Rereading this thread I am still needing a clearer opinion on the actual trigger comparison. Is the S&W DA really superior to the GP100 or not ? If you prefer one to the other why - smoother, shorter pull, lighter ?
Also has anyone any experience on tuning the Rugers and if so what was the result?
Comparing out-of-the-box triggers on my S&W 686-3 (2,000 rounds at least) and GP100 (the latest model with the wood inlaid grips, before Ruger changed to Hogues, has 300+ rounds), here are my observations based on feel only, without actually measuring anything.
1. Length of DA pull - about the same.
2. Weight of DA - Both heavy, but the 686's is a tad lighter.
3. Smoothness of DA - 686 is a little smoother
4. Feel or control of DA, up to cylinder lock up- it is equally easy to "stage" both revolvers, that is, squeeze DA until the cylinder locks up, then squeeze the last fraction of an inch to drop hammer.
5. Feel or control of DA, from lock-up to hammer drop - the 686's pull requires a shorter arc and remains light and constant to hammer drop, while the GP100 requires a longer arc that gets stiffer until the hammer drops.
6. SA trigger -
686 is crisp, light (only a few ounces for sure), the proverbial hair trigger, the perfect SA trigger, IMO, safe only for range target use.
GP100 has tiny, almost indiscernible creep, weight is substantial compared to the 686, estimated at 2 lbs.
I think the GP100 will only get better with more use. The range rental I used 3 years ago had tens of thousands of rounds through it, it was remarkably smooth in DA. It wasn't really "light", but the smoothness made better control and therefore more accurate shooting. FWIW, I shot 25 rounds range supplied 357 magnum, double action, all hit in the black bullseye (3"?) of the standard range target, with two hits just touching the black. That experience sold me on the GP.
Box-stock, I would give the nod to the 686. But the GP100 would break-in nicely and give a beautiful trigger just the same.
The only thing I would do to a 686 to improve the trigger is a Wolff spring kit, changing both the leaf mainspring and the trigger return spring. Did that to two of my previous 686s and was a tremendous improvement over the already good stock trigger.
A gunsmith can tune the GP or if you like DIY, you can buy the Iowegan Book of Knowledge for the Ruger DA revolvers.
http://rugerforum.net/miscellaneous/20585-new-iowegan-gun-guide-2.html#post220764
Both revolvers will eventually wear-in their triggers beautifully.
