GP100 vs 686

[BigBill]

Ok Investment Casted steel vs. Forged Steel.

Most of the investment castings are made from 4140 steel which is really a good quality steel. The forged steel is the toughest. I have both in auto' s and actually see no difference in wear. There is no wear in both steels.
We hammered both my 1911's just to see which steel process was better for 500rds in each 1911 and both frames are still in New condition. Ruger has done investment casting for many decades now. There probably the world's leader in investment casting. I can't say which one is better. I have both and hammer each one the same way. I have no favorites.

 

[fyimo]

Ruger makes really high quality firearms and I have owned many including a GP 100 4 inch and a 7.5 inch Redhawk and they were both great revolvers. That said I sold both of them and went with S&W with a 686 and a 29-2. I have sold those two S&W revolvers also as my tastes have changed some since I've got older and will be 70 next week. My 357 magnum now is a 4 inch Model 28-2 and my 44 Magnum is a 6 inch 629 no dash.

I also had several Ruger Model 77's with the tang safety and they are great rifles.

 

[aurora40]

So just two cents. I don't have a 686, but have a 629 and a few Rugers. Though I'm not sure that's relevant to this two cents.

For all the people talking about resale value, keep in mind that this applies to products no longer made. Either models or configurations that S&W no longer makes, or just with(out) features that you can't get now.

No one is selling a 686-6 or something for more than a new one sells for. The same somewhat true of Rugers, except that they don't cycle through as many variations or models. That said, an average older discontinued model Ruger probably won't bring the premium that a S&W would (though they also likely didn't sell for the same amount new).

I'd say it is true that older S&W's are more likely to be a good investment, but that seems irrelevant when talking about buying a new firearm, especially if it's a fairly standard 686.

IHave not ever really liked the GP-100. It looks to much like a Taurus.

I have owned a number of S&W revolvers of all sizes.

Not knocking your opinion, I just found that logic funny. Taurus makes revolvers that are literally spitting images of S&W's, and they even use the same names like the Model 65 or 66.

 

[brucev]

Not knocking your opinion, I just found that logic funny. Taurus makes revolvers that are literally spitting images of S&W's, and they even use the same names like the Model 65 or 66.

With respect, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. My reference was to the general appearance of Taurus revolvers as compared to S&W revolvers. That Taurus uses the same model numbers is not surprising. It would be surprising if S&W used Taurus model numbers.

 

[SGT_Calle]

I would not pay more for a new 686 I would find a good used 686 or 586 or buy a GP100 I just bought the Wiley Clap 3in. GP100 and love it. It is not a S&W it is just different. It is like the old saying about Harley Davidson if I have to explain you wouldn't understand.

The Wiley has me seriously looking at Ruger right now. I was thinking I'd like to find a 327 Night Guard but for less money and less hassle I can grab a new Wiley Clapp. Plus, I already have a 686 SSR.

 

[slickracer]

Everyone claims the Ruger is so strong. Quite honestly with all of the extra metal over a Smith, it should be. For me, Ruger means single action revolvers and S&W means DA.

 

[Macinaw]

This Ruger is fun to shoot!

The Wiley has me seriously looking at Ruger right now. I was thinking I'd like to find a 327 Night Guard but for less money and less hassle I can grab a new Wiley Clapp. Plus, I already have a 686 SSR.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I realize there may be some bias. Tell me why I should pay more for the smith, when the ruger is supposedly more durable.


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Although I like Ruger firearms very much, I do not believe that the GP100 is "more durable" than the 686.

The GP100 is probably more durable with Magnum loads than a Model 19 or 66 (K Frame), but I think the best you can say about a match-up between the GP100 and the 686 is that they are equals in the durability department.

That said, due to the use of forgings instead of castings, the S&W, while at least as strong, if not stronger, is leaner than the Ruger.

Recall that when pressure tested, the lowly N Frame outlasted the Ruger in the H. P. White Lab Tests due to the construction of the S&W with forgings. The cylinder blew on the Ruger before the S&W in the big bore, for whatever that is worth.

Ruger and S&W had an advertising war about the GP100 and the 686 back in the 80s, and it culminated with this ad and with Ruger telling its distributors to choose - if they carried S&W, they could no longer carry Ruger. Ruger long ago rescinded that policy.

 

[Donn]

While I prefer S&W and have a 686, it wouldn't bother me one bit if I acquired a GP 100 at some point. My Redhawk and Colt Police Positive get along quite nicely with my Smiths in the safe.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Recall that when pressure tested, the lowly N Frame outlasted the Ruger in the H. P. White Lab Tests due to the construction of the S&W with forgings. The cylinder blew on the Ruger before the S&W in the big bore, for whatever that is worth.

I have never heard this before. Could you help with attribution?

 

[varmint243]

Smith makes nice revolvers
Ruger makes nice revolvers

A friend just bought a 6" GP100 a couple months ago and I had a chance to run a couple cylinders full thru it.
It seems like a very nice piece to me.

I personally tend to like S&W DA revolvers.
I'm not going to bash the Ruger's, they are nice too

I suggest shooting both of them before you buy and then buy the one you prefer.

 

[imakmst]

I keep this handy for threads like these:


I own a 686-4 2 1/2" and a 686-3 4". If it was me, I wouldn't even be considerin' that GP-whatever-it-is.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Finally, I have a 3" GP100 with fixed sights which is a super cool gun. S&W doesn't make a comparable gun nowadays. The fixed sights give the gun some very nice lines.

I want a 3" 686+ with a D&L sports fixed rear sight.

 

[derek45auto]

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have never heard this before. Could you help with attribution?

