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

[legaleagle]

686+ would be my choice. Love the Ruger GP100, but I would never buy a new ruger. Look into Bill Ruger and the "assault weapon" ban if you want to know why.

 

[MVF]

I have a 4" GP100 and am very happy with it. It is ridiculously accurate- I thought I had just gotten lucky, but have seen others say the same. I admit the Smith has a nicer double action trigger, but the Ruger feels better in my hand. As has been mentioned, smoothing up the trigger is not hard (and in fact my S&W 642 felt pretty rough out of the box).

With that said, I'm going to pass along what I think is the best piece of advice I ever got about choosing a gun- Shoot them both and get what works best for you! Doing this was a real eye opener for me as I was amazed at how much better I could shoot some guns than others. Of course you do want to make sure you get good quality, dependability, etc., but after that, I say go with shooting it yourself instead of others' opinions.

Have fun!

 

[jdigi101]

Both amazing guns. If you are going to feed it a ton of Buffalo Bore 180 grn or other hot .357's I would go with the Ruger. The GP100 is less $$$.

 

[drbarnes]

I have a GP100 so I voted for that but the S&W wheel guns are really nice.

 

[TrailWolf]

Same S&W 657 with NMSFNO (pic taken around Christmas, that explains the fruity background )


And a 1974 Ruger Security Six .357 magnum, father of the GP100

View attachment 233139

The Ruger and it's little brother from different parents.

I say go for the Smith & Wesson.

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

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

Woof guys, I'm drooling and jealous - your pics are ridiculously awesome and there are some real beauties in there - thanks for sharing!!! Seems that its pretty hard to just own ONE...

And thanks you to everyone so far with an overwhelming amount of great advice and the pretty significant nudge towards going Smith & Wesson... I am pretty set on going that route to start.

...But if you are getting a Glock, and will have something to shoot, then take your time with the revolver...

Brerarnold - really good point you and the others make about taking my time to find - and shoot - the perfect revolver revolver for me. Yes, I will have the Glock 19 to hold me over and I'm sure that with a little patience, I will be able to find a good supply of older pre-lock 686s and maybe some other S&W models in general, especially living in the firearm mecca that is Arizona.

Quick question, I know S&W warrants their guns for life, but is this only to the original owner or is it transferable? Life would be so much easier if all companies had warranties like Busse

Again really appreciate the help and this does make my decision to go S&W much easier... I'm still blown away at the poll results - thought it would be closer, but guess not

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[OldPhysics]

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:

Well. When Rick says "partial" -- he really means it!!

 

[OldPhysics]

Oh ... as to warranties and lifetimes.

I've got some Colts and Smiths that are at least 40 years old. They've been well taken care of by multiple owners and function perfectly.

Having pulled these apart and ogled all the little bits, it seems to me these are just well made little machines. With a little simple care and intelligent storage, they will last much longer than a lifetime.

One last point. I just love the 1911 auto -- definitely my go-to pistol. And yet, even I admit that a good revolver is a much more natural, reliable shooter. When, after due research and poking around, you finally get your dream revolver, you're going to be quite happy.

 

[hkman47]

Between those 2, definitely the 686. But, the Taurus 627 tracker in 4 inch might really be worth you checking out (every post has the jerk who can't stick to the topic, I figured it might as well be me for once!)

 

[TrailWolf]

Oh ... as to warranties and lifetimes.

I've got some Colts and Smiths that are at least 40 years old. They've been well taken care of by multiple owners and function perfectly.

Having pulled these apart and ogled all the little bits, it seems to me these are just well made little machines. With a little simple care and intelligent storage, they will last much longer than a lifetime.

One last point. I just love the 1911 auto -- definitely my go-to pistol. And yet, even I admit that a good revolver is a much more natural, reliable shooter. When, after due research and poking around, you finally get your dream revolver, you're going to be quite happy.

Thanks! I'm a pretty big proponent of buying quality the first time, so I will definitely put in the research and time to find the perfect Smith for me - already making a list of the other models mentioned to look into like the 19 and 27...

I agree that the relative simplicity of the revolver is just, well, comforting...


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[OldPhysics]

While on that search, do yourself a favor and handle a Colt Python at least once. Preferably 6" barrel.

And if the owner will let you shoot it -- absolutely do that.

They're not easy to find for any reasonable price, but they are pretty spectacular.

I got my Pythons many decades ago, before Colt stopped making them -- and they could be afforded, sort of.

How good are they? I know at least 5 gentlemen who own at least one, and not one of them would consider selling. Including me.

