S&W 686 or Ruger GP100?

I HAVE OWNED THE RUGER--WHICH I PURCHASED AS A KNOCK AROUND WOODS GUN, AND LATER SOLD. IT'S A VERY GOOD GUN, RUGGED AND RELIABLE. IMHO, IT LACKS THE PLEASING LINES OF THE S&W, THE TRIGGER PULL, THE EASILY OPERATED CYLINDER RELEASE, ETC. THE 686 IS BUILT LIKE A TANK, W/O LOOKING LIKE A TANK. IT WILL HANDLE A STEADY DIET OF ANY .357 MAG LOADS THAT ARE WITHIN SAAMI SPECS. IF YOU LOAD TO HIGHER PRESSURES THAN THAT, IMHO YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TROUBLE---BUT IT'S YOUR GUN TO BLOW UP, AND YES, YOU CAN BLOW UP A RUGER. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THE 686. ITS ONE OF THE FINEST S&W REVOLVERS EVER BUILT, AND THE BEST .357 MAGNUM REVOLVER CURRENTLY PRODUCED IN THE WORLD……....
 
Here's a different perspective. Being a lefty 90% of my s&w revolvers fail the lock up test in DA. I know if I shoot at faster speeds inertia locks it up, but maybe I'm anal about it. I just like them to lock up no matter what speed. I have fixed a great many of them by installing slightly oversized (wider stock, not true oversized), or shimming the trigger on the side plate side. Newer guns have been taken care of by s&w for me and I've sent in quite a few. They have installed new extractor stars on all of those. But I get tired of fiddling with them. I noticed that the rugers I have/had don't seem to have this problem. At least the ones I had my hands on. I don't like the aesthetics as much as s&w, but I've been buying more of them now since I figured that out.

Of course I wouldn't turn down a nice 686 that timed quicker either. But if it came to brand new guns, I'd pick the ruger because aesthetically speaking, new smiths have some "features" that don't look so good to me.
 
I had a beautiful 686 No Dash 4". Sold it to buy something else and I do miss it. I've owned a GP100 and it was great. Sold that too. I now have a Police Service Six and I love it. Size of a K frame with the strength of an L.

If I was looking for either revolver, I would get a used 686 or a used GP. I just can't get past the lock and black MIM parts on new S&W revolvers, and the new GP's come with those hideous Hogue rubber grips, so replacing them is gonna cost another 100 bucks or so. So in the end, whichever used 686 or GP was in better shape would get the nod. I am sure the used Ruger would be cheaper, too.
 
I'm just not a fan of Ruger DA revolvers, if you need a hammer grab a GP100. But I have seen some hammers have better lines then a GP100. Sorry if I offended any hammer owners. :D
 
I'll add another vote for the GP100, especially in Match Champion flavor. The new Match Champion was my first ever revolver, and within two hours of buying it (including transportation time to/from the LGS), I was hitting 10" steel plates from 45 yards in DA. The trigger is nice in DA mode, though IMO not quite as light/crisp in SA as several Smiths I've shot. The bit of extra heft in the GP100 soaks up recoil really well. I just got an email from Ruger that there's an even newer model Match Champion with adjustable rear sights.

I now have a new model 66 Combat as well as a 640-3 J-Frame, so I'm a Smith fan, but the Match Champion is a sweet Ruger that I look forward to shooting the snot out of for many, many years to come.
 
My 686 is nigh perfect.....

If you like the Ruger, there's nothing wrong with them at all. A friend recommended a Taurus as a cost saving measure but that was too big of a sacrifice. I wouldn't have been content with anything other than a 686, but I could have bought the Ruger if necessary. As it was, it was worth holding out for the 686. The trigger is fantastic. I've told people that I don't want a trigger job because it might mess it up.:)
 
I say you can't go wrong either way. The Rugers are well made and the S&W's are well made. Don't let the naysayers steer you away from the newer 686's if you choose a 686. I have a newer 686 I bought slightly used and it is as accurate as my bull barrel PPC revolver. There is nothing wrong with MIM internals. My trigger pull was very smooth out of the box. I did switch to Wolff springs and I was able to get the 686 trigger pull lighter than any of my other S&W's. The Rugers can have a nice DA trigger pull with some work. Would say try a 686 before you make the choice. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
 
You should try both. When my wife was interested in a GP100 we found a gun range that had one to rent and tried it and a 686 side-by-side. She hated the GP100 trigger. I thought the 686 trigger was better but the GP100 trigger was OK, but my hands are a lot stronger than hers. I also preferred the way the 686 felt in my hand.
 
