Ok Hogs: 686 or GP100? UPDATE: SHE ARRIVED - PICS!

[wardleather]

GP100 for me. I wouldn't mind owning a 686. I have my grandfathers 13-3. My brother in law spent weeks debating the same thing...bought a 686. Traded it in on a GP100 a month later. If you're someone who likes to tinker with your guns and want to be able to completely break them down for cleaning, you'll have an easier time with the ruger unless you are planning on becoming an armorer for s&w.

Also, keep in mind the demographics of the crowd you are polling. Run the same thread under the esee forum and you'd probably get a different answer.

 

[Garth Reckner]

Both are excellent revolvers. Really don't think you can go wrong either way. So the best advice I can give is to handle both of them and see what feels better to your hand. For me that is the smith but my dad thinks the smith grip is horrible and really prefers ruger. Kind of like knives, what feels good to some may be totally wrong for others.

Garth

 

[Steven65]

Both are excellent guns but for me the 686 just feels better in the hand. I also prefer Smith triggers.........
Good luck with your search........

Steven

 

[wolf-man-12]

There is nothing out there that will replace a 6" Pyhon SS ~~ but then a 6" S&W 686 is as close as you will get if they both have a 2# Trigger pull as all my 6 shooters have been worked on for a 2# pull but then you have to know the Gun and practice ~~ practice and then do it again.!

 

[Andy the Aussie]

686 ....without question...

 

[fishiker]

Both are nice but I would go with the 686.

 

[jabean]

I have both guns, and I prefer the 686 . The 686 I have with 2 1/2 inch barrel with wood combat grips shoots a very tight group at 50 feet and feels great in the hand , 686 my choice if I want to pack a wheel gun. I prefer the 1911 semi atomatic over any hand gun

 

[M67]

If you're someone who likes to tinker with your guns and want to be able to completely break them down for cleaning, you'll have an easier time with the ruger unless you are planning on becoming an armorer for s&w.

True, Ruger revolvers are a breeze to take apart, with the hammer spring out the pins remove smooth and the parts fall out, there's no special tricks to do.

Smiths take a little practice and familiarity. Even with that leaf spring out there's an order to taking it apart; but with the side plate out you can see how everything works which is very nice because you can figure out the mechanics easier.

Then again, revolvers rarely need a full take down, only when caked in mud/crud do you really need to. And giving them a trigger job is failry quick.

This is a stripped Ruger (with the exception of the cylinder release being removed) as you can see, nothing complicated.


As for the Smith, here's what most the internals look like just by removing the side plate




Looks complicated, really isn't. Transfer bar pops off with the plate gone, take the leaf spring out the hammer comes out, go from there.

 

[UDDwaine]

I say go for the Smith & Wesson.

 

[OldPhysics]

Had to vote for the 686.

But really, I prefer the Colt Python. But ... try to find one for a reasonable price!!

 

[Wicked Sharp]

I prefer the Smith & Wesson..., but you can't go wrong with either. I was disappointed in Smith several years ago when they folded to the anti-gunners and began manufacturing revolvers with internal gun locks. I have a friend that personally had his lock engage one day through a malfunction of the weapon while firing on a private range. IF I HAD TO BET MY LIFE ON THE ABILITY TO FIRE..., I would rather have a Ruger. Overall, I prefer the Smith. Sorry for rambling.

 

[Brerarnold]

Of the two, I favor the 686. There's nothing wrong with the Ruger, and as others have said, it is built like a tank.

But if you are getting a Glock, and will have something to shoot, then take your time with the revolver. If you like the .357, look around for a model 19. It is the old K-frame. IMO, the K frame revolvers are among the best ever made, and the Model 19 has no peer. They are a bit smaller. They cannot take a constant pounding of full-house magnum loads like an N-frame or the 686. But who shoots hundreds and hundreds of magnum loads anyway? Use .38s for most of your practice. Run 50 magnums through it every so often just so you remember how it feels. If you like the fit and finish of the 686 compared to the Ruger, you will absolutely love the Model 19. Worth looking around for; there are plenty in good condition.

And then there are the Model 13s. Not everyone's taste. It is much like the M19, same basic K-frame build and innards. It has more of a bull barrel appearance -- the M19 is undoubtedly more elegant -- and does not have adjustable sights. I had to play with some handloading to find a load that shot to point of aim consistently, but once I found it, what a gun. Not quite as prevalent, but usually less expensive. A lot of police departments bought this one instead of the M19, so they might show some holster wear, but they have not been shot a lot.

Buddy, with what you're thinking, you can't go wrong any whichaway you decide. What a great dilemma to have!

 

[1066vik]

while it's hard to beat an older 686 for smooth action, etc...
the difference in quality between the new guns is fairly minimal.
I vote GP100 -- even after sending it off for an action job, you'll have a couple hundred $$ left over for practice ammo before reaching the price of the 686. I also find the stock Ruger grips more comfortable than the factory S&W scales & ease of disassembly/simplicity of mechanism adds to the value for me.

 

[kdstrick]

I have a 686 and a SP101. 686 has the smoother factory action... no doubt. But with a little work cleaning up the internals the SP101 is just fine and several hundred dollars cheaper. You will find the same to be true with the sp101's bigger brother.

Something else to consider... the new S&W revolvers all have the "hillary-hole" internal safety. Massad Ayoob claims to have seen this 'safety' accidentally engage while firing on several occasions. It can be deactivated, but that may cause other legal liability issues. The older Smith's are fantastic and I own several, but I will not and would not own a 'hillary-hole' model. The first requirement of a gun is to fire when you pull the trigger. If it doesn't do that it's just an expensive hammer.

Here is a link to Ayoob's take on the S&W internal lock... you can decide for yourself if you want to take the chance. I'd never trust my life to one... : http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2009/09/03/internal-gun-locks/

Ayoob writes: "Personally, all the S&W revolvers I carry or use for anything serious are older models without the locks."

Good luck with the search... let us know what you choose!

 

[Turbo Tension]

They both make great guns. Buy either an enjoy!

 

[philwar]

Gimme the Smith any time. I could never get used to the ergo's on the Ruger, and the Smith's butt allows for endless customizations with grips.

 

[Robocarullo]

686 all the way as long as it is a pre lock model. Gunbroker is a nice place to window shop.

 

[rbmcmjr]

If you are talking new, I vote Ruger, simply to avoid the "Hillary Hole" and all of the issues associated with it. The Ruger is hell-for-strong and will give years of good service.

If you are willing to look for an older model, a pre-MIM/pre-lock S&W is the hot ticket.

I'm partial to the Model 27 and its ilk:

 

[dull yet deadly]

There is nothing out there that will replace a 6" Python SS ~~ !

I concur. No revolver is as silky smooth as the Colt Python, cocking and trigger wise. Definitely on my "must have" short list if I ever come across the right one, at a fair price (yeah I know-pipe dream). I own a pair of S&W's, and think they are excellent wheel guns. But, I don't have anything against Rugers. And I really doubt if the opinions would change if you started this thread in another forum, as the other member sugested. Quality is quality.

It's too bad you don't live in Michigan. I have been toying with the idea of selling my 6", as pictured in most of the photos in this thread.
Good luck in your search...

 

[rbmcmjr]

The Rugers I've seen in the stores had no warnings written on them, but it's a small town/local store, they aren't the most recent examples.

The Ruger billboard has been a fixture on their guns for at least twenty years. Lately, they have moved some of them to the underside of the barrel, so you might have just missed it.