 

[M67]

Quick question, I know S&W warrants their guns for life, but is this only to the original owner or is it transferable? Life would be so much easier if all companies had warranties like Busse

.

Even if a firearm company states the warranty in only good for the original owner, that may not be true. I know of many second hand firearms that had to go back to a company and they still cover it. Companies like Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Kimber, Springfield, Savage, and Remington really take care of their customers :thumbup:

The only time I've not heard of Smith honoring a warranty is with the 500 S&W using Bullseye powder. Some claim that with a specific amount of powder and air mixture that the powder explodes instead of burns, causing the cylinder and top strap to pretty much blow apart. Smith claims irresponsibility of the handloader (double charged rounds) instead of the "explosion" idea. Then again, Glock 10mms that go kaboom they don't generally honor either, once again they claim irresponsibility of the user instead of them making an error or the ammo company making an error (factory double charged rounds).

Ruger seems to be pretty up to date on their warranty. If you ever find a pre 1972 Ruger revolver, they want you to send it in to have a transfer bar put in (safety reason), it doesn't matter if you're the first owner or the 100th. They want that bar in there.

 

[Gress]

Do you have enough balls...

to fool around?

Ruger is great gun, but this one is always here

 

[HAKnPocket]

Buying new - GP100

Buying used - 686

Find a 686 with out the lock, its worth the time. I really love both so I am not going to vote. I'm just going to give you my input. Eventually you will end up with one of each so it really doesn't matter which you get first.

 

[TrailWolf]

While on that search, do yourself a favor and handle a Colt Python at least once. Preferably 6" barrel.

And if the owner will let you shoot it -- absolutely do that.

They're not easy to find for any reasonable price, but they are pretty spectacular.

I got my Pythons many decades ago, before Colt stopped making them -- and they could be afforded, sort of.

How good are they? I know at least 5 gentlemen who own at least one, and not one of them would consider selling. Including me.

I will absolutely do that. However do you and people in general use them and use them a lot or are they too collectible? This would be a camping and plinking gun that I intend on using regularly and not have to worry about dinging up. I have problems using the few LEs I've owned (and sold them both) as they were just too nice - but I guess that is my own issue...

Just curious, but what is a reasonable range for a 6" Python in good shape?

Been checking out gun broker and its good to see so many pre-lock S&Ws - hoping it will be as easy to find them in a store as I think I would be hesitant to buy a gun site unseen...

@M67 - good to know that S&W, and Ruger, take care of their customers - had a few problems with both my Marlins and their CS left a lot to be desired...


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[rbmcmjr]

Is this an F-Comp or some sort of 629?

 

[azshaman]

Glad to hear you will be visiting our way, TrailWolf!

From a lady's standpoint, I have the S&W in .45LC and I absolutely love it. My favorite wheelgun, hands down. Sorry I don't have a pic, just got home from Phoenix. My true love, however, is the 1911 .45 Ed Brown. I agree with Old Physics about that!

Lots of ideas, here, though!

 

[TrailWolf]

Glad to hear you will be visiting our way, TrailWolf!

From a lady's standpoint, I have the S&W in .45LC and I absolutely love it. My favorite wheelgun, hands down. Sorry I don't have a pic, just got home from Phoenix. My true love, however, is the 1911 .45 Ed Brown. I agree with Old Physics about that!

Lots of ideas, here, though!

Thanks!

I had the chance to hold a few 1911s last time I was out your way and they had such a nice and considerable feel to them - very classy and almost nostalgic to boot - I loved the look and feel of the Colt GI or maybe it was Springfield. Classic.

I know I will wind up adding a third handgun eventually and when I have a nice chunk of change would love to spend it on a Brown or Baer - I have always thought they are like fine art and beautiful in a way the other semi-autos and revolvers just arent, but never thought I should consider one for a first handgun - they seem more like something to work up to - if that makes sense?

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[bravodelta]

The Smith is way smoother and the Rugers is beefier (especially the to strap). The Rugers is also a lower price point. With that said, you can't go wrong either way. I have both...

 

[Ken44]

I love Smith revolvers, and the 686 is a great one. I've had a 686 Classic Hunter for the past twenty years, and when I had a 2x leoupld mounted it would easily put every shot in the bottom of a coke can at 80yds(from the bench). They are also easy to do a trigger job on, compared to others IMO. My Python had that super smooth action and that great bluing, but my Smith would out shoot it and felt better in my hand.

 

[high desert]

I've owned both S+W and Ruger revolvers. Both are reliable, but out of the box the S+W triggers are way smooth. There is a reason they cost more.