GP100 Vs. S&W 686

Hi Everyone:

Would you trade a Ruger GP100 4" target gray SS finish for a Smith and Wesson 686 4" pre-lock revolver? Both are in very good condition...

What's your vote? Yes or No
 
Yup. I have owned a Ruger GP 100 and had a trigger job done on it by someone who knew what they were doing. When it was all done I had a rev. with ALMOST as good a trigger as my stock 586 or Mdl. 19. I am not down on Rugers. I own several single action models & enjoy them a lot, but the double action Rugers have never matched the S&Ws for me.
 
Because you described both revolvers as being in "very good condition", I'd make the trade, if, for no other reason than the Smith is worth more. They are both fine revolvers.
 
Both are fine guns. I generally prefer the 686 over the GP so yes, I would.

Honestly, you win if you trade or win if you don't.
 
I would, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you should. Both are fine revolvers and I don't really view one as being better than the other, but they are different. They sit differently in the shooter's hand with the Ruger sitting lower and farther forward while the S&W will sit higher and further back. This will usually equate to less muzzle rise with the Ruger and less felt recoil with the S&W. The triggers are also different in that the Ruger will "stack" more noticeably meaning that the shooter will be able to more easily tell right when the DA trigger is about to break while the S&W's trigger will be smoother and more consistent all the way through the DA pull. Finally, Ruger's "push in" cylinder release is generally more comfortable for people with small hands and/or short fingers while S&W's "push forward" release is more comfortable for people with large hands and/or long fingers such as myself. Honestly, it's really more a matter of what you're most accustomed to: I started out with a S&W revolver and I've shot S&W's more so they're more comfortable in my hands. My dad, however, started with a Ruger revolver and has shot Rugers more so he's more comfortable with them.
 
Value is in the eye of the beholder.

The S&W should demand a higher price, due to it being pre-lock. But, that said, the target grey ss finish on the Ruger is not all that common. They only made those for a little while (Lipsey's special run). They only ever produced 1,017 of them, so that should boost the value of the GP100 as well.

All-in-all, it is a fair trade if both guns are in like condition.

If it was me?
I would keep the Target Grey GP100 and save up for a 686 to buy at a later date. I think it would be easier to find another prelock 686 than it would be to find another Target Grey GP100.
 
Thanks for all the good advice. I have decided to keep the GP100 and make the effort to buy the 686. I think this is a good investment.

Thanks again for your responses.
 
I think you made the right choice. I think trading away the Target Grey GP100 would have resulted in sellers regret not soon after. Besides, having a nice GP100 AND a nice 686 is a good place to be ;)
 
I had a very nice older 4" 686 a couple years ago. I liked it, but not as much as the K-frames I owned (Models 15 and 19). I sold it after a year of shooting.
But the recent production 3" GP100 I bought to replace it isn't going anywhere.
Out of the box, the trigger is fantastic, even compared to my well used Model 15. Plus, it's fixed sights shoot to POA, and it is a revolver I just can't seem to miss with.
 
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