Which revolver to choose?
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otis24
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All good revolvers. Since it is a nightstand/target gun, I would forego the SP101 and choose a "full" size revolver. The Ruger GP100 is about as rugged and tough a revolver you can get, but the trigger pull will be stiff compared to the S&W 686. The great thing about the GP is that it can be had in a full shroud or the half shroud barrel, and may be more readily available in the used market, depending on the local. Nothing negative to say about the S&W other than good luck finding one at a reasonable price! I hope this helps and good luck in your search!
BobR1
Member
MY 2 Cents.
I agree with the above, skip the SP101 for your uses.
GP100 or 686? Either will work well. The GP100 in 4" and 6" models with Adjustable Sights, have a Quick Change Front Sight. A very nice feature. They are also cheaper than most 686's. The factory DA pull on the GP100 will probably not be quite as nice as the 686. The Hogue Tamer Grip that comes on the Super RedHawk Alaskan will also fit the GP100. That grip will really Tame the recoil on any 357 Magnum load. No problem finding the grip at Midway or other sources.
I would skip the 686PLUS, and get a 6 shooter myself. A 6 round 686 will use Safariland Comp I, II, and III Speed Loaders. With a 7 shooter you are limited to HKS and 5 Star. I much prefer Safariland Speed Loaders myself.
I would look for a used older 686 myself also. Preferably a 686-ND, Dash 1, 2, 3, or 4. The Dash 5 is MIM and a Floating Firing Pin but still a nice revolver. The Dash 6 I believe is the current Model with the Loc.
If you stumble onto a GP100 cheap I have no problem with one at all. Spend a few bucks and have a Trigger Job done on it with a Spring Kit. My brother has a Willy Clapp GP100 that has been tuned by Ron Power. It has as nice a trigger pull as any of my tuned S&W revolvers.
Bob
I agree with the above, skip the SP101 for your uses.
GP100 or 686? Either will work well. The GP100 in 4" and 6" models with Adjustable Sights, have a Quick Change Front Sight. A very nice feature. They are also cheaper than most 686's. The factory DA pull on the GP100 will probably not be quite as nice as the 686. The Hogue Tamer Grip that comes on the Super RedHawk Alaskan will also fit the GP100. That grip will really Tame the recoil on any 357 Magnum load. No problem finding the grip at Midway or other sources.
I would skip the 686PLUS, and get a 6 shooter myself. A 6 round 686 will use Safariland Comp I, II, and III Speed Loaders. With a 7 shooter you are limited to HKS and 5 Star. I much prefer Safariland Speed Loaders myself.
I would look for a used older 686 myself also. Preferably a 686-ND, Dash 1, 2, 3, or 4. The Dash 5 is MIM and a Floating Firing Pin but still a nice revolver. The Dash 6 I believe is the current Model with the Loc.
If you stumble onto a GP100 cheap I have no problem with one at all. Spend a few bucks and have a Trigger Job done on it with a Spring Kit. My brother has a Willy Clapp GP100 that has been tuned by Ron Power. It has as nice a trigger pull as any of my tuned S&W revolvers.
Bob
mauiblue
Member
I was comparing all three revolvers years ago when I was also shopping for my first wheel gun and ended up with a S&W Model 686 Plus with 4" barrel. Really soaks up the recoil when shooting magnum rounds and it is a nice size for all around use.
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silentflyer
Member
My choice the 686, I have a 4" and a 6"+P, both great shooters, both with locks, thousands of rounds run through them not a single problem.
chaim
Member
I agree to skip the SP101. It is a nice little gun, but if you won't ever CCW it, the bigger gun will handle full-house .357mag better and be more comfortable/fun at the range. The 5 round cylinder also seems kind of limiting if you won't CCW it and it is your only revolver.
Ruger GP100 v. S&W 686+. The S&W will be a nicer gun, both are very good guns. The S&W will have a nicer trigger, and may have better fit and finish. Both will be able to handle pretty much any .357mag round you want to use. Both are heavy, but concealable (4" or shorter versions) should you ever want to carry them. Both should be quite accurate and very reliable. Both are well made guns. The Ruger will be a little less expensive. I have several S&W revolvers, I don't have a Ruger revolver (yet). So for me, I find that the fact that the S&W is a nicer gun usually puts it over for me despite the price difference. In the GP100 v. 686+ decision, I personally like the 7th round of the 686, and for that reason, I may well get one for home defense down the road (maybe a 2 1/2" or 3" so I can also carry it from time to time).
