooting it . They can be nice too.

 

[WR Moore]

Even after 25+ years, I can still remember the first Redhawk I went inside of. I had to take a mill file to the hammer slot in the frame to remove interference with the hammer (bad casting?). That it worked on one spring for everything sadly limited what could be done to it.

I've handled exactly one GP100 and was surprised at the smoothness of the stock, but well used, trigger. Think more can be done to it, butter smooth it wasn't. Ruger builds rugged guns, but works of the designers art, they aren't.

I have to admit my first thought reading the original thread topic was to throw a handfull of sand & grease into a Smith.

 

[tomcatt51]

I have to admit my first thought reading the original thread topic was to throw a handfull of sand & grease into a Smith.

+1
But I have to say the GP100 action is a distinct improvement over the old one spring action. When I look at a GP100 I figure it's Fred Flinstone's copy of a S&W.

 

[Grog]

Back in 1997, I had an officer I had taken to the range to qualify on his Service Six. It had the best DA pull of any revolver I'd ever fired.

 

[tomcatt51]

Back in 1997, I had an officer I had taken to the range to qualify on his Service Six. It had the best DA pull of any revolver I'd ever fired.

You must have been shooting a Taurus before the Service-Six.

 

[Rule 303]

I like both Ruger and S&W Revolvers.
I like them even more after I work on the actions.
I learned to shoot in LE when we were taught to stage the trigger in DA Shooting at 25 and 50 yards.
Both Rugers and S&Ws do that well.

Rule 303

 

[tomcatt51]

I liked the GP100 I worked on. I did not like the (pretty normal for Ruger) barrel constriction where it screws into the frame. I really don't like the number of parts that are "factory fit" only and if you send in a gun needing any of those parts replaced they will also return the gun to completey original. That's enough to keep me from owning one but I did find I liked the gun. The DA pull does have a different (longer pull?) feel than a Smith.

 

[Grog]

You must have been shooting a Taurus before the Service-Six.

Not quite sweetie, but my Taurus DAO M85 is smooth if not a tad heavy.

 

[cp1969]

The trigger on my Redhawk .44 is very nice after I cleaned it up, but I don't shoot it double action very often.

 

[tomcatt51]

Not quite sweetie, but my Taurus DAO M85 is smooth if not a tad heavy.

Weren't we discussing revolvers? Sure seemed that way reading the original post, darling.

 

[Grog]

Not quite sweetie, but my Taurus DAO M85 is smooth if not a tad heavy.

Weren't we discussing revolvers? Sure seemed that way reading the original post, darling.

tomcatt51 = Fail

 

[daa9mm]

Its for certain that Ruger didn't come from the factory with a buttery smooth trigger pull. Every Ruger's trigger pull I've ever touched new (except for the LCR) is rough and tough as Rugers are meant to be.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I've done trigger work on both Ruger Double actions, SP101s & GP100s as well as several K & L frame S&Ws..
I'd have to figure that the GP100 you shot has been worked over..
Rugers can be made very smooth & slick, but you'll find that most S&Ws will have a better slicker/smoother trigger pull mostly due to the hammer spring type that the K/L/N frames use..

 

[469Shooter]

I have to admit that my models 19 and 66 were not as smooth as either my Trooper or my Python. Were talking 1980s now. My range master/armorer (Smith Guy btw) worked on my Smiths and made them a lot better. I did shoot a Security Six and did not find it any better (or worse) of a weapon, however. Ruger, Smith, and Colt all make good, rugged, American firearms and I never really had any trouble qualifying with any of them. Maybe I'm just not that much of a stickler for "perfection". My handguns all did what they were supposed to do when they were supposed to do it. Now I have all auto loaders (469/Sigma/410) and they all work as intended also. Just goes to show you all these years later I still must like Smiths!

 

[TSQUARED]

Smoothness in DA trigger pulls is somewhat subjective. Since Ruger, S&W and Colt use entirely different lockwork and springs there is a readilly discernable diffrence between their actions. Whether one is "smoother" than the other is akin to rating beauty which is in the eyes of the beholder. Personally I think the pre WWII long actioned S&W revolvers have the "smoothest" DA actions.