revolvers" S+W N frame vs ruger GP100...

[ruger22]

Which should last longer?

Shooting say 5000 rounds of 38 SP and 500 rounds of factory 357 per year?

I have both. They both are accurate and shoot well.

So it is not about smith vs ruger. Both are good.

But if you had to keep one as a long term shooter, which one?

 

[RePete]

You are actually comparing apples and pears. They are different frame sizes.

The GP100 is the same size as a 686.

I would go for the Smith.

 

[ruger22]

You are actually comparing apples and pears. They are different frame sizes.

The GP100 is the same size as a 686.

I would go for the Smith.

Yes they are different frame sizes.
My question is about durability.

I know the GP100 is a more popular as a rental range gun.
I thought mostly based on the price of the ruger being less.

Any experences to share is most welcome.

 

[JohnC]

Rugers have a reputation for being very durable which i think is why the ranges use them. 5000 rounds a year is not much I suspect a range gun will see closer to 5000 rounds a month (maybe TSE could educate us here)

However the triggers are like night & day between the two so i would delinitely go with the smith. And if you have an N frame 357 it will be overbuilt since the norm now for .357 is L Frame.

 

[Dragoon]

I traded my 4" GP100 for a 4" S&W Model 28 (N frame) about 5 1/2 years ago. Best gun trade I've ever made.....

 

[sunray]

"...the triggers are like night & day..." All revolver triggers except the Python require a trigger job due to frivolous U.S. liability suits.
"...Both are good..." Exactly. It's like asking what vehicle will last longer.

 

[dan belisle]

"...the triggers are like night & day..." All revolver triggers except the Python require a trigger job due to frivolous U.S. liability suits."

Depends when the N frame was built. Older ones are usually much smoother then newer ones, as they come from the factory. Different from a Python, but just as smooth. - dan

 

[woodchopper]

I like my highway patrolman 6" N frame .357

I suspect that the heavy frame of the model 28 will last forever at the rate I shoot it

 

[Unregistered]

I have a model 28 (which I am thinking of selling) that has a smooth double action trigger from dry-firing. I bet it is much better than contemporary double action triggers. Certainly, the single action trigger is worth writing home about. But it doesn't fit my hand quite right, I'm thinking of switching to an L-frame model in 686 or GP-100 quality class.

 

[MTM]

My mid 70s Model 29 has a very, very nice trigger with no tweeking.

 

[RePete]

My mid 70s Model 29 has a very, very nice trigger with no tweeking.

That's coz it's worn out

All joking aside, they do get better dry firing and shooting.