Smith or Ruger?

[burnaby]

Intend is fine and dandy but have your actually shoot a lot of 357 magnum? The 686 can withstand the heat, can your hands/arms?

Let say it again, number 1 rule, get what fits, not much can be done to change fit of handgun, not like rifle stock, you are basically stuck with factory setting.

I like DA, in S&W prefer the PC models, factory tuned, a lot smoother than reg. Tried the Ruger, didn't like the DA nor the feel. All personal.

Too bad you are another one of those that hide your location but here's the offer anyway, if you are local you are welcome to try my S&Ws.

Hi all,

I want to buy a 357 magnum wheel gun and so far I am hesitating between the S and W 686 and the Ruger GP 100.
People say the Smith is nicer ( better trigger and finish) but that the Ruger is more solid ( built like a tank).
I intend to be shooting mainly .357 mags in it so it has to be able to withstand the heat.
What is your say?

Thanks for your input.

Gilbert

 

[Curmudgeon]

Ruger frame is cast while the S&W frame is forged. So, ounce for ounce, the S&W is stronger.

 

[RacerRick]

Had both....sold the Ruger, kept the Smith. Nuff...said.

 

[Gillis2]

Thanks to all for your opinions.
I am pondering all your arguments
Still have to decide

Gilbert

 

[paisley70]

Go for a model 29 classic in .44 magnum. There you go, debate settled.

Well, that's the next on my list because I have both of the models you are inquiring about, and I just have to get another .44 after acquiring a 629 in 4.2".

Favourites will change with every new experience behind a wheel gun. Double action in a 627, .357 magnum is a sweet trigger pull. Forget single action.

 

[johNTO]

Forget single action.

...care to shed more light on this?

OP...get which ever feels best in yours hands. I can't see you wearing out either.

 

[Still Shootin]

I love them both, I done a spring change on my Ruger and what a GREAT shooter

 

[Dmitri]

+1 for S&W..

 

[Master-G]

I've owned a bunch of S&W revolver over the years (seven I think?) but I'm down to just one now. In .357 I've only kept a GP100. There's something about it that I prefer to a S&W that I can't quite put my finger on (although it could be just the novelty of it compared to my familiarity with S&W revolvers). I like the old-style GP100 grip more than any S&W grip, and it just feels more...I don't know...modern?...compared with S&Ws. I posted more thoughts on mine here.

 

[BCRider]

The 686 won't have any trouble holding up to a steady diet of .357's. As mentioned it's the slightly lighter K frame which is happier with mostly .38Spl.

Fit on a revolver isn't as big a deal because the fit of a revolver can be radically changed with the shaping of the hand grips. So it comes down to the two triggers since the 686 and GP100 are so close in other ways or the grips can be switched and/or modified to fit you.

In DA the Ruger has a little "click" in the trigger pull that occurs when the cylinder stop is released to snap up to the lock position. I find that highly annoying as it signals to me that the gun is just about to go BANG!. So if I'm going to flinch then the "click" tells me it's time to get on with it. It also leads to "staging" the trigger in DA and that is never a good thing to do. It SEEMS like it but it isn't. The Smith trigger just pulls back easily and smoothly with no such features until suddenly the gun goes BANG!

If you want to shoot a steady diet of .357Mag then consider the idea of the N frame 27 or 28. True Blued delights they are. And the bigger N frame soaks up the worst recoil from the .357's like nothing. Then you'll be ready for the next step up to .44 Mag...

 

[Master-G]

And the bigger N frame soaks up the worst recoil from the .357's like nothing.

Surprisingly (to me at least), a 6" N-Frame 629 is only 3 grams heavier than a 6" 686 due to the latter's full-length underlug.

 

[sunray]

Factory triggers mean nothing. All of 'em are crappy. All new firearms, regardless of brand(except Colt Pythons), require a trigger job due to frivolous U.S. law suits.
The brand makes no difference. The only thing you need to consider is does the revolver fit your hand. Smiths tend to be bigger(actually longer from grip frame to trigger) but sometimes can be fixed with a change of grip. Operative word being 'sometimes'. Had a 4" Smith 19 for years that I never did get to fit right. Did the trigger, but it just didn't fit. Never could quite reach the trigger properly. Daft part is that a 2" 19 has a 'J' frame grip frame and that fits perfectly with Pachmayr grips.
Bought a GP when they first came to Canada(only 4 inchers then), did the trigger and nothing else. It fits me perfectly. It's also why I need a Super Redhawk. Same grip on a great big SOB of a .44 Mag.

 

[Presley_Smith]

I looked at both & just bought the gp-100 love it! The trigger is fine & fit & finish are great! You can't go wrong with a ruger!