Ruger GP100 v. S&W 686+. The S&W will be a nicer gun, both are very good guns. The S&W will have a nicer trigger, and may have better fit and finish. Both will be able to handle pretty much any .357mag round you want to use. Both are heavy, but concealable (4" or shorter versions) should you ever want to carry them. Both should be quite accurate and very reliable. Both are well made guns. The Ruger will be a little less expensive. I have several S&W revolvers, I don't have a Ruger revolver (yet). So for me, I find that the fact that the S&W is a nicer gun usually puts it over for me despite the price difference. In the GP100 v. 686+ decision, I personally like the 7th round of the 686, and for that reason, I may well get one for home defense down the road (maybe a 2 1/2" or 3" so I can also carry it from time to time).
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Stainz
Member
It's all in what you can afford to spend. A six-shot 4" 686, SKU 164222 & 39.7 oz, has an MSRP of $829 - think $670 at a shop that likes your business. The Ruger GP100 4" in SS, KGP-141 & 40.0 oz, has an MSRP of $759 - think $600 at a shop where your patronage is appreciated. The GP100 is often heralded as being 'built like a tank' and heavier. Here, both being full lugged, it is heavier - by .3 oz. It is constructed of cast steel - Ruger has patents on their use of cast metals. The S&W is hammer-forged and heat treated - and rated for full SAAMI-spec'ed .357 Magnums. I started my revolver life with Rugers - I now have all S&Ws. The S&W is worth the extra money... as is their lifetime warranty, which is accessible via a toll-free call.
If money really isn't the determining factor, consider the 7-shot 686+, SKU 164194 & 38.9 oz, MSRP $849 ($685). My one 686 is a 7-shooter + model, actually a 5" half lug 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' from some eight years ago. I have no trouble reloading with my four HKS #587 Speedloaders - even in the dark. That extra round may be important! In fact, I think an 8-banger is even better yet... consider the slightly larger N-frame 627 Pro, a 4"-er, SKU 178014 & 41.2 oz, MSRP $969 ($800). It comes with a lot of extras - including an enhanced trigger, moonclip ready, and easily changed front sights. Well worth the MSRP difference of $140 over the sixshooter 4" 686!
If you like the .45 ACP, a 625 Pro (625JM), SKU 160936 & 40.3 oz, MSRP $979 ($810), is a great revolver to have. Even though it's the same approximate mass as a decent 1911, the recoil is greater - there is no action to absorb some recoil energy. Shot indoors, the big boom of a .45 is less damaging to your ears than the supersonic crack of a .357 Magnum. Ammo is about the same cost, too. Here are my 627 & 625 Pro models.
A plus for the 625 .45 ACP revolver: It really is a 'big-bore' revolver with a frugal diet and recoil, not to mention that it, with moonclipped ball ammo, reloads faster than any other revolver/caliber!
Good luck with your choice!
Stainz
If money really isn't the determining factor, consider the 7-shot 686+, SKU 164194 & 38.9 oz, MSRP $849 ($685). My one 686 is a 7-shooter + model, actually a 5" half lug 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' from some eight years ago. I have no trouble reloading with my four HKS #587 Speedloaders - even in the dark. That extra round may be important! In fact, I think an 8-banger is even better yet... consider the slightly larger N-frame 627 Pro, a 4"-er, SKU 178014 & 41.2 oz, MSRP $969 ($800). It comes with a lot of extras - including an enhanced trigger, moonclip ready, and easily changed front sights. Well worth the MSRP difference of $140 over the sixshooter 4" 686!
If you like the .45 ACP, a 625 Pro (625JM), SKU 160936 & 40.3 oz, MSRP $979 ($810), is a great revolver to have. Even though it's the same approximate mass as a decent 1911, the recoil is greater - there is no action to absorb some recoil energy. Shot indoors, the big boom of a .45 is less damaging to your ears than the supersonic crack of a .357 Magnum. Ammo is about the same cost, too. Here are my 627 & 625 Pro models.
