M686 or Ruger GP100?

[Redlegvzv]

Our family has both a 686 and a Ruger GP100 as well as several other Ruger and S&W revolvers. I would not part with any of them.

I had a $65 trigger job done on the GP100 and it shoots like a dream. Like the 686 it is a beautiful gun that always elicits compliments at the range:

 

[junedog]

I own a 686-3, and two GP100's. It to me would be a very hard call to choose between the two, but if I knew that I was going in harms way and not shooting paper I would choose the GP100. My opinion only and you know the old saying about opinions.

 

[snowman.45]

I have both. the GP100 is very stout. Mine has a great trigger. However, the 686 is like a fine watch; great trigger, great feel to it. As was said above, if I had to choose one to go into a bad place with for an indeterminate time, I'd choose the GP100 for its strength, but not by much.

 

[Will Carry]

The GP-100 is a poor man's 686. The 686 is more refined, smoother with a better trigger. The GP-100 is a little heavier and less expensive.
As far as I am concerned Smith And Wesson and Sturm Ruger are the only choices if you want a wheel gun.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

This is the old Ford vs Chevy argument. if you ask me. I love them both. I am on the lookout for a nice used 4" GP100 and when I see one at a good price I'm gonna snag it. I got 686's a 681 a 66....but I want a GP100.

 

[Redlegvzv]

I often see the comment that the S&W 686 is "more refined." I have no idea what that means. The GP100 has a user-changeable front sight (versus the staked 686 front sight) a finish that is just as nice, and a build that by all accounts is more robust.

Nothing against the 686 which is a beautiful firearm, but I agree that this is a Ford v. Chevy argument.

 

[sodacan]

My unbiased opinion is that all Ruger double-action revolvers are really ugly.

 

[BigBill]

I have a ruger police service six i purchased in 1976 and still have it. I lubed it with moly and its awesome. I still prefer the older 357mag rugers and i just purchased a few years back a ruger security-six in 357mag w/6" barrel in blue for $199 used but still new looking. Right now i have my eye on a ruger security six 357mag 6" barrel in stainless for around $375. If i purchased a S&W in 357mag it would be a model 27 or model 28 the heavier frames. I just like the S&W N frames. But for a lighter smaller 357mag the ruger is hard to beat and tough like a mack truck. Remember I'm still a S&W newbie.

 

[crowel57]

I did the same comparison a few months ago. The only S&W I owned at the time was the Governor. I didn't own any Rugers. What sold me on the 686 was that I picked up a 20 yr old S&W 38 special and dry fired it. The trigger on that thing was as smooth as any of the brand new S&Ws I had handled, and maybe even smoother than the new Rugers.

 

[BigBill]

What pushed me towards the rugers in the beginning was the rugers having no screws to come loose. This was a time when the S&W model 19 in 357mag if you shot it alot with stout it got hammered apart the track record of thje model 19 isn't that great. I fed all my rugers magnum loads and they wanted more.

 

[MikeyB]

I have both. If you want a shooter that can handle hot .357 magnum handloads day in and day out get the GP100. If you want a occasional shooter that looks pretty get the 686.

Better yet, get both.

 

[Capt Crunch]

I think it's really a choice in the amenities of the particular revolver. The trigger, the grip, the cylinder release. Personally I don't care for the Ruger cylinder release. But then again, if I found one at a good price....it'd be gone.

 

[wproct]

I currently own both a 686-4 4"bbl and a GP100 5"bbl revolver. I love both of them and honestly don't think I could choose between the two if I had to let go of one. I know if I did, I would immediately be second guessing myself and would be out shopping to replace the one I let go.

The GP100 is one handsome rugged revolver. It's frame is squared and simple on the topstrap and throughout. It is so well engineered without a frame sideplate and with a trigger assembly that is removable as a group. It is very easy for the owner with modest mechanical abilities to change springs and smooth out. I bought mine new and the trigger action was very light and smooth right out of the box. I did put in lighter trigger return and hammer springs, but it really wouldn't have been necessary.

The 686 frame is more sculptured and rounded and therefore has a more graceful feeling to it. To me the action also has more of a precision feeling to it. It's a simple design that has been tried and proven for decades. Either revolver should serve a shooter for a lifetime provided that they are given reasonable care. I just feel very lucky to be living in a time that I can own and enjoy both of them.

 

[g17]

I own them both but I thought that was a requirement. Like posted above, if its a newer 686, post -4, I'll take the ruger. With that said, the smith is just simply a more refined pistol and every one I've owned has had a much nicer action than a ruger. The ruger action isn't that bad and over time will smooth out nicely and like a smith, are very accurate guns. Buy them both.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Couple of GP100 pics.

Why no 686 pics yet???

 

[18DAI]

I have 4 pre lock 686's including a 686-4+. I also now own two GP100's.

If it were not for the 2001 to present day S&W revolvers, I would never have discovered how nice the Ruger revolvers are.

So if you must have new, current production, go with the Ruger GP100. More gun for your money with everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't.

If used is an option, get a nice pre lock 686. Fine looking, good shooting, well made revolver that holds its resale value. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI

 

[Canuck44]

Here are my two favourite revolvers. The 686 weighs exactly one ounce more than the Ruger...go figure.

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The Ruger is the better buy and my primary IDPA gun.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Brasky]

This thread is two years old