Used S&W 65 or Ruger GP100?

F

flycaster

New member
I'm looking at two used revolvers, both in excellent condition. The Smith 65 is priced at $425, and the Ruger at $250. Both have 4" barrels, and both lock up well. The Ruger, like the Smith, has a fixed rear sight. Now, $175 is a big price difference- but I'll seriously consider the 65 if there are good arguments in its favor over the Ruger (or, the Ruger could come out on top, too!). Thanks for your input.

Chuck, who thinks wheelguns are just so great!
 
You sound just like me

Money is an issue. I went with the cheaper Ruger. Nothing at all wrong with S & W. Own them and love them, but if $ is an issue you WILL NOT go wrong with the Ruger. Solid and a great shooter
 
Ruger...

All day...

Every day...

I have never understood what justifies the expense of a S&W revolver. The S&W trigger is certainly superior OTB, but does that warrant the 150 to 200 tarriff that is typical. Ruger revolvers are tough, well built, and reliable to a fault.

That said, if money is the deciding factor, or even if it wasn't, I would be saying the same thing. Save money... but the Ruger and get yourself a high quality holster and some ammo.

God Bless!
 
My only reservation with the SP's, GP's, later Redhawks and Super Redhawks is an occasional case of in sufficient firing pin protrusion. You should have .050-.055" of firing pin protrusion (FPP) with hammer down, and the trigger held all the way back. You can check this by opening the cylinder, manipulating the cylinder release, pulling the trigger, holding it back- and sliding the edge of a US dime up against the protruding firing pin. Edges of dimes will usually mic about .053-.055 so the extended firing pin should protrude to about that thickness, in relationship to the coin. I personally will avoid Ruger DA's that show significantly less FPP than th edge of a dime. I have gained as much as .007" on these guns by carefully refitting the nose of the hammer, and a new transfer bar.

Both are good guns, and given equal use I suspect that the GP will wear out a couple of 65's before it has timing problems. I find much to like about the 4" blue, fixed-sight GP-100.
 
That model 65 must be made of gold...check out some of the police trade ins and auction sites. 200 would be my max.

I carried a 65 for quite awhile on duty. Then the Dept. made us change to Glocks. I'd go back to the 65 in a heart beat. I bought mine used for 165 close to 10 years ago...

All things being equal, my vote would be for the 65. The trigger is SO much better than the Ruger's. Since it's not equal, go Ruger.
 
Way too much. I recently purchased this M66 for $324.00
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A NIB SW Model 66 (2 1/2") for $375.00.
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And a few days ago this one for $340.00
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And my son bought this one 3 months ago for $350.00
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I also own a GP-100 (3") and it would be a tough choice for me to recommend one over the other. For the price your being quoted on the SW65, you could buy a NIB GP-100, and that's what I would do... ;)
 
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Like omegapd, I carried a 65 as a duty revolver for a time before we converted to semis (S&W 6906). Liked the revolver then and like it now. Also had a S&W Model 13 (a blued 65 if you will) with a 3' barrel and liked it even better. As other posters observed, you should be able to get a 65 significantly cheaper than the one you're looking at- if not, I agree that it would be hard to justify the price difference between it and the Ruger (which isn't a bad choice in its own right).

As far as any meaningful differences between the two revolvers (other than the subjective question of ergonomics-to each his own here), I would argue that the Ruger should prove more durable over time but I much prefer the trigger of the Smith and would opt for the 65 for that reason alone.
 
For the prices and models indicated, I would opt for the GP-100 without any question. Incidentally, I own two GP-100s and one SP-101; all have been terrific: accurate, reliable, durable, top-quality design and manufacture, NEVER a failure, and built as strong as a bank vault.
 
I have to recommend the Ruger, based primarily on my experience. SW wheelguns are excellent, fantastic weapons with crisp triggers, but you will probably die before that Ruger starts to wear out.

If you're going to carry however, the SW will probably weigh less than the GP100 and be somewhat more comfortable, although I've no problems with my GP.
 
NRAhab

but you will probably die before that Ruger starts to wear out.
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There is no doubt about that, especially at my age. :eek: I also have to figure in the number of times I shoot my Ruger which isn't much. I always end up with a Colt or a SW in my hand. If I was only 21, I still wouldn't wear out any of my Smiths before kicking the bucket.

If you're buying a gun to out-live you go Ruger, and don't be suprised if it dies before you do. If your buying a gun that is great to shoot as you described, then go Smith Wesson. Take care if it and it will out live you!!! :D
 
If you're going to carry however, the SW will probably weigh less than the GP100 and be somewhat more comfortable, although I've no problems with my GP.
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While I cannot argue the point that the S&W weighs less than the Ruger... its true. I can however disagree with the above statement. If you are going to carry this gun, especially if concealment is the desired result, a high quality leather holster will be needed. With the money that will be saved with the purchase of the Ruger, spend (don't be cheap) the money to get a holster that fits you and the gun properly. If you do that, the weight issue will be less of a factor.

All of this talk about the trigger pull and how the S&W is soooooo much better. While I admit as I have before that the S&W trigger is superior, is it $200.00 better? If it is that much of an issue, buy the ruger, pick up a GOOD holster, and get a trigger job. You will still probably spend less than the S&W tarriff.

God Bless
 
I aree with most of the people here. I'd prefer the Ruger over any gun that's over-priced. But if you can get a S&W 65 or even a model 13 for $300 or less, I'd go with the Smith. We all get tired with our toys and you'd get better resale value with a Smith.
 
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