.357 Comparison: 686, Tracker 627, GP100
- Thread starter Derka
- Start date
This is my opinion, which is worth about as much as everyone elses.
S&W 686: Probably the best looking and best trigger pull.
Taurus Tracker: Only owned one Taurus and based on that and what I've heard from many others, they need the life time guarentee.
Ruger GP100: Not pretty but I would bet you can't break it.
Make your choice and take your chances, just like all the rest of us.
S&W 686: Probably the best looking and best trigger pull.
Taurus Tracker: Only owned one Taurus and based on that and what I've heard from many others, they need the life time guarentee.
Ruger GP100: Not pretty but I would bet you can't break it.
Make your choice and take your chances, just like all the rest of us.
629 shooter
New member
I have owned a 4" GP100 and several 686's of various barrel lengths. If you appreciate crisp creep-free single action triggers then I would go with the Smith & Wesson - especially since you are looking at used guns . The trigger pull of the GP100 I owned was no where near as refined as the the Smith when firing in the single action mode.
My current 686 is one of the most accurate revolvers I have ever fired. The GP100 I owned was also very accurate. The chances of getting a very accurate revolver are good with either choice in my opinion.
As far as disassembly goes - the most you will usually need to do with the 686 is to remove the cylinder/yoke for ease of cleaning. Remove one screw and the cylinder/yoke assembly slides right out. I found removing the GP100 cylinder to be more time consuming - basically have to disassemble the whole gun.
Some other items - the GP100 grips fit me very well and I also liked the GP100 front sight better. The 686 rear sight seemed far more precise to me plus it did not take 2 different size screwdrivers to adjust the sights.
Really , even though I lean towards the 686 , either gun should be a good choice - good luck!
My current 686 is one of the most accurate revolvers I have ever fired. The GP100 I owned was also very accurate. The chances of getting a very accurate revolver are good with either choice in my opinion.
As far as disassembly goes - the most you will usually need to do with the 686 is to remove the cylinder/yoke for ease of cleaning. Remove one screw and the cylinder/yoke assembly slides right out. I found removing the GP100 cylinder to be more time consuming - basically have to disassemble the whole gun.
Some other items - the GP100 grips fit me very well and I also liked the GP100 front sight better. The 686 rear sight seemed far more precise to me plus it did not take 2 different size screwdrivers to adjust the sights.
Really , even though I lean towards the 686 , either gun should be a good choice - good luck!
I have a 686-5 4". It is simply wonderful. The DA is smooth with no stacking or roughness. The SA breaks light with no takeup whatsoever. Shoots marvelously. I put a Hogue Pau Ferro grip on it for looks, and it is Art. Easily my favorite revolver in the safe. I wouldn't trade it for anything. 2 People so far have bought 686s after fondling mine.
I paid about $360, I think about late last year. I bought a 625 about the same time, a 340 just a while ago, and now I wouldn't buy any other company's revolvers.
I paid about $360, I think about late last year. I bought a 625 about the same time, a 340 just a while ago, and now I wouldn't buy any other company's revolvers.
STOP - 4" REALITY
I too often read how the S&W is "more accurate".
This is NOT a fact; testing (have G&A, AH, and ST that have run this comparison) suggests the opposite.
However, the difference is miniscule. Both guns (GP and 586/686) will normally be more accurate than the operator.
THe Taurus revolvers are not comparable.
Can someone esplain "SA"? Is that something that will help me for IPSC?
-----------------------------------------------------------
"all my handguns are really really accurate handguns"
(I own S&W and Taurus handguns, too)
I too often read how the S&W is "more accurate".
This is NOT a fact; testing (have G&A, AH, and ST that have run this comparison) suggests the opposite.
However, the difference is miniscule. Both guns (GP and 586/686) will normally be more accurate than the operator.
THe Taurus revolvers are not comparable.
Can someone esplain "SA"? Is that something that will help me for IPSC?
-----------------------------------------------------------
"all my handguns are really really accurate handguns"
(I own S&W and Taurus handguns, too)
629 shooter
New member
I have a few articles on hand in which the 686 was the most accurate overall in a 357 Mag compairison - agreed , most of the time the difference is miniscule (except in the 1988 test) and either GP100 or 686 should provide the owner with acceptable to outstanding accuracy. The Shooting Times- Aug. 88 , Dec. 93 and Jun. 98 and Guns & Ammo July 90 were the issues where the 686 was the most accurate in a 357 compairison test.
I doubt that Derka being a "revolver newbie" will be competing in IPSC right from the start. Having a creepy single action trigger has no advantages at all as far as I'm concerned.
As far as double action shooting - I don't recall too many double action speed records being set with Ruger double action revolvers.
I doubt that Derka being a "revolver newbie" will be competing in IPSC right from the start. Having a creepy single action trigger has no advantages at all as far as I'm concerned.
As far as double action shooting - I don't recall too many double action speed records being set with Ruger double action revolvers.
I DON'T RECALL ANY
My point; either is fine.
(Hey, has your 629 ever done the "hey lookatme, I'm going backwards"?)
Yank............yeehaw!
Do you have all those mags catalogued so you could pull that info up so quick?
By the way, you misspelled 'crappy'.
Jerry is my wheel god. Met him before, have an autographed poster, never squadded with him (but my buddy was), unique.
My point; either is fine.
(Hey, has your 629 ever done the "hey lookatme, I'm going backwards"?)
Yank............yeehaw!
Do you have all those mags catalogued so you could pull that info up so quick?
By the way, you misspelled 'crappy'.
Jerry is my wheel god. Met him before, have an autographed poster, never squadded with him (but my buddy was), unique.
I really appreciate all the replies guys. I found a 6 inch 6 shot 686 for $340 last week that I was about to buy. I filled out the background check papers etc. And when I showed him my ID he said he couldn't sell it to me since it had expired on my 21st birthday. Because of my work schedule I still haven't had a chance to go down to the dmv and get my licence renewed. Hopefully I'll get it done this week though.