H.P. White Labs did the tests. The max SAAMI pressure for the 44 Magnum at the time was listed as 40,000 CUP.

The Ruger Super Blackhawk was destroyed in a "controlled test" at 80,000 CUP. The S&W Model 29 also blew at 80,000 CUP. So those two were equal in strength. The Ruger Blackhawk, on the other hand, was only 80% as strong as the S&W and the Super Blackhawk.

 

[jtcarm]

As to durability, if you have time and money to wear out a 686, you should be able to buy 2 or 3.

In a word, Trigger.

I love Rugers for the most part, but not their DA revolvers.

 

[Scuba2do]

I just recently got my first revolver 627 pro. Before I purchased it I shot a bunch of revolvers from Taurus, security six, S&W, and a couple of others I don't recall. The Smith did not hurt my hand when I shot it as compared to the others. It just felt good, thus my decision. YMMV

 

[BigBill]

H.P. White Labs did the tests. The max SAAMI pressure for the 44 Magnum at the time was listed as 40,000 CUP.

The Ruger Super Blackhawk was destroyed in a "controlled test" at 80,000 CUP. The S&W Model 29 also blew at 80,000 CUP. So those two were equal in strength. The Ruger Blackhawk, on the other hand, was only 80% as strong as the S&W and the Super Blackhawk.[/QUOTe

The ruger redhawk is said to be stronger than the super Blackhawk. I still won't abuse my new m29-10 nor any s&w I own. I'm older and wiser now the really hot loads isn't my thing.

 

[Cal44]

As to durability, if you have time and money to wear out a 686, you should be able to buy 2 or 3.

In a word, Trigger.

I love Rugers for the most part, but not their DA revolvers.

The trigger on my recently acquired GP100 is as good as that on my S&W.

It's a little different in that you can tell just before the hammer is released because the pull gets slightly harder. So, in DA, you can shoot it kind of like SA.

Below is a picture of one of these ugly Rugers along with my 642:

 

[bmcgilvray]

Thanks much, Shawn.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

Nice!


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[Invictus357]

Get both.

I did.

Enjoy both.

I do.

 

[andyo5]

I have both. The Ruger needed a bit more work to make it a great shooter, but now it is. In some ways I like it better than the 686. I think it just might be the best revolver Ruger makes.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

Get both.

I did.

Enjoy both.

I do.

I will eventually


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[rwsutley]

My first S&W was a model 53. Since that time I have owned a number of Smiths including a 686 no dash with a six inch barrel. I own only one Ruger, an SP 101 in 327 magnum. Both Smith and Ruger shoot smoothly and more accurately than I do. I like my Smiths but will not turn my nose up at a Ruger. Buy what you can afford and plan to shoot, don't obsess over what you will be able to sell it for someday cause hopefully that day will never come and you will pass down a favorite shooter that will have more value to the recipient than any dollar amount because it was yours.

 

[muzzleblast]

You asked why you should you pay more for a 686 than a GP100? I think the members here have given pleanty of good opinions in favor of both the 686 and the GP100. I will not add to the debate. Rather, if cost is really a significant factor for you; I would ask if you have considered a Ruger Security Six? It is fairly easy to find nice condition Ruger Security Sixes for very reasonable prices, especially at gun shows.

Good luck.

 

[Rebel Soul]

Now its time for my .02...

1st, I love threads like this.
2nd, this is my opinion and no, I don't have the express written consent of MLB or the NFL...

The Ruger is a great revolver.
The Smith is an excellent revolver.

There are some ways the Ruger is just as good as the Smith.
There are some ways the Smith is better than the Ruger.
There are no ways the Ruger is better than the Smith.

That made sense in my head hope it came out in my message.

If you want a great gun that won't embarrass you...get the Ruger.
If you want the best, get a 686 plus and I dare you to prove me wrong.

Now decide and let us know.

 

[g17]

I was just thinking about this very thing this morning while laying in bed. I never owned a Ruger revolver until the 90s because I just didn't care for their looks. However, I now own several security sixes that I looked over 30+ years ago as well as some GP's and Redhawks. I really like them but my analogy goes something like this. A Ruger is that slightly chubby somewhat homely girl that's plenty smart and works like a mule. The S&W on the other hand is smart and works hard too but is the prom queen. I said those very words to my wife while in bed and she said to me, am I a Ruger or a S&W? All joking aside, one of the best 357 magnums ever imo is a pre-lock 686. I liked them well enough to accumulate a few but with that said, if it came down to a new model 686 and a GP100, the Ruger is coming home with me.

 

[old&slow]

I have a 3" Wiley Clapp GP100. I love the looks, feel & balance. The double action trigger is ,,,, well ,, OK.

The DA triggers on my J's, K's, L's, & N frames just seem smoother / better to me. And next on my wish list is a 4", 586.

Both Ruger and S&W make good revolvers and I think personal preference as to which one to get. Sort of the Ford vs Chevy thing. But, I've been a S&W guy for many many years.

 

[jtcarm]

The trigger on my recently acquired GP100 is as good as that on my S&W.

It's a little different in that you can tell just before the hammer is released because the pull gets slightly harder. So, in DA, you can shoot it kind of like SA.

Below is a picture of one of these ugly Rugers along with my 642:

If you're comparing the Ruger to a J-frame, that's apples-to-oranges. The J-frames have coil main springs. The OP is asking about the 686, which has a leaf main spring.

What you describe on the GP100 trigger is stacking, and that's exactly why I prefer S&Ws for DA shooting.

My advice to the OP is find a range that rents guns and try them both.