Which Gun, Which Length

Ruger GP100 or S&W 686

  • Total voters
    71
S

Smith and Wesson

New member
I'm going to get a .357 Mag revovler and I have narrowed down to the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP100. Which of these would you pick? I'm not going to use this gun for carry or hunting, just as a gun to shoot at the range. And as a seperate question, I would prefer a 4" barrel, but I see more 3" guns. So would their be a significant drop in velocity with 357 mag ammo in a 3" inch barrel over a 4" barrel? I know muzzle blast will increase, but I am mainly concerned about velocity.
 
Your question required some additional questions:

If you're only using it on the range, why are you concerned with velocity? Accuracy and velocity have very little to do with one another. Are you shooting at super long range?

The velocity difference between a 3" and 4" is not much. I'd say 15% or so. That said, your ammo choice has much more affect on velocity than a one inch difference in barrel length.

If you want super high velocities, will you be handloading hot loads? If you're running hot loads, you may want to go with the Ruger as they are a bit more sturdy than Smith and Wesson guns.

Will you be shooting primarily double action or single action? If you're shooting double action, you may want to go with the Smith and Wesson because it generally has a better trigger.

The other factor to keep in mind when considering your barrel length is sight radius. The added sight radius of the 4" will generally make accurate shooting easier.

When choosing between such similar guns, "range gun" really isn't a good enough description. If you just want to blast away and have fun at 7-20 yards, get whichever gun is the cheapest and spend the savings on ammo. If you're doing long range handgun shooting (25 yards+), you'll want the longer barrel simply for the increased sight radius. If you're trying to develop hot hand loads, then go with the Ruger.
 
Get the 4" gun.

Better sight radius, better accuracy. Less muzzle blast and flash. Remember, the legendary .357 magnum was made... well legendary... when it was coming out of cop's 4" service revolver barrels.

It gives an excellent blend of velocity/energy without being too large. IMHO the 4" barrel is the ONLY way to go for a true "all purpose" .357 magnum revolvers.

Also, I HIGHLY recommend a GP100 with a 4" barrel. It's one HECK of a revolver for the price. But if not, at least get a 4" something!
 
I'm a big S&W revolver fan. I have a couple of 686's & several other S&W revolvers from 3" to 6". If you're using it "just as a gun to shoot at the range"
it doesn't matter much which one you get. They're all fun to shoot. If you think you might want to shoot some kind of competition in the future, than the 6" is generally more accurate & the 4" is faster moving from shot to shot for most.
Around here it's rare to see revolvers other than S&W's in competition.
Good luck.
Let me add Rugers are great revolvers. I've owned several. Generally thought of as being more resilient than S&W. Great company to deal with. But, I find S&W is somewhat more refined & the triggers are generally better. Rugers make great range guns & if I was to shoot a steady diet of 357's, I would probably want a Ruger.
 
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If you haven't shot a full house load in 4" 357, it's a ride. For your stated purpose, I'd go with a 6" barrel because it will be much easier and more comfortable to shoot.
 
686 3" & 686 4"

Well it just so happens that I have S&W 686's in both 3" and 4" bbls (& 8-3/8" bbl). Oh, and a chronograph ;)

I come bearing gifts. Real, actual, side-by-side velocity data for a host of various loadings:

We shall start with a light bullet & fast powder) 125g JHP; 8.0g AA2:
1195 fps 3" bbl; 396 ft/lb
1212 fps 4" bbl; 408 ft/lb
1177 fps 8-3/8" bbl - that's right - a lower reading - the fast powder had expended itself and barrel friction had taken over. Just thought I'd throw that one in for fun ;)

Light bullet, medium speed powder) 125g JHP; 11.2g HS-6:
1271 fps 3" bbl; 448 ft/lb
1315 fps 4" bbl; 480 ft/lb

Light bullet, medium/slowish powder) 125 JHP; 9.6g Power Pistol:
1304 fps 3" bbl; 472 ft/lb
1371 fps 4" bbl; 522 ft/lb

Heavy bullet, medium speed powder) 158 JHP; 9.2g AA5:
1097 fps 3" bbl; 422 ft/lb
1159 fps 4" bbl; 471 ft/lb

Heavy bullet, slow powder) 158 JHP; 10.5g AA7
1143 fps 3" bbl; 458 ft/lb
1208 fps 4" bbl; 512 ft/lb

There's some data to chew on ;)
 
I voted Ruger because I think they are more solidly built. If you are going for accuracy, the longer barrel has the advantage due to the sight radius.
 
