S&W or Ruger?

the rugers are more rugged and heavy but the S&W is more elegant, imho anyway, while i have never been a big fan of S&W autos i have always liked there revolvers, imho it just depends on what ya like/what ya are gonna use it for.

in a D/A revolver i prefer S&W, especially for a carry pistol, i dont know if ya can beat a ruger S/A though, certainly not as far as ruggedness.
 
Has anyone tried out the later model S&Ws? Reading around, it seems that alot of the small parts are now MIM and they all have an internal key lock that might or might not like to jam things up.
 
I own a "new" (a/k/a Clintoniized) S&W 630, and haven't had any problems with it.
 
Samael said:
I own a "new" (a/k/a Clintoniized) S&W 630, and haven't had any problems with it.
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Good to hear. I'm finally getting around to trying to get my pistol permit and some of the research I've been doing really saddens me. For instance: Springfield 1911s made in Brazil? from MIM parts?
 
OK, we're de-railing the thread, but what the heck. Rumor has it Colt is back in the 1911 business again. I haven't seen any of them, but then again I haven't looked (I'm quite happy with my 20-year-old Commander). If I was in the market for a 1911, I'd check that out.
 
I have read some unpleasant things about the newer model S&W 686. The most bothersome is some sort of a built in safety lock that can make the gun inoperable at awkward times, to put it mildly. The old ones do not have it. There was a police officer who said the gun locked up after it fell to the floor. His concern was this happening during a scuffle where a gun getting jarred hard may be a possibility.

I have also heard it said that the newer Smith and Wesson 686 as well as other S&Ws are now using cast metal just like the Ruger and MIM computer fabricated steel (whatever that means. They say it's not good though.)

Although in general the overall impression is that current S&Ws are still smoother than the Ruger in the trigger action department, they are often not as smooth as the older models with quality control somewhat spotty.

With trigger jobs done by a gunsmith both the GP100 and the 686 are said to be equally accurate.

From what I read, I would probably like the looks, feel, and trigger action of the 686 better but I can live without them. The GP100 would probably be my pick unless I came across an older 686 in excellent condition, then the choice would not be so easy.

The Ruger is more rugged and dependable in my opinion.
 
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wintermute said:
Has anyone tried out the later model S&Ws? Reading around, it seems that alot of the small parts are now MIM and they all have an internal key lock that might or might not like to jam things up.
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In the past three years I've been shooting my new 617, I've had zero problems, aside from the crappy trigger it came with. I notified Smith, and then had me send it back, and after they got it back to me, I swear it must have been through the custom shop. Greassed glass double action, and super crisp glass rod sngle action.

The wife and I are die hard target shooters, and being retired, we go to the range twice a week. The better half is still shooting the olod model 17 she had when I met her, and my new 617 has had a 550 box of Federal's through it about once a week since I got it. That's about 1500 to 2000 rounds per month. Couldn't afford to do that with center fire ammo. No problems with MIM parts at all. The MIM thing is an overblown non-existing problem. Also the trigger lock has never caused any problem. In fact, as I understand it, from 30 years of being a machinist and dealing with all sorts of metal work, theres a good deal good about MIM parts. Some people need to get over it and accept new technology. These same people cried about "plastic" in guns, and look at the reputation for long term reliability the Glock's got over the years.

After the past intensive three years of shooting the hell out of my 617, I have zero hesitation about getting a new Smith with MIM parts.
 
Apples and oranges..

The only true thing to detrmine is your budget. A new in box Ruger will cost considerably less than a new SW 686. Both will retain good resale/trade value accordingly. Both will reliably do the job that you intend for them.

Whatever you decide to get just make sure that you intimately get to know it..Learn to shoot it well and shoot it often. Keep things simple and straight forward when it comes to holsters, choice of ammo etc. In addition to shooting it learn to properly clean it.

The one best thing you should do to any pistol or revolver you own, is have a experienced ie highly recogmended gunsmith tune the trigger.

Have you decided how your going to store it when your not actively wearing it.

Safe handling is priority one for your well being and those around you. Always be aware of your muzzles direction nobody likes getting sweeped. When using the 2 hand grip be cautious of your supporting hand, if you allow a finger or thumb to get forward and to the side of the cylinder the escaping gasses are enough to remove said finger.

Hearing protection should be ear plugs AND earmuffs together, eye protection always worn.

Good for you on deciding to learn and startibng with a revolver!! Pistols will soon to follow

ST~
 
If you are rarely going to shoot 357 magnums, I would go with the Smith. It has a much smoother action, The trigger pulls on current guns are just horrendous compared to older Smiths. They are also much easier for a gunsmith to slick up. I've owned and shot the hell out of them. The Ruger will hold up to a diet of magnums much better that the Smith. The Ruger is not near as refined and the trigger pull is gritty and not much can be done. They will shoot smoother after a couple thousand rounds. The 686 is an L frame smith that was meant to offer better service than the K frramed 19 and 66. The old N frame model 27 was a sweet shooting gun but way to large for most carry situations. I think you would be happier with the Smith & Wesson due to the ergonomics,aesthetics and a smoother trigger that with practice you can stage by pressing the trigger just enough to rotate the cylinder, and then follow through with the trigger press when the front site is on the target.
 
A Ruger trigger will 'slick' up quite a bit after extensive use whereas the Smith is slick to start with. Someting that really helps Rugers is a Wolff Spring Kit. The full kit comes with three different hammer springs and a couple of trigger return springs. I've had misfires with the lightest of the hammer springs so I always use the medium one with zero problems plus the lightest trigger return spring. While I have revolver taken down, I smooth up the various surfaces with fine grit abrasives and wind up with a 3 lb trigger with little effort.
 
I'll share a funny anecdote about the K-frame Smiths. It's "conventional wisdom" that they shoot loose with a steady diet of heavy loads. About a year ago, I was talking with Roy Jinks, S&W's historian, and I said "I've never seen one shoot loose, have you?" His answer: "Nope." I think we can add that one to the list of urban myths.
 
I've had plenty of Ruger and S&W revolvers.Right now I own more Rugers than Smiths.But,between the GP100 and the 686(have had both),I would go with the 686.The trigger slicks up better and the piece just feels better to me in hand.That said,my traveling companion for the last 18 years,or so,has been a 2 1/4" Ruger SP101.Quite simply,it is the most accurate snub that I have ever had the opportunity to shoot.Still wish I had my 4" Colt Python though,what a wonderful .357 that was ! Too bad they no longer make them in the Colt custom shop,to me they were some of the finest revolvers ever made.Some day I might stumble upon another.
 
S&W 686 7 shot all the way. Ive had both guns and although their both

great guns I prefer the Smith. The Smith has a Much Smoother trigger with

less lockup time IMO.

If you or a friend know a lot about revolvers Id get a good used 686.

Save at least $100 or more over retail. Id reccomend GunBroker.com. Ive

sold a few guns there. Its the Only place to go if youre buying or selling

guns IMO:D
 
How do they feel in your hand? If you can get some range time with both, you will have your answer.

Personally, I prefer the Smith. That 7th round makes me feel just a little better. I have it an a 4" barrel, and I had tritium sights put on it.

I bought mine second-hand. After a couple of years, I felt that the cylinder did not lock up properly. I called Smith & Wesson, and they said that I had to ship in in. They fixed it for free.
 
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