I bow hunt. The last two years I've had encounters coming out of my stand with gray wolves coming within 100 yards. This fall I'd like to carry in a 6" .357 mag with me for self-protection, should the need arise. I'm not knowledgeable on revolvers and am confused by the number of S&W models and version numbers. I am considering a 6" Ruger GP100. What S&W model/version (new or good used) would you recommend I take into consideration? Budget $500-700.
Thanks in advance. Keith
THE VERY BEST REVOLVER FOR YOUR PURPOSE WOULD BE A CLEAN, USED, PRE LOCK M686+. THE + VERSION WOULD GIVE YOU 7 SHOTS, AS OPPOSED TO 6. (SOMEONE WITH DASH NUMBERS AT THEIR FINGERTIPS MAY BE ALONG TO TELL US WHICH DASH NUMBER WOULD HAVE THAT CONFIGURATION). THE 6" VERSION THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SEEMS TO BE THE LEAST POPULAR, AND THE LEAST EXPENSIVE. REALISTICALLY, TO COME UP WITH ONE FOR $700. OTD, MAY BE A VERY DIFFICULT TASK. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE. THIS IS A LIFETIME INVESTMENT. THE FEW DOLLARS SPENT OVER YOUR BUDGET, WILL SOON BE ECLIPSED BY THE PRIDE OF OWNING AND THE JOY OF SHOOTING, ARGUABLY THE FINEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN CURRENT PRODUCTION……
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN IS THE RUGER. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY BE ABLE TO PICK UP A USED RUGER, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF YOUR BUDGET. THE RUGER IS A BLUE COLLAR, UTILITARIAN, WORKHORSE. IT IS OVERBUILT, AND VERY DURABLE. IT WILL GO BANG EVERY TIME. I HAVE OWNED RUGER PRODUCTS, AND NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH QUALITY. THEY LACK THE REFINEMENT, THE TRIGGERS, THE LOOKS, AND THE FEEL OF THE S&W. THERE IS A REASON WHY THEY ARE LESS EXPENSIVE. THEY ARE NOT COMPARABLE ! ! ! A ROLEX AND A TIMEX BOTH KEEP TIME (AN EXTREME EXAMPLE). BOTH A CADDY AND A CHEVY WILL TAKE YOU TO THE BEACH, ETC. YOU DON'T GET TO DRIVE A CADDY AT THE COST OF A CHEVY. THE RUGER IS HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE A TAURUS (DON'T GET TEMPTED BY THEIR LOW PRICES. YOU WILL BE SORRY), BUT THE RUGER IS NOT AS NICE OF A REVOLVER AS A SMITH & WESSON 686……
I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING FOR OVER 50 YEARS--MANY YEARS SHOOTING COLT PYTHONS AND DIAMONDBACKS, EXCLUSIVELY. I WOULD SAY THAT THE 686 COMPARES VERY FAVORABLY WITH THE PYTHON. I GIVE A SLIGHT EDGE TO THE PYTHON WHOSE PARTS ARE ALL HAND FITTED--BUT WE ARE COMPARING CADDIES AND LINCOLNS--VERY CLOSE, AND MORE JUST A MATTER OF CHOICE, ALTHOUGH THE 686 IS CHEAPER.. (NOTICE THAT PYTHONS ARE NO LONGER MADE, AND COLT HAS DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. THEY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO MAKE THE PYTHON).
I HAVE 3 M686s IN MY COLLECTION, AND THEY ARE MY "GO TO" GUNS, DEPENDING UPON MY CIRCUMSTANCES OR PLANS. THEY ARE A 2 1/2" NO-DASH, CONVERTED TO A 7 SHOOTER @ S&W, A 4" MOUNTAIN GUN--A 7 SHOOTER THAT CAN DO IT ALL, AND AN 8 3/8" NO-DASH WITH A 30MM RED DOT MOUNTED USING A CLAMP-ON, NO-DRILL MOUNT, TO PRESERVE THE ORIGINALITY OF THE GUN, WHICH WAS NOT DRILLED AND TAPPED AT THE FACTORY. THIS GUN SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE ! ! ! I I SOMETIMES SHOOT IT ON THE 200 YARD RANGE. I STILL OWN COLT PYTHONS AND DIAMONDBACKS, BUT I VERY RARELY SHOOT THEM. I ENJOY MY 686s SO MUCH, THAT I JUST NEVER GET THE URGE TO TAKE THEM OUT OF THE SAFE…..
