S&W revolvers > Rugers?

mr00jimbo

mr00jimbo

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Smith & wesson seems to charge a considerable increase in price for their revolvers compared to Ruger. Is this extra price hike justified through increases in quality, or would you go for the Ruger bang for buck? Ruger makes some cool .22 revolvers too! :cool:
 
Could that not be improved pretty easily though? I mean if you can get a Ruger for 500, and a S&W for 1000...

Is there a noticeable different in build quality and erganomics? Lifetime durability? I would suspect S&W to lower their prices.
 
mr00jimbo said:
Smith & wesson seems to charge a considerable increase in price for their revolvers compared to Ruger. Is this extra price hike justified through increases in quality, or would you go for the Ruger bang for buck? Ruger makes some cool .22 revolvers too! :cool:
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S&W's are more expensive for a number of reasons. First, S&W's factory triggers are much better. Second, S&W parts are machined from barstock, while Rugers are cast. Machining parts from barstock is much more expensive than investment casting, and adds quite a bit to the overhead. Also, because castings are generally weaker than forgings and barstock, cast guns have to be made considerably thicker to ensure acceptable durability (which explains why most Ruger guns are so bulky).
 
mr00jimbo said:
Could that not be improved pretty easily though? I mean if you can get a Ruger for 500, and a S&W for 1000...

Is there a noticeable different in build quality and erganomics? Lifetime durability? I would suspect S&W to lower their prices.
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Actually, the price difference is not nearly as drastic. New Ruger GP100 sells for a little over $600 while the closest Smith competitor, the 686, is in the $800-850 range. For $200 more you get a sleeker, more aesthetically appealing gun made with higher quality materials and with a nicer trigger. And if you decide to send you Ruger to a gun smith, the cost of the trigger job, taxes and shipping is probably going to eat up most of this difference.
 
600 for a new GP100?! Really? I've checked it out to be almost 100 less than that, where the 686 is 900+

I like the 686 a lot but would like to consider more cost-effective alternatives.
 
....my $0.02, buy what you want. Ask yourself if the difference in cost is going to make a difference to your lifestyle 6 months down the road. It's like guys who buy Japanese cruisers (because they're "cheaper") and still go to the Harley dealerships to daydream. In case anyone thinks I'm slagging metric cruisers...I'm not (I own two of them).
I was in your shoes once. Thought about the GP100 6" blued because it was going for about $500+. Ended buying a mint 686 stainless NIB for $600 from an estate sale. If you're willing to do some leg work there are deals out there.
 
rottenfuher said:
Wich one has the better resale value?
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S&W, used rugers get cheap fast. They are a good gun for the buck though, there is a reason everyone buys super blackhawks for hot loads in .45 and .44, they are hell for strong.
 
The reason the Ruger could have a lower resale though could be that more people can afford to buy it new over the S&W(?)
 
Ruger's are overpriced when you consider all the casting they do to make their guns.....:)
I got my 686-3 for $300 used. See them all the time for $450-$600. Used 686 would be a better buy then a new Ruger KGP100 IMHO
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I had an extra 586 and decide to sell it at a gun show. Had a price of $300 on it. A little interest, you know the, I'll think about it and get back to you. One of the dealers I know came by, saw the gun, looked it over, pulled out his cash and paid me for the gun. The next day Mr. I'll think about it came by. I said it was gone but if you want to buy it you can go eight tables down and pick it up for $450 now.

You can get bargains but if you want it now then you are stuck with the now price. S&W make some great revolvers. I've got seven now. Most I paid was $400 for a 10 5/8" barrel model 29 (44 magnum). I do own a couple of Ruger Blackhawks for cowboy action shooting and an Old Army for black powder. No double action Rugers though. I might consider one but it would have to be real cheap (under $200). They are a good gun but I like the S&Ws much better.
 
Hitzy said:
Ruger's are overpriced when you consider all the casting they do to make their guns.....:)
I got my 686-3 for $300 used. See them all the time for $450-$600. Used 686 would be a better buy then a new Ruger KGP100 IMHO
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Yeah, I see the 686s for about the same price range. And occasionally one like yours (without the insert on the front sight) for $300. :p
 
I love the trigger on my stainless Redhawk .44 Mag...no complaints at all and no reservations about full-house loads at all times...bought used from Elwood Epps.
 
mr00jimbo said:
Why do you sa y that?
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If you take a tour at the Ruger's web site, you will find that Ruger make a lot of single action Revolver and some of them are really is a piece of fine art. However Ruger didn't spent much effort to their double action revolvers. As you mentioned they have .22 revolver but most of them are Single actions, only the SP100 has a .22 which has a four inches barrel and is 12.6 for us. GP100 is a good revolver and the price is good. I bought my 686-5 used for slighty under $500 and you won't believe how sweet is the gun. Try both of them if possible.

Trigun
 
FN said:
I'd take Ruger for a single action but definately S&W for a double action.
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I would also take a Ruger single action over a S&W single action...largely because S&W does not make single action revolvers :D
 
capp325 said:
Also, because castings are generally weaker than forgings and barstock, cast guns have to be made considerably thicker to ensure acceptable durability (which explains why most Ruger guns are so bulky).
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Actually that's a misperception. Properly cast carbon steels have similar mechanical properties to worked alloys.
 
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