Hello everybody. I am having trouble making up my mind and I would like to know your opinion: I was browsing the 'pre-owned' section of my local gun store the other day and found 2 nice revolvers: a ruger GP100 with 4" barrel, stainless, with new hogue grips ($335) and a S&W 686 6" barrel, stainless, no lock, with a blue-ish S&W logo on the rubber grip (older model maybe?) for $350. Both guns looked great, the S&W appeared older, but neither of the guns seem to have any major defects (Thank you Jim March for your teriffic thread), just some minor scratches. The salesperson did not seem to know much about the history of the guns. I know this is not a lot of info to go on, but if you had to choose, which one would you pick?
Which one would you pick?
- Thread starter tj_mlnr
- Start date
Matt Sutton
New member
I believe the Smith will be a better investment if resale value is a concern for you, but either gun would be a great choice. Maybe Ruger will introduce a lock more hideous than the S&W version, and the Ruger will be a collectors item. 
I ditto the good doctor. I have a 686 with a 6" barrel, and pachmayr combat grips and I don't like the balance. That's why I'm selling it. Don't take me wrong, I love my smiths.
I also own a GP-100 3" and Houge grips that has great balance. The trigger is not as good as my Smiths, but it's a keeper. Here's both...
I also own a GP-100 3" and Houge grips that has great balance. The trigger is not as good as my Smiths, but it's a keeper. Here's both...
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Bullrock:
I think that you have answered your own question, since you already own an Ruger GP100 and an S&W 686! If you buy the 6" S&W 686 in question, then you will be faced with the same balance problem that you already have with the 686 that you currently own!
Since you are already pleased with your Ruger 3" GP100-then, the 4" GP100 you are also considering, would be identical to the 3-inch GP100 you now own(Except for one extra inch in barrel length!)? I own an S&W 686-3(4" barrel)and although I do like it very much, I also like the fact that the Ruger GP100 is an even stronger revolver(Whether this strength is needed or not!)! You won't go wrong with either of these revolvers! Myself, I like the added advantage of the GP100, in being much simpler to assemble/dissassemble for routine cleaning and lubrication, than is the S&W 686!
Although it is safe to say that the 686 will probably always be considered to be somewhat more valuable than the GP100(Maybe?)for a gun that you intend to shoot(Not collect!)then, I'd pick the revolver that you like the best? You are not likely to blow these two(Very strong)revolvers up-so, you might prefer obtaining a mate for your 3" Ruger GP100(The 4" GP100!)and forget getting a "Duplicate" S&W 686 to what you own now! Just my opinion(But, the decision, must be yours!). Oh, one last thing to consider, is that the Ruger "Unwritten" warranty, is even better over the long term, than is the good warranty, that S&W offers! This has been widely reported on the Ruger(And, other forums)! I have also experienced this over the years! Good luck, in choosing?
P.S.: I really like your 3" GP100 and, with the wood grips(Instead of the factory GP100 rubber grips)and, your picture is nice too!
I think that you have answered your own question, since you already own an Ruger GP100 and an S&W 686! If you buy the 6" S&W 686 in question, then you will be faced with the same balance problem that you already have with the 686 that you currently own!
Since you are already pleased with your Ruger 3" GP100-then, the 4" GP100 you are also considering, would be identical to the 3-inch GP100 you now own(Except for one extra inch in barrel length!)? I own an S&W 686-3(4" barrel)and although I do like it very much, I also like the fact that the Ruger GP100 is an even stronger revolver(Whether this strength is needed or not!)! You won't go wrong with either of these revolvers! Myself, I like the added advantage of the GP100, in being much simpler to assemble/dissassemble for routine cleaning and lubrication, than is the S&W 686!
Although it is safe to say that the 686 will probably always be considered to be somewhat more valuable than the GP100(Maybe?)for a gun that you intend to shoot(Not collect!)then, I'd pick the revolver that you like the best? You are not likely to blow these two(Very strong)revolvers up-so, you might prefer obtaining a mate for your 3" Ruger GP100(The 4" GP100!)and forget getting a "Duplicate" S&W 686 to what you own now! Just my opinion(But, the decision, must be yours!). Oh, one last thing to consider, is that the Ruger "Unwritten" warranty, is even better over the long term, than is the good warranty, that S&W offers! This has been widely reported on the Ruger(And, other forums)! I have also experienced this over the years! Good luck, in choosing?