Zipdog said:
Very poor resale value on the Ruger.
Click to expand...

Which is why you shop for used ones. I like the comment about the Smith being "classier" with a better trigger, and would point out that the Ruger probably shines a noodge more in durability. Either one would be a good deal, so long as they had the right "fit" for your hand and your wallet.

I own both flavors, and am satisfied with both. :D

If I could only have one, I'd give the edge, very slightly, to the Smith.
 
Morning Miles

That is tough call without knowing exactly what you want in a gun.

I have a few Ruger GP100's (all in.357) a couple of 6" & a 4" .

I also have a number of 686's same 4" & 6" variations.

My older 686 has a slightly better fit & finish than my older
GP100.

Just the opposite on my newer GP 100's vs 686.

My newer GP 100 has about the same quality as they always had
(not great but acceptable) but my last 2 686's have terrible fit &
finish with nasty double action triggers from the factory.

All had pretty bad double action trigger pulls as bought but
with a little work they are fine now (took more work on the last 686 I have).

Once all the problems were sorted out (every 686 I have bought
since 2009 has had to back to Smith for one reason or another
with one going back 3 times).

All my latest Ruger GP 100's have been repairable at home.

On the triggers -- not much difference on the single action
side (a little work & both Ruger & Smith are fine & in the
2-1/2 to 3 lb range.

The double action side is different. The 686's I have, have
smooth double action pulls after a lot of work & massaging.
Not much stacking so the trigger takes a non stop pull-through
start to finish.

My GP 100's are just the opposite & have a little stacking
just before let off so the GP 100's have easy to stage trigger
pulls in double action. You can still pull though them non stop
but very easy to stage.

From looks alone I like the 686 better (excluding all the
noticeable defects). The GP 100 is more industrial looking
& bulkier looking.

The thing I can say is both S&W & Ruger have great customer
service (from my experience on my latest Smith's you are
probably going to need it).

Also, from my experience I will NEVER buy another Smith
bead-blasted finish. You just can't repair it or touch it up
when it gets holster marks or shinny spots from shooting
with gloves on. At least the brushed stainless is easily
repairable to look decent with very little work.
 
Used 686

Thanks, all

Saw a used S&W 686-1 .357M 4 inch barrel, M-stamped, with Hogue grips and original grips prelock used. Waht do you think somethink like that is worth. Looks to be in decent condition but haven't handled it. Not sure what would be an "appropriate" offer for it.

Thanks!
 
This is a good reason for me.....

Zipdog said:
Very poor resale value on the Ruger.
Click to expand...

This is a good reason for me to buy one. I've got Smiths. I'm flat *** broke and if I need another gun or a beater I can pick up a Ruger. I don't buy guns for resale. It takes all kinds.

Besides, unlike others, Rugers are still rugged, durable guns.
 
Miles2014 said:
Thanks, all

Saw a used S&W 686-1 .357M 4 inch barrel, M-stamped, with Hogue grips and original grips prelock used. Waht do you think somethink like that is worth. Looks to be in decent condition but haven't handled it. Not sure what would be an "appropriate" offer for it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Seems like most models in nice shape sell for about the price of a new gun or a little more.
 
Miles2014 said:
Thanks, all

Saw a used S&W 686-1 .357M 4 inch barrel, M-stamped, with Hogue grips and original grips prelock used. Waht do you think somethink like that is worth. Looks to be in decent condition but haven't handled it. Not sure what would be an "appropriate" offer for it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I'd say $600 is a fair price, no more than $700.
 
I bought a GP100 just a few months ago. I wanted a good 357 for carry in the woods. The IL killed the 686 for me. I have a 686 that I do take to the range but I could not get past the lock for a carry gun.
 
I have owned both. I ended up giving the Ruger to my son when I purchased the 686. I like the lines on the Smith, better and I like being able to adjust the trigger myself. On the other hand, the Ruger is built like a tank, not that the Smith is weak, it's just that the GP100 was always a very robust gun. I don't recall one shooting any better than the other, so your call.

Good luck.
s.
 
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