GP100 or 686?

M

mr. pitiful

New member
dollar for dollar, which should get? It will be used for IDPA competition only.With a decent action job, can the GP have a decent trigger? Any suggetions would be apreciated. I have a Diamonback, but the cylinder latch is really anoying.



Thanks.

mr. pitiful
 
They are both pretty close. Very subjectively, the trigger on the Smith may be a hair smoother than the Ruger. The finish is a little smoother on the Smith, generally in places not apparent from looking at the exterior (back of cylinder and inside of frame and ejector rod housing). The Ruger costs about $100, more or less, less than the Smith. Both are certainly adequate for IDPA right out of the box.
 
Whichever one YOU like the best. Me, I like the Ruger best, but lots of folks like the Smith.
 
While you are at it check out police trade in mod 65 S&W's
I have one that is great for IDPA fixed sights, 4" barrel, nice grips and shoots real well. It has a great trigger and very little wear. The barrel is nice and heavy but with out the ejector shroud. It points like my finger a little barrel heavy but right there when I want it.

for IDPA you are not going for full power loads just enough to make the power factor so you do not have to worry about the K frame exploding.
 
The Ruger can be given a decent trigger by a knowledgeable gunsmith. When done the Smith may be a pound lighter in trigger pull and will have a quicker lock time. The Ruger will be about 3 oz. heavier in weight in 4" version. I have both the Smith and Ruger and each has different strong points in their favor. Hate to be without each. Do like to use the Rugers, though as must be the maverick in me. I guess one could try a Dan Wesson if one really wanted to be different.

J.T.
 
Not intended as a put down or an attack but this has to be one of the most popular topics on this board. If you hit search at the top left of the page and type in 686, GP100, .357 etc. You will get more stuff than you can read in a week.
I have both. I would buy the GP100 if I could only have one.
 
Both are great firearms, in their own right.:cool: However,
I prefer the 6" barrel Smith & Wesson 686-5 .357 magnum.
I believe that a good smith can get the action just a little
slicker, than that of a Ruger.:) But, that is just me!:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I would really like a Taurus tracker in 4", but I dont believe they make one that NOT ported. I have held the tracker several times and really like the feel. But, since they dont make it unported (not that I know of anyway) i is between the 686 and the GP100. Thank you for all the replies. Please keep them coming.

mr. pitiful
 
GP100 or 686?
Click to expand...

Based on what I've read about the two, yes, get one.:D

Seriously, I don't own either so I only know them by reputation and by reading here (though I own a S&W 65LS, a K-frame which isn't quite as strong, which I can tell you is a sweet gun). Both are probably equally strong (some say the L-frame, many say the Ruger, many say the same- I doubt if any difference goes beyond theoretical and makes any difference in the real world). The Smith is probably a little nicer and has a nicer trigger. The Ruger is less expensive. Get whichever you like best (me, I'll eventually get both, or more likely the 586 and GP 100- the one I get first depends on my mood at the time).
 
I have a Security Six, and my father has a 686. For competition I would imagine the most important factor is quality of the DA trigger pull, and for that I clearly prefer the S&W. The 686's trigger is lighter and smoother. It is also longer, that is, more of the trigger stroke is actually used mechanically. The DA stroke on the Security Six is very short, which for whatever reason makes it feel heavier. My Python's stroke is longer still and smoother yet. I've tried the triggers on custom S&W's and Python's, and I think the Smith can actually be made better than the Colt, and if it can be that good, I really doubt the Ruger can keep up.
 
invssgt

Between the GP & the 686, I'd take the Smith. Smoother, a tad lighter and quicker in the hand. Shot them both a little, and the 686's have always had better actions. In almost any other class of handgun except these 'mid-heavies', I'd take the Ruger everytime.
 
I shoot both, and . . .

The key issue in answering your question is "how old".

Our TFL archives are loaded with threads and comments that discuss this very question; in general they suggest: (1) both the GP-100 and the 686 are excellent "all purpose" revolvers; (2) the GP-100 is somewhat stronger and more durable; while (3) the 686 has a somewhat smoother trigger (at least initially).

However, in the last years there has been an overall decline in Smith quality -- some revolvers remain outstanding while others have gross manufacturing defects. Therefore, I would not buy a new, current production S&W right now. If, however, we are discussing 586s/686s and GP-100s that are a few years old (even if NIB), I'd pick the one I felt most comfortable with and with which I achieved the greatest accuracy. Moreover, I would be very confident that I had bought an excellent revolver.

My personal preference favors GP-100s; I own two and they are both superb.
 
S&W 586

... but of the two mentioned, I went with the Ruger GP-161 (6" bbl, full lug) -- then I backed it up with a S&W Mod 28. Haven't found a S&W 586 yet :)
 
I'm not a gunsmith, I don't even play one on TV but I was able to give my GP a nice smooth trigger. Set of Wolff springs, lots of dry & live fire and it breaks like glass (to quote magazine writers).
I've shot a friends 686, I wouldn't trade him.
 
Take a look at the frames: the Ruger grips mount to a central peg which allows HUGE variability in grips. Rugers can be made to acomodate very large and very small hands far better than the S&W's. You may find that a greater factor than the tunability of the action.
 
If I wanted a 6 round revolver, I would go with the GP-100, and if I wanted a 7 round revolver, I would go with the S&W 686plus.
They are both superb guns, and I think either gun would serve you well!

Just my 2 cents.
 
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