P.S.: I really like your 3" GP100 and, with the wood grips(Instead of the factory GP100 rubber grips)and, your picture is nice too!
Thanks guys!
Thanks very much guys for your opinions. I went back to the store this afternoon and got the S&W, mainly because of the feel of the trigger. The Ruger felt a bit 'gritty' compared to the very smooth pull on the S&W. The S&W is a bit heavier toward the barrel, but I like the feeling. By the way, it looks EXACTLY like the one in your picture Bullrock, same grips, everything.
Thanks very much guys for your opinions. I went back to the store this afternoon and got the S&W, mainly because of the feel of the trigger. The Ruger felt a bit 'gritty' compared to the very smooth pull on the S&W. The S&W is a bit heavier toward the barrel, but I like the feeling. By the way, it looks EXACTLY like the one in your picture Bullrock, same grips, everything.
I dont understand the locks...
Hello All!
I am considering both guns right now. Our used market here in Wyoming in our area is pretty limited, so I am looking at new ones. I am leaning toward the smith despite being a big ruger fan...
Here is my question, what do they mean by the locks on the newer smiths? So please inform me before I go and buy one!
Thanks!
Hello All!
I am considering both guns right now. Our used market here in Wyoming in our area is pretty limited, so I am looking at new ones. I am leaning toward the smith despite being a big ruger fan...
Here is my question, what do they mean by the locks on the newer smiths? So please inform me before I go and buy one!
Thanks!
shoots awe lots
New member
hellowyo the new Smith,s right above the cylinder release have a little round hole that accepts a key to lock up action so gun can,t be fired when the owner doesn,t want it to be. :barf: Smith bowed down to the Chuckie Schumers and Diane Finstein,s of our great senate and put locks on guns, they haven,t figured out that the people they are always trying to protect are the one,s shooting themselves.
Hey Thanks shoots awe lots
I am going to look at revolvers again tomorrow, I am going to look at that. I had heard people say that they dont like the lock... Besides being dumb, does it make the gun inferior mechanically to the older 686?
I heard someone say something about dirt getting in...
Thanks for the info!
I am going to look at revolvers again tomorrow, I am going to look at that. I had heard people say that they dont like the lock... Besides being dumb, does it make the gun inferior mechanically to the older 686?
I heard someone say something about dirt getting in...
Thanks for the info!
I have heard stories of the guns locking up during firing but I suspect this to be a very rare occurance. I don't like the look of the locks and don't like the principle behind them. I also don't like full underlugs on anything but a Manuhin or Colt Python and I don't like the new cylinder release so I'm kind of a purist.
Either of them should be fine revolvers, you won't go wrong either way. The 4" GP-100 is a more general purpose model, the 6" 686 is more of a target/hunting model.
But if it were me, between the 2, I'd go with the 686. Why? I've already got a 4" 686, I don't really see myself getting another 4" .357 Mag until I get a longer barrel one for target/hunting purposes.
But if it were me, between the 2, I'd go with the 686. Why? I've already got a 4" 686, I don't really see myself getting another 4" .357 Mag until I get a longer barrel one for target/hunting purposes.
If you are hunting or target shooting (ranges of 25 yards +) then 6".
IF you are looking for a plinker, short distance target shooting (50' or less), or are looking for a combat gun/IPSC or hunting back up, then 4".
I have a 6" GP100. I have a 4" Smith. The 4" simply handles so much better.
I'd go 4" GP100 over a 6" Smith unless I was looking for a long range target gun or a hunting weapon.
IF you are looking for a plinker, short distance target shooting (50' or less), or are looking for a combat gun/IPSC or hunting back up, then 4".
I have a 6" GP100. I have a 4" Smith. The 4" simply handles so much better.
I'd go 4" GP100 over a 6" Smith unless I was looking for a long range target gun or a hunting weapon.