Revolver

For decades my only revolver was a ruger single six 4 5/8" with .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders.

Right before the handgun freeze I was able to get a Colt Python 4.25" and two Taylor's SAA 4.75" in .357 magnum. I upgraded the sights on the Python with Wilson combat rear adjustable sights and Gold bead front.

I'm kicking myself for not buying Colt Detective special, Ruger GP100, S&W 686, and Ruger SP101 back in the 1990's.
 
For decades my only revolver was a ruger single six 4 5/8" with .22LR and .22 Mag cylinders.

Right before the handgun freeze I was able to get a Colt Python 4.25" and two Taylor's SAA 4.75" in .357 magnum. I upgraded the sights on the Python with Wilson combat rear adjustable sights and Gold bead front.

I'm kicking myself for not buying Colt Detective special, Ruger GP100, S&W 686, and Ruger SP101 back in the 1990's.
I flew in from stateside just so I could order a bunch of pistols before ban deadline(still had/have rpal) , pickings were slim but ended up with a few semi's and got lucky snagging one revolver ...a GP100 day before deadline ! I love the rugers .... I wish I had a few more on the communist side tho.
 
I love the old Smith & Wesson antiques. They're pricey now but still available and I've had some very good ones pass through my hands until I found my "keepers". I now own a lovely 1st. Model Double Action and a New Mod#3, both in .44 Russian, for which I reload. They turn heads at the range when I bring them out and a lot of folks like to throw some lead downrange with them.
 

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I flew in from stateside just so I could order a bunch of pistols before ban deadline(still had/have rpal) , pickings were slim but ended up with a few semi's and got lucky snagging one revolver ...a GP100 day before deadline ! I love the rugers .... I wish I had a few more on the communist side tho.
I carried a S&W Model 10 for many years but I am a bit of a Ruger guy. Got a Security Six in .357 and a Single 10 in .22 and several Ruger rifles.
I almost got turned off of Ruger in the 80's, friend owned a 10-22 with feeding issues, I had an old model Blackhawk in .357 that just did not shoot, and I had a Mini-14 that was the most inaccurate rifle I ever owned (It functioned perfectly though). First .22 pistol I shot was a Ruger Standard, I thought it was great, then I went shopping and bought the first of two High Standard and never looked back. Fast forward to a couple years before Covid and I started a search for a .357 revolver, no longer than 5" and prefered a larger frame. I tried a few, looked at a lot, and was not long narrowing my search to either S & W or a Ruger GP100. Having set a modest budget, the search to find a good used revolver began. Within a couple months, found a GP100, 4.1" that was a gun-store counter gun. Brand new, in the factory box, all that paperwork, and at the upper limit of my budget. I bought it, and have never looked back. I have a couple regrets; 1. I should have gotten one in .22 LR; 2. I should have gotten a super Redhawk in .44 mag.

While I can see that they are built stronger than a S&W, I know that the S & W is plenty strong enough. Their triggers feel different in both single and double action. Which one is better out of the box? Neither; both are great, but different. Some say the Ruger is chunker looking. So am I, and I like big iron. It shoots very well, and more importantly, I can shoot it very well.
 
I almost got turned off of Ruger in the 80's, friend owned a 10-22 with feeding issues, I had an old model Blackhawk in .357 that just did not shoot, and I had a Mini-14 that was the most inaccurate rifle I ever owned (It functioned perfectly though). First .22 pistol I shot was a Ruger Standard, I thought it was great, then I went shopping and bought the first of two High Standard and never looked back. Fast forward to a couple years before Covid and I started a search for a .357 revolver, no longer than 5" and prefered a larger frame. I tried a few, looked at a lot, and was not long narrowing my search to either S & W or a Ruger GP100. Having set a modest budget, the search to find a good used revolver began. Within a couple months, found a GP100, 4.1" that was a gun-store counter gun. Brand new, in the factory box, all that paperwork, and at the upper limit of my budget. I bought it, and have never looked back. I have a couple regrets; 1. I should have gotten one in .22 LR; 2. I should have gotten a super Redhawk in .44 mag.

While I can see that they are built stronger than a S&W, I know that the S & W is plenty strong enough. Their triggers feel different in both single and double action. Which one is better out of the box? Neither; both are great, but different. Some say the Ruger is chunker looking. So am I, and I like big iron. It shoots very well, and more importantly, I can shoot it very well.
Well said, and I agree with all of it aside from the trigger comparisons. I also have a GP100 (and also regret not having a Red hawk), but there is no comparison between it and my S&W 629, which granted, has had some trigger work done to it; or my 1950's S&W Masterpiece, which is stock.

I've never owned a Korth or a Colt, but of all the revolvers I've ever shot, Smith and Wesson have the best trigger in both single or double action. Absolutely fantastic.

The GP100 is no slouch when it comes to shooting, as you're aware, but others might not be. Mine is wildly accurate for something with a short barrel and I do like the trigger. With enough rounds behind it, the stacking aspect of it becomes very intuitive. Almost like a two stage military trigger, I could hold the double action sprung just at the breaking wall, verify my sight picture and wham...hole in target poa. It's ridiculously fun with .38's, and down right respectable with .357's. A great gun, but not a Smith.

Internet pic for gun p0rn sake. ( a little elbow grease went into this example) ;)
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Well said, and I agree with all of it aside from the trigger comparisons. I also have a GP100 (and also regret not having a Red hawk), but there is no comparison between it and my S&W 629, which granted, has had some trigger work done to it; or my 1950's S&W Masterpiece, which is stock.

I've never owned a Korth or a Colt, but of all the revolvers I've ever shot, Smith and Wesson have the best trigger in both single or double action. Absolutely fantastic.

The GP100 is no slouch when it comes to shooting, as you're aware, but others might not be. Mine is wildly accurate for something with a short barrel and I do like the trigger. With enough rounds behind it, the stacking aspect of it becomes very intuitive. Almost like a two stage military trigger, I could hold the double action sprung just at the breaking wall, verify my sight picture and wham...hole in target poa. It's ridiculously fun with .38's, and down right respectable with .357's. A great gun, but not a Smith.

Internet pic for gun p0rn sake. ( a little elbow grease went into this example) ;)
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Very nice! Mine is plain old blue, but has the Hogue molded combat grip, 4.1" barrel as well. LSWCs shoot very well, but don't work well with my speed loaders; I need to get some more round nose for reloading; bought up thousands of SWCs privately during covid.
 
I was very lucky to get a Ruger Redhawk DA/SA in 45LC/ACP just before the door to our freedoms and liberties was slammed shut.
I really enjoy this beauty, and especially making the cast ammo. Since we'll never again have a chance to buy anything new, I went ahead and got a fancy brass HP mold. So much fun.

I used to have a new model Ruger Blackhawk in 45. I regret selling it.

I often visit the US, and every time I visit the gun shops down there it makes me resent Canada's government a little bit more. Canada really sucks.
 
A few years ago I bought a like-new, 1952 production S&W "Target Masterpiece" in .38 Spl out of someone's estate. Later designated the Model 14. A lovely revolver. I baby it with the target reloads it was born to shoot (148 gr wadcutter over 2.8 gr Bullseye, pounded out on the kitchen table with a Lee Loader).
 
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