Comparing the Ruger GP100 and S&W 686

I

idkfa

Inactive
Good morning all,

I'm very interested in a revolver and I'm somewhat leaning towards the GP100 based off of reviews and price. However, the S&W is a beautiful firearm with a great reputation. Any feedback or experience would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
 
I'd call it a toss up. Get the one you like best or can get the best price on, or that fits your hand best...whatever.

There probably isn't a dimes worth of difference. Sort of a Ford/Chevy debate.
 
Probably a toss up.

For the 686, if it's new some will raise objections to its internal lock with the key hole on the left side, the molded triggers and hammers but I don't count them for much as negatives.

Regarding the GP 100, don't forget in that lineup the Match Champion version which doesn't have the heavy barrel underlug and has some features the regular GP 100 doesn't have such as an expected slicked up trigger, Novak sights. The regular GP 100 also has a very good DA trigger.

Regarding the used market, the GP 100 is probably more available and the 686 will still command a higher price in the used market. For a regular GP 100 or a regular 686 I'd be happy with either.

But I do favor the Match Champion from Ruger. It's still a GP 100 but really a different cat than the standard heavy barreled model.

(For a current comment, see Doc Holliday 1950s posting "Ideas for my new Ruger" in this Revolver section.)
 
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I have two 686s and one 586. I've probably shot a hundred thousand rounds of 357 over the last 45 years and I've owned quite a few different revolvers and a couple of rifles in 357. It's my favorite caliber in handgun. I've had Rugers and they shot well and are very strongly built. However, personally I prefer the 686. Each one I own is superbly accurate and the fit and finish is spot on. For a hunting gun it won't make much difference which one you get. Just for the asthetics alone, I prefer the SW over the Ruger.
 
I prefer to give my money to companies that haven't caved to political anti-gun pressure, and in the process ruin the looks of all the guns they make, and also those which add features pandering to the protectionists but which really end up making the gun less reliable when you might need it most.

I don't think I need to make it any clearer, make it a Ruger for this cowboy. :cool:

That, and the GP100s these days are darn near every bit as well fit and finished as the S&W guns, are built even stronger, are every bit as accurate, have great triggers that smooth out beautifully over time, and have modern and extremely durable and rugged lockwork. Even if S&W ever got rid of the internal locks, I think I'd still go Ruger... oh, and did I mention new GP100s go for less than new 686s?

The choice is clear, and Ruger is the answer. :)
 
I bought a new 686 PLUS 4", and a new 4" GP100 in 2012. I wanted to see which one I liked better. The newly manufactured Smiths have lousy triggers. The trigger would hit a wall, right before the break, and I would jerk it off target every time. The GP100 has a very predictable trigger. Its a bit longer than the Smith, but stages perfectly, and feels much better to me. I traded away the 686 PLUS for a NIB Vintage 6" stainless GP, and couldnt be happier.
 
I prefer to give my money to companies that haven't caved to political anti-gun pressure, and in the process ruin the looks of all the guns they make, and also those which add features pandering to the protectionists but which really end up making the gun less reliable when you might need it most.
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WHATEVER.
Short memory of Bill's 10-round magazines, magazine disconnect safeties and lawyer induced 75% of an instruction manual STAMPED on the barrel.

To the OP, my first choice is a Smith & Wesson 686 no dash, dash 1,2,3 or 4, from the used market. I truly believe that it is a (FAR) better deal to buy a lightly used one of these for the SAME OR MORE money than either a GP-100 or a new S&W 686.

In 2nd place is the GP-100.
In 3rd place is a new 686.

The lock on the side of S&W revolvers these days is not really a problem in any tangible way, but it is a large flag telling you that you are looking at an inferior product to the older S&W revolvers that do not have the lock.

The good news is that if you don't feel comfortable buying a used revolver, either a new GP-100 or a new S&W 686 will likely satisfy you very nicely. If you didn't grow up on pre-lock and extremely smooth S&W revolvers, you really won't realize what you're missing if you end up with a new 686 or GP-100.

In that way...
The GP-100 is probably a better value if only the two are considered.
 
Buy the one that fits your hand best. Had a Smith 19 for years I never could get to fit. My GP, that I've had since they first came here, fits my hand perfectly.
Factory triggers are irrelevant. All of 'em need fixing due to the frivolous U.S. law suits that caused all manufacturers to ship their stuff with crappy triggers.
"...companies that haven't caved..." Like who?
 
Many thanks for the ample input from everyone. Glad to be on a forum with so much information!! Based off of what I've read, looks like it's a super close call and I'd be happy with either model - although my gut has me goin' for the Ruger...
 
Lots of advice given here, and backed with real life experience and taste.

But, you owe it to yourself to handle each of the two preferably side by side if possible. Chances are, one or the other will speak to you and just feel right.

Both are well established brands with a long history of good products that are backed with good warantees should you have a problem.


I would buy a 686 from a no-dash model to a -6 over the GP.

In the interest of disclosure, I must admit that I am a S&W nut. I own current models as well as some older models. I find that the older models just have an edge on the new ones in certain aspects. All are excellent shooters and I am always proud to show them off if someone asks to have a look. I fully acknowledge that Ruger makes a good firearm. I just have never been a fan of the looks of their revolvers, save the SP101.
 
Have both, but the data is aged as they are older variants. With the both 6 inch ones I have, the S&W has a little better trigger, but the Ruger seems to be built heavier. If I had to pick one to go out in the boonies with it would be the Ruger. I would pick the S&W to shoot targets at a range with.

 
WHATEVER.
Short memory of Bill's 10-round magazines, magazine disconnect safeties and lawyer induced 75% of an instruction manual STAMPED on the barrel.
Click to expand...

WHATEVER yourself.

Bill Ruger is gone, and he took is anti-gun thinking with him. Ruger now makes all kinds of AR-15s etc. etc. that would have given 'ol Bill a stroke.

The new GP100s have a much less ostentatcious warning label on the barrel. Big deal, at least it doesn't have a STUPID poorly designed internal lock that RUINS the looks of the gun, and even the lines of the frame, just to appeal to the anti-gunners. Not to mention the issues with the lock engaging under recoil with the smaller guns, and how S&W wants to charge damn near twice what a Ruger costs but with the same quality all for the NAME of S&W which in fact is a shadow of it's former self.

Ruger is still going strong because it's modern, high-tech, and doesn't pretend it's something it's not.
 
What post #10 said is spot on:cool:

I was in the same boat as u a couple of years ago. I ended up with 6 inch blued gp that i really like. If i had to do it again would probably go for a 4 inch instead. But you will definitely be more the happy with either!!:)

Smiths quality isnt what it once was but still awesome guns IMHO.

For the range, fun and plinking the 686.:)
For war, hell and SD the gp 100.:p
 
The only real solution is to find a store that has both, hold them, and dry fire them in single and double action, look at the price tages, and pick the one you like the feel of best. Both are fine guns only differentiated by personal preference, and even that might be hard to decide.
 
One thing I would like to add given the statements about the GP being built heavier.

While this certainly appears to be true, I contend that you or your grandkids could not wear out an L-frame Smith shooting thousand of rounds of any flavor of magnums even if you are half awake with your cleaning and maintenance habits.

I'm not saying the GP isn't built heavier, I'm just saying that durability isn't going to be a deal breaker issue between these two revolvers.
 
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