Ruger GP100 2 1/2" vs. S&W 686 Plus 3"

[RetCapt]

Onomea - GP100

Fun thread for me I just bought my first Ruger, a GP100 4", pretty much on a whim.

Posted about it a coupla weeks ago. Have yet to shoot it. Waiting for a new set of, I hope, better fitting grips to show up. It's reassuring to see so many members sing the GP100's praises.

That one is so beautiful I don't know if I could bring myself to shoot it. It is an ultimate refinement of the GP100.

From the time of its inception in firearms I have preferred stainless steel if I can get it. The practical advantages for working firearms are just too great to ignore.

But that beautiful deep blue goes to another level.

For many on here there seems to be scorn for 'safe queens'. Any firearms I have that I choose not to use by default become 'safe queens'. The term does not bother me at all.

 

[Ameshawki]

Big fan of the short barrelled GP. I have a Wiley Clapp that is perfect in every way.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

I love my 1768 half lug 5 inch gp100. Glad I bought it when I did. Impossible to find one now.

 

[Kinman]

A couple years ago my nephew decided he was going to try using an ankle holster for concealed carry. At the time he decided to use a GP100 2.5" because that was what he had, by the end of the day he had developed a serious limp. Us older guys got a pretty good laugh out of it.

 

[shovelmike]

I would have chosen the Ruger also, it is gorgeous. I don't like the looks of an unfluted cylinder, besides the aforementioned extra rotating mass.

 

[Dump1567]

Well, unfortunately it wasn't all rainbow's and unicorns. After a few cylinders, one cylinder started to seize as it was coming-up to the fire position. The back of the case was rubbing the back of the frame. I'm not sure what's going on, but I take a look at it while I'm cleaning (a good cleaning took care of the problem).

 

[stansdds]

Well, unfortunately it wasn't all rainbow's and unicorns. After a few cylinders, one cylinder started to seize as it was coming-up to the fire position. The back of the case was rubbing the back of the frame. I'm not sure what's going on, but I take a look at it while I'm cleaning (a good cleaning took care of the problem).

I'm guessing that there was some debris under the extractor. I've often been told that revolvers are fool proof and 100% reliable, unlike those jam-o-matic semi-auto pistols. That just ain't true, but the gun shop commando logic persists.

 

[ladder13]

Did some reading on the early ones. Seems they had some issues with the cylinders. Many complaints on the 7 shot.

 

[Dump1567]

I'm guessing that there was some debris under the extractor. I've often been told that revolvers are fool proof and 100% reliable, unlike those jam-o-matic semi-auto pistols. That just ain't true, but the gun shop commando logic persists.

I agree. I've had a few issues with wheel guns over the years as they start to get gummed-up from shooting.

Another gun I bought this past week was a CA Bulldog in .45 Colt. After having 2 prior .44 Bulldogs that were nothing but trouble, this one worked like a dream today (meaning it actually worked).

 

[Dump1567]

Did some reading on the early ones. Seems they had some issues with the cylinders. Many complaints on the 7 shot.

What are considered "early ones"? This one dates to 2018.

 

[ladder13]

What are considered "early ones"? This one dates to 2018.

I believe the 7 shot was introduced in 2016.

 

[Dump1567]

I believe the 7 shot was introduced in 2016.

Thanks. I found a few articles on-line talking about the "new" 7 shot GP100 written in 2018. So maybe it was 2018? I've got to go put some more rounds through this to confirm it's GTG.

 

[UncleEd]

Often as not, the firearm be it revolver or auto
is not foolproof because of the fool operating it.

 

[ladder13]

Thanks. I found a few articles on-line talking about the "new" 7 shot GP100 written in 2018. So maybe it was 2018? I've got to go put some more rounds through this to confirm it's GTG.

If the cylinder is not machined correctly, as some articles claim, I’m sure a call to Ruger would get that corrected.
They seem to have a good rep for repairs.

 

[pasound]

I'm a major Smith collector, but for this question, I would buy the Ruger as the shooter for the collection.

 

[Dump1567]

I think I figured out my issue.

Reading the Rugerforum, it sounds like some cases are too wide on the bottom. This is preventing the 7th round from seating flush against the cylinder face. So basically your case is sticking slightly out preventing cylinder rotation.
This could have been the issue I had, as I was just grabbing random case reloads out of a bag. The solution sounds like using known cases that fit. Or only loading 6.

 

[Warren Sear]

Often as not, the firearm be it revolver or auto
is not foolproof because of the fool operating it.

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

 

[Warren Sear]

I think I figured out my issue.

Reading the Rugerforum, it sounds like some cases are too wide on the bottom. This is preventing the 7th round from seating flush against the cylinder face. So basically your case is sticking slightly out preventing cylinder rotation.
This could have been the issue I had, as I was just grabbing random case reloads out of a bag. The solution sounds like using known cases that fit. Or only loading 6.

Loading only 6 of the 7 cartridges in not a viable solution, and does not solve the problem. I suggest finding the root of the problem and getting it fixed.

I would bet a lot of money that there was debris under the extractor/ejector star or fouling in a chamber, and that a thorough cleaning and lubrication would solve the problem.

 

[UncleEd]

OP said a good cleaning took care
of the binding problem.

 

[old bear]

A much as I Hate to say this, I think you made the correct decision. Ruger's are not as well finished as Smith & Wesson revolvers are, but they are Tank tough.