Ruger GP100, or Smith 686?

T

twoblink

New member
Well, as much as I like the Colt Python, I've decided it's not for me...

So.. help me out here boyz and girlz, I am saving towards one of these two guns..

I think the Smith has a better trigger, the Ruger digests anything and I'm a bit familiar with it because I have a Ruger SP101...

So give me the pro's and con's... Thanks.

I hope this is one of those "Hey yo Albert, not a bad choice in the two.." type of situations...

Albert
 
KGP-141

The Ruger is more durable, easier to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance, and in my experience more accurate (with at least one load).
Less expensive.
Millett front sight pops right in.
Pachmayr Decelerators fit perfectly.

Oh, and I prefer the Ruger triggers (own six).
 
twoblink, I like the 686 plus 7rounder. Aside from the xtra round the bolt stop notches are now between chambers and because it is a 7round cylinder it does not roatate as far as a 6 round. This makes for a shorter double action pull. I carry my 3" daily!
 
Well, there ISN'T a bad choice among the two you have named...MY personal preference is for the S&W 686, in either six OR seven-shot guise...I prefer the "FEEL" of the S&W action/triggerpull, and I'm not convinced that the Ruger offers any REAL discernable difference in stoutness. I've got an early 586--the blued counterpart of the 686--that has fired over 35,000 rounds without a failure or parts breakage of any kind...other than needing to be reblued, it's still going strong!
I belive that the S&W is a little more "refined" than the Ruger, with the Ruger having more modern manufacturing methods incorporated into its construction...you pays your money and you takes your chances!!!....mikey357
 
Hmm, I don't think anybody doubts the Tank-like build of the Rugers... My worry has always been about the accuracy.. I assume the Python, 686, GP100, in terms of accuracy in that order..

Any real discernable differences in the accuracy dept??

Albert
 
twoblink, you don't say what the useage will be....ccw, open cary, target, plink or ? Or all of the above.

If plannin to shoot stout loads I would go with the Ruger.

Accuracy would be up to the individual gun and load combination regardless of brand.

Particularly applicable to Smiths; check before buying. Check timing of each chamber, dia of each chamber at exit end, smoothness of shoulder in each chamber and crane to frame gap when locked up. Check for forcing cone finish. All of these points are all too often out of whack on newer Smiths. Most have at least one problem and a few have had all of em at once.....from the factory.

If you like the 686 platform, take a look at the 586, same gun only made from medium carbon ordinance steel. Stronger, more wear resistant and will definately last longer if you shoot a lot.

Please do not buy a post agreement Smith. If you do you are giving money to the gun grabbers.

Sam...ex Smith dealer.
 
Since you already got a SP 101, get a GP 100. That way, you have two revolvers with the same controls (ie push button cylinder release). Its a good idea to have your full size and backup operate the same way.
 
Don't worry, I would buy a pre-treason gun if I got a 686.

Also, I am going to use it for pretty much target, 99% of the time. My SP101 Snubbie is for my home D. I will crank a few 357Maggies through it, but probably do a lot of 38Spls though it, since in a gun that size, the 38's feel like .22LR's.

But the "Feels the same as my SP101" is pretty appealing to me...

Albert
 
I have a 686 Plus (7 shot). It is an excellent gun, very accurate. I'll email you some targets if you like, just let me know. I think it is better than the Ruger. However, if you purchase an S & W product, you will be contributing to the next round of gun owner oppression. S & W is actively pursuing Clinton-type "smart gun" technology per its agreement with the socialists, even though the government isn't pressuring them to do so. I'd hoped that S & W would try to get out of the agreement, but they aren't. I like the 686 and won't sell it, but I wouldn't have bought it if I'd known that they intended to continue cooperating with real gun nuts.
Dennis D. Carter
 
I have both the KGP141 and Smith 686 (4" stainless). They shake out as follows:

Fit and finish: advantage Smith, Rugers not bad, but tool marks on interior surfaces.

Trigger: advantage Smith. Smoother on both single and double action pulls. Difference is not much, but noticable if you handle them side by side.

Sights: advantage Smith. Ruger would have done better to spend a few dollars more for a better set of sights. Both Smith and Ruger sights are usable and easy to bring to bear on target, but Ruger take a non-standard screwdrive to adjust (use jewlers set).

Price: advantage Ruger. About $100 less. Is the Smith worth $100 more? I'm not really sure, your call.

Durability: You ain't going to wear either out! Call it a draw.

Esthetics: Your call. The Ruger is a hair more pleasing to my eye.

I shoot both, accuracy is not an issue for either. Wouldn't trade either. You can't go wrong with either choice. Go on down to you local dealer and handle both. Don't hesitate to dry fire them, both Smith and Ruger say it's OK and will not harm them. Then decide which feels best and best fits your wallet.
 
Put me down with a vote for the Ruger. Reason? They feel solid in the hand and are pleasing to the eye.