A plus for the 625 .45 ACP revolver: It really is a 'big-bore' revolver with a frugal diet and recoil, not to mention that it, with moonclipped ball ammo, reloads faster than any other revolver/caliber!
Good luck with your choice!
Stainz
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I'm just joining the band in singing words of praise for the Ruger GP100 and Smith & Wesson 686. I personally own one of each, a 4 in bbl 686-4 and a new 5 in bbl GP100. I would be hard pressed to part with either. The only thing I can add to previous statements is that the stock trigger on the current production GP100 revolvers are really quite nice out of the box. Spring changes can be made to make them nicer still, but that is certainly not necessary for a home defense gun. JMHO
Jayhawkhuntclub
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Three good choices. I'd go with the 4" 686. But you can't go wrong with any of those three.
For a nightstand gun, I would get an old S&W model 10. They are cheap, accurate and dependable.
The suggestions of the 625 is really overkill from all perspectives, especially price.
The 686 would be fine, but again, you will pay a whole lot more and really get nothing in return except fixed sights and the ability to shoot 357 magnums. 38+p in a model 10 will be fine from a self defense standpoint and most of the time "target shooting" you are going to be shooting 38 spl anyway, so your capability goes wasted in a 686.
I dont know why for the casual shooter or person looking for a nightstand gun, people here tend to oversell the end user.
Get a model 10 and be done with it.
The suggestions of the 625 is really overkill from all perspectives, especially price.
The 686 would be fine, but again, you will pay a whole lot more and really get nothing in return except fixed sights and the ability to shoot 357 magnums. 38+p in a model 10 will be fine from a self defense standpoint and most of the time "target shooting" you are going to be shooting 38 spl anyway, so your capability goes wasted in a 686.
I dont know why for the casual shooter or person looking for a nightstand gun, people here tend to oversell the end user.
Get a model 10 and be done with it.
Stirling
Member
Both the GP 100 and 686 are great revolvers. Personally I favour the N-frame revolvers and I think they would work well for your purposes and offer the option of big bore calibres too. 
M3Stuart
Member
Of those you list; the S&W 686 would be/was my choice. Especially if I was only going to buy one.
For the nightstand; +1 on whoever suggested the ole' reliable model 10.
But if you're only going to only get 1, make it the 686 - it's also a target gun. I recently sold off my M10 and 64 - both HBs - because I just didn't use them. They were redundant given the 686. I also have a selection of 2" and 3" S&W's to choose from - so that's just me, YMMV.
For the nightstand; +1 on whoever suggested the ole' reliable model 10.
But if you're only going to only get 1, make it the 686 - it's also a target gun. I recently sold off my M10 and 64 - both HBs - because I just didn't use them. They were redundant given the 686. I also have a selection of 2" and 3" S&W's to choose from - so that's just me, YMMV.
I'd go for the 686 Plus 2.5" barrel. I'm more familiar with S&W revolvers, so I'd do my own repairs/mods.
A 7 shot, .357 Magnum, stainless steel L frame snubby, Works for me.
A 7 shot, .357 Magnum, stainless steel L frame snubby, Works for me.
TrueTexan
Member
I have a 686 plus in 3and 6 inch and both shoot great no problems with the locks. The 6 inch is barrel heavy but is a tack driver. The 4 inch 686 and the GP100 are both balanced great and would be a good gun for nightstand and target. Also look around for a Ruger Security Six in great condition it is a great gun
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the 686 would be my choice
MikeChandler
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Get whichever you can find a deal on, the GP100 or the 686. Either is a great gun - I've owned multiple models of both, but I'll admit I sold my Gp100's, and not because they were bad - I just loved the fit and finish of the S&W's more.
And all that being said, my GP100 was the most accurate 3" .357 I've owned, ...go figure! I have confidence that Ruger's do the job. Either gun is a winner, it's just about price and availability.
And all that being said, my GP100 was the most accurate 3" .357 I've owned, ...go figure! I have confidence that Ruger's do the job. Either gun is a winner, it's just about price and availability.
