Revolver thoughts

enoch said:
I have a 586 S&W and I like it but if I would buy another 357 mag I would buy the Manhurin 73

or the newer version the 88 I think. those are the best and solid revolver made. Tradeex is selling them

and probably other seller here. Buy once cry once!
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The 73 is great for sure. It will also go between 3.5 and 4K so you are paying for that quality.

There is less out there on the 88 and some of it quite mixed. I would love to see a thorough review from a trusted source.
 
it goes for $ 1895 as we speak and if you look at a performance center S&W right now you are in the same ballpark!
 
chola said:
Am looking at grabbing a revolver in the very near future
My choice are ruger go 100 or sp101 or the SW 686

357 is what I am going with

Wahts your thoughts on the choices and are there any others I may not know about

My hands are of the smallish side and I don’t have the luxury of trying anything firsthand unfortunately
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Well my 5'2" 120lb wife can handle a 4.25" 686 with no issues!!
 
enoch said:
I have a 586 S&W and I like it but if I would buy another 357 mag I would buy the Manhurin 73

or the newer version the 88 I think. those are the best and solid revolver made. Tradeex is selling them

and probably other seller here. Buy once cry once!
Click to expand...

Kind of apples and oranges....A MR73 is about 3X the cost of a 586 and a MR88 is more than double.
 
If you want a ###y revolver, get the Smith. If your looking for an old school, true classic revolver, a Smith fits the bill. On the other hand, if you just want something with a really nice trigger that shoots super smooth, you might wanna think about getting a Smith. But, if alls you want is something to feed 38's and 357's reliably at the range or elsewhere, I'd recommend the Smith.
 
Keeping my commentary to the three guns you listed. The Ruger GP 100 and Smith & Wesson 686 are generally equivalent, the S&W is going to be finished to a higher standard and will probably have a nicer trigger, both single and double action. The Ruger is going to be a bit more utilitarian in looks and finish but is most likely a bit more durable.

The SP 101 is in a size class different that the other two and has to be measure on its own merits.
 
GLS_1956 said:
Keeping my commentary to the three guns you listed. The Ruger GP 100 and Smith & Wesson 686 are generally equivalent, the S&W is going to be finished to a higher standard and will probably have a nicer trigger, both single and double action. The Ruger is going to be a bit more utilitarian in looks and finish but is most likely a bit more durable.

The SP 101 is in a size class different that the other two and has to be measure on its own merits.
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Good summation. That's pretty much how I see the 686 vs GP100 debate.
 
Just wanted to add one more point in favour of the Rugers in general. CLEANING! OMG, you just pop out the trigger group and drop it in kerosene, scrub, oil and replace. I haven't opened my S&Ws or Colts simply due to the anecdotal horror stories of "bits" being lost, replaced wrong, misaligned etc. Brilliant design.
 
Master-G said:
...the original wood-rubber GP100 grips are the best factory grip I've ever had on any revolver I've owned—and I've owned a bunch. It's a shame they got rid of them....
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This is good to hear as I just ordered a set of "snakeskin combo " rubber/wood grips frokm Altamont for my GP100. The Hogue it came with is OK but kind of clunky. My SP101 came with the squishy rubber/wood Ruger grips (made by Altamont for Ruger, I think) and I liked them except that I found them a bit small. I got a pair of rosewood grips made in Thailand off "Jaruwan" on eBay which are larger:

View attachment 130320
I'm thinking of dulling the finish down a bit, though.

I have a S&W Model 15 and 19 as well and they are, well, Smiths, and older oones at that. But the Rugers are very nice and I'm sure the OP will like his GP100. Some Rugers need a little cleaning up when new, though. My SP101 (the only revolver I've bought new) had some sharp edges but these were easily dealt with with some fine W&D paper and /or ceramic stone. I also disassembled it and did some polishing of contact surfaces inside. I've heard of finding tiny bits of swarf from machining on the inside of some Rugers, but mine was clean.
 
For a few more sheckles, there is also the MC version of the GP100 - comes with some nice factory upgrades such as (very comfortable) wooden grips, shimmed hammer, some polished internals, adjustable sights including fibre optic front, and a half underlug for a bit lighter weight. Stock DA was still a bit heavy but a set of $10 Wilson Combat springs fixed things nicely there - and the Ruger is a piece of cake to work on to do such yourself.

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I have a Smith 586. I bought it new about 2 years ago. It is beautiful and functions flawlessly. It is solid enough for the factory .357 magnum loads I feed it.

Gilbert
 
I have the 686 4.25" and it checks all the boxes for me. I run mostly toasty .38 SP and tepid .357 through it. The trigger is a delight and the gun is a joy to handle and shoot. I appreciate Ruger's Robust build.
 
fdc said:
I have the 686 4.25" and it checks all the boxes for me. I run mostly toasty .38 SP and tepid .357 through it. The trigger is a delight and the gun is a joy to handle and shoot. I appreciate Ruger's Robust build.
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To be clear though, there are no issues with the robustness of the L frame like the 686. It will handle anything the GP will. It is the older k frame like the 19 and 66 that were not adequate for a steady diet of full 357.
 
I have a 586 and a 66. The 66 is an older model that has been tuned for target loads and is now DAO. It's smooth as silk. I only shoot light loads in that since it was altered to be that kind of gun. The 586 will take the abusive loads. Another beast entirely is the Coonan but that only wants the heavy loads. (not a fair comparison)

I have to say though that the photo of the GP100 in post #8 makes me want to shoot one. It looks great and seriously heavy duty.
 
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