Both are accurate firearms. The trigger on the Ruger can compare to, if not beat a Smith with a little TLC.

Don't fret, just get what you want, you wont be disappointed with either. Im going through the same thing looking for a .22 right now. Ive narrowed it down to a S&W 617 or a Ruger Mk II. Whats your opinion?

Bob
 
A lot of the "Ruger bad rep on DA triggers" came from the Redhawk, which is apparantly difficult to tune. Not sure the details, but it seems to have the same spring for two different functions, one of which is the trigger return. You can't lighten that without screwing something else up...lightening the trigger return spring is one of the first tricks in the gunsmith's book.

The GP100 is a different design...widely available spring kits seem to do wonders for 'em.

Very good drop-in aftermarket sights (including Tritium) are available for the GP100. Ashley has a Tritium setup for adjustable-sight models that's not in their catalog yet, you have to call...fixed-sight front Tritium dots are cataloged.

There's two sizes of grip frame available for the the GP100.

If you ever need to load up for wilderness carry, such as Black Bear defense and need maxed-out .357 loads, advantage RUGER.

Basic accuracy potential is extremely close, way too close to call. Only the trigger really separates the two and the Ruger trigger can be home-tuned.

I'd buy the Ruger.
 
Bobshouse:

I also have a Mark II. Do not have the Smith .22 you referenced. I love the Mark II. Mine is a standard model (50th aniversary special) with fixed sights and standard barrel. Trigger is terrific. Accuracy is great out of the box. Initial field stripping and reassembly is a hair difficult, but if you follow the instructions and illustrations to the letter it can be done without teaching the kids a whole lot of new words. With practice, reassembly becomes a piece of cake. Highly recommend the gun. Have no experience with a Smith so cannot make a comparison.
 
twoblink,

Needless to say, I've owned several Colt Python's
and two S&W model 686's. Both are capeable of some
extremely fine accuracy; but the Colt is a very
tedious firearm, with close tolerance's. That being said, the Python doesn't favor handloader's.
While I much prefer a 6", six shot 686; I could
make do with a six inch model 19, just as well.


C.R. Sam, when I bought my 686-5; I couldn't find
a 586 period. What's the deal, has S&W converted
to making nothing but stainless steel L frame
revolver's?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
586 discontinued 1999. Used market pretty skimpy, seems that most of those who have em won't part with em. But they do show up once in a while.

Sam
 
That's a pretty tough choice you have. Although I am a Ruger fan, I still love a nice pre-sellout S&W. I think the prices of both would be the deciding factor. Are you looking at new? If so, the Ruger is probably more affordable.
 
Comments on a couple of above replies--

Ala Dan: "What's the deal, has S&W converted to making nothing but stainless steel L frame revolver's? "
I believe that's the case. Last S&W catalog I saw, there were but a couple of blue models. Simplification, perhaps?

Jim March: Sights and springs - - -probably equal numbers of aftermarket kits available for both Ruger and S&W. If you limit yourself to ONLY spring substitution mods, I think advantage is slightly toward Ruger.

"If you ever need to load up for wilderness carry, such as Black Bear defense and need maxed-out .357 loads, advantage RUGER."
The L-frame S&W came into being mainly because the K-frame wouldn't hold up to a steady diet of full-power magnum loads as well as the Colts. You wouldn't be at a disadvantage with the S&W for a moderate amount of heavy loads, thought they might be more comfprtable in the heavier Ruger.

All the best - - -
Johnny
 
If I go with the 686, it will be a 7 rounder I'm sure..

I like the 22/45 over the MarkII personally, (I ended up buying a 22/45) The reason is, I had borrowed a MarkII a few times for my ex to use, and later on, when she had a bigger caliber handgun in her hand, she was looking for the mag release on the bottom. So I thought, hmm.. I want to keep the gun controls consistant.. Accurate and fun to shoot too..

Albert
 
I have a 686 7 shot. I love this pistol. I even like it better than any automatic pistol that I have ever owned. With a 686, you would have the option of a Weigand Combat barrel conversion. I recently had mine converted, and I chose the 6 inch barrel, and I always have the option of buying different length barrels from 2.5 to 5 inches. The conversion barrel and shroud are a lighter package than a 6 inch full lug S&W 686 barrel. If it is mainly going to be used for a target, plinking gun, then the configuration above that I described is just the ticket, and can always double as an all the time house gun. Sling Shot
 
Put me in the KGP 141 camp. After a couple thousand rounds, the GP100's double action trigger pull is as smooth as a baby's behind.

And I'm looking forward to many, many thousands more rounds since this gun's built like a tank. I had to drift my sights a hair to the left as the gun broke in, but... isn't that what adjustable sights are for?

Billy Ruger's BMW dashboard grip works just fine in my hand; I can handle a couple boxes of the heaviest rounds without having to go see a physical therapist afterward. The 686's I've shot have always had stouter felt recoil in my hand.
 
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