If you are going for accuracy, the longer barrel has the advantage due to the sight radius.
Click to expand...

No doubt this is technically true. But I have no trouble knocking the center of the target out with my 3". It's highly accurate. And in a way, the shorter sight radius is an advantage because the front sight - being closer - appears wider, and takes up more room inside the rear blade notch; so there's not as much "play" inside it. If that made any sense.
 
I own your picks older counterparts in a variety of barrel lengths:

Ruger Security Six- 6"
S&W Model 19- 4"
S&W Model 65- 3"

IMHO, I like my Smith revolvers better, but not by much. The feel and design just appeal to me more than the Ruger. That said, if you reload, and plan on experimenting with hotter loads, I'd lean Ruger. They are renowned for being sturdier revolvers than S&W, albeit sometimes not as refined.

I do strongly reccomend a 6" barrel for range use. The heavier gun helps negate revolver from hotter 357 loads. The 4" is great for outdoor carry, because it helps make the revolver easier to draw from a hip holster, and are easy to find. 3" barrels tend to be harder to find, but make better CC guns. With your stated use, I'd go 6" all the way.
 
I have heard thru the grapevine Smith was better at holding or even increasing its monetary value over Ruger. If true, it could be simply because of name recognition.

The above is rather minor. In the case of almost equal firearms, it is best to pick the one you personally like the best.
 
lamarw said:
I have heard thru the grapevine Smith was better at holding or even increasing its monetary value over Ruger. If true, it could be simply because of name recognition.

The above is rather minor. In the case of almost equal firearms, it is best to pick the one you personally like the best.
Click to expand...

That's really a good point. It has clearly been true based on the older models (compare the used prices on a Model 19/66 vs a Security Six in similar condition.)
 
I voted Ruger because I have a 4" GP100 (and a 2.25" SP101 and a 6.5" Blackhawk in 357 too.) For strictly a range gun a 6" barrel is the way to go, especially if you are worried about velocity loss and increased muzzle blast. It will have less blast, higher velocity and a longer sight radius which will translate into better practical accuracy. If down the road you might want to use it as a woods gun a 4" may be the better choice.
 
I'm a pretty big fan of both companies, although I only own one S&W and no Rugers yet. However for some reason, when it comes to 357 offerings, I have always leaned toward the GP100 over the 686. I think, if money is not a factor, you should base the decision more on how the gun feels and operates in your hands more than any concerns about barrel length, perceived carftsmanship (to an extent), and the like.

If you haven't already, go out and handle or rent a few offerings from both companies, particularly the models you listed, and see which one feels better to you whether it be grip size, balance, or something else. If I ever do add a 357 to my small collection, it will likely be a GP100 with the old style insert grips because after handling several offerings that is the best balanced mid-sized 357 revolver for me. This varies person by person and is best to see for yourself.
 
If this is a range gun, why not go 6"? To me, that length makes a perfect range gun.

As far as Ruger or S&W, you cant go wrong with either. Pick the one you loke the most and fits you best. I think S&W has a slightly better trigger but try both and see what you like best.
 
I'd hunt around for an old short-shroud 4" GP-100 with fixed sighs and if necessary, regulate it to shoot to the sights.
 
I went through the same decision making years ago. I was looking at the S&W 686 Plus and the Ruger SP100. Ended up buying the S&W 686 Plus with a 4" barrel. I never looked back